NFFTY 2026 Festival Guide

Welcome to the 19th edition of NFFTY – can you believe it’s our final year as a teenager? As our community grows, the lasting legacy deepens with a regular crop of alumni garnering prestigious awards and appearing at esteemed festivals around the world. From first-time directors finding their voice to returning filmmakers premiering their bold, new work, NFFTY remains a launchpad for our next generation of storytellers.

Bringing people together reigns as one of our most powerful generators of change and human connection; what better place than at the cinema? More than ever, we should hold each others’ stories tight. Throughout the festival weekend, we will see works from 30 states and 41 countries/territories, making this one of the most global editions of our festival yet.

Filmmakers, parents, educators, and aspiring students: immerse yourself in this ever-expanding cohort, a robust network of supportive artists and creatives who are changing the face of cinema. Put yourself out there and make connections that last a lifetime. We’re all we’ve got — no matter how bumpy the road gets, passionate collaborators will make it all worthwhile.

As we celebrate nineteen years of visionary storytelling, we also look ahead with anticipation of the voices to come. Whether this is your first NFFTY or your tenth, join us in celebrating the stories that bring us together and the community that makes them possible.

- Ryan, Amy, and the NFFTY Team

From indie darling to Oscar® nominee.

From indie darling to Oscar® nominee.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Train Dreams for this year’s Academy Award® nomination for Best Picture. We’re honored to have played a role in the creation of a remarkable film.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Train Dreams for this year’s Academy Award® nomination for Best Picture. We’re honored to have played a role in the creation of a remarkable film.

PRESENTING SPONSOR & OFFICIAL EDITING SOFTWARE:

GOLD SPONSORS:

PREMIER SPONSOR & OFFICIAL AIRLINE:

SILVER SPONSORS:

BRONZE SPONSORS:

FUNDERS:

PRODUCING PARTNERS:

Let your imagination take flight

Alaska Airlines is committed to lifting the communities we serve.

Proud to be the Official Airline of NFFTY.

NARRATIVE

NARRATIVE (STUDENT)

DOCUMENTARY

DOCUMENTARY (STUDENT)

ANIMATION (STUDENT)

JAS KEIMIG

BRIAN CRAWFORD FERNANDA FRICK (NFFTY ‘17)

BRITTANY YOUNG (NFFTY ‘23 ‘24 ‘25)

HANNAH SCHIERBEEK (NFFTY ‘22) LEXSCOPE

GISELLE BONILLA (NFFTY ‘19)

EMMA WEINSWIG (NFFTY ‘22 ‘23)

KEVIN XIAN MING YU (NFFTY ‘22 ‘24)

GINA BASSO

ALEXANDRA KERN (NFFTY ‘18)

GABRIEL GAURANO (NFFTY ‘18 ‘22 ‘23)

KAT SCHULZE

OMOLOLA AJAO (NFFTY ‘22)

CHARLES POEKEL

MICHAEL HUANG

STEPHEN NEARY (NFFTY ‘09)

MULAN FU (NFFTY ‘19 ‘23)

MEMBERS

EXPERIMENTAL

EXPERIMENTAL (STUDENT)

MUSIC VIDEO (STUDENT)

EPISODIC

STORY STARTS HERE

MELINA COUMAS

ADRIAN ALARILLA VITÓRIA VASCONCELLOS (NFFTY '22)

MARJORIE CONRAD

LILY BOLTON

JUSTIN KAMINUMA (NFFTY ‘23 ‘25)

MUSIC VIDEO

ABDUL KASSAMALI

OLIVIA DE CAMPS (NFFTY ‘22 ‘23 ‘24)

LIVT

ZIA MOHAJERJASBI ISABELLE HAHN (NFFTY ‘23 ‘24)

CHRIS CUNNINGHAM

FRIDA PEREZ (NFFTY ‘18)

ALEX HERZ (NFFTY ‘12 ‘15 ‘16 ‘22)

LACEY LEAVITT GRAY

REBECCA LYNNE LOFTIN (NFFTY ‘24) JASIRA ANDRUS ANDY SPLETZER

JURY NOMINATED SCREENPLAYS & FILMS

NARRATIVE

EVERGREEN

Luke Gardiner - 21

GLIDE (ALL THE PEOPLE I’LL NEVER BE)

Li Anne Liew - 24

SUNNY OAKS

Max Davies - 23

SWEET BOY

John Kim - 22

THE THRILLING ADVENTURES OF AMOS WATERS

Ella Janes - 18

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Giran Findlay Liu - 23

NARRATIVE (STUDENT)

HONEY, MY LOVE, SO SWEET

JT Trinidad - 24

UP FILM INSTITUTE

LOVE192

Haydon Mayer - 23

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

MY DAD IS DEAD

Alva van Niekerk - 24

SUNDBYBERGS FOLKHÖGSKOLA

NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL

Jiaying Lin - 22

THE SHOWER

Nathan Campbell - 20

WHAT ARE GRANDCHILDREN MADE OF?

Lindsey Susor - 21

SCAD

DOCUMENTARY

A STILL DANCE

Austin Tsai - 22

GATORVILLE

Freddie Gluck - 24

PÓPO

Jingyi Li - 23

TALISMANS

Lada Kopytova - 22

THE PLANE I CALL FAMILY

Carson Wine - 24

THE THINGS WE LOSE ON OUR WAY TO THE SKY

Yaeji Kim - 16

DOCUMENTARY (STUDENT)

A LITTLE REGRET IN HELSINKI

Haohao Qiaoshi Liu - 22

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

AQUÍ NADIE SABE QUIÉN FUI

Alejandra Villegas - 23

Vanessa Navari - 23

Kate Vela - 24

UNIVERSIDAD IBEROAMERICANA MEXICO CITY

DEAR MAE

Mona Patterson - 22

Josiah Mendoza - 21

Zoey Franklin - 22

CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY

FJALLFERÐ

Jesse Smolan - 23

Josh Fairmont - 23

Ollie Smith - 23

COLORADO COLLEGE

KARNAMA (WELL OF DEATH)

Pranav Dawar - 22

PRATT INSTITUTE

WAKE

Eva Phillips - 22

YORK UNIVERSITY

ANIMATION

BECAUSE, I AM A GIRL

Sayazhan Ispolganova - 19

Rosita Keneshova - 20

Fatima Chorobekova - 19

Dariya Murzulukova - 18

BITTERSWEET

Jared Rosenthal - 23

BONER PILLS

Phoenix Park - 20

CHIRP TALKER

Audrey Cheng - 10

EMBODIED

Samuel Wright Smith - 24

ILLUMINATION

Charlotte Anthony - 17

ANIMATION (STUDENT)

INSIDE MY WORN OUT DRAWER, IS AN OCEAN

Siwoo Kim - 23

PRATT INSTITUTE

OUR POCKETS ARE FULL

Anjali Pulim - 22

SVA

PASALUBONG!

Sophia Uy - 21

CALARTS

STELLA MARIS

Xinpeng Huang - 23

VANDERBILT

STILLTURN

Rita (Rui) Chen - 22

CALARTS

THE 12 INCH PIANIST

Lucas Ansel - 24 RISD

EXPERIMENTAL

E BE SO!

Michael Fadugbagbe - 22

FLUTTERBY

Ris Igrec - 24

I WILL BE A FISH FOR ONE DAY

Angel Noriega - 19

MI MAMITA TODAVÍA

MANTIENE EL CUARTO DE MI TÍO

Alex Guerra - 22

NAIL POLISH

Sea Sombar - 17

Alice Chiotti-Lee - 16

SICK BIRD

Gabriella Rigakos - 22

EXPERIMENTAL (STUDENT)

CRUCIFYMEINMYADIDASTRACKSUIT

David Dean Tostes-Ribeiro

McLaughlin - 20

NYU

HOPE LOA

Nanea Ah You - 22

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI’I AT MĀNOA

LOS TRES ANTIFACES:

THE FIRST BODY

Angel Rojas - 22

CLARK UNIVERSITY

MUNCHIEZ

Sascha Lourdes - 20

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

THE CLOUD

Malik Terrab – 22

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

VOICEMAIL

Lade Tinubu - 22

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

MUSIC VIDEO

CHERRY COLA

Justin Nguyen - 23

GODDESS OF ORANGE COUNTY

Marlena Lerner - 24

MĀMA

Keith Leung - 23

LEAD BY EXAMPLE - ALI SHAH

Angela Wang - 24

IT’S HARD (TO BE A MAN)

Grace Stromatt - 24

SWARM

Mia D. Alejo - 21

Molly Masson - 21

MUSIC VIDEO (STUDENT)

HOLE TO FILL

Sydney Andrews - 23 SCAD

ONE MAN ARMY

Brandon Wong - 16

Ye-eun Hong - 17

KAMIAK HIGH SCHOOL

POISON BERRY PIE

Katherine Dunn - 22 CSUN

SEBAS - SKIN

Luke Santo - 16

SEATTLE ACADEMY

SHAMDEMONIUM

Grace Rathbun - 23

KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE

VIDRÌI TR’AHTŁOO

Nanieezh Peter - 21

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS

EPISODIC

GENERATION WELL

Jack Serra - 24

PUKE BITCH

Sam Tricomo - 21

TI BLAN

Dwight Ellis Jr - 21

PILOT SCRIPT

COCOKNOT

Lily Andrews - 18

GORDO

Martín Granada Lopez - 24

SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE (ISERENA PILOT EPISODE)

Saida Lewis - 21

SHORT SCREENPLAY

APPA

Lizzie Han - 24

ASSHOLE

Harsimran Sandhu - 24

RUTTING SEASON - ŘIJEN

Luka Painter - 19

VOTING FOR AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS

Help to decide who walks home with an Audience Award by casting your vote! This year, voting will take place digitally on your own devices.

Step 1: Scan the Votemo QR Code at your screening. After your screening, you’ll see a Votemo QR code on screen and displayed as you exit the theater. Voting is only open for 1 hour after your screening.

Step 2: Vote! All that’s left to do now is cast your vote and let us know what you think. Rate the films you’ve seen from 1 to 5 stars (with 5 being the best).

If you have our virtual pass and are viewing online, vote for your favorite directly on the screening page! The cut-off for voting on all virtual screenings is 6:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM ET on Sunday, March 29.

Once the votes are tallied, we will announce the winners in a live Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 29, on our website, and on our socials.

“FSU CHANGED ME. LITERALLY.

“FSU CHANGED ME. LITERALLY.

IT COMPLETELY CHANGED WHO I WAS AS A HUMAN BEING.”

IT COMPLETELY CHANGED WHO I WAS AS A HUMAN BEING.”

Academy Award Winner, Barry Jenkins

FSUFilm Alum, ‘03 Moonlight, Mufasa

Academy Award Winner, Barry Jenkins

FSUFilm Alum, ‘03 Moonlight, Mufasa

HOW TO NFFTY

How do I attend the festival?

NFFTY is happening in-person AND online. We recommend you purchase an all access pass to get the most out of your NFFTY experience. Passes and individual tickets are available for purchase in advance at NFFTY.org or in-person during the festival.

The in-person festival events run Thursday, March 26 - Sunday, March 29, 2026. The Opening Night screening will take place at the SIFF Cinema Downtown, with the majority of screenings and discussions Fri-Sun taking place at the SIFF Cinema Uptown at 511 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle (unless otherwise noted).

Virtual viewing

For those purchasing our virtual festival or all access pass, NFFTY’s virtual festival runs March 26 - April 5, 2026 and takes place on the Eventive platform. You can find the full lineup at watch.nffty.org . All screening blocks listed online will become available in our virtual catalog at the time that they premiere live in Seattle.

