Shortfest 2025 Festival Guide

Festival Sponsors

OFFICIAL PURVEYORS

OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE PARTNER

OFFICIAL DIGITAL CINEMA PROVIDER

PLATINUM

PREMIERE HOTEL

SILVER

PLATINUM HOTEL

PLATINUM PLUS HOTEL

Purchase Tickets

Print at home psfilmfest.org

760-778-8979

Box Office Hours

6/16 – 6/20 & 23: NOON - 6 PM

6/24 - 6/30: Opens 1 hour before first show and closes 30 min. after last show.

PRICES*

General Admission ........................ $20

PSIFS Members ............................. $18

Opening Night Program & Party $70

Gayla Party .....................................$25

Closing Night Program & Party $60

Patron Pass .................................. $540

Insider Pass ................................. $270

Student Pass ................................ $100

Best Of The Fest on 6/30 ............... $75

SCREENING LOCATION

Festival Theaters

789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs

How to Fest

PICKING UP TICKETS & PASSES

Tickets may be picked up at the Festival box office during the above listed operating hours. Please visit psfilmfest.org for up to date pass pick up information.

PRINT-AT-HOME TICKETS

Avoid the box office and print your tickets at home. Tickets are attached to your order confirmation email in PDF form. Simply open the PDF, print and present your tickets at the screening upon entry. Help the environment – you may also present the PDF on your mobile device. Tickets are individually bar-coded, allowing only one scan per use so any attempts to duplicate, alter or sell any copies of the print-at-home tickets will result in admittance being refused to the event. Tickets and/or Vouchers purchased through a third party will not be accepted.

Festival Policies

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By attending the festival, you agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions, which can be found at at psfilmfest.org/ about/terms-and-conditions.

REFUSAL OF SERVICE

The PSIFS reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. We enforce this policy to ensure a secure, professional and convenient environment for all of our customers.

SCANNING

All tickets and passes will be scanned upon entering each screening and party.

FESTIVAL ETIQUETTE

Saving space in line or seats in the auditorium for other guests or between shows is not permitted.

No outside food or beverages permitted in auditoriums.

If you need to leave the auditorium for any reason, take your Ticket Stub or Festival Pass with you and pick up a RE-ENTRY pass from the volunteer at the door before you leave. No one will be re-admitted without a Ticket Stub/ Festival Pass AND the Re-Entry pass.

No recording equipment is permitted in the theatre auditorium.

Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices during the film presentation.

For the pleasure of all guests, there is no talking or texting permitted during the film presentation and no late seating. Those arriving late will be seated in between films.

Please complete and return your ballot immediately following each program.

To expedite theatre cleaning and seating please discard your trash and exit promptly after your screening.

All theatre auditoriums are cleared between show times. Any personal items discovered during the cleaning process will be kept in the Lost & Found at the Box Office.

Many lines are outside of the theatres. Please dress appropriately for comfort, as it can get very warm during the day, and theatres may get chilly.

The fine print: All sales are final. Ticket holders must be in their seats at least 15 minutes before show time to be guaranteed a seat. All films are unrated and may contain adult subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised. All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles unless otherwise noted.

Filmmaker & Industry Lounge*, Forums†

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel

888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs

TUESDAY - SUNDAY 9am - 5pm

*LOUNGE ACCESS IS LIMITED PATRON, FILMMAKER, INDUSTRY, STUDENT & STAFF ONLY

†View Forum schedule for dates & times- pg.11

Festival Gear & More

Pop up shop at the FESTIVAL THEATERS and Downtown Palm Springs at Destination Palm Springs Shop

170 North Palm Canyon Dr. and online at DestinationPSP.com

Board of Directors

Members

David L. Baron Esq. Vice Chairman, Treasurer

Helene Galen Vice Chairman Scott White Vice Chairman

Jack Grundhofer in Memoriam Patti Grundhofer in Memoriam James R. Houston in Memoriam JoAnn McGrath in Memoriam

Jan Salta Executive Board Member

John Pinkney Assistant Secretary

Aubrey Serfling Executive Board Member

Sidney Craig Secretary Mary Ann LaBahn Chair of Education Committee

Patrick Mundt Assistant Secretary

Aftab Dada Vice Chairman

Stephen Breimer Board Member

Michele Finney Board Member

Jim Bruner Board Member

Robert Dickey Board Member

Jaci Fitzsimonds Board Member

Carol Kaplan Board Member

Wendy Hope-Heckmann Board Member

Eric Garner Board Member

Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns Board Member

Garry Kief Board Member

Kevin McGuire Board Member

Tristan Milanovich Board Member

Lee Morcus Board Member

David Permut Board Member

Donna MacMillan Board Member Peter Mahler Board Member

Katherine Malkin Board Member

Jenny Lavey Board Member

Harold Matzner Chairman Emeritus

Jeffrey Bernstein Board Member

Leslie McGrath Board Member

Ryann Whalen Board Member

Linda Shirvanian Board Member

Dominique Shwe Board Member

Ellen Sneider Board Member

Catharine Reed Board Member Nathan Ross Board Member

Nachhattar Singh Chandi Chairman of the Board

Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., MBA Board Member

Welcome From Chairman Chandi

On behalf of our board of directors, I would like to welcome you to the 31st Annual Palm Springs International ShortFest, recognized as the largest showcase of short-form cinema in North America!

We are thrilled to open our doors once again to the world’s most daring voices, innovative storytellers and passionate cinema lovers.

