ShortsTV | hmpd

In partnership with The Jim Henson Company, we are proud to present a special collection Handmade Puppet Dreams short films through ShortsTV. These fifteen short films each showcase a different take on the art of puppetry on film and span years of Handmade Puppet Dreams filmmaking.

Included in this special collection is Lessons Learned (Dir. Toby Froud), Yamasong (Dir. Sam Koji Hale), The Narrative of Victor Karloch (Dir. Kevin McTurk), The Sure Sheep (Dir. John Kennedy), Moonfishing (Dir. David Michael Friend), Melvin the Birder (Dir. Spencer Lott), Junk Palace (Dir. Lyon Hill), Hitori (Dir. Raymond Carr), Harker (Dir. Anthony Giordano), Crane & Tortoise (Dragon Arts Studio), Ichabod (Dir. Hobey Ford), Lhamo Trung Trung (from Heather Henson, Alex Griffin and Tsering Choedron), Amaterasu (Dir. Christine Papalexis), Nature Calls (New Puppet Order), and Rasputin (Jamie Shannon).

The films begin Tuesday, November 5th at 8:30pm* and continue throughout November and December! Please look at the films, and collections, and their screening dates!

“Legends & Fairytales” Collection #1 - November 5th, 2019 at 8:30pm

Ichabod: Sketches from Sleepy Hollow – Directed by Hobey Ford, tells the story of a 19th century school master, who comes to a small village to teach the local children and becomes the target of a prank when the town bully becomes jealous of the schoolmaster’s attention to a woman whom the bully admires as well.

The Narrative of Victor Karloch – Directed by Kevin McTurk, tells the story of Victor Karloch, who receives a journal from a colleague who describes his descent into the abysmal deep and his encounters with the ghosts of a lost Templar Knights ship.

"Legends & Fairytales" Collection #2 - November 12th, 2019 at 8:30pm

Lessons Learned – Directed by Toby Froud. Instead of the regular tea and cake fare, Grandfather presents The Boy with an intriguing gift in Lessons Learned. When curiosity gets the best of him, the boy falls into an adventure of other-worldly experiences not intended for him.

Lhamo Trung Trung – In this filmed stage performance from Heather Henson, a nomad in Tibet encounters a beautiful lhamo trung trung, who changes his life and leads him on a magical journey. From Heather Henson & Tsering Choedron.

“Out In Nature” Collection #1 - November 19th, 2019 at 8:30pm

Crane and Tortoise – An adaptation of a classic Chinese folktale about the adventure and comedy of two mismatched animals. The show was conceived by Dragon Art Studio and adapted into a short film for Handmade Puppet Dreams.

The Sure Sheep – Directed by John E. Kennedy. The story of Tad, the youngest sheep on the Handley Sheep Farm, who dreams of playing his banjo with the others. But the older sheep won’t let him because they want all of the attention. When Tad gets his big break he lets the sheep join in.

Melvin the Birder – Directed by Spencer Lott. Melvin the Birder features a lonely fellow who is obsessed with capturing every species of woodpecker known to man.

“Strange Adventures” Collection #1 - November 26th, 2019 at 8:30pm

Moonfishing – Directed by David Michael Friend. A fisherman’s hobby of sculpting is interrupted when he must perform his monthly task of searching for the perfect spot to catch the moon’s shimmering sister and illuminating the town.

Hitori – Directed by Raymond Carr. In a universe made entirely of puppeteers, the puppet is always alone. Hitori is the story of a boy who is just trying to get back to where he came from.

"Strange Adventures" Collection #2 - December 10th, 2019 at 8:30pm

The Narrative of Victor Karloch – Directed by Kevin McTurk. Victor Karloch receives a journal from a colleague who describes his descent into the abysmal deep and his encounters with the ghosts of a lost Templar Knights ship.

Yamasong – Directed by Sam Koji Hale. Nani, a patchwork girl, chases a falling star and meets Shojun, a tortoise fisherman and warrior. Together, they journey through his surreal, fantastic world to the star’s mountain resting place to discover its secrets.

"Out in Nature" Collection #2 - December 17th, 2019 at 8:30pm

Nature Calls – Directed by Darrell C. Hazelrig. The story of a hiker who inadvertently drops her cell phone, inciting a brouhaha among the creatures of the forest who all want a taste of technology.

Crane and Tortoise – An adaptation of a classic Chinese folktale about the adventure and comedy of two mismatched animals. The show was conceived by Dragon Art Studio and adapted into a short film for Handmade Puppet Dreams.

Moonfishing – Directed by David Michael Friend. A fisherman’s hobby of sculpting is interrupted when he must perform his monthly task of searching for the perfect spot to catch the moon’s shimmering sister and illuminating the town.

"Legends & Fairytales" Collection #3 - December 31st, 2019 at 8:30pm

Harker – Directed by Tony Giordano. Evil rules the night. One man has made it his purpose to journey into the heart of hell and face the devil himself to take back what is rightfully his. This is the story of Jonathan Harker.

Amaterasu – Directed by Christine Papalexis, this is a short puppet film using found object marionettes to tell the classic story of the Japanese sun goddess, Amaterasu, and the troubled relationship with her brother Susanowo.

*Dates and times are for ShortsTV US only. Please check the ShortsTV website for additional screening dates/times for your region. Thank you!