To access virtual screenings starting March 26, simply “unlock” the screening of your choice with your All-Access, Filmmaker or Virtual Pass. Passes are good for one unlock per screening. Once a screening is unlocked, you will have five days to begin watching, and 48 hours to complete watching once you have pressed play.

All virtual content will be available online until Sunday, April 5 at 11:45pm PT.

What should I wear on the red carpet?

Dress however your heart desires! NFFTY’s red carpet is known for its vast range in style. Whether you want to show up in a ball gown or jeans, you will still fit into the NFFTY vibe.

Where can I find my red carpet and other NFFTY photos?

NFFTY posts all of our professional photos taken throughout the weekend. Our festival archive will house our program guide, photos, and more at nffty.org/festival-archive.

Where do I find the ratings or content warnings?

NFFTY features independent short films from all over the world, as such they do not undergo a rating system like a traditional movie. While our films are made by young filmmakers, nearly each screening block contains content that is not suitable for younger viewers. We suggest parents and guardians review the film synopses in these screenings to determine if it is suitable for their families. If you have additional questions or concerns about a screening or the subject of a film please find a staff member in person or online via info@nffty.org.

WORKSHOPS & PANELS

FRIDAY | MARCH 27

SPEED NETWORKING

9:00AM @ THE CORNISH PLAYHOUSE

Start your weekend off right at this beloved NFFTY tradition! Connect with likeminded individuals, gain valuable industry insights and build meaningful professional relationships at this exciting opportunity for young filmmakers and industry professionals. Community building starts here!

PUGET SOUND ALL FEMME FILM EVENT

10:30AM @ VERA PROJECT

The mission of the Puget Sound All Femme Film Event is to give young femme identifying filmmakers in the PNW the opportunity to create films that showcase their perspective and screen them at high profile events. Helping to connect students with women in the media industry, the day will feature an engaging keynote presentation, a film screening, a professional panel, and a wealth of networking opportunities with over 20 professionals from a variety of roles in the film and media industry.

BUILD YOUR FIRST SCENE: VIRTUAL PRODUCTION IN UNREAL ENGINE

11:00AM @ SIFF UPTOWN 3

Curious about virtual production but not sure where to start? This workshop introduces students to the basics of Unreal Engine, the free software powering some of today’s biggest films and shows. Together, we’ll break down what virtual production is, why it matters, and how anyone can begin experimenting right now. Through images and examples, you’ll see the step-by-step process of building a scene from start to finish, giving you a clear sense of the creative workflow. Students will walk away with an understanding of how to create their own projects using free and accessible tools. Attendees to the workshop will also receive access to slides that will help kickstart their learning once they leave the festival.

FROM FRICTION TO FLOW: AI-ASSISTED EDITING TOOLS THAT RECLAIM YOUR CREATIVE MOMENTUM

3:30PM @ SIFF UPTOWN 2

In this hands-on session, discover how to stop fighting your tools and start owning your creative momentum. We’ll explore how Firefly Boards can accelerate previsualization and storyboarding, how Premiere Pro’s AI-powered features like text-based editing, filler word removal, translated captions, and object cleanup with AI-Powered Rotoscoping can dramatically reduce friction in post, and how After Effects’ new 3D tools, smart masking, and variable font support can elevate your visual storytelling. The goal? Less technical stress. More storytelling power.

SATURDAY | MARCH 28

SUNDAY | MARCH 29

THE FILMMAKER GRIND: A CONVERSATION WITH BING LIU

1:30PM @ SIFF UPTOWN 2

In 2018, Chicago filmmaker Bing Liu’s heartrending documentary Minding the Gap premiered at Sundance and went on to be nominated for an Oscar. While Liu continued to work in documentary, he also began working in fiction filmmaking, eventually partnering with major production companies, Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Barry Jenkins’ PASTEL to make his fiction debut, Preparation for the Next Life, currently in release from Amazon MGM Studios. How did he do it? In this candid conversation, Liu will discuss his winding path from studying to become a high school English teacher to working as an IATSE camera assistant to suddenly finding himself navigating agencies, production executives, and financiers.

POST PRODUCTION PITCH COMPETITION

3:15PM @ SIFF UPTOWN 2

Join us for our fourth Pitch Competition! Six finalist projects, all works in progress directed by filmmakers 24 years old and younger, have been chosen to pitch for up to $5,000 in finishing funds. This is an opportunity for filmmakers to pitch in front of industry professionals and receive feedback on their work as they put on the finishing touches. Come get a sneak peak at these future projects in the pipeline before they premiere! Past winners have screened at Sundance, Toronto, Locarno, and more!

FAST FILMMAKING THAT ACTUALLY WORKS A 48 HOUR FILM STORY

1:00PM @ SIFF UPTOWN 2

A film. A full crew. Just 48 hours. This session breaks down how a high-pressure, real-world shoot went from chaos to a finished film. Focusing on fast decision making, efficient gear choices, and staying creative under extreme time constraints. Walk away with a practical mindset and approach you can use to start making films immediately, no matter your resources. Michael Tobin is a filmmaker, editor and YouTuber who creates content helping creatives make more cinematic videos with the gear they already have and emerging technology. Through both narrative projects and hands-on productions, Michael focuses on capturing authentic, story-driven visuals without overcomplicating the process.

GISELLE BONILLA: THE AGONIES AND ECSTASIES OF YOUR FIRST FEATURE

2:15PM @ SIFF UPTOWN 2

Every film is a miracle…some more so than others. Your best bet is to assemble the team with whom you wish to wage war against the movie gods. NFFTY alumni Giselle Bonilla’s feature debut, THE MUSICAL, played in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2026 and is based on a short of the same title she and her crew made while at AFI. This revealing session will take you behind the scenes on turning a proof of concept into a feature, the ups and downs of getting it made, and the road leading to a world premiere at Sundance.

PITCH COMPETITION

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 2 | 3:15PM

PRESENTED BY:

PAPER TIGER

Dir. Don Ahmad

One humid summer night, Omar, a PakistaniAmerican drop out turned drug dealer, scams a group of Indian-Americans with his reluctant friends. The next day, when they arrive at his sister’s ceremony, they realize that the guys they scammed are the groom's cousins — and these cousins are hell-bent on revenge

BLUEGUM

Dir. Poetry Salaam

When he meets a girl on his last day alive, a soft-spoken vampire fledgling must figure out how to speak up for what he wants before he dies at the stroke of midnight.

Six finalist projects, all works in progress directed by filmmakers 24 years old and younger, have been chosen to pitch for up to $5,000 in finishing funds. Come get a sneak peak at these future projects in the pipeline before they premiere! Past winners have screened at Sundance, Toronto, Locarno, and more!

This program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to youth artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Grant funds may be used for any post-production costs including but not limited to closed captioning and audio descriptions, editing, color correction, special effects, graphics, music licensing, and photo licensing.

Attendees at the competition will gain valuable experience to the art of film pitching, plus a sneak peek at these upcoming films!

DIGITAL DREAMS

Dir. Zoe Olavides

MONROVIA, 1971

In a surreal digital landscape, two women share their dreams until their inner worlds blur, unraveling memories, identities, and dreams amidst a patriarchal technological world.

Dir. James Delisio, Ian Guzman Monrovia, 1971 recontextualizes the story of 13-year-old Mark Edward Allen, an African American boy who was found hanging from the bars of his jail cell in the police department of Monrovia, CA.

NO CAUSE STATE

Dir. Malik Terrab, Brandon Miodusewski

In rural Vermont, shortly after a near-fatal fall, an elderly couple faces a "no-cause" eviction that threatens to sever their connection to the world. Childless but bound by a deep reciprocal care for their animals and community, their enduring love is documented through a fragile landline connection and the drawings they make to survive a life without screens.

INHUMA

Dir. Chi Tran

After pulling the plug on his ailing father, guilt-ridden Si Wang must honor an ancient Asian tradition by spending one night with the corpse in his family home, or risk the arrival of an unexpected guest.

48 HOUR FILM OFF

High school teams compete to make the best possible film, from conception to post-production, in just 48 hours.

Films screen during the NFFTY festival, and winners are awarded based on a combination of audience voting and jury deliberation. The winning school gets a cash prize to help support their film program!

WATCH THE FILMS IN-PERSON ON:

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

11:00AM SIFF UPTOWN 2 CINEMA

All submitted films will screen in our virtual festival from March 26 - April 5, 2026

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Anacortes High School

Annie Wright Schools

Ballard HS Filmmaking Program

Ingraham High School

Kentridge High School

Liberty High School

Mount Si High School

Queen Margaret’s School

Rosary Academy

Sehome High School

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

St. Roch Catholic Secondary School

Tahoma High School/Video Production

The Northwest School

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics

White River High School

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

SIFF CINEMA DOWNTOWN

6:00 PM

Welcome to the 19th edition of NFFTY! From stories of life’s tense trials to tearful triumphs, get ready for an eventful, jam-packed festival weekend that will leave you cheering, laughing, and hungry for more films. Bring your friends, family, and a box of tissues–this year’s festival is one for the books.

MĀMA

Keith Leung - 23, Xiaochen Yu - 24 | NY, USA

A mother finds her son’s mixtape and learns what he truly feels about her.

(LEILI’S PHOTO)

Maral Mostafavi - 23, Anna Sheibani - 21, Wynne Kwok - 21, Lucas Wurstlin - 23 | CANADA 8-year-old Leili wants to take a pinhole photo of her family for school the next day, but her family will not cooperate.

PASALUBONG!

Sophia Uy - 21 | CA, USA

In an airport mall, two friends who’ve formed a life-changing friendship spend their last day together before they part ways.

KARNAMA (WELL OF DEATH)

Pranav Dawar - 22, Vidhu Kota - 22 | INDIA & NY, USA

The high-stakes world of the stunt drivers of Well of Death — where passion, risk, and sacrifice collide.

THE THINGS WE LOSE ON OUR WAY TO THE SKY

Yaeji Kim - 16 | CA, USA & SOUTH KOREA

A reinterpretation of memory through the main motif of the color blue, grappling with both cultural and personal dissonance.

SUNNY OAKS

Max Davies - 23, Toby Mallender - 21, Dajiana Huang - 23 | UK

A son visits his elderly mother in a care home, where he is confronted with an unthinkable dilemma.

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Giran Findlay Liu - 23 | CANADA

A devoted immigrant mother sets out to deliver a cake for her son’s birthday, but as the day unravels she is forced to confront the reality of her son’s situation.

EXPERIENCE POINTS (XP)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 2

11:15 AM

SEARCHING FOR COLOR

Mikayla Ashe - 20, Venus Lordson - 20, Ihsan Zirih - 21 | CA, USA

An Asian adoptee struggling under her white mother’s expectations finds confidence and cultural connection through an unexpected bond with a maternal nail technician — until a bittersweet goodbye forces her to embrace her identity on her own terms.

SHALLOW

Luca Huff - 22, Sophie Montgomery - 23, Robbie Cook - 20 | NC, USA

Masculinity and pride divides two teenage boys on a night out.

MÙA XUÂN CÚA MĘ (MOTHER’S SPRING)

Trâm Anh Nguyên - 22, Andrea Lopez - 24, Khushil Doshi - 22 | CANADA & VIETNAM

As Têt (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) approaches, a young immigrant grapples between cultural expectations and their desire to explore a masculine identity, especially when pressured by their mother to wear a feminine áo dài.

Who are you when no one is watching? And what is it that YOU want? It's time to gaze into the mirror with this collection of personal and intimate shorts. Light a candle, bust out your trusty journal, and prepare for a journey of selfreflection and discovery. Ready or not -- change is coming.

ZIE, ZO

Kris van Melle - 24, Anne Luz IJzerman24, Isabella Klauwers - 23 | NETHERLANDS

With a fresh, short haircut (by her own doing), tomboy Juul hesitantly enters her mother’s exhibition, wishing to be seen in a new light, but is immediately confronted with a horribly girly portrait of herself.

