Short films are like visual hors d'eouvres; they're meant to be sampled in bite-sized, stimulating storylines. It's the second year that The Farnsworth Art Museum has teamed up with the Strand Theatre to offer this international film series, called Rockland Shorts: International Short Film Series. The nine films were culled from more than 300 submissions.

The title of this month's screening is "Trials and Tribulations," something David Troup, Communications Officer at the Farnsworth Museum wanted to clarify.

"At first glance, the title seems as though these films are dark or sad, but actually it's about overcoming these trials," he said. "It's actually very hopeful."

The decision to feature short films follows the Farnsworth's artistic mission.

"It allows the fillmaker to experiment with different ways of telling a story without having to worry about a traditional narrative," he said. "In a more standard film festival, you can't really get away with it. In this slate, you still have stories that are being told, but in very interesting, experimental ways."

For example, Troup noted one stand out films in the upcoming slate is Oh Willy.

"I think people are really going to be mesmerized by this one," he said. "It's claymation done in felt characters about a young man trying to come to grips with his past with flashbacks to his nudist mother. But, remember these are felt characters. It's fascinating and beautifully lit."

Oh Willy is a 16-minute short from Belgium, France and The Netherlands. Directors Emma De Swaef and Marc James Roels explain its concept:

We were inspired by Diane Arbus’ photos of people living in nudist colonies. The photos are as poetic as they are uncomfortably banal and confronting. We wanted to achieve the same tension between poetry and shockingly uncensored imagery by combining the wool with the theme of naturism and question of what it means to live in a natural way.

Another stand out film Troup said to look for includes: Next Floor. "I think people are going to be pretty riveted by this one, although it's not a easy fim," said Troup. "It's a little grotesque dealing with unsustainable consumption."

This 12-minute Canadian film is described by director, Denis Villeneuve:

During an opulent and luxurious banquet, complete with cavalier servers and valets, eleven pampered guests participate in what appears to be a ritualistic gastronomic carnage. In this absurd and grotesque universe, an unexpected sequence of events undermines the endless symphony of abundance.

The slate of films starts Friday, Feb. 1 at 8:00 p.m. at the Strand and only lasts an hour. (The bar opens in the balcony at 7:30 p.m. for those who wish to get there early.) Afterwards for the next half hour, select filmmakers and media artists included in the series will join in a discussion at the Strand in person or via Skype for a conversation with the audience.

Following The Strand event, patrons are encouraged to go on over to FOG Bar, starting at 9:30 p.m, where drink specials will be served."The idea is to be able to continue the conversation of the films," said Troup. "So often when you go to these movies or events, you drive home alone and miss out on having a community to discuss your impressions with. That's what we're trying to do with these after-events, providing a place to continue the discusson."

Admission is $8.50  for the general public and $7.50 for Farnsworth members. The films are not rated. Some of the films include adult language and sexual content and are not suitable for young audiences.To find out more about the films, visit: http://farnsworthmuseum.org/rocklandshorts

Rockland Shorts is split up three times a year. The next events will be in April and June.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com