Outside the Box [Office] invites you and a guest to attend

Awards-Qualified International
Short Film Showcase

Four short international films in consideration for Awards 

    
FEATURING:

PERFECTLY A STRANGENESS (Canada, Chile)
PANTYHOSE (Finland)
DON'T LEAVE HOME! (Georgia)
MAJONEZË (Italy)

Followed by a Q&A with the Filmmakers

3:00 P.M. on Monday, November 17th, 2025

The Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
George Lucas Building, USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex
900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVP REQUIRED.
 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
 

About the Short Films

PERFECTLY A STRANGENESS (Canada/Chile, 15 min.)

Written & Directed by Alison McAlpine.

Synopsis: In the dazzling incandescence of an unknown desert, three donkeys discover an abandoned astronomical observatory and the universe. A sensorial, cinematic exploration of what a story can be. 

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was screened at numerous festivals around the world, including TIFF, IDFA and Chicago Film Festival and appeared at the Cinema Eye Honors annual Shorts List, which spotlights 10 of the year’s top documentary short films. 

About the Writer/Director: Alison began her career as a published poet, inspired by family tales and the oral traditions of British Columbia where she grew up. Discovering theatre in Ireland, she soon after wrote and directed music-theatre works which toured Canada and Europe.

The success of her commission to write a TVOpera, inspired Alison to make her first film, Second Sight (2008), an award-winning mid-length film. BBC commissioned two versions of Second Sight. Ghostman of Skye (2009) was “Pick of the Day” or “Critics Choice” in every major UK newspaper. CIELO, Alison’s award- winning first feature, named as “One of the best documentaries of 2018” by Esquire and The Guardian, has been presented at over 400 international film festivals and cinemas.

perfectly a strangeness, Alison’s first short film, had its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Official Competition, May 24, 2024, and has since travelled all over the world. A 2021 Guggenheim Fellow, Alison is currently working on her first feature-length fiction film.

PANTYHOSE (Finland, 15 min.)

Co-Written & Directed by Fabian Munsterhjelm.

Synopsis: A couple are about to attend an important gala. They have their keys, phones and invitations – but there is a hole in their tights.

The film won the main prize at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, one of the largest events of its kind in the region. It was nominated for the Jussi Award (Finland’s premier film industry prize) for the Best Short Film.

About the Co-Writer/Director: Fabian Munsterhjelm is a Helsinki-based film director who has received recognition both in Finland and internationally. After graduating from the European Film College in Denmark, he has worked as an assistant director on several films and television series, as well as directed a number of short films that have gained attention at festivals and among audiences alike.

Fabian’s short film Laundry (2021) was screened at numerous international festivals and became the most-watched short film on Finland’s national broadcaster Yleisradio in 2023. His later works, Pantyhose (2024) and Thank You in Your Language (2022), have both been nominated for the Jussi Awards, with the latter winning the Audience Award at the Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy. In 2025, Pantyhose also won the George Lucas Grand Prix at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, one of Asia’s most prestigious film festivals.

Fabian’s films are characterized by their ability to entertain while also revealing something essential about the human condition. He wants to make comedy seriously, and drama playfully.

DON'T LEAVE HOME! (Georgia, 11 min.)

Written & Directed by David Japaridze.

Synopsis: In 2012, 82-year-old Data woke up one morning, expecting a visit from his granddaughter, daughter, and son-in-law. However, he noticed something unusual outside his house, marking the beginning of a tragic ordeal that separated him from his loved ones and home. 

The film screened at the Palm Springs International Shortfest where it received a Special Mention: Bridging the Borders Award. It was subsequently screened at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, San Jose International Short Film Festival, Dallas International Film Festival and Edmont International Film Festival. 

MAJONEZË (Italy, 22 min.)

Written & Directed by Giulia Grandinetti.

Synopsis: Elyria lives in a family ruled by her strict father. Trapped in this oppressive society, one day her desire to rebel takes over.

Majonezë recently triumphed at the AFI Festival in Los Angeles, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for best short film. It screened at over 60 festivals all around the world and has received numerous awards, including Special Jury Prize at the Seattle Film Festival, Jury Award at the Trieste Film Festival and Adriatic Film Festival.

About the Writer/Director: Giulia Grandinetti is an Italian multidisciplinary artist. She discovered her first love, dance, at the age of three, yet even as a child she dreamed of becoming a director.

In 2020, she made her directorial debut with the independent feature film Alice and the Land That Wonders. She then devoted herself to creating a trilogy of dystopian short films: Guinea Pig; Tria – On the Feeling of Betrayal (which had its world premiere in 2022 at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, Official Competition – Orizzonti Section); and Majonezë, currently on the international festival circuit and the recipient of numerous awards, including recognition at the Oscar-qualifying Brussels Film Festival. As a result, Majonezë is eligible for consideration at the 2026 Academy Awards.

She is currently developing her first feature film, Jaune et Bleu, set in France.

Grandinetti’s creative research is driven by a profound fascination with the human condition, the language of dystopia, and the exploration of taboos and dreamlike dimensions. The starting point for each of her works is a deep engagement with the body as a primary means of expression.

About Outside the Box [Office]

Outside the Box [Office] is a weekly showcase for upcoming releases highlighting world cinema, documentary and independent film titles. The series draws from around the globe to present movies that may challenge, inspire or simply entertain.

To view the calendar of screenings, click here

To SUBSCRIBE to our MAILING LIST for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "Subscribe" to: aago@cinema.usc.edu
 

Check-In & Reservations

The USC School of Cinematic Arts operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

This screening is free of charge and open to the public. A reservation confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 2:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Accessibility Needs

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Alessandro Ago, Assistant Dean, Programming and Special Events, at aago@cinema.usc.edu or 213-740-2330. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

Parking

On-campus parking at the University of Southern California is limited. We recommend buying a day pass for the Royal Street Structure, located at the intersection of Royal Street and W. Jefferson Blvd. Parking passes are $20/car. For more information about parking at USC, please visit USC Transportation Website:

https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/daily-and-hourly-parking/
https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/about-us/entrance-hours/

Contact Information

Name: Alessandro Ago
Email: aago@cinema.usc.edu