Newport Beach Film Festival 2008

Gill is a disgruntled orange goldfish, bitter and cynical from living in the fishbowl too long. His arch nemesis the kid, constantly annoys him and feeds him “flaky crap food.” The loneliness of his fish bowl is getting too him. He decides enough is enough and that he is going to end it all. When one day the family dog, comes to look at him, Gill jumps out hoping to be torn to pieces. It does not happen and he is “rescued” by The Kid. He tries again by pushing his entire bowl off the mantle. The bowl shatters on the floor, his gills starve for oxygen, and he wakes up in a white void. He succeeded! He is in Heaven! Then the corners of his eyes catch a sight of the woman of his dreams. This is more than he ever hoped for! Or is it?

Narrated by James Earl Jones and based on Lane Smith’s book, a humorous and factual history of five lads who grew up to become Founding Fathers brings the early days of American history to life.

Short films screening in this program include: Bobble & Sqweek, Glimpse, The Golden Hour, The Interior Monologue of Gill the Goldfish, The Life and Death of Wriggly Chew, Pretend, Sleeping Betty, Some Like It Heavy, 'Till Death Do Us Part, The Toll, Yoga Noga Reyoga; The Enlightenment Competition, Zoologic

Animated creatures and characters frolic and play in the afternoon sunshine. When the school bell rings, they must turn back into children and return to class.

A running race serves a metaphor for life. Sprinters run to win, but cannot see what is beyond the success of their accomplishment. Is it more important it is to live with the right vision and direction or be obsessed with speed?