PANSIES

Jamie Simiele - 21, Daniel Shillinglaw - 20, Zeena Kubeisy - 23 | NY, USA

After Caleb is almost caught in the back of a pickup truck with Logan Balfe, he has to keep things quiet while driving Logan home.

VIOLENCE OF OUR OWN

Emilie Berkowitz - 17, Yaeji Kim - 16 CA, USA

A reimagination of memory and the necessary courage one must take upon themselves in order to feel fulfilled.

MARBLE TISSUES

Karson Kane - 22, Spencer Milligan - 22, Ian Gram - 22, Ben Hamer - 22 | IL, USA

Robin wanders a landscape shaped by their own desires, caught between the person they’ve always been and the person they’re terrified to become.

BREAKING THE MOLD

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 1

11:45 AM

A PORTRAIT OF NOT STRUGGLE

Liliana Patel - 16 | CA, USA

An exploration of identity, perception, and stereotypes that challenges the "single story" narrative.

KO

WAI AU

Jude Caudeville - 16 | NEW ZEALAND

After arriving on sacred natural land, two souls share a physical dispute over the importance that natural land has in our lives.

ARACHNOPHOBIC

Christo Hristov - 14, Tsimur Nedzvedz18, Harry Haddad - 14, Roman Apikov - 12 CA, USA

A young boy is haunted by idea of spiders crawling into his ears at night to eat his brains.

You know that feeling when you spend your whole life with a well loved jello mold, only to then discover a labyrinthian mom & pop shop with a limitless supply of different jello mold shapes, and then you have nothing but time and gelatin mix? That is the wonder and experimentation on display with these adventurous filmmakers.

FORASTERA

Emilie Berkowitz - 16 | CA, USA

A young woman’s search for identity as a mixed American and Hispanic daughter, exploring the sense of loss and failure that comes from not speaking both of her parents’ languages.

BECAUSE, I AM A GIRL

Sayazhan Ispolganova - 19, Rosita Keneshova - 20, Fatima Chorobekova- 19, Dariya Murzulukova - 18 | KYRGYZSTAN Teenage girls in Kyrgyzstan speak about everyday expectations and social roles they grow up with.

THALIA

Ketsia Beboua - 19, Patricia Lavres - 24, Avery Wilton - 21 | CANADA

A dancer confronts the haunting reality of constant performance as he navigates the line between art and identity.

EXHALE

Ella Cox - 20 | USA

With 400 sheets of paper, 37,213 sq. in., and 3,100 sq. ft. of frames, and 2388 total frames, mixed media animation is adopted to externalize the complex, overly vibrant, and garish sensations of a flashback.

OZOVEHE

Zahra Bello - 18, Dean Gofnung - 18, Maggie Christian - 18 | CA, USA

An exploration into the significance behind naming children in Ebira and Muslim culture.

ABOUT:

Ethan Carvajal - 17, Jack Hiraldo - 15, Asher Behin - 16, Gus Platt Zolov - 16, Nicolas Farciert - 15 | NY, USA

A compilation of 5 visual poems reflecting on culture, heritage, and belonging within these worlds.

HOME FOR RUNAWAY GIRLS

Maryam Zuhuri - 20, Aileen Fröhlich - 22 AUSTRIA

An essay of a Hazara girl from Afghanistan searching for a home.

LOOK AT ME

Patrick Jang - 17 | CA, USA

A struggle with episodic spirals of self-hatred in an expressive blend of live action and animation.

NAIL POLISH

Sea Sombar - 17, Alice Chiotti-Lee - 16, Alex Armstrong - 16, Malachite Clute - 16 PA, USA

A non-binary teen goes on a journey towards acceptance after being kicked out.

THIS HOUSE CREAKS

Mar Kourouma - 20, Roxy Morris - 21 CA, USA

A young boy ventures through his shadowfilled home in search of his parents, piecing together fragments of a life he thought he knew, while remnants of the past seem to linger in every corner.

VIDRÌI TR'AHTŁOO

Nanieezh Peter - 21, Rodney Evans - 23, Coltrane Igmaq - 22 | AK, USA

Written and sung in Dinjii Zhuh K’yàa, the Gwich’in language, this first-of-its-kind music video explores grief from an Indigenous perspective.

OUTSIDE THE LINES

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 3

12:15 PM

PIECE

BY PIECE

Eiley Doyle - 24, Tracy Wu - 23, Sam Walker - 23, Elijah Pajarillaga - 23 CT, USA

When master potter Gary O'Neil sits at the wheel, he does more than shape clay into a bowl – he reclaims and revitalizes his Wangunk cultural legacy.

SICK BIRD

Gabriella Rigakos - 22, MJ Hill - 23, Wynne Kwok - 22 | CANADA

Roberta must finish her art school thesis amid an anthropomorphic crisis of self-actualization in Northern Ontario.

SÃO PAULO, NEW YORK

Eduardo Machado - 23, Ella Braff - 21, João Vera - 22 | NY, USA & BRAZIL

As Felipe’s Student Visa nears its expiration, he faces an impossible choice: stay in New York and fight for a chance to pursue his love for Hip-Hop, or return to São Paulo and confront the life, culture, and music he left behind.

Grab some crayons & paint, embrace your inner creative child, and let’s get messy! Instead of following a predetermined life path, it can be so much more fun to color outside the lines. Whatever your personal artistic calling may be, this screening encourages you to be bold and

ULLA

Ábel Szeszler - 20, Ida Räsänen - 23, Richard-Mattias Prints - 21, Uku Kaarel Neemre - 20 | ESTONIA

The everyday experiences of Ulla, a blind woman after eye removal surgery. With the help of her guide dog, she navigates life in Helsinki, pursuing a prosthetic eye as well as a better understanding of photography.

FUGUE

Lucian Patton - 21, Shubhra Dubey - 21 CA, USA

A young musician makes a life altering decision.

TALISMANS

Lada Kopytova - 22 | UK

An exploration of the creative process of London-based artist and jewellery maker Klara Fokicheva, tracing the influence mudlarking has on her work and her relationship towards working with found materials.

SHAPES OF US

Aranza Berges - 24, Emilio Terrazas - 23 | CANADA

Two friends embark on an adventure to visit sculptures around the world. As they experience art and beauty together, their relationship blossoms and evolves.

GROWING THROUGH IT

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 2

1:15 PM

STILLTURN

Rita (Rui) Chen - 22 | CA, USA

Hosanna comes to terms with what could never be.

WALK ON WATER

Christopher Zou - 20, Peter DiProspero - 22 | NJ,USA

A runner and a swimmer discover an old revolver around a lake as they battle with their identity during the summer they go off to college.

TRY THIS ON

Skye Schoenhoeft - 23, Grace Stromatt24, Alexander Atallah - 22, Mairin McNerney - 23 | CA, USA

An insecure teenager tries to impress their first girlfriend by shoplifting at the thrift store.

Growth spurts can be painful, but don’t let puberty become your purgatory. Join us as we navigate a rocky road of decisions on the journey to adulthood — there’s no map to maturity!

EVERYTHING

I'M NOT; EVERYTHING I AM

Xavier Alexander - 17 | TX, USA Clayton Nonhof, a high schooler, learns how to process pressure.

A LITTLE REGRET IN HELSINKI

Haohao Qiaoshi Liu - 22, Wertti Majamaa - 21, Kauri Seppälä - 22, Eddy Zhang - 22 | FINLAND

A Chinese girl returns home to Helsinki, with a desire to reassess her feelings about home, perfection, friendship, and regret.

HILL BOY

Eilythia Penati - 19, Tracey Gibbs - 19, Alysha Wang - 19 | CA, USA

When a pessimistic recluse meets a carefree spirit at group therapy, he realizes that healing can look ridiculous after he learns of an unconventional (and slightly chaotic) way of letting his emotions loose.

SEASON OF THE SHARK

Sophia Uy - 20 | CA, USA

A girl battles her evil shark with the help of a magic apple. Inspired by a Yo La Tengo song and a very anxious summer.

MATES

Rhodri Beynon - 23, Matan Hamam - 21, Louis Farino - 22, Bryn Kelly - 22 NY, USA & UK

A British schoolboy is pressured by his mates to choke his friend, but things go too far when one of them passes out and doesn’t wake up.

DAILY GRIND

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 1

2:15 PM

SHAMDEMONIUM

Grace Rathbun - 23 | MO, USA

Barb, a young and aspiring actress, drowns in the pool of a kids birthday party and must survive in a new thespian purgatory.

DESPUÉS DEL SILENCIO

Juana González Posse - 23, María Catalina Ciaño - 24, Martina Ocampo24, Candela Sgroi - 24 | ARGENTINA

One day Rosa finds out that a neighbor claims to have seen the Virgin Mary, and her daily life becomes surrounded by religious symbols.

COCKROACH

Ashley Kim - 20, Ginelle Bamfo - 21 CZECH REPUBLIC & NY, USA

Marija, a Ukrainian immigrant mother, tries to make it through her day as the sole cleaning lady of a grimy hostel in Prague.

Work sucks, I know. But this one goes out to those actually doing it— the people behind the odd jobs who hustle and toil away while teetering on the lopsided scale of work-life balance. It can be tough, it can be rewarding, but it’s a living.

REGALIA

Farrah Murdock - 24 | CANADA

A mens Chicken Dancer leaves a Powwow and heads back into the city, where he doesn't quite fit in.

BARBARA

Jillian Moray - 23, Gordy De St. Jeor - 22 | CA, USA

A young TaskRabbit helps a grumpy older woman watch her granddaughter’s wedding on Zoom.

WHAT WE CARRY

Roman Zen Treppa - 21 | AZ, USA

The crew of Phoenix Fire Department Station 42 share their stories.

STELLA MARIS

Xinpeng Huang - 23, Keer Zhang - 24, Tuvshinsaikhan Ganbayar - 22 | TN, USA & CHINA

Bobbi, a robot trained to build houses, enters the “real” world to fulfill his mission—but when reality begins to glitch and a long-buried dream resurfaces, he’s forced to question everything he was taught.

MIRRORS

Harsimran Sandhu - 24 | CA, USA

33 years after surviving the Sikh Genocide, a hospice nurse takes care of a Vietnam War Veteran.

WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 3

2:15 PM

MALICIA

Edward Gómez Granada - 23, Danna Muñoz - 23, Daniela Balanta - 22 COLOMBIA & CA, USA

Two downhill bikers reunite to remember their best friend who passed away a year ago. In a neighborhood where growing up means learning to survive, Chinga has his bike stolen, and Malicia is willing to do anything to get it back.

EPHESTIA

Natalia Pacheco - 21, Melody Anselmo21, Andreas Mickelopoulos - 19 | CA, USA

With 6 months left to live, Ephestia concocts her plan to become a moth and achieve metamorphosis; to be a creature that ends its life, cocooned in darkness, only to emerge as something soft, and beautiful.

When your restless mind feels the burden of your troubles, sometimes you need to let gravity take over and glide down the road of short film bliss. These accomplished films delicately detail the array of emotions we experience in lifes most challenging moments, shining a light on the profound strength of the human spirit.

HAUNT

Nathan Suggs - 24 | IL, USA

After years of grief and guilt from his little brother's murder, a man finally addresses his dread and self-resentment alongside the woman who loves him most.

ANOTHER DAY WE SLEEP (LAO MA 姥妈)

Zihan Yang - 23, Jiaying Lin - 23, Nikos Campbell - 23 | NY, USA

Yi visits her grandmother Lao Lao, and together they move through the rhythms of everyday life. As time drifts, Yi navigates the quiet landscape between holding on and letting go, between presence and absence.