This year our festival brings together a vibrant tapestry of 311 short films from 64 countries around the globe – each one a testament to the power of storytelling in its most impactful form. These films were selected from over 6,200 submissions by our programmers and screeners, led by our talented artistic director, Lili Rodriguez.

Over the coming days, you’ll experience compelling premieres, insightful panels and unforgettable conversations. From bold new talents to celebrated auteurs, we are honored to showcase the creative energy and diverse perspectives that continue to shape the future of cinema. And let’s not forget that this ShortFest is a competitive platform that qualifies films for prestigious industry awards, including the Academy Awards, BAFTAS and Goya awards. Whether you’re here to debut a film, discover the next great director, or connect with a global creative community, we invite you to dive deep into the art, craft and spirit of short filmmaking.

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary gathering. And thank you to Festival Theatres here in Palm Springs, who are hosting us for the entire festival.

We also want to recognize the countless dedicated volunteers and the support of individual donors and sponsors; we could not have a successful festival without them, and we are grateful for each and every one of them. I also want to thank our managing director, Rhea Woodson, who is responsible for organizing and operating the festival, and a second mention for our incredible artistic director, Lili Rodriguez, and her talented team of programmers and screeners–all outstanding contributors to our success.

Most importantly, I want to thank you for giving us an audience.

Sincerely,

Nachhattar Singh Chandi Chairman

Programming

Lead Programmers Associate Programmers Programmers

Jesse Knight

Jesse has been a film programmer and curator since 2014. Also a dedicated mentor, he is passionate about guiding filmmakers toward fostering their singularity to stand out among a crowded and competitive landscape. On roller skates he is 5'11''.

Céline Roustan

This is Céline’s eighth ShortFest. Senior writer/curator at Short of the Week, she has also been part of the programming teams of various festivals including IDFA, SXSW, TIFF. She is on the selection committee of the Short Films Competition of the Festival de Cannes and works for the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, the shorts industry event of the festival.

Administration

Screening Team

Charles

Robert John Torres

Robert John Torres is a film festival programmer based in Los Angeles, CA. He has previously worked for the Tribeca Film Festival, DOC NYC, PBS/ITVS, OUTFEST, Nashville Film Festival, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and more.

Rachel Walker

Rachel Walker has worked in the film industry for almost 20 years, sits on the advisory boards for Vidiots and Overlook, and is a member of both the Producers Guild and the Publicists Guild. Ask her about her dog, Senator Bucky!

Celeste Wong

Celeste Wong is a lifelong film and performing arts enthusiast based in Oakland. This is her second year programming for Palm Springs ShortFest. She has also worked in programming for various film festivals nationwide, including Tribeca, Atlanta Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, and San Francisco DocFest.

Daniel Crooke

Daniel Crooke (he/him) is a film programmer based in Los Angeles who has contributed to programs across such leading arts organizations as AFI Fest, Outfest, UCLA Film and Television Archive, Overlook Film Festival, Vancouver Queer Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival.

Imane Lamime

Imane is a French-Moroccan programmer and producer based between London and Paris. In addition to programming for Palm Springs ShortFest this year, she’s working for the BFI, the Marrakech International Film Festival, Sheffield DocFest and SXSW London. She’s also a BAFTA member and founder of the London-based film festival Fhamtini.

Taylor Lomax

Taylor Lomax is a Los Angeles-based film programmer, publicist, and culture savant. This is his first year with ShortFest; he also programs for the Nashville Film Festival and previously worked for AFI FEST. He is probably thinking about Parker Posey.

Darcy Wytko

Darcy is an LA-based writer, filmmaker, and burlesque artist. She is a shorts programmer at the Seattle International Film Festival and ShortFest, and a Canva Fellow at the American Film Institute, where she is pursuing an MFA in screenwriting. She has a deep love for baby goats, the Velvet Underground, her rodeo roots.

Nichole Young

Nichole Young is the Shorts Programmer at AFI FEST and has programmed for several festivals including Seattle International Film Festival and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. She holds a BFA from Chapman University as well as a Master’s from ASU.

Victoria Sung Programming Intern

Jennifer Van Camp Programming & Education Manager

Phil Segal Programming Coordinator

Welcome ShortFesters!

Over the years, this little festival has grown into something pretty special. What began as a humble celebration of short films has become a vibrant international gathering of filmmakers, storytellers, and film lovers who believe in the power of short-form cinema to move, surprise, and delight. And we’re still evolving, still experimenting, and still wide-eyed about what’s next.

It all starts with the films. Out of more than 6,200 submissions, our programming team has hand-picked 311 short films from 64 countries and territories. They’re weird, beautiful, hilarious, devastating, surprising — sometimes all at once. Huge thanks to the filmmakers for trusting us with your work. And thank you for showing up, being curious, and loving shorts as much as we do.

This year, we’re excited to share a few new chapters. We’re launching our first-ever High School Filmmaker Bootcamp — a hands-on, one-day workshop designed to inspire and equip the next generation of storytellers. On Thursday, June 26, Coachella Valley high school students will get a crash course in screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound design, and more, led by working industry professionals. All free, thanks to our incredible partners and donors.

We’re also dipping a toe into TV with a special screening of Paradise, featuring the episode “You Asked for Miracles” directed by ShortFest alum Hanelle M. Culpepper (Class of 2003!). Just a small way of celebrating how short-form storytelling thrives across formats.

