The 15 Short Film Festival might not be the most pleasurable thing for your ass, but it's certainly entertaining enough to have you pinned to your seat (with hopefully a quick stand-up break) for however many hours it takes to screen 20 films (15 minutes or less each). In its fifth year, the fest - started up by Charlotte natives Ryan Walker, Antonio Diaz and Keith Whatley - features selections from a number of different countries (12 are representing this go-round) in varying genres. This includes Paths of Hate (pictured), an animated flick by Polish director Damian Nenow about the action-packed (and obviously bloody) adventures of two fighter pilots in grueling WWII-era combat. For more information, visit 15shortfilmfestival.com.
— Anita Overcash