MAMMOTH

Alexander Zoumadakis - 22, Tim Taaca - 24, Grace Lavery - 23, Raphaelle Laluyaux - 22 | GA, USA

Trapped between the haunting memories of his father's legacy and a creeping supernatural force, a grieving brother must face his darkest fears to escape the grip of an ancient evil while his sister wrestles with her own unraveling reality in their childhood home.

PRELAPSARIAN

Lampton Enochs - 22, Olivia Berger - 19, Oliver Sheehan20,

Sam Walker - 20 | CT, USA

Upon returning to his childhood home, a grieving Edgar finds he is not the only being with a vested interest in the land.

PRESENTED BY:

PEDAL TO THE METTLE

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 2

4:45 PM

CHAI

Aryan Anand - 23 | NY, USA

With his tea shop failing, mother sick, and father only concerned with prayer, what limits will Ajmer break to provide for his loved ones?

THE SHOWER

Nathan Campbell - 20, Kristýna Cabalková - 23, Gaspard Choquet - 19, Nic Chang - 20 | CZECH REPUBLIC

A boy witnesses a shower game turn into a violating act.

MAGID

/ ZAFAR

Luis Hindman - 24 | UK

Tensions arise amidst the heat of a busy British Pakistani takeaway.

Buckle up, we're diving into the depths of drama! Tensions rise as characters tackle life's twists and turns in their own unique ways. Will justice be served, or will they let matters slip through their fingers?

RESTRICTED

Tamer Shawamra - 24 | PALESTINE

After years of rigorous training, a young Palestinian runner qualifies for the finals of a world championship—only for her dream to shatter against the wall of occupation, which denies her the right to participate, leading to a fateful choice: surrender, or risk everything to achieve her dream.

DIANA LA CAZADORA

Ayesha Fernandez - 24 | MEXICO & USA

When the system fails to protect her sister and the women on her bus route, Diana takes justice into her own hands.

INSIDE MY WORN OUT DRAWER, IS AN OCEAN

Siwoo Kim - 23, Katie Nagrowski - 22, Emily Leeds - 20 | NY, USA & SOUTH KOREA

After running out on a suicide pact, Jooni wanders around Seoul and meets a classmate from elementary school.

SOLDIERS

Jonas Serpa Souza - 21, Genna Roth - 21, Rebecca Rhodes - 21 | IL, USA

In a time of political turmoil, a striking factory worker struggles to find sexual satisfaction. As unrest turns to violence, his desire takes him down an unexpected path.

HAPPY HOUR SHORTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 1

BEER TASTING: 5:00PM

FILM SCREENING: 6:00PM

THE EXTRAORDINARIES

Andrew Gerstenblatt - 23, Arthur Goldbart - 23, Amy Roach - 23 CA, USA

On the way to a wedding, two friends run into an unexpected problem.

ROYAL FOOT GUARDS

Pranay Mathur- 21, Billy Tsiolis - 21, Joe Grode - 21, Levi Elias - 21 | CA,USA

Desperate to finally pass the test to become a Royal Foot Guard at Buckingham Palace, Chester Popplestone must surrender his delightfully cheery nature and embrace the world for what it is.

IS IT OKAY TO PICK UP A GUCCI BOX IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION?

Jacob Bertrand - 24, Cooper Roth - 24 | CA, USA

Four college friends find a Gucci box on the side of the road - with an alien inside that will either solve all their problems… or eat them.

Hop on over for a gleeful, goofy, good time! These shorts will keep you snickering as you sip, just be careful not to get stuck inside your glass. Warning: May involve one giant alien.

HE'S STUCK IN THERE

Cameron J. Schulz - 22, Aidan Marx - 22, Corey Sabhlok - 23 | CA, USA

When Corey gets cold feet about meeting his girlfriend's parents, he decides to hide inside of his water bottle.

Justin

24 | CA, USA Devon

THE SUFFERERS

Addison Wright - 19, Dexter Carbone - 18 | CA, USA

On the eve of the ratifying of the 19th amendment, four girls, each longing to be a part of something, attempt to make a name for themselves.

VIRGINS ANONYMOUS

Olivia Adele Steinberg - 23, Kyle Farscht - 23, Hannah Weis - 22 USA

A 22 year-old virgin is sent to the self help group, Virgins Anonymous.

BEER PROVIDED BY:

PEOPLE V. MARYANNE SUE

Nguyen - 22, Zayd Ezzeldine - 22, Devon Again -

visits Himsville.

EXPERIMENTAL VISIONS

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 2

7:00 PM

FLUTTERBY

Ris Igrec - 24 | NY, USA

An experimental multimedia video exploring the fluid, nonlinear nature of memory through hand-drawn animation, paper shapes, ASCII, and digital collage.

Diverse in subject matter and form, the films in this program share one commonality: a spirit of discovery. Whether you are excavating familial and cultural memories, catapulting yourself into the digital cosmos, or simply pining to be a fish, these shorts will offer you new ways of seeing the world.

VOICEMAIL

Lade Tinubu - 22 | IL, USA

Set within a bright, colorful surreal dream eventually-turn-nightmare, the artist responds to voicemail messages from his late mother.

Nanea Ah You - 22, Josiah Castillo - 22 HI, USA

Through lei-making and song, a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) woman explores what it means to be Aloha 'Āina — a lover of the land.

TURN LIKE MATTER

Angus Oakes - 23 | CA, USA

A bug is squished by a passing wanderer, causing the ecosystem to shift out of balance and rapidly turn inside out. Here, the wanderer realizes the connection between the ecosystem and himself.

E BE SO!

Michael Fadugbagbe - 22 | NIGERIA

A filmmaker visits Nigeria for the first time since his parents’ emigration 22 years prior and reflects on the Nigerian 1993 election crisis, colonial history, and repatriation.

MI MAMITA TODAVÍA

EL CUARTO DE MI TÍO

Alex Guerra - 22 | GUATEMALA & FL, USA

An undocumented immigrant recounts memories of his childhood home while telling the story of the handmade wallet tied to his journey across the border.

HOPE LOA

MANTIENE

CRUCIFYMEINMYADIDASTRACKSUIT

David Dean Tostes-Ribeiro McLaughlin - 20, Joyce Salame - 19, Spencer Sabath - 20, Mia Makower - 19 | NY, USA

The disintegration of a man’s memory of a conversation as he becomes intoxicated by doubt.

THE CLOUD

Peyton Bond - 23, Malik Terrab - 22 NH, USA

Tracing a lineage of memory from the tactile grain of 35mm film to ephemeral digital code, "The Cloud" explores how our obsession with archiving reality has birthed an unintended, man-made afterlife.

PLEASE HOLD ON

Nathan Cowles - 22 | AZ, USA

Tension begins to grow between four roommates as they confront problems within their living dynamic.

MUNCHIEZ

Sascha Lourdes - 20, Polly Chesnokova - 21 | NH, USA

A dancer and her former teacher grapple with the lasting effects of a shared trauma that distorts their relationships with food.

I WILL BE A FISH FOR ONE DAY

Angel Noriega - 19 | CA, USA

A fish has an identity crisis within the glass of an aquarium.

LOS TRES ANTIFACES: THE FIRST BODY

Angel Rojas - 22, Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui - 24 | PERU, OH & MA, USA

From Peru to the United States, a family’s diasporic history is told through television channels. A mother and brother are interviewed in Ohio, a grandfather’s last recorded song plays out from Peru, while a solo dancer recalls a familiar yet different routine.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 1

8:15 PM

TGIF! We're shining a spotlight on some truly tenacious shorts tonight. Join us for an evening of films featuring ghosts, goddesses, gators, and more in this epic primetime roundup!

OUR POCKETS ARE FULL

Anjali Pulim - 22 | NY, USA

Three generations of women take a stroll through mundane objects and the stories behind them.

GO AGAIN

Aidan Lesser - 24, Robert Burns - 23, Sebastian Marin23, Kielan Ellis - 23 | CANADA

When two brothers are left home alone with nothing to do, they decide to compete in a game of toughness that goes too far.

POLIO

Klára Kubenková - 22 | CZECH REPUBLIC

Polio is almost eradicated today, but there are still people among us who suffer lifelong consequences. Here are a few of those stories, presented in a hopeful and slightly humorous way.

AN ENCOUNTER

Abe Dassa Kaye - 24 | NY, USA

Desiring intimacy one Friday night, Eli rollerblades away from his friends to have sex for the first time with an older man he met online.

THE THRILLING ADVENTURE OF AMOS WATERS

Ella Janes - 18, Dillon Milner - 21, Collin Nelson - 18, Dio Gelman - 18 | OK, USA

The story of a ten-year-old boy, Amos, filled with a childlike curiosity about the world and a craving to understand all aspects of life.

GATORVILLE

Freddie Gluck - 24 | CO, USA

As childhood memories are made and fade in the same instant, siblings Lily and Bodhi diverge at the dawn of a life beyond their home, a Colorado alligator sanctuary.

GODDESS OF ORANGE COUNTY

Marlena Lerner - 24, Stella Smyth - 23, Colin Ortiz - 24 | USA

A woman meets a goddess at a dog beach who takes her on a surreal version of her past.

GLIDE (ALL THE PEOPLE I'LL NEVER BE)

Li Anne Liew - 24, Jessica Stossel - 24, Dajiana Huang - 23, Aleia Jacobs - 24 | CA, USA

Between life and death, a young ghost comes to terms with her loneliness when she becomes a spectator of the life around her.

UNEASY STREET

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

UPTOWN 1

10:15 PM

PAPER DREAM

Laura Boráros - 23 | CZECH REPUBLIC

A man cannot sleep becouse of his noisy neighbors, so he decides to take a look in on their night lives.

BONER PILLS

Phoenix Park - 20, Christian Liao - 21 CA, USA

A man confronts his plug after receiving the wrong pills.

WHAT ARE GRANDCHILDREN MADE

OF?

Lindsey Susor - 21, Abigail Siddall - 21 GA, USA

When a tragic accident reveals that his granddaughter has the ability to respawn upon death, an old man starts an underground organ harvesting business to keep his family afloat.

You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into... the NFFTY Zone. Brace yourselves for spider kinks, weird brothers, and grandchildren in peril; these films make you squirm, cackle, and delight in your disgust deep into the night!

THE PORTRAIT

Julia Hogg - 24, Marissa Bondi - 24 | CANADA

Elma's date really wants to draw her portrait.

SPIDER

Cate Christiansen - 22, Alexandra Mettler - 22, Lucas Manuel-Scheibe - 22 NY, USA

A teenage flautist finds refuge from his father's controlling expectations by exploring sexual arachnophilia.

EVERGREEN

Luke Gardiner - 21 | NY, USA

A queer couple in decaying apartment grapple with an immaculate conception.

IT'S OK, JOHNNY

Deniz Akyurek - 22, Mason Grammer - 23, Felix Bailly - 23 | NY, USA

A lonely man makes a difficult phone call.

EARLY HUMAN MEDIA

Adrian Delcan - 23, Kento Komatsu - 24, Isabel Roney - 24, Ben Fiorica - 24 NY, USA

After a promising date, Joaquin is invited into Misty’s apartment, but the night takes a surreal turn when her strange brother shows up.

EVERGREEN SCREEN

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 1

11:00 AM

ONE MAN ARMY

Brandon Wong - 16, Ye-eun Hong - 17 WA, USA

Through storms of tension and desire, After becomes a one-man army, choosing a love that’s worth every fight.

Flannels? On. Coffee? Brewed. Salmon? Smoked. Put on your PNW swag and get ready to support this lineup of legendary filmmakers from Cascadia. The grass is always greener here...because the rain never stops.

PRESS REWIND

Oleksandra Prokopenko - 15, Sophia Poole - 16 | WA, USA

The resurgence of audio cassette tapes, as observed in the Seattle music community.

