Diorama (2007)

Eleven year-old Izzy and her mom Caroline live a modest existence as Caroline struggles to get by as a musician, playing gigs and waiting for a breakthrough. For weeks Izzy has been asking Caroline for the ten dollars she needs to go on a science class field trip to a wild animal exhibit, but when Caroline gets fired from her last regular gig and can't come up with the money, Izzy is left to figure out how to get into the museum on her own. This short won several international awards at film festivals and competitions, and features the remarkable debut of Frances Distefano.