A Reconciliation at the Donut Shop
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Short Films, 18-Aug-2026
A young woman tries to reconnect with her half-sister at their uncle’s donut shop. Written by and starring Sam Spoll, “A Reconciliation at the Donut Shop” (directed by Zach Tavel) is a playfully anarchic vignette about healing an estranged relationship. Spoll plays a woman who speaks in sputters, awkwardly narrating from within the scene about loneliness and transformation. Entering the donut shop, she attempts to repair her bond with her sibling but there are complications. The film is presented as a reenactment, with an actor portraying the sister; when the real sister shows up for work at the donut shop, things take a turn. With its stylized, campy dialogue and saturated visuals, the film is an intriguingly off-kilter vision. -KA. Director: Zach Tavel. Writer: Sam Spoll. Cast: Sam Spoll, Rachel Marsh, Katie Chang, Pete Lee, Tiffany Ivy, Hayley Himmelman. DP: Shiobhan McCarthy. Editor: Jacob Bottorff. Producers: Sam Spoll, Zach Tavel.
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