CINNAMON

Mia Cullivan - 22 | OR, USA

Sydney cares for her grandmother Gigi, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease. When Gigi forgets her own applesauce recipe, Sydney begins to question whether she is capable of taking care of her.

ON THE LAND - KELLY LAKE G'OTINE

Jerome Doctor - 16, Zirus Tobac - 16, Mayson Yakkenneah - 16 | CANADA

Elder Joseph Bernarde shares his reflections on the traditional knowledge passed down through his family and the deep connections he forged while growing up in the bush.

LET YOU GO

Danny Lee - 17, James Broad - 17 CANADA

A fragmented journey through spaces of transit, performance, isolation, and recollection — mirroring the internal process of accepting an ending that never fully explains itself.

BLACK HAIR IS ARCHITECTURE

Aleeyah Rhodes - 16 | OR, USA

The versatility, the diversity, and the majesty of Black hair.

ROLL MODELZ

Yahir Tzec-Carasco - 22, Oliver Rodriguez Dickson - 22, Dasha Levin - 24 WA, USA

As forces threaten to divide and silence Latino communities, a lowrider club in rural Washington transforms personal tragedy into a rolling act of resistance.

WE WILL LEARN TO GIVE OURSELVES NEW NAMES

Emery Joan - 24 | WA, USA

An examination of the politics of naming, belonging, and cartography, questioning the colonial logics of place and identity. How do we rename ourselves in a world that has already named — and claimed — so much?

SHEEPSKIN

Ethan Wingrove - 19, Hudson Williams23, Kiefer O'Reilly - 17 | CANADA

Three young criminals must keep the identity of their boss a secret because it's only the tip of a deadly iceberg.

EVERY LIVING BREATHING MOMENT

Angelo Visser - 19, Elijah Anthony - 21, Grant Steller - 20 | WA, USA

During his daily commute, a man hides from the world behind the safety of his polaroid camera. After missing the chance to meet someone special, he learns he must leave his shell and cherish even the smallest moments in life.

SHUVIT

TR!P1N - 21, Chem - 21 | OR, USA

After suffering an injury at the hands of Officer Smoldi, Joey and their band of misfit skaters take to the streets to express their frustration through creative and stylistic tags.

MORNING MEDLEY

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 2

11:15 AM

CHIRP TALKER

Audrey Cheng - 10, Matt Su - 9, ChienYu Lin - 11, Lily Tsai - 10 | TAIWAN

On her city balcony, Audrey delights in the flutter of tiny birds, inspiring her to invent a bird-language translator that unlocks their secret conversations.

SAMMY

Millie Delmhorst - 15,

Sammy Kutinsky - 11 | NY, USA

A documentary about a kid who wears suits.

DEATH FINDS LIFE

Zoë Marie Brown - 15 | LA, USA

When Death grows tired of his job, he embarks on a journey to find the opportunity of a lifetime.

What better way to begin your day than with a harmonious medley of delighful shorts? This charming, all-ages matinee has something for everyone to enjoy, be you a fatigued lunch lady, a cantankerous ice cream man, or simply a marvelous moviegoer!

THIS GHOST WANTS A FRIEND

Yanely "Nelly" Castellanos - 21 | IL, USA

A lonely little ghost yearns for their first friend, as they are constantly overlooked and looked through. The perfect opportunity arises as the first day of school approaches.

BITTERSWEET

Jared Rosenthal - 23, Brandon Chua - 23, Anna Bitoni - 21 | WI, IL, NY & CA, USA

Grumpy and set in his ways, a small-town ice cream shop owner with a sour attitude and no patience for joyous customers, must learn to adjust as his business melts faster than a sundae on a hot summer day.

A CALL FROM HOME

Fiona Strom Sedita - 16, Jane Maletic17, Ellis Deister - 17 | OR, USA

A man, discontent with his work, seeks to escape by revisiting his past.

MAGIC AND MCDONALDS

AanuOluwa Zoe Ajiboro - 17, Caroline Lambert - 17 | USA

A lunch lady is startled and drops her phone, causing it to break. She curses, accidentally summoning her fairy godmother.

BETRAYAL

Justin De Anda - 19, Ava Grimes - 19, Chansoul Tao - 22 | CA, USA

Timmy’s quiet nightly routine is interrupted when a last minute essay notification sends him into a spiral of panic and procrastination.

ILLUMINATION

Charlotte Anthony - 17 | CA, USA

When a man returns home exhausted from work, his daughter picks up his laser pointer and uses her imagination to help him rediscover his passions.

THE UPRIGHT HUSTLE

Samantha Leeds - 14 | CA, USA

A young and scrappy upright bassist prepares for a nerve-wracking audition only to find himself locked in a quiet musical showdown with his more polished rival.

SWITCHING CHANNELS

Mac Ullem - 17 | CA, USA

After moving away from her best friend, a lonely girl discovers a magical television that transports her back home. When the two worlds begin to collide, she must decide where she really belongs.

LUX LABS: BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

Anton Wittkop - 12 | CA, USA

The ever-determined Professor Lux enters his state-of-the-art laboratory once more. Will his latest experiment be a stroke of genius, or will it be back to the drawing board?

INSTANT

Hudson Hillin - 15 | CA, USA

For teenage photographer Bennett, memories are meant to be captured; for free-spirited Grace, they're meant to be lived. Their perspectives collide when a sudden moment changes everything.

KIDS WHO DANCE

Mackenzie Miner - 21, Hannah McLaughlin - 20, Jessica Veith - 22, Jackie Hicks - 20 | IN, USA

A dance class in Indianapolis allows three kids in wheelchairs to come together and grow in confidence through the joy of movement.

PRESENTED BY:

MEMORY LANE

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 3

12:00 PM

A SMALL GARDEN BY THE WINDOW

Michela Figini - 22 | ITALY

Ugo walks through the corridors of his mind, only to discover that he's imprisoned within it — a castle floating in the sky, with no way out.

BALLAD OF EIGHTEEN

Haoxin Feng - 21, Zhenghao Jin - 21, Ning Sha - 21 | CHINA

A father's gift to his daughter on her 18th birthday, a diary, remains untouched until she inscribes his eulogy on its first page. Through the mist of Chinese ritual, each image of memory lingers like the final note of a melancholy song.

FORMS OF FORGETTING

Ryan Capili - 23, Joshua Gayuma - 21 PHILLIPPINES

Five years after the death of his grandmother, Joaquin returns to their abandoned, soon to be torn down house. As he gathers the remaining belongings to move out, he notices the camcorder that he inherited from his grandmother was missing.

Time heals all...so they say. But memories never fade. Let’s travel to the past and reminisce on "what once was" as we indulge in a sense of nostalgia and cry about the good ol’ days. Whoever said let bygones be bygones?

FOLDED STORIES

Sylvanna LeBlanc - 22, LaTreva Owodele22, Taniyah Bland - 18 | IL, USA

A spoken word film where fashion becomes story, exploring the identities and memories woven into every thread.

WHEN KITES FLEW OVER SEAS AND MOUNTAINS

Danielle Cusi - 23, Earvic Noay - 22, Franz Ojeda - 21, Fevee Rojas - 21 PHILLIPPINES

Diane returns to her hometown, revisiting memories with Yum-ay, a Mangyan girl (Philippine indigenous ethnolinguistic group) with whom she shared stories and flew kites with when they were young, until Yum-ay mysteriously disappeared.

SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER

Grace Eitrheim - 21, Isabella Medina Sarria - 24, Cole Fletchall Silva - 22 | NY, USA

After a fatal car accident, a man awakens outside of his childhood home, able to relive the memories of one, ordinary day from his past.

WILLOW WORLD

Juliet Belisario - 21 | CANADA

A filmmaker revisits her childhood, interweaving 16mm vignettes and her old child services documents, uncovering the truth she couldn't voice as a child.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 1

1:00 PM

FOREVER IS A DELICATE THING

Cally Nguyen - 23, Karyn Lopez - 22, Cameron J. Schulz - 22 | CA, USA

When a visit from the LA County Department of Child and Family Services interrupts the humble lifestyle of a Vietnam War immigrant and his grandson, the two spend their last days together braving what will soon become the broken pieces on which they built their lives.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Ja'Quan Williams - 23 | WI, USA

An intimate documentary about my cousin - the man I was named after; whom I never met due to his 27-year incarceration. Through uncovering his story, I gain a deeper understanding of who he is, how he got there, and what it truly means to carry his name.

Gather around the dinner table, you’re cordially invited to a NFFTY family reunion! Complete with multiple combinations that comprise our chosen and biological circles, these films encapsulate how it can “take a village” over a lifetime to build a sense of home and belonging, complicated brick by complicated brick.

NUOVO

Maya Rajchenbach - 19 | DENMARK

In a near future where technology can erase selected memories, 19-year-old Isla faces an existential decision: should she erase the negative memories of her father and start over, or keep the pain of the past?

PÓPO

Jingyi Li - 23, Mengkai Cheang - 23, Sadie Kennedy - 20 | MA, USA

In a quiet Boston home, a Hong Kong immigrant family navigates the final days of a loved one’s life under hospice care, revealing the profound stillness and unspoken complexities of a family’s final time together.

WAKE

Eva Phillips - 22, Hector Jenkins - 21, Devki Patel - 22 | CANADA

Embarking on a journey to reconnect with their grandfather years after his passing, the filmmaker collects testimonials from their mother and grandmother, uncovering new truths and the significance of his life to their family.

SĂRUT MÂNA (I KISS YOUR HAND)

Becca Anton - 22, Wallace Hallot - 22, Christina Sancho-Spore - 22, Vidhu Kota - 22 | USA

12-year-old Macie lives with her undocumented father, Adam, who collects bottles off the street to make ends meet. Embarrassed by his profession, Macie hides her home life from her peers until it begins to unravel.

EPISODIC SHOWCASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 3

2:00 PM

TI BLAN

Noah Petion Laforest - 21, Sydney Crawford - 21, Dwight Ellis Jr - 21 NY, USA

Junior, a troubled Haitian-American teen sent to live with his estranged grandmother, is immersed in his family’s culture. Reconnecting with his roots, Junior struggles to balance tradition and personal ambition, confronting the pressures of navigating two worlds within a tight-knit Haitian community.

ep·i·sode (noun): "an event or a group of events occurring as part of a larger sequence." Some stories are too rich to be contained. These narrative pilots test the boundaries of short-form storytelling and leave us wanting more. Through suspense, worldbuilding, and character studies, these episodic selections paint a picture outside of the frame.

GENERATION WELL

Jack Serra - 24, Shahan Rao - 23, Fiona Brennan - 22, Nate Britton - 24 | USA After a serious run in with the law, a young woman becomes obsessed with an officer who looks identical to her deceased father.

PUKE BITCH EPISODE ONE

Sam Tricomo - 21 | MI, USA

Siblings Dove and Larry revel in wild nights. While Larry seeks attention from the Reverend and her son, Dove grows secretly fascinated by roadkill, unaware that their neighbor Janet harbors an even deeper connection to death.

PRESENTED BY:

SET HAPPENS!

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 1

3:00 PM

I'LL TRY TO EXPLAIN IT

Gabriela Ribeiro - 22, Lucia Fella Pellegrino - 23, Auguste Kociuba - 22 CANADA

When a lesbian filmmaker is haunted by a recurring dream of her high school ex-boyfriend, she embarks on a documentary to reenact the dreams, awakening uncomfortable truths about her complicated relationship with men.

PHOTO PLAY XX

Zolomon Zelko - 22, Finley Stein - 22 FL, USA

After walking into the sea in a men's suit, Jane awakens ashore the River Styx. While paying the Ferryman’s toll, she must confront the womanhood she tried to leave behind.

