An Avocado Pit (Um Caroço de Abacate)

An Avocado Pit (Um Caroço de Abacate)

Directed by Ary Zara

Genre Fiction
Country Portugal
Year 2022
Length 19:18 min
Formats DCP
Sound 5.1
Version English subtitles

Synopsis

Larissa, a trans woman and Cláudio, a cis man, meet one night, in the streets of Lisbon. Two people, two realities, who dance their differences away till morning light. In challenge, in surprise, in awe and in recognition. An empowering story, free from violence and filled with light and hope for the better days yet to come.

For Your Consideration, Best Live Action Short Film

*An Avocado Pit is Ary Zara's debut film

Watch AN AVOCADO PIT now (19 min)

Themes

human relationships, love, work relationships, transgender, night work

Biography

Ary Zara is a transgender person excelling in the roles of writer, director also working as a performer and activist. He studied Cinema at Lusófona University in Lisbon and at University of Texas in Austin. His debut short film AN AVOCADO PIT garnered numerous awards at esteemed festivals like Clermont-Ferrand, Indie Lisboa, AFI FEST, Brest, Regard, Guadalajara and Outfest. In 2023, it was nominated for Best Short Film at the prestigious Sophia Awards by the Portuguese Film Academy. Currently, Ary is engaged in writing his first feature film after concluding Torino Film Lab with a CNC award, while simultaneously working on his second short film, to be filmed in the beginning of 2024 with Wonder Maria Filmes.

Ary is driven to create narratives that reflect new possibilities for LGBTQI+ people, using storytelling as a tool for social intervention, infused with a heartfelt approach that shines a spotlight on authentic experiences of trans individuals. He strives to inspire a more inclusive society, leaving an indelible mark on both the art world and the hearts of those who experience their work.


Cast

Gaya de Medeiros
Ivo Canelas

Team

Production

Production : Andreia Nunes, Frederico Serra (Take It Easy Films)
Executive Producer : Elliot Page, PAGEBOY Productions

Script

Ary Zara

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Leandro Ferrão

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Carina Gaspar

EDITING Sara Marques
Sound Cyril Santos
Music Xinobi

Awards

 

Festival du Court Métrage de Clermont Ferrand, France |2023| *Best Queer Short Award, International Student Prize
AFI FEST, US |2022| *Grand Jury Special Mention for Best Lead Acting (Gaya de Medeiros) 
Guadalajara International Film Festival, Mexico |2023| *Best Ibero-American Award
Outfest, US |2023| *Best International Narrative Short Grand Jury Prize
Palm Springs Shortfest and Market, US |2023| *Special Jury Mention : LGBTQ+ Short

Indie Lisboa, Portugal |2022| * Yellow Color New Talent Award, Audience Award, School Award Special Mention
Bolton International Film Festival, UK |2023| *Best International Short 
Filmfest Dresden |2023| *LGBTQ+ Award
Festival du court métrage européen de Brest, France |2022| *Audience Award
Festival Regard |2023| *Audience Award, Special Mention Short & Queer, Special Mention Quebec Critic's Association
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, India |2023| *Best International Narrative Short
DIGO – International Film Festival on Gender and Sexual Diversity, Portugal |2023| *Best International Short Film
vistacurta, Portugal |2023| *Best National Production
Translations: Seattle Trans Film Festival, US |2023| *Special Jury Mention for Narrative Short Film
Silhouette Film Festival, France |2023| *Best Foreign Film


Festivals


75+ selections including : 

Festival du Court Métrage de Clermont Ferrand, France |2023| *Best Queer Short Award, International Student Prize
AFI FEST, US |2022| *Grand Jury Special Mention for Best Lead Acting (Gaya de Medeiros) 
Guadalajara International Film Festival, Mexico |2023| *Best Ibero-American Award
Outfest, US |2023| *Best International Narrative Short Grand Jury Prize
Palm Springs Shortfest and Market, US |2023| *Special Jury Mention : LGBTQ+ Short
Indie Lisboa, Portugal |2022| * Yellow Color New Talent Award, Audience Award, School Award Special Mention
Bolton International Film Festival, UK |2023| *Best International Short 
Filmfest Dresden |2023| *LGBTQ+ Award
Festival du court métrage européen de Brest, France |2022| *Audience Award
Festival Regard |2023| *Audience Award, Special Mention Short & Queer, Special Mention Quebec Critic's Association
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, India |2023| *Best International Narrative Short
DIGO – International Film Festival on Gender and Sexual Diversity, Portugal |2023| *Best International Short Film
vistacurta, Portugal |2023| *Best National Production
Translations: Seattle Trans Film Festival, US |2023| *Special Jury Mention for Narrative Short Film
Silhouette Film Festival, France |2023| *Best Foreign Film
Interfilm Berlin, Germany |2022|
NewFest, US |2022| 
Hamptons International Film Festival, US | 2023
Norwegian Short Film Festival, Norway |2023Leeds International Film Festival, UK | 2023
Mecal Int. Short Film Festival, Spain | 202320minmax short film festival, Germany | 2023DC Shorts, US | 2023
Rooftop Films, US | 2023
CinéPride, France | 2023
Porto Femme, Portugal | 2023
Oslo/Fusion Film Festival, Norway | 2023
Ouray International Film Festival, US | 2023
Brussels Pink Screens, Belgium | 2023
Philosophical Film Festival, Macedonia | 2023
QueerFlimFestival: Queergestreift, Germany | 2023
Chéries-Chéris, France | 2023
Le Cri du court, France | 2023
CineToile, France | 2023
Festival du film de Contis, France | 2023
Out On Film, US | 2023
Festival Zones Portuaires, France | 2023
QUEERSICHT Filmfestival, Switzerland | 2023
Kerry Film Festival, Ireland | 2023
Still Voices Short Film Festival, Ireland | 2023
Sunny Bunny Film Festival, Ukraine | 2023
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival, Ireland | 2023
Ciné Friendly - Rentrée MOTEUR, France | 2023
Tenerife Shorts -  International Short Film Festival, Spain | 2023
Portuguese Cinema Day, Germany | 2023
San Giò Verona Video Festival, Italy | 2023 
MiX International lgbtq+ Film Festival, Italy | 2023 
Helsinki International Film Festival, Finland | 2023
Cinemaforum, Poland | 2023
PERLEN - Queer Film Festival Hannover, Germany | 2023
Gandhara Independent Film Festival, Pakistan | 2023
International Usak Short Film Festival, Turkey | 2023
Festival de cinéma de Saint Paul Trois châteaux, France | 2023 
Aosta Pride, Italy | 2023
International Short Film Festival Detmold, Germany | 2023
Every Colour In Between, Australia | 2023
Olhar de Cinema – Curitiba Int'l Film Festival, Brazil | 2023
Sao Paolo International Short Film Festival, Brazil | 2023
Shortcutz Lisboa, Portugal | 2023
CHAMINÉ Film Weekend, Portugal | 2023
MixBrasil, Brazil | 2023
Cineclube de Pombal, Portugal | 2023
Festival du film de la Ville de Québec, Canada | 2023
Les Percéides, Canada | 2023
London Short Film Festival, UK |2022|
Queer Lisboa / Porto, Portugal |2022|
Ljubjalna LGBT Film Fest, Slovenia |2022|
AMPLA showcase, Portugal |2023|
Ouray International Film Festival, US |2023|
Orlando Shorts, Italy |2023|
Porto Femme, Portugal |2023|
Landshut Film Festival, Germany |2023|
La Fête du Slip, Switzerland |2023|