Time Realtor
Directed by Ariel Gardner
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Short Films, Sci-Fi, 05-Jan-2026
An aging widower attempts to make good with his estranged daughter by selling the time he has left. Ariel Gardner directs “Time Realtor,” a lo-fi, dark comedy pondering the question, how much are our lives worth? Carl, an older gent, arrives home to find an advertisement wedged in his doorway. Investigating the ad at a local office, he discovers the opportunity to sell the time he has left on earth in exchange for cash. Feeling despondent and ashamed, the man contemplates the offer with the intention of giving the funds to his daughter. But when he meets Pauline on the beach later that afternoon, his attitude begins to shift. In 4:3 aspect ratio and warm pixelation, Carl and his tender gravitas are hard to dismiss, along with the film’s ambitious concept. We’ve featured several works by Gardner in the past, including “Molly’s Single,” which made our 2019 Films of the Year List. -JM. Writer/Director/Producer/Editor: Ariel Gardner. Cast: Carl Ezold, Dana Swanson, Chase Fein, Rosvita Rauch. Camera: Bobby McCoy. Sound: Jake Robinson. Sound Design: Tyler Walker.
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