L'OUVERTURE

Abigail Siddall - 22, Maggie Deer - 23, Lindsey Susor - 23 | GA, USA

When a little girl's puppet theater comes to life, she becomes victim to her own imagination.

Feast your eyes on the finesse of these filmic fabricators! From magnificent musicals to boundary pushing narratives, this eclectic collection showcases the intricate craft behind building worlds that feel cohesive, intentional, and alive. Come for the variety of stories, stay for the obsession with detail!

WE ARE HAPPY FISH

Tom Wolf - 23, Jae Zheng - 23, Zoe Zhou - 23 | CANADA

A nihilistic girl and a robot boy escape from their family to revive a dead fish.

EATEN ALIVE

Tatum Sanchez - 23, Oliver Rudolph - 23 | CA, USA

A young girl, desperate to understand the “normalcy” of womanhood, slowly begins to unravel in her isolation as she realizes she may never be able to escape the grounds of her house.

FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE

Julian Barahona Rhi - 21, Sparrow Nicole - 21, Bien Bagui - 21, Laura Furniss-Roe - 21 | CA, USA

An actor known by his role as Tater Tot, the human-sized cat, has his personal life put on full display during a late night show interview, causing his reality to collapse as he confronts whether this is the role he still wants to play. sundae on a hot summer day.

SWEET TOOTH

Benji Tucker - 22, Zach Rineer - 24, Tatyana Richaud - 21 | CA, USA

As Doe Town gears up for its 55th Annual Smile Contest, undefeated champion Bucky Bantershire begins to unravel when his longsuppressed Sweet Tooth resurfaces, dragging him into sugary chaos.

PRESENTED BY:

SEISMIC SOUNDTRACKS

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 1

5:00 PM

"BEWARE" - WHY ANOTHER (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Joey LaFrance - 22, Michael Magarahan - 22, Mason C.W. - 24 | MA, USA

Aiming to keep a new product top secret, an overly ambitious commercial director forces his actors to film their final scene deep in the woods, discovering that reality may not always be as it seems.

DIVINE

Lauren Chappell - 24,

Jeanie Laybourn - 24 | CA, USA

Musician Elliot Selph boogies across LA for his single, DIVINE.

SEBAS - SKIN

Luke Santo - 16, Sebastian Huang - 17 WA, USA

Seattle's everyday composition cut through rhythm and style.

Bass-thumping, foot-tapping, show-stopping. These larger-than-life music videos amplify the lyrical talent at NFFTY 2026, illustrating how filmmakers can turn one song into an entire narrative world. Make sure you have the "add to playlist" button ready for after the screening!

MONSOON

Elise Schatz - 24, Nicole Ghalili - 24, Nick Talarico - 23, Aedan Molina - 24 | CA, USA We follow REHMA as she returns to oneness.

LEAD BY EAMPLE - ALI SHAH

Angela Wang - 24, Elizabeth Mai - 24 CANADA

A world where the twinks are taking charge.

POISON BERRY PIE

Katherine Dunn - 22, Anshul Shankhdhar - 22, Ryder Schwartz - 23, Corran Villalobos - 21 | CA, USA Kenny is abducted and thrust into the middle of a poisonous, unconventional, and increasingly territorial argument between his two bandmates — one that he is desperate to escape from.

JUNE BLUES

Nadera Herbert-Bey - 24, Mia Lailani - 20 | NY, USA

What does it means to have loved and lost? What if I am feening for your love?

HOLE TO FILL

Sydney Andrews - 23, Olivia Graph - 22, Owen Hollander - 23, Tim Taaca - 23 | GA, USA

A performance focused music video for Basically Nancy, a Savannah, Georgia–based band.

STRAWBERRY CASKET 2

Macy Friday - 21, Athul Obla - 21, Wesley Cunningham - 21, Cameran Ford - 21 CA, USA

A girl wakes up in the woods and kisses a frog.

KEYLESS

Pranava Kumar - 24, Ilina Bhatia - 24

USA

A music video for Super Senior.

VENUS WAS IN RETROGRADE

Quinn Yurasek - 19 | VT,USA

A little love letter to Burlington, Vermont.

VICTIM BY NAVAEH

Naveah Sabillo - 22, Sungbin Moon - 23, Isaac Kau - 24 | CA, USA

Mia sees the inevitable end of her relationship through a camcorder that shows the future.

WHAT'S IN MY HEAD? - ARCY DRIVE

Jaxin Dolap - 24, Tobias Harrison - 24

CANADA

Playful, magical and strange. Letting your inner child run about.

MOOD FOR LAND

Veronica Hein - 23, Reilly Rose - 24, Kaylee Smith - 22, Ava Carrasco - 24 NY, USA

Set sail with Reilly Rose’s debut music video following a power-hungry character on a quest to buy the world.

CHAMOMILE

Lucy Blumenfield - 23, Charlie McCollum - 24 | NY, USA

A mixed-media music video for the song “Chamomile" by Runnner about journeying away from the mundane and into color, curiosity, and spontaneity.

SPINELESS

Caitlyn Phu - 24 | CA, USA

Trapped in a house of their own making, Archer Oh is haunted by versions of themselves that they no longer recognize.

HATE GROWIN' UP - TIANA LÊ

Yukako Fujimori - 22, Tiana Lê - 22, Gabriella Diaz - 23 | CA, USA

Tiana Lê's journey of performing for other people from a young age, exploring what it means for her art to be perceived and what self-realization looks like for her.

PEOPLE, PLEASE

Julia Chase - 24,

Olivia Materetsky - 22 | CA, USA

A visually intimate exploration of identity and approval.

SKRRRT!!

Yvette Sin - 24, Renée Foy - 23, Hayden Salter - 24 | CANADA

When a mysterious notification summons the city's fastest delivery drivers to an esteemed family restaurant, an underdog cyclist must race against her motorized competitors to deliver a package across town.

POINTS OF CONTACT

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 2

5:15 PM

A STILL DANCE

Austin Tsai - 22, Ellis Cotsis - 22, Shang-ze Zeng - 22 | MA, USA

A portrait of an elderly lady in Boston’s Chinatown, whose dance within a community center reveals a delicate balance between solitude and belonging.

With over 8 billion people sharing a planet, our intersections with one another can be invigorating, overstimulating, or downright life changing. Across chance encounters, strained relationships, and quiet personal rituals, these films explore what it means to exist alongside one another.

AFTERLIFE

Yimeng Wang - 22, Mingway Lee - 22, Xiaoman Song - 21 | NY, USA

In the overwhelming rush of modern life, a young soul retreats into a quiet, inner world where memories of nature, stillness, and forgotten rhythms offer a gentle path back to selfhood.

CURFEW

Yelyzaveta Toptyhina - 21 | UKRAINE

A photographer miscalculates the time and misses her ride back to the city. At a bus stop, she meets a young man celebrating his birthday. With curfew approaching, the two strangers are forced to spend the night together at a roadside hotel.

THE TRIAL

Luvleen Hunjan - 24 | CANADA

As her wedding approaches, a young woman's relationship with her fiancé is tested by a disturbing encounter with a stranger.

EACH SOLITARY MOMENT / 夏游

Jingwen Fang - 23, Cecilia Zhang - 23, Fengze Liang - 23 | NY, USA

Two Chinese high school girls track a certain adult woman living in New York City, eavesdropping on conversations between her and her former friend in the mundanity of everyday life, attempting to understand the meaning of growing up.

MY LITTLE CLOPFIC

Eve Peters - 22, Felix Bailly - 23 NY, USA

Lost on his way to a Brony convention, a teen recluse meets a woman he believes is his online best friend, only to have his entire world upended when her husband and family appear.

CHERRY COLA

Justin Nguyen - 23, Zayd Ezzeldine - 23, Devon Again - 24 CA, USA

Devon Again goes through the motions of heartbreak and the world reacts in funny ways.

THE 12 INCH PIANIST

Lucas Ansel - 24 | RI, USA

A bar joke goes awry, unraveling into a surreal tale that explores the acceptance of self, others, and queer identity.

HONEY, MY LOVE, MY SWEET

JT Trinidad - 24, Earvic Noay - 22, Rocky Morilla - 24, Kukay Zinampan - 24 | PHILLIPPINES

In a decaying cinema in the heart of Manila, Life discovers first love through films and their new friend’s father.

AQUÍ NADIE SABE QUIÉN FUI

Alejandra Villegas - 24, Vanessa Navari - 24, Kate Vela - 25 | MEXICO

A 23-year-old recounts his escape from a violent past, revealing an intimate journey through organized crime, family ties, and the illegal arms trade — now living in a new place where no one knows the truth about his history.

TELARAÑA

Nicola Rios - 23, Julie Chen - 23, Marcel Ruiz - 22

PUERTO RICO

On a night of rebellion, Naomi confronts the parasite looming in her home and must make a choice: conform to her family’s identity or forge her own path.

LOVE192

Mayer - 23,

As an online roleplaying game faces shutdown, two teens decide to transcend the pixels that once held them apart.

Haydon

Ryan Dombrowski - 23, Audrey Mainville - 21, Kaity Holmes - 21, Spencer Milligan - 22 | IL, USA

THRILLS & CHILLS

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

UPTOWN 2

8:30 PM

SWARM

Mia D. Alejo - 21, Molly Masson - 21, Liam Pugh - 24 | USA

The bewitching architect of flesh and gore haunts the dollhouse boys.

As the sun sets and we settle into a terror twilight, gather around the warm glow of the campfire as NFFTY filmmakers guide us through the shadowy corners of their most chilling visions. Cobwebs, cannibalism, and sentient animatronics, what more could you wish for in this macabre maze?

PARANOIA

Reinaldo Cuervo - 24, Alessandro Menotti - 23 | ITALY

A mysterious package delivered in the dead of night plunges a man into a nightmare of paranoid delusions, where every glimpse of reality dissolves: is it all real, or merely the product of his diseased mind?

LAST RESORT

Charles Barone-Shaw - 15, Theo Hooke - 16 | VT, USA

Starving in the woods, a young man makes an impossible decision.

SQUELCH

Xiao Xiao - 20 | NY, USA

In the factory, a worker pounds away at the metal, his body syncs to the rhythm of the machine, until a pain in his neck begins to grow, his flesh throbs, writhing, tearing, swallowing him whole...

ZARBALATRAX

Ethan Hawthorne-Dallas - 24, Cole Terra - 24, Caleb Green - 24 | WA, USA

Xena is sent into her past life after a fateful meeting with a trickster god stuck inside of an animatronic fortune telling machine: Zarbalatrax.

PRESENCE

Ida-Marie Melgaard Thorsen - 20 DENMARK

Silje just came home from a party and doesn’t feel alone in the house.

SHEDDING

Ethan Chu - 21, Ren Collantes - 21, Emmeline Savage - 20, Genna Urban - 20 CA, USA

Over a long winter stay at his reclusive uncle's remote home, a 17-year-old boy begins to uncover chilling secrets about the man and his intentions.

Logan Weisberg - 21, Collin Surbeck - 22 | CA, USA

An ambitious group of film students summon a real demon to star in their movie. It goes about as well as you'd thinK.

LIGHTS CAMERA CARNAGE

ALL AROUND US

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 1

11:!5 AM

AFTER THE WILD

Mia Rae Sunday - 21, Lauren Best - 21 | FL, USA

In the untamed Heart of Borneo, a rebellious baby orangutan breaks from the safety of her mother’s protective hold, chasing a blue butterfly into the path of a rampaging monster with a jaw of sharp iron teeth.

SUNBATHING

Peer Langenheim - 20 GERMANY, SWITZERLAND & GREECE

Two friends talk idly about the day ahead, as heavy industry reenters the coastal landscape and reality begins to shift.

