NORWALK, Conn. -- Film buffs can check out award-winning shorts from the TriBeca Film Festival beginning Thursday, Oct. 12 when the Short Cuts Film Festival opens at Garden Cinemas in Norwalk.

Produced by Westport-based JIB Productions, Short Cuts screens films premiered at the New York City-based film festival, which is known for its discovery of emerging and established international directors.

"We love bringing the vibrant energy and talent of TriBeca to Fairfield County," said Short Cuts producer Nancy Diamond. "Good short films are hard to find, and these were chosen from more than 3,000 entries."

It is fitting that the Oct. 12 Short Cuts program is entitled "Women Behind the Lens," as more than half of the 2017 TriBeca selections were made by female filmmakers. A discussion with the audience will follow the 75-minute screening of four short films.

Lorraine Nicholson's searing short "Life Boat" (USA) shines a light on the dangerous relationships that form at therapeutic boarding schools. The film was inspired by the experience of its lead actress Elizabeth Gilpin, who attended a school with such practices in southern Virginia. The film also features actor Stephen Dorff.

Winner of TriBeca's Best Animated Short, "Odd is an Egg" (Norway) was the first animated short directed by producer Kristin Ulseth. In this heartfelt film, Odd is terrified of his head, until his life is completely changed when he falls in love.

In 1965, rape victims in Sicily, Italy were encouraged to marry their rapists in order to avoid being ostracized by their religious community. Not so in "Viola, Franca," an Italian film based on a true story by UCLA's MFA Directing graduate and first time filmmaker, Marta Savina. "Viola, Franca" was the winner of Best Narrative Short at the Traverse Film Festival in Michigan.

"The Suitcase" by Abi Damaris Corbin was also inspired by true events. In this suspenseful and breathtaking film, a Boston baggage handler's life is turned upside down when he steals a suitcase containing terrorist plans. Damaris Corbin is the creator and winner of the USC Studio Innovation Grant, and is currently in the Sony Director's Program.

Short Cuts continues on Thursday, Nov. 16 with three more short films: "Big City" (Australia), the animated "Curpigeon" (USA), and the winner of Best Narrative Short at Tribeca, "Retouch" (Iran).

The Short Cuts program runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, oct. 12 at the Garden Cinemas, 26 Isaac St. in Norwalk. Coffee and cookies, served beginning at 7 p.m., and free popcorn are included with the $25 ticket price. The second Short Cuts program in the series, entitled "Despite the Endings," will be on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at jibproductions.org or by calling (203) 293-8729.

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