Thirty-one years in, and the heartbeat of this festival remains community — the one that’s grown here over the decades, and the one we’re still building. We’re especially proud of our local jury programs, including Desert Views (adults), Young Cineastes (high schoolers), and Kids’ Choice (elementary + middle schoolers). These juries bring the unique perspectives of our Coachella Valley neighbors into the heart of the festival — and this is just the beginning. We’re already dreaming up more year-round ways to connect great short films to our community through programs from the Palm Springs International Film Society.

Endless thanks to our staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, sponsors, and everyone who helps make this wild, wonderful week happen.

We hope the days ahead are full of chaos, magic, discovery, and maybe a few new friendships. Go watch some films, hang by a pool with your future collaborator, and whether you’re visiting for the week or call the desert home, we hope you leave feeling more connected than ever.

Lili Rodriguez Artistic Director

Enrique Ortiz Venue Coordinator

Zack Solomon Venue Operations Manager

Stephanie Pineda Forum & Industry Coordinator

Lili Rodriguez Artistic Director

Felicia Alford Accountant/HR Manager

Jose Padilla Accounting Assistant

Anne Blalock Philanthropy Relations Manager

Judith Beltran Office Coordinator

Ana Souza Kraft Forum Producer

Mary Hanson Volunteer Manager

Scarlett Wilmsen Corporate Sponsorship Manager

Casey Knight Guest Relations Manager

Allie Dinielli Marketing Assistant

Manuel Loudhni Credentials Manager

Rebecca Montalvo Special Events Manager

Kameron Gregson Film Awards Coordinator

Madeline Reardon Marketing Intern

Alana Maiello Marketing Manager

Brian Morataya Tech & Print Traffic Manager

Chris Bredenberg Lead Projectionist

Miles Marsico Projectionist

Kaiya Treash Guest Relations Intern

Nathan Cox Photo & Video

Mackenzie Wardlow Filmmaker Lounge Coordinator

Cindy Chavez Marketing Intern

Sammy Merebet Creative Services Intern

Chad Gneiting Production Manager

Austin Good Scenario PR

Sam La Strapes Projectionist

Rhea Woodson Managing Director

Christina Sasse Film Awards Director

Steven Wilson Co-founder Scenario PR

Martin Foster Creative Services/Design

Rebecca Crompton Forum Intern

Angelina Quirante Film Awards Seating

Cameron Scherer Marketing Intern

Andrew Cabral Photographer

Hailey Howell Publicity Intern

Elle Jarecki Guest Relations Assistant

TRY NOT TO LET SUCH AN AMAZING AMBIENCE GET IN THE WAY OF THE INCREDIBLE VALUE

Imagine top-rate accommodations, oversized rooms, upscale amenities, gorgeous weather, the most favored destination of travelers from all over the world, you’ve got it at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel in California.

of the

Proud Sponsor

Palm Springs International Short Film Festival

High School Filmmaker Bootcamp

JUNE 26, THURSDAY

The Palm Springs International Film Society Presents

FILMMAKER BOOTCAMP

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Join us for the first-ever High School Filmmaker Workshop, and learn the core elements of filmmaking - from writing and storyboarding to cinematography, sound and editing - in a supportive, creative environment. All FREE and hosted at one of the biggest short film festivals in the world, and in your own backyard - the Palm Springs ShortFest. Advanced Registration Required. For more information call 760-969-7557

Don’t miss a party!

FOR LOCATIONS AND DETAILS PSFILMFEST.ORG/PARTIES

JUNE 24, TUESDAY 8:30 PM OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

JUNE 25, WEDNESDAY 10:00 PM FILMMAKER PARTY

JUNE 26, THURSDAY 10:00 PM FILMMAKER PARTY

JUNE 27, FRIDAY 10:00 PM FILMMAKER PARTY

JUNE 28, SATURDAY 10:00 PM FILMMAKER PARTY

JUNE 29, SUNDAY 8:00 PM CLOSING NIGHT RECEPTION

Present your Pass Credential with party access for entry.

JUNE

27, FRIDAY

SHORT TO FEATURE

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Taking the giant step from shorts to feature filmmaking doesn’t have to be intimidating! Hear from our panel of seasoned filmmakers about their own journeys and learnings as they stepped into making features for the first time, and discover the best way to prepare yourself for the next chapter.

PITCH LIKE A PRO*

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

REGISTRATION REQUIRED IF PITCHING

Don’t miss one of our most popular events, centered on the art of perfecting your pitch. Hear from industry experts about dos and don’ts for pitching and tips on getting your delivery just right. Submit your pitch ahead of time for the chance to pitch directly to the panelists and receive feedback live! Three pitches will be pre-selected and confirmed prior to the panel. Panel is open to all, advance registration required for those wanting to pitch.

GOING VIRAL: LESSONS FROM THE CREATOR ECONOMY

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

In a world where content creation is king, what can filmmakers learn from viral creators? This dynamic conversation brings together digital storytellers who have cracked the code of online virality alongside industry executives seasoned in this fast-paced world. We’ll explore how short-form content is evolving, the creative strategies behind breakout success across platforms, and what narrative and audience-building techniques translate best in the age of algorithms.

BREAKING INTO TELEVISION

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Ever wondered what it takes to start working in television? Hear from prominent directors, writers, showrunners, and industry experts about the current television landscape, what they anticipate for the future, and the best ways to forge a path into this coveted area of the industry.

ASK ME ANYTHING: FESTIVALS

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

A Forum favorite! Meet the programmers from festivals around the country who are keen to spotlight work from emerging and established filmmakers. Learn about how selection processes work, dos and don’ts for submissions, and how to make the most of a film festival experience. Bring all your questions as the audience are the moderators!