FJALLFERÐ

Jesse Smolan - 23, Josh Fairmont - 23, Ollie Smith - 23 | CO, USA & Iceland

A week in the lives of Icelandic farmers as they journey across rugged mountains and valleys to round up thousands of sheep before winter.

Our world, and the creatures within, are delicate. From rainforest canopies to coastal waters and buzzing hives, these films immerse us in ecosystems alive with movement and survival. The planet is in motion, under pressure, and isn’t hitting pause anytime soon.

RIVER, DO NOT PASS ME BY

Marin Hodge - 19, Christopher Monzon21, Sofia Escalona - 19 | FL, USA

Among the remnants of the Apalachicola Bay closure by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the people of Eastpoint explore how to redefine the area. A generational oysterman reminisces on days of work while the rest of the community looks towards the future.

LOBSTEROPOLIS

James DeLisio - 20, Ian Guzman - 22, Krystal Cleonia Tran - 21, Sam Campbell - 23 | CA, USA

From commercial fishing vessels to natural history archives, Lobsteropolis silently observes a series of encounters between the California Spiny Lobster and the fishing and research industries of San Diego, California.

WHERE IS AWAY?

Matthew Wilbur - 20 | MT, USA

Testimony from scientists and waste management experts about the environmental impact of rural waste disposal in Gallatin County, Montana.

THE GOLDEN TOUCH

Sam Perez Laurenza - 20, Lo Ratliff - 21 | FL, USA

Beekeepers are the main reason we still have honeybees; here's why we should support them and help preserve local pollinators like bees and butterflies.

FRESH EYES

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 3

11:45 AM

LITTLE THINGS

Noam Rignault Clement - 18, Luca Rignault Clement - 9 FRANCE, SPAIN & CA, USA

A young boy in search of the little things in life finds a peculiar bond with a garden gnome.

LUISA

Kiyomi DallasKidd - 16 | CA, USA

Overwhelmed by the discord of her parents’ arguments, Luisa uses her imagination to help heal her fractured family.

TARIK

Adem Tutic - 22, Tamara Tomasevic23, Filip Tasic - 23 | SERBIA

After being expelled from school in Lazarevac, Tarik is forced to leave his single mother, Marija, and move to Novi Pazar to live with his father, Safet, and his family.

You weren't born yesterday, but sometimes it's good to see the world through fresh eyes. Reminisce on adolescence, tackle tough childhood challenges, and find out if (talented) youth really is wasted on the young in this lively lineup!

FIRST WINTER

Schantelle Alonzo - 22 | NY, USA

Ángel, a newly arrived immigrant experiencing his first winter in Chicago, realizes what it may mean to be away from home for a very long time.

IT'S NOT A MONSTER

Vanessa Hu - 22, Guangjia Liu - 22, Shile Yang - 20, Jessica Ning - 22 CA, USA

When a brave but stubborn eight-year-old orphan overhears that his Grandma is fighting a "monster," he prepares for an epic battle with swords and shields, only to discover that the real fight is against something far scarier.

STILL BLUE

Will Benzian - 21, Zola Franchi - 21, Ali Flynn - 21, Juliette Huy - 21 CA, USA

Under the shadow of an ever-spinning lighthouse, a young boy searches for his grandmother while his parents grapple with a recent loss.

LAKE

Sixuan Huang - 22, Rong Yuan - 24 USA

On a frozen suburban lake, a curious girl falls through the ice and encounters a primordial “Core” that quietly rewires how she understands life.

PRESENTED BY:

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 1

1:15 PM

FOUR SQUARE

Eli Staub - 23, Caroline McDonald23, Amy Roach - 23, Cally Nguyen - 23, Sophie Wright - 23 | USA

When an act of betrayal on the playground turns two best friends against each other, they must settle things the only way they know how — with the high-stakes game of four square.

TOPSPIN

Michael Zhang - 23, Kaylie Hall - 23, Allie Leichter - 23, Brandon Dinh - 23 USA

Caught between duty and desire, Max must choose between abandoning his lifelong dream and working for his family or fighting to win the next tournament and prove himself as a champion.

On your mark...get set...go! From playground rivalries to world-stage dreams, explore the thrill of competition and the weight carried in our bodies. These films dive into pressure, ambition, masculinity, girlhood, and resilience, revealing how sport shapes identity long after the final whistle blows.

MAD SUMMER

Larissa Salazar - 24, Jessica Stossel24, Aleia Jacobs - 24 | CT, USA

A lonely 13-year-old girl longs to skateboard like her older brother, but when she finally gets her hands on his board, she finds herself alone and unprepared.

MERDE!

Synnove Alarcon-Toven - 17, Kyla Mcnutt - 17 | CA, USA

A teenage girl's experience with ballet and the feeling of loss when that ability to dance was stripped from her.

BETTER MAN

Eliška Jirásková - 23 | CZECH REPUBLIC

The stories of three men who use exercise as a way to cope with inner traumas that have often resulted in low self-esteem.

DOGBONE

Austen Taylor Pease - 21, Robert Peddie - 21, Theo Hughes - 21, Francis Kelly - 21 | UK

Northern England, 2004. 16-year-old Mark plays football to stay connected to his late father. Burdened by a brutal coach and the weight of buried grief, Mark begins to unravel, caught in a game that’s abused him rather than healed him.

REEL IMPACT

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 3

2:00 PM

A HISTORY STILL BURNING

Julia Chou - 21 | WA, USA

The 2023 Maui wildfires and Haunani-Kay Trask’s 1993 speech are connected through a remix of archival material, commemorating the centennial of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.

RETORNO DE LAS ÁNIMAS

Nicolas Diaz-Magaloni - 23 | MEXICO

Each year, millions of monarchs migrate over 3,000 miles from Canada to Mexico, arriving in Michoacán on the Day of the Dead. To the Indigenous communities that greet them, they are the ancestors returning—but this year, the butterflies did not arrive.

These fearless films shines a light on the issues shaping our world and the people who refuse to stand idly by. Here, cinema is more than entertainment; it is a call to action.

LAST OF THE SHRIMPERS

Jonathan Presson - 23 | LA, USA

A fourth-generation Louisiana shrimper fights to preserve his family’s legacy and a vanishing way of life as the shrimping industry crumbles under economic and global pressures.

XICANO HARDCORE: A MOSH FOR YOUTH DOCUMENTARY

Magdalena Aparicio - 20, Nicole Pasto - 20 CA, USA

A Mexican-American educator in Southern California and lead singer of the Chicano Hardcore band Barrio Slam, started Mosh For Youth in 2015, a non-profit organization throwing hardcore concerts to raise scholarship money for students of East LA, Pomona, and San Bernardino.

SOCIETY OF FEARLESS GRANDMOTHERS

Elia Bongiorno - 20, Karli Korszeniewski - 21, Samuel Leveille - 21 | CA, USA

Through wisdom, courage, and grief, a group of activist grandmothers reflect on humanity’s fractured relationship with the environment. By spreading ideals, breaking down stereotypes, and forging community, they fight in the name of a better future.

DESCONOCIDOS

Isaac Lee Greenblatt - 18, Andrew Avila - 19, Alexander Ikizyan - 18, Daniil Domanin - 18 | USA

In September of 2024, ten migrants passed away in a single week while attempting to cross the Southern Border in the Otay Mountain region of San Diego. This documentary explores the systemic policies that funnel migrants into inhospitable natural barriers.

PRESENTED BY:

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 1

3:15 PM

BE KIND, REWIND

Finian Turner - 16, Ilan Kuklish - 16 CA, USA

We turn back the clock to the ‘80s, watching the rise and fall of VHS and exploring why it’s making a comeback in the modern day.

GUARDIANS OF THE MOUNTAINS

Ali Fuad Saeed - 22, Hanzalah Alam - 21, Rahaf Walid - 24, Hayden Dias - 22 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Through cinematic imagery, sound, and minimal interviews and narration, daily life and a deep connection to the land are revealed in the high mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Musandam.

THE PLANE I CALL FAMILY

Carson Wine - 24, Luke Holliday - 24, Tre Davis - 24 | VA, USA

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Colonel Ellis refuses to let his love of aviation fade. Instead, he embarks on a new chapter, forming a deep relationship with a piece of flying history.

You'll surely know after these films! Step inside worlds that don’t ask for the spotlight, but shine anyway. These stories capture the subcultures that thrive just outside the mainstream, reminding us that what makes us “different” is often what connects us most.

CAN'T YOU SEE I'M TRYING

Carley Lovito - 23, Chloe Lipman - 24, Ishq Pradhan - 22, Evan Miller - 23 NY, USA

Twelve year old Ella is determined to play the lead in her local musical.

RAILBIRDS

Weston Borg - 23, Riley Owens - 24, Lucas Wurman - 23 | NY, USA

In its final days, Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City remains a sanctuary for two guys who wouldn’t be anywhere else.

FOR THE LOVE OF CATS

Calvin Bowers - 20, Jarred Taber - 21, Olivia Claudon - 20, Grant Aldinger - 21 GA, USA & ITALY

In the small mountain town of Barga, Italy, a group of four filmmakers speak with local cat lovers and immerse themselves in the unique world of street-trotting felines and Gattaras.

BOWLING, ALONE

Casey Baum - 24, Jaran Huggins - 24, Conner White - 24, Ana Chavez - 24 CA, USA

An aging, religious, southern widower is unable to find solace in old routines. He eventually finds that wearing his late wife’s clothes gives him the comfort he is searching for.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 2

3:45 PM

LIFE IN PIECES

Giuliano De Caprio - 22, Celeste Garofoli - 22, Paolo Tinti - 22 | ITALY

A goblinoid creature named Fetillo is obsessed with completing a puzzle without an image.

SKIN

Jorge Jaén - 23, Amy Roach - 22, Zane Farmer - 22, BECCA - 22 | CA, USA

An artist fixated on his partner’s touch is confronted with the reality of his relationship.

MY FRIEND THE COUCH

Ethan Gomez-Zahnley - 21, Jenna Miller21, Marina Earle - 21 | CA, USA

Ethan takes his broken couch on a roadtrip for one last goodbye.

The universe often throws a wrench in our plans, and sometimes it's impossible to know where the road ahead of us may lead. Life may be unpredictable, but we're in the driver's seat. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. "To embark on an emotional rollercoaster of incredible films, turn to page..."

MORDROS

Yuli Freed - 19, Noah Berridge - 19 | UK Set on the wild coasts of Cornwall in the UK, two childhood friends and open-water swimmers on the brink of parting ways decide to take on one final challenge.

CHOY: THE MAKING OF

Maxwell Johnson - 22, Matan Hamam - 21 NY, USA

A young filmmaker is tested when he attempts to make a documentary about his documentary film professor.

SEE YOO IN 15

Noa Simatovic - 17, Audrey Kim - 17, Iris Kim - 17 | USA

When Yoo Hee-jin's junior year of college is cut short by a terminal diagnosis, she turns to a bucket list, leading her back to Seoul and to the first love she never truly left behind.

LOOKY LOO

Maxwell Greene - 21, Jackson Flemming20, Sebastian Kapur - 20, Dylan Sails - 21 | CA, USA

Todd is about to propose to Charlotte, but he needs to get her parents approval first. The only problem is, he can't just ask.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

UPTOWN 1

5:30 PM

That’s a wrap on NFFTY 2026! While it’s hard to say goodbye, hopefully this last memorable collection of films will make our bittersweet parting more bearable. As we all know, no story is complete without a good ending.

IT'S HARD (TO BE A MAN)

Grace Stromatt - 24, Alexis Sabo - 24, Fernanda Vega - 23 CA, USA

A satiric portrayal that explores the futility of toxic masculinity and its hilarious assumptions.

NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL

Jiaying Lin - 22, Zihan Yang - 23 | NY, USA

To reunite with her long-distance partner in Toronto, a young Chinese woman boards a cross-border bus with a forged travel document.

