Trundle
and the Lost
Borscht of Atlantis
Even though Trundle makes the best borscht in the city, Mr. Murray says he is too hideous to work the counter. But when a Regular wants to thank the chef, Trundle takes matters into his own hands.
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Since premiering at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and screening at the Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner in 2023, the film has screened at over 30 film festivals on 4 continents. ​Written by Zachary Smolar and directed by Laura Lee.
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Laura Lee, Director​
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Laura Lee is a filmmaker, artist, and scintillating scoundrel based in Brooklyn, NY.She is Jamaican-American and grew up on Eastern Long Island. She has a BA from Williams College in English and Art History & Studio Practice, and is currently pursuing a masters at University of Cambridge studying Writing For Performance.
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Through her work, she explores humanity's natural humor and reality's multitudinous layers-- what is synthesized when we overlay the Everyday with the Otherworldly? Her film “Trundle and the Lost Borscht of Atlantis” (starring Norwegian comedian Daniel Simonsen) premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in 2023, and her other short film "Neat-O" is in post-production. Currently developing her first feature, Laura has also been a co-producer for the feature film Magic Hour starring Miriam Shor (Hedwig and the Angry Itch) and produced commercials, music videos, and short films in all 5 boroughs, upstate, and beyond.
Festival Screenings and Awards
World Premiere: Santa Barbara International Film Festival – Official Selection 2.15.2023
Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner – Screening on 5.21-24.2023
Northeastern Premiere: Woods Hole Film Festival – Official Selection 7.29-8.5.2023
European Premiere: Short Com in London – Screening on 9.2.2023
LA Premiere: Silicon Beach Film Festival – Official Selection 9.9.2023
Independent Shorts Awards – special screening on 9.16.2023
Wasteland Film Festival – Official Selection 9.29.2023
Bridge Fest - Winner of Best Comedy Short 2023
Absurd Film Festival - Winner of Best “Wes Anderson” September 2023
New York Premiere: New York Shorts International Film Festival – Official Selection 10.13-19.2023
San Diego International Film Festival – Official Selection 10.20.23
Middle Eastern Premiere: Izmir International Short Film Festival – Official Selection 11.19.23
Scottish International Fantastic Arts Network – Official Selection 11.25.23
Waterford International Film Festival – Official Selection 11.26.23
New York International Cult Film Festival – Outstanding Achievement Award 11.30.23
Vail Film Festival – Official Selection 12.8.23
Dubai International Film Festival – Official Selection, Honorable Mention – Best Narrative Short Film 1.5.24
Santa Monica Film Festival – Official Selection, Winner of Best Comedy 2.3.24
Utah Film Festival – Official Selection, Nominated for Best Narrative Short Film and Best Makeup 2.12-17.24
South American Premiere: Buenos Aires International Film Festival – Official Selection, Winner of Best Screenplay 2.21.24
Amsterdam World Cinema Film Festival – Official Selection, Winner of Best Dark Comedy 3.1.24
Cinequest Silicon Valley Film Festival – Official Selection 3.7-17.24
Vero Beach Film Festival – Official Selection 4.11-14.24
Cinema Columbus – Official Selection 4.24-28.24
Malibu Film Festival – Official Selection 5.26-31.24
Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival – Official Selection 6.28-30.24
Planet Cinema – Best Newcomer Award 7.18.2024
Screaming Ostrich Film Festival – Session Favorite Award 10.13.2024
Nocturna Film Festival – Nominee for Best Avant Garde Film 11.29.2024
Area 51 Film Fest – Nominee for Best Comedy Short Film 4.2.2025
Dark-Land – Semi-Finalist: Best Short Film 6.10.25