JUNE 28, SATURDAY

ONE ON ONES: SESSION 1

INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE MENTORS*

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Don’t miss the chance to meet in person with an industry professional as part of our One on Ones. These general meetings are designed to allow you the opportunity to ask burning questions about areas of the industry you are interested in working in or learning more about, general career advice, or ways to best position yourself and your work as you move forward. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.

ONE ON ONES: SESSION 2

FILMMAKER MENTORS*

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Don’t miss the chance to meet in person with an established filmmaker as part of our One on Ones. These general meetings give you the opportunity to ask burning questions about their careers, aspects of filmmaking you are interested in learning more about, general advice, or ways to best position yourself and your work as you move forward. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.

ONE ON ONES: SESSION 3 COLLABORATOR MATCHUP*

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Our newest interactive event! Are you a director seeking a producer for your new project? An actor looking for the writer that will have your next meaty role? Whatever hat(s) you might wear in the filmmaking process, let us step in and help you find your next great collaborator through these structured general meetings. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.

JUNE 29, SUNDAY

ROUNDTABLE MEET & GREET: REPRESENTATIVES & EPISODIC

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

We are proud to introduce a new roundtable this year! In an intimate group setting, hear directly from prominent agents & managers about how they build relationships with filmmakers, and how your work can stand out from the crowd. OR sit down with established writers and directors working in television to learn about how they began their careers and what advice helped them succeed. Bring your questions - we’ll rotate every 20 minutes, so you’ll be able to meet with three speakers total. This event is first-come, first-served with limited seating so we recommend arriving early.

ROUNDTABLE MEET & GREET: ARTIST SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Our signature roundtable event returns! In an intimate group setting, hear directly from development executives and organizations involved in artist support and granting to learn about how they select the filmmakers they work with, what they look for, and what opportunities exist for your project. Bring your questions - we’ll rotate every 20 minutes, so you’ll be able to meet with three speakers total. This event is first-come, first-served with limited seating so we recommend arriving early.

One on One Sessions and Roundtables are Filmmaker Only Events

*Registration required for One on One sessions and for Pitch Like A Pro.

JUNE 24, TUESDAY

11:00 AM Welcome To The Neighborhood

11:30 AM Communication Breakdowns

12:00 PM Art Attack

2:00 PM Desert Docs

2:30 PM Outsiders & Underdogs

3:00 PM Social Animals

6:30 PM Opening Night Screening

8:30 PM Opening Night Party*

JUNE 27, FRIDAY

11:00 AM Crossroads

11:30 AM This American Life

12:00 PM Brief Encounters

2:00 PM Acts Of Defiance

2:30 PM Beneath The Surface

3:00 PM Days Of Youth

5:00 PM Like & Subscribe

5:30 PM Face The Music

6:00 PM It Takes Two

8:00 PM Thrills & Chills

10:00 PM Filmmaker Party*

Program Schedule

JUNE 25, WEDNESDAY

11:00 AM The History Of Us

11:30 AM All About My Mother

12:00 PM Amazing Animation

2:00 PM Same Planet, Different Worlds

2:30 PM Father Figures

3:00 PM Talk Of The Town

5:00 PM On The Job

5:30 PM Sibling Stories

6:00 PM Out Of The Past

8:00 PM Codes Of Conduct

10:00 PM Filmmaker Party*

JUNE 28, SATURDAY

11:00 AM Doing My Part

11:30 AM Shorties

12:00 PM Sundrenched

2:00 PM Modern Romance

2:30 PM Under The Spotlight

2:45 PM Parables, Fantasies & Fables

5:00 PM Seven Deadly Sins

5:15 PM Paradise (Hulu TV Series)

5:30 PM Life Of The Party

7:00 PM Nights To Remember

8:00 PM Late Night

10:00 PM Filmmaker Party*

JUNE 26, THURSDAY

11:00 AM A Dose Of Reality

11:30 AM Animal Instincts

12:00 PM Unbound Visions

2:00 PM Stardust

2:30 PM Growing Pains

3:00 PM Rebel Yell

5:00 PM High Anxiety

5:30 PM Power Plays

6:00 PM A World Imagined

8:00 PM Gayla 10:00 PM Gayla Party*

10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM *Check your pass for access.

JUNE 29, SUNDAY

10:00 AM Awards Ceremony* 1:00 PM Coupling & Uncoupling

1:30 PM Close-Ups

2:00 PM The Shape I’m In 6:30 PM Closing Night Screening 8:00 PM Closing Night Party*

JUNE 30, MONDAY BEST OF FEST

Between the Lines

Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites

Jester

Voiceless

Baa-Baa!

Hun Tun

Awards

OSCAR® QUALIFYING

Best of the Festival Award

$5,000 cash prize; awarded to an animated, documentary or live-action student or non-student short film

Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes

$1,000 cash prize; awarded to a live-action short film with a running time of 15:01 and over (student and non-student films are eligible)

Best Live-Action Short

15 Minutes and Under

$1,000 cash prize; awarded to a live-action short film with a running time of 15:00 and under (student and non-student films are eligible)

Best Animated Short

$1,000 cash prize; awarded to an animated student or non-student short film

Best Documentary Short

$1,000 cash prize; awarded to a documentary student or non-student short film

SPECIAL JURY

Best International Short

$1,000 cash prize; awarded to a short film from outside of the United States (primary country must not be USA)

Best U.S. Short

$1,000 cash prize; awarded to a short film from the United States

Best LGBTQ+ Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Midnight Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Vimeo

$5,000 Honoring one outstanding short film with a cash prize, a guaranteed Vimeo Staff Pick, and featured promotion across Vimeo’s platform and channels.