SWEET BOY

John Kim - 22, Justin Nguyen - 21, Liya Yang - 23, Justin Roh - 23 | CA, USA

A troubled 15-year old boy is caught in a crossfire as domestic tensions escalate at home.

EMBODIED

Samuel Wright Smith - 24, Colin Sevely-Ortiz - 24 NY, USA & CANADA

A collective oil pastel-animated reflection on death, as shared by individuals facing the end of life aided by psychedelic-assisted care.

MY DAD IS DEAD

Alva van Niekerk - 24, Joel Wiklund Ekman - 23, Carl Sköld - 22 | SWEDEN

Seven-year-old Lo hurtles through an everyday life characterized by warmth and cold. When the relationship between her parents changes, Lo must come to terms with a new reality.

DEAR MAE

Mona Patterson - 22, Josiah Mendoza - 21, Zoey Franklin - 22 CA, USA & THAILAND

A poetic story of legacy and loss, told through two daughters' letters to their late mother as they struggle to save her restaurant and redefine their bond.

NFFTY BY THE NUMBERS

30 STATES

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

41 COUNTRIES & TERRITORIES

Argentina

Austria

Brazil

Canada

China

Colombia

Czech Republic

Denmark

England

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Indiana

Louisiana Massachusetts

Michigan Missouri Montana

North Carolina

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Greece

Italy

Kyrgyzstan

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria Palestine

Peru

Philippines

Puerto Rico

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Vermont

Washington

Wisconsin

Serbia South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

USA

Vietnam

Wales

NFFTY PROGRAMMING TEAM

Amy Williams

Ryan Saunders

Julia Chou

Selena Calacat

Meilee Riddle

Han-’Naeh Belser

Kevin Conner

Romina Estrada

Gabriel Morales

Stella Naymik

Lake Neill

Theresa Robinson

Salome Seifu

Abby Wright

SPECIAL THANKS

NFFTY is grateful to the following persons who have contributed since our past festival edition, without whom we would not be able to produce NFFTY 2026.

Anonymous

Robert Bojorquez

Kevin Conner

Joe Dockery

Rebecca Fons

Maureen Gans

Frank Harris

SCREENING COMMITTEE

Jeanette Alarcon

Ashley Alonso

Natalie Aspetti

Katherine Antoniou

Lucian Austin

Sabine Bajakian

Enrique Miguel Banqued

Eze Baum

Mariah Bethea

Elia Biondi

V. Harshini Buddhiraju

Daymien Bunao

Peyton Burton

Daniela Cantu

Alexander Johnston

Todd Kaumans

Terri Kapur

Diana Knauf

Bjorn Levidow

Stefanie Malone

Trish Murray

Thornton Cash

Bailey Childress

Stephanie Chuang

Matthew Clark

Stephanie Crockett

Brookelyn Davis

Anthony Lance Diana

Lisa Dodell

Lizzie Friedrich

Miriam Goodman

Freddie Gluck

Alex Guerra

Gracie Hall

Bella Hall

Thieaux Hirsh

Harold Kahane

Misagh Karimi

Mariam Kere

Christopher Newell

Lesley Pfeifer

Julie Railey

Carson Rennekamp

Deborah Rustin

Molly Saunders

Kyle Seago

Gabbi Kleiner

PJ Knapke

Nithin Kumar

Sasha Lee

Sam Llanillo

Eduardo Machado

Cyprian Marona

Kayla Meechelle

Goldbloom Micomonaco

Elena Miller

Beena Mitchell

Anna Mori

Melissa Myser

Tira Olkdari

Barkın Öztürk

Stella Parsons

Poppi Fella Pellegrino

Paige Roberts

Shannon Snider

Brent & Courtney Stiefel

Laura Williams-Argilla

Kirsten Woods

Rocco Sanabria

Owen Siebers

Jonathan Shakes

Marvin Sommer

Elijah Stammler

Jessica Stossel

Gina Thumm

Kathleen Tricomo

Amia Voluntad

Jordan Walker

Wenzhuo Wang

Zan Wang

Natalie Welch

Karin Williams

Grace Wright

Chastity Yocum

Esther Yoo

Additionally, we would like to thank the following funders and agencies who have given support:

4Culture

Allen Family Philanthropies

ArtsFund

City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

City of Seattle Office of Economic Development

foundry10

Norcliffe Foundation

Scan Design Foundation

SiTy Foundation

Tulalip Tribes Charitable Foundation

Lastly, we are grateful to the contributions of the following individuals and organizations who are making this year’s edition possible:

All of our industry presenters and screening hosts

All of our NFFTY 2026 jurors

All of our NFFTY 2026 volunteers

All of our interns from the past year

All of our curatorial and distribution partners

Our NFFTY Alumni Advisory Board

Our NFFTY Industry Advisory Board

Our Community Partners

Scan Design Foundation and Station Next

NFFTY STAFF

NFFTY is a program of SIFF, a 501c3 non-profit

RYAN SAUNDERS MANAGING DIRECTOR

SELENA CALACAT PROGRAMMING INTERN

AMY WILLIAMS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

JULIA CHOU PROGRAMMING INTERN

ADDITIONAL NFFTY PRODUCTION TEAM

Festival Design: MELISSA YSAURA SANCHEZ PARRA

Graphic Design: RHYS ILIAKIS

Festival Photography: DAVID RZEGOCKI

Special Events Manager: JESSICA KITTAMS

Operations Manager: DAEL NORWITZ

Production Manager: LT ANDRADE

Volunteer Manager: KATI SIMEK

SIFF LEADERSHIP

Artistic Director: BETH BARRETT Director of Advancement: JEANNE NICKELSBURG

GURJOT KANG MARKETING COORDINATOR

MEILEE RIDDLE PROGRAMMING INTERN

Associate Director of Institutional Giving: CAROLINE PARRY

Corporate Relations Officer: RYAN HICKS

Trailer Editor: AMY WILLIAMS

Cinema Technology Manager: TREVOR BRANDT

Festival Special Events Coordinator: RIMA KABOUL Venue Manager: KEVIN CONNER

Director of Operations: MELODY SMITH Director of Admin: MICHAEL CLARK

NFFTY LEADERSHIP EMERITUS

Founder: JESSE HARRIS

Co-Founder: JOCELYN R.C.

Co-Founder: KYLE SEAGO

ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD

NOAH WAGNER

ADAM HERSKO-RONATAS

BARB HOFFMAN

LAURA HOLIDAY

DENNIS KIM

DAN LESSER

TIFFANY LIN MORGANA MCKENZIE

LEO PFEIFER LINDSAY SUNADA

STORY OF NFFTY

2007

Jesse Harris realizes the need for an organization to support young filmmakers and joins with Jocelyn R.C. and Kyle Seago to launch NFFTY as a one-night festival with 14 films, and to form a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Talented Youth.

2008-2009

NFFTY expands to a three-day event, screening 113 films with over 4,000 in attendance, and launches year-round programming, NFFTY 365. In 2009, NFFTY begins accepting international films.

2010

NFFTY expands again to become a four-day festival, featuring 190 films from 33 states and 16 countries and additional networking opportunities for filmmakers. A 48-Hour Film Contest is added to the festival weekend.

2011

Now the world’s largest film festival for emerging filmmakers, NFFTY 2011 screens 225 films, adds even more programming and opportunities, and is attended by over 200 filmmakers and an audience of 8,500.

2012

NFFTY adds the Future of Film Expo trade show to the festival and features eight panels, 14 workshops, and over 30 exhibitors. Festival attendance exceeds 10,000.

2013

NFFTY features 215 films from around over 30 countries and launches NFFTY Creative, connecting brands with NFFTY alumni to work on original projects. NFFTY alumni are now working for prestigious companies such as Pixar and HBO.

2014

NFFTY launches a Young Women in Film initiative, a year-round effort to address the issue of gender inequality in film. Of the 214 films that screen, over 40% are directed by women. NFFTY alumni produce award-winning original content and a national televised commercial as part of the NFFTY Creative brand, which connected companies with NFFTY filmmakers.

2015

NFFTY kicks off this year by increasing the age limit to 24 years of age in an effort to better support emerging filmmakers. NFFTY features a record 248 films from 30 states and 25 countries, with over 12,000 in attendance and 48% female-directed films. The festival adds its Works-InProgress event and launches the NFFTY Alumni Advisory Board. NFFTY alumni produce a documentary as part of NFFTY Creative, garnering both ADDY and Telly Awards.

2016

The 10th anniversary festival includes 227 films from 24 countries, as well as an inaugural screenwriting competition: Story Starts Here. NFFTY takes its first steps into VR/360° with a panel and product demos. Starting to be recognized as one of the leaders in the film festival world, NFFTY is named “One of the 50 Best Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine, TeenTix Best Film Organization, and one of FilmFreeway’s Top 100 Rated Festivals.

2017

NFFTY forges into its second decade with the largest festival yet, featuring 257 films from around the world. NFFTYX launches with a full VR/360° event featuring a boot camp and screening gallery. The Story Starts Here Screenplay Competition and Works In Progress round out a wildly successful year!

2018

Moving to a fall festival, NFFTY received over 1,300 submissions, screening 266 films from 24 countries and 24 U.S. States. In partnership with Oculus, NFFTYX creates an entire VR/360° gallery with NFFTY Official Selections from filmmakers. Over 50% of NFFTY 2018’s Official Selections are directed by female or non-binary identifying filmmakers!

2019

NFFTY doubles its workforce development events at the festival, and co-produces the 2nd Annual Film Career Day with the City of Seattle, including a keynote from Oscar-winning NFFTY alumna Rayka Zehtabchi. Now 13 years strong, NFFTY has developed robust juries across eight competitions, with 31 jurors from film studios, festivals, and other positions of influence in the industry.

2020-2021

With a global pandemic, NFFTY 2020 pivots to a virtual festival, expanding to 10-days to include all of the livestreamed and on-demand programming. For the third year running, 50%+ of selected films were by female/non-binary filmmakers, and over 40% of films were by nonwhite filmmakers. 2021 saw the launch of new programs, including an inaugural National Youth Filmmaker Summit and a reimagined Film Career Day.

2022

For its 15th festival, NFFTY returned as an in-person event, screening over 250 short films from around the world. Thirteen workforce development sessions were held for youth and young adults. The full, hybrid festival lasted for 11 days. In the fall, NFFTY launched our first ever Pop-Up in LA. The 4-day event showcased films from the 2022 and 2020 editions of the festival, including some that never had a chance to play on the big screen.

2023

Expanding its geographic reach, NFFTY featured over 32 states in the official lineup. Surpassing our equity goals, over 50% of the represented filmmakers identified as non-white for the first time at NFFTY. Robust professional development sessions charted the journey from short film to features, character creation, and self distribution strategies.

2024

The seeds planted over the years keep sprouting! Two NFFTY alumni compete in the same category at the Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short. One of these filmmakers, Sean Wang, was welcomed back to the festival to participate in a “From NFFTY to the Oscars” keynote conversation.

2025

NFFTY announces its next phase: moving under the umbrella of SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival). NFFTY continues to be the preeminent program for young filmmakers, and the partnership honors the growth goals of creating a pipeline of talented filmmakers into the film industry.

SHARE YOUR NFFTY EXPERIENCES!

JOIN NFFTY ENEWS SIGN UP ON OUR HOMEPAGE AND RECEIVE FESTIVAL UPDATES AND AN EXCLUSIVE FILM OF THE WEEK FROM PAST FESTIVALS.

SUPPORT NFFTY MAKE A DONATION TODAY TO HELP NFFTY SUPPORT YOUNG FILMMAKERS AND A MORE EQUITABLE INDUSTRY!