Honorable Mention – “Grind” (New Zealand)

Title: Grind
Runtime: 10 min
Country: New Zealand
Director: Jesse Ung
Placement: Honorable Mention
Competition: December, 2018

Synopsis: “GRIND” is a story of anxiety and insecurity run rampant as an insecure but stubborn young gay man named Kaleb obtains a gym membership and hires a personal trainer to improve his physique. Although initially unsuccessful in negotiating the labyrinth of exercise machines and intimidating body masses, with the help of his patient personal trainer named Travis, Kaleb overcomes his nerves and finds a strength within himself that he never knew he had.