STUDENT

Best Student Animated Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Student Documentary Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Student International Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Student U.S. Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

LOCAL JURIES

Desert Views

$1,000 cash prize; awarded by a local jury of adults to a short film that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance between people

Young Cineastes Award

$1,000 cash prize; awarded by a local youth jury composed of high school students

Kids’ Choice

$1,000 cash prize; awarded by a local youth jury composed of elementary and middle school students

AUDIENCE

Best Animated Short

$1,000 cash prize, awarded to the student or non-student short animated film that scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience

Best Documentary Short

$1,000 cash prize, awarded to the student or non-student documentary film that scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience

Best Live-Action Short

$1,000 cash prize, awarded to the student or non-student live-action short that scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience

Best Student Short

$1,000 cash prize, awarded to the student short that scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience

THANK YOU PATRONS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

Cindy Blikre & Michael Cornelo

Todd Burke & Dennis Wolframski

Kelly Caruso

Nachhattar & Susana Chandi

Judge Tom Chiola (Ret.)

Mark Coleman & Terence Kissack

Camille Cook

Betsy Crowe (in memoriam)

Clara DiFelice

Shari Foos

Kathi Garcin & Joan Heeter

Dan Harries & Andrew Faye

Christiane Joubert

Nancy Kranzberg

Bobbi Lampros

Athalie & Adnan LaPamuk

Carlos J. Ledezma, MD

Mary Clare Lynch de Ledezma

Harold Matzner & Shellie Reade

Julia Mayer

Cecilia Ponicsan

Suzanne Reid

Maxine Schaffer

Pamela Schmider

Stanton Segal

Linda Shirvanian

Antonio Shelby & Gregory Shelby

Mary Swink

Stephanie Wernig

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 11:00 AM FT5, 83 MINUTES

Take a peek over the fence with this collection highlighting the significance and allure of local community, hometown belonging, and the impact of outsiders.

AGAINST ONE ANOTHER

(LES UNS CONTRE LES AUTRES)

France, Badroudine Said Abdallah, Mehdi Meklat, 20 min.

During a summer in the south of France, a group of friends desperately search for a pool to swim in. When the owners show up, they do not kick them out, but invite them to stay for lunch.

BLACKOUT (QAFLA)

Egypt, Ahmed El Zogbhy, 16 min.

It’s the Eid holiday in an apartment building owned and inhabited by a conservative family. When the elderly grandfather gets sick, his daughters believe that the young woman who rents an apartment in the building is responsible.

BUDÖ

Sweden, Amanda Aagard, Alexander Toma, 15 min.

On the outskirts of Tokyo lives Miho, a lonely old widow. At the supermarket she meets a hungry stray cat that follows her home, and soon makes himself more comfortable in her little apartment than she could ever imagine.

RHODA

United Kingdom, Alex Lawther, 19 min.

After years of living alone, Rhoda takes in a lodger, but the change unsettles the equilibrium of her home.

WHERE TIME STOOD STILL

Georgia, Nino Benashvili, 13 min.

A widowed mother and daughter’s ascetic life in an isolated village in the Caucasus mountains is interrupted by the arrival of a foreign traveler in need of shelter.

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWNS

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 11:30 AM

FT1, 89 MINUTES

From awkward to heartbreaking, these misunderstandings change the trajectory of conversations, relationships, and lives.

BEYOND SILENCE

The Netherlands, Marnie Blok, 17 min.

Two women, two generations, same trauma. One silent for over 30 years, the other ‘only’ for a year and a half. When one decides to remain silent after a confrontation, the other finds the courage to break the silence.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Poland, Anastazja Naumenko, 15 min.

Nastia, who has lived abroad for years, starts to teach her mom how to use internet services. Different perceptions of technology become the starting point for exposing intergenerational conflicts and long-forgotten family threads.

GRAVE ERROR

United Kingdom, Andrew Jonathan Smith, 12 min. Emma embarks on a bureaucratic odyssey to get her life back after an administrative error leaves her legally dead.

KOTOWARI

France, Coralie Watanabe Prosper, 23 min.

After two years of waiting, Saki, a Japanese citizen, and her French wife Tom are heading to the prefecture to finally pick up Saki’s first residence permit. A daunting day awaits them, a day like many others at the immigration office.

VOX HUMANA

Philippines, Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, 22 min.

After an earthquake, the police discover a man in the woods. A zoologist, sound recorder, and news team confront the unsetting possibility that he may be the cause of the natural disasters ravaging their small mountain town.

ART ATTACK

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 12:00 PM FT6, 85 MINUTES

Explore the transformative and provocative influence of art through an assortment of documentary, fiction, and animated short films celebrating the creative process and its ability to heal and challenge.

BEATRIX IS INVISIBLE

USA, Alex Farias, 17 min.

When Beatrix finds herself feeling disconnected and insignificant, she reaches out to the world around her for meaning. Unsuccessful, she is called to step far out of her comfort zone to sense her place in the world again.

CARIES

Switzerland, Aline Höchli, 10 min.

Eager to create a monumental work of art, a shaman remains blissfully unaware that she is painting her murals inside the mouth of a vain weather presenter.

A COLOR I NAMED BLUE

Japan, Sybilla Patrizia, 16 min.

Two Japanese indigo dyers embark on a transformative inner journey: one uncovers the profound meaning within the hues of blue, while the other finds a new way to see through his colorblindness.

EVERYTHING TWICE

USA, Cy Kuckenbaker, 11 min.

Burnout, peculiar homemade cameras, and a serious problem with his eyes—a photographer with a mysterious ailment finally realizes what his photos are about.

HIPPOPOTAMI

China, Lin Jianjie (JJ), 13 min.

In the suburbs of a northern Chinese city undergoing urbanization, a precocious young girl who wants to see zoo animals is taken for a ride that will forever change her perspective on life.

L’AVANCE

France, Djiby Kebe, 18 min.

Aliou, a rising student at the Beaux-Arts in Paris, sells a painting of his deceased mother for 3,000 euros to a renowned collector. The delivery becomes a long journey during which he will realize the weight of the money earned.

Where Time Stood Still

Kotowari

Everything Twice

DESERT DOCS

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2:00 PM

FT5, 80 MINUTES

A showcase of powerful short documentaries spotlighting local voices, stories, and communities.

FOUR FEET AWAY

USA, Natalie Faye, 3 min.

Motivated by her own life’s challenges, veteran Delissa Dawn establishes a sanctuary in the Mojave Desert for abused horses and local Marines.

RICHARD NEUTRA’S MASLON HOUSE

USA, Scott Goldstein, Dave Yakir, 29 min.

The demolition of Richard Neutra’s Maslon House caused an international outrage and started a preservation movement. Through interviews and archival footage, this documentary brings the house back to life while sharing the story of its creation, destruction, and legacy.

SHEEPDOGS

USA, Brian Knappmiller, 26 min.

Artist Ted Meyer works with injured military veterans in Twentynine Palms, CA, creating paintings from their physical scars as a way to help them combat emotional trauma.

RETROPERSPECTIV

USA, Stacey Lee, 25 min.

A confrontational and moving portrait of queer artist, dancer, and choreographer Ryan Heffington (Euphoria, The OA, Tick, Tick... BOOM!) as he revisits the tumultuous years of his coming of age through the lens of a work-in-progress Broadway show.

OUTSIDERS & UNDERDOGS

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2:30 PM

FT1, 91 MINUTES

With the odds stacked firmly against them, the protagonists in these shorts must surmount tough obstacles and take charge of their own destinies.

BEOGRAD

Serbia, David Milan Kelly, 11 min. Desperate to keep his apartment, a Serbian counterfeit scammer must convince his estranged friend to make a fake investment as their relationship unravels.

CHICO

France, Théo Abadie, 23 min.

Jojo, a clumsy and bumbling young gay squatter, sets out to repair a washing machine in order to satisfy Lucien, whom he desires. He roams Brussels in a frantic quest, ready to take any risk to achieve his goals.

DANDELION

USA, Fiona Obertinca, 20 min.

In 1970s Los Angeles, a rebellious foster teen gets thrown out of yet another group home and finds herself in the company of a mysterious social worker who’s tasked with finding her a new residence before the break of dawn.

MONT NOIR

France, Erika Haglund, Jean-Baptiste Peltier, 15 min. Marguerite has experienced three severe losses: her mother, her dog, and her nanny. Having grown up alone with animals and among nature, she sets out for a reinvention as a writer.

STRONGER (STERKARI)

Iceland, Natalia Pacheco, 22 min.

After her father’s death, Hilda struggles to connect with her grieving mother. Determined to prove herself, she trains for a strong woman youth competition, pushing herself to become stronger and more resilient in the face of loss.

SOCIAL ANIMALS

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 3:00 PM FT6, 89 MINUTES

Pleasant company can be difficult to come by in these entertaining stories of dueling dads, scheming hitmen, and a boar in desperate search of his favorite beer.

1:10

Switzerland, Sinan Taner, 18 min.

An elementary school sports day gets out of hand. A harmless argument between two children ends in death threats between the two fathers. The collective overload shakes an entire society.

HURIKÁN

Czech Republic, Jan Saska, 13 min.

Hurikán rushes to save his favourite beer stand from closure by fetching a new keg to impress the bartender he crushes on. In a wild Prague district, he faces robbers, cops, and his own thirst.

SAUNA DAY

Estonia, Anna Hints, Tushar Prakash, 13 min.

In Southern Estonia, men retreat to the dark, intimate space of a smoke sauna after a hard day’s work. Beneath their tough exteriors lies a longing for connection, concealed in silence and veiled in secrecy.

SOEDER (SÖDER)

Austria, Raoul Bruck, 27 min.

In order to get rid of her useless husband during a weekend trip to the lake, Kerstin hires a hitman named Soeder on the dark net. But this strange and mysterious young man is not what he seems.

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON.

USA, Greg Rubner, 18 min.

Three distinct characters struggle to comprehend a rapidly evolving world.

Richard Neutra’s Maslon House

Stronger Hurikán

Opening Night

TUESDAY, JUNE 24 6:30 PM, FESTIVAL THEATERS 5/6, 74 MINUTES

Opening Night is where the vibes begin. Filmmakers, industry folks, and film lovers gather for a high-energy kickoff packed with bold, brilliant, bite-sized cinema. We’ve selected a lineup that captures so much of what ShortFest is all about — a little laughter, connection, and a whole lot of heart.

And to really kick it off ShortFest style, join us right after the screening at Boozehounds Palm Springs for drinks, dancing, and all the magic that makes ShortFest, well... ShortFest.

BAA-BAA!

Estonia, Teresa Juksaar, 14 min.

New to the city, a family must figure out what to do with a goat that was suddenly gifted to them as part of a charity program.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

USA, Emily Everhard, 11 min.

A grieving septuagenarian widow with two (literal) left feet rediscovers herself at a ballroom dance studio.

PASSARINHO

Mexico, Natalia García Agraz, 12 min.

Olivia and Laura have a plan to get the autograph of Passarinho, a Brazilian soccer idol, but before they can put the plan into action, Olivia has her first period.

RETIREMENT PLAN

Ireland, John Kelly, 7 min.

At odds with his life, Ray dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement.

SHANTI RIDES SHOTGUN

USA, Charles Frank, 8 min.

On Manhattan’s jam-packed streets, NYC’s most iconic driving instructor prepares students for the road ahead.

THE SUNNY

Ukraine, Sergiy Kulybyshev, 15 min.

A devoted single dad is blindsided when his 10-year-old son asks to live with the neighbor upstairs instead. Who says you can’t choose your parents?

TIME CRISIS

USA, Brooke Palmieri, Zac Weathers, 7 min.

Three times a week, Eddie Esguerra goes to Los Angeles arcades to play Time Crisis. Day after day, he hones his unique ability to play alone in two-player mode. As we follow Eddie, we learn that his ultimate goal is not just to master the game, but to make friends and find a community.

THE HISTORY OF US

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 11:00 AM FT5, 87 MINUTES

From personal to shared histories, this collection of films looks at the stories that shape us—the choices, the moments, the people.

EVERYWHERE I LOOK

USA, November Nolan, 16 min.

A young trans woman travels back to places she visited as a child with her mother, reflecting on memory, loss, and grief.

FULL MONTH

USA, Ash Goh Hua, 14 min.

Following her niece’s birth, Jing returns to Singapore for the newborn’s full month celebration. Here she is forced to confront her contentious relationship with her estranged mother and traditional family values that caused her departure a decade prior.

THE LITTLE ANCESTOR (LA PETITE ANCÊTRE)

Canada, Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur, 11 min.

In the heart of a buzzing city, a house on a windswept hill comes to life and quietly evolves with its surroundings.

THE THINGS WE DON’T SAY

United Kingdom, Ornella Mutoni, 21 min.

Thirty years after the genocide, a group of young Rwandans confront buried family secrets and inherited trauma. Guided by therapist Emilienne, they come together to break cycles of pain and begin healing the wounds passed down through generations.

MOTHER’S CHILD

The Netherlands, Naomi Noir, 9 min.

WE WERE THE SCENERY

USA, Christopher Radcliff, 15 min.

In 1975, two Vietnamese refugees fled by boat, landing in a Philippine camp where they were cast as extras in Apocalypse Now. This documentary explores their memories, weaving through Vietnam, the Philippines, and the USA across truth, fiction, and time.

WORDS OF HER

USA, Charlene Xu, 10 min.

A woman arrives in her city for a short stay. As inexplicable sensations consume her like the Meiyu season, she descends into herself sinking into the reeds growing from the wounds on her finger.

ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 11:30 AM FT1, 79 MINUTES

Whether touching or comedic, these stories traverse the world of motherhood, spotlighting the enduring impact our mothers leave on our lives.

BREASTMILK

USA, Ifeyinwa Arinze, 15 min.

A new Nigerian mother, Aduke, struggles to breastfeed her baby while navigating her tense relationship with her husband and her family’s expectations. In order to support her newborn child, she must confront her past.

DECK 5B (DÄCK 5B)

Sweden, Malin Ingrid Johansson, 14 min.

On the parking deck of a ferry, a mother struggles between her responsibilities and the desire to live life to the fullest.

As a mother and caregiver for her mentally and physically disabled son, Mary’s life is flooded with bureaucratic calls from healthcare institutions. A slow slip into surrealism will get to the core of how she is feeling.

NENA

USA, Joyzel Acevedo, 14 min.

Determined to break free from her constrictive life in 1990s Miami, Lilia, a young Cuban woman, takes a bold step toward what she believes is a better future for herself and her 7-year-old daughter, Yara.

POTATO POTATO

USA, Josh Locy, 14 min.

When Cynthia writes a letter to her unborn baby about her hopes for the future, the baby writes back.

SHE RAISED ME

USA, Ben Lewis, 13 min.

Louie plans to break up with his boyfriend but is thrown off when he discovers his boyfriend’s mother is Marilyn Muff, a gay icon he idolized. Louie clings to Marilyn, but how far will he go to keep her?

Full Month

Nena

AMAZING ANIMATION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 12:00 PM FT6, 87 MINUTES

This unique collection of animated films run the gamut from moving to hilarious to strange— and always visually evocative.

FOREVER

France, Théo Djekou, Pierre Ferrari, Cyrine Jouini, Pauline Philippart, Anissa Terrier, 6 min.

Garden gnomes live happily, until a golf ball wrecks their lives. They will seek revenge!

FOUNTAIN (CHAWK)

Iran, Hazhir As’adi, 13 min.

A middle-aged projectionist of a small-town cinema meets his teenage love after many years. The faces of all the residents of the city are deformed, only crying will make their faces return to their normal form.

HUMANTIS

USA, Paris Baillie, 9 min.

Humantises are masters of deception. But can they hide from change? When one Humantis unexpectedly goes through a physical transformation, it struggles to adapt and grow into its new self.

LA VOIX DES SIRÈNES

Italy, Gianluigi Toccafondo, 20 min.

In the heart of the seabed, between rocks and corals, primitive seaweed ripples, cradled by the muffled sound of roiling currents. On the surface, something extraordinary has just appeared: a voice. So soft and seductive that it’s unlike anything ever heard.

MOTHER OF DAWN

Brazil, Clara Trevisan, 8 min.

In the void of night, a hungry creature looks for food and perpetuates an everyday cycle.

OSTRICH

Switzerland, Marie Kenov, 9 min.

A sparrow obsessed with ostriches tries to become one through workouts and makeovers. But when he finally meets a real ostrich, he realizes the truth: no amount of effort can change who you truly are.

VOLCELEST

France, Éric Briche, 15 min.

Winter is here. To survive, Fuseline, a little ermine, forced by the lack of food, flees her wild environment and settles near an isolated farm and its chickens. Her arrival threatens the precarious existence of the man who lives there.

WHOSE WOODS ARE THESE

USA, Kate Nartker, 7 min.

Created from over 500 feet of woven fabric, this animated short reimagines the 1841 disappearance of the filmmaker’s ancestor, Julianna Hofrichter, as she follows signs through the wild, exploring memory, transformation, and the threads connecting family and place.

La Voix des Sirènes

SAME PLANET, DIFFERENT WORLDS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2:00 PM

FT5, 85 MINUTES

In our increasingly connected world, real and imagined barriers continue to drive a wedge between people from different backgrounds. These compassionate and cutting stories highlight unexpected encounters across the class divide.

BAD FOR A MOMENT

Portugal, Daniel Soares, 15 min.

A team-building event goes wrong and brings the owner of an architect studio face to face with the lower-class neighborhood that his company is gentrifying.

EMIGRÉ/AMERICANA

USA, Usman Ally, 16 min.

On the day his asylum is finally set to be approved, a Pakistani immigrant becomes the victim of a violent racist attack, triggering a chain of events that transform his life in ways he never expected.

INFLATABLE BEAR, HOURLY

Germany, Elisabeth Werchosin, 12 min.

A young immigrant actress—dressed as a costumed bear— faces a surreal odyssey in Berlin’s Soviet-era outskirts, where a chaotic birthday party blends humor, tragedy, and the echoes of a home she can’t forget.

JESTER

United Kingdom, Harry Sherriff, 17 min.

A depressed jester sets out across plague-ridden England to rescue the Queen’s nephew, and to prove he is more than just a fool.

RENT BOY

USA, Trey Chapman, 10 min.

Driven by ambitions of being a concert pianist, a young sex worker violates a client’s privacy, triggering unexpected consequences.

SUSANA

Mexico, Amandine Thomas, Gerardo Coello Escalante, 15 min.

A middle-aged American woman finds herself alone in Mexico City. When she encounters a group of young American tourists, she jumps at the opportunity for a little adventure.

FATHER FIGURES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2:30 PM

FT1, 86 MINUTES

Dads and fatherhood take center stage in this collection showcasing the full spectrum of love, frustration, and cheesy jokes.

BABA I’M FINE

USA, Karina Dandashi, 13 min.

A teen battles heartbreak while spending Friday out with her father.

THE CRUMBS

Norway, Michael Mellemløkken Renjo, 13 min.

Erik is the second most important person in his stepson’s life, but he wants to be number one.

DRIVING LESSONS

Ukraine, Anastasiya Gruba, 18 min.

Wartime Kyiv, Ukraine. A father teaches his daughter how to drive. The driving lesson ceases to be ordinary when the father is issued a summons at a checkpoint.

LITTLE VICTORIES

Canada, Rafaël Beauchamp, 16 min.

As his health weakens, a father who saves money for gokart tires so he and his daughter can race together reflects on the legacy he will leave behind for her.

MORE THAN THE SEA

Uruguay, Marindia, 15 min.

After years without seeing his father, Lucas travels to a desolate beach club to invite him to his wedding. In this place which was once his home, Lucas will discover that some wounds are still open.

YÚ CI (FISH BONES)

USA, Kevin Xian Ming Yu, 11 min.

A nonbinary Asian American from Queens tries to reconnect with their estranged father while helping him tend to a poisonous fish bite, navigating identity, distance, and care.

TALK OF THE TOWN

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 3:00 PM

FT6, 82 MINUTES

Word travels fast in these stories about tight-knit communities where it’s impossible to avoid your neighbors, and everyone knows your business.

THE BLOOD (LA SANGRE)

Spain, Joaquín León, 15 min.

At the procession of the Virgin Mary in his village, Álvaro sheds tears of blood, and people begin to offer him large sums of money.

CRAZY FOR YOU (LOQUITA POR TI)

Spain, Greta Díaz Moreau, 19 min.

In the heart of Spain’s rural Y2K, 16-year-old Alma is dealing with the agony of adolescent desire with her eyes fixed on José, the village heartthrob.

MY NEIGHBOR’S YARD

USA, Kara Grace Miller, 10 min.

Neighbors from Pennsylvania’s divided Capital Region use signs, flags, and Halloween skeletons to turn their yards into opposing campaign endorsements leading up to the 2024 presidential election.

PIG

Netherlands, Rutger Veenstra, 11 min.

When Nanne’s son returns home after serving time for a sex offense, he must confront a storm of grief, shame, and blame. In a harsh, conservative rural community, can Nanne find compassion for his son?

WE BEG TO DIFFER

Ireland, Ruairi Bradley, 13 min.

In the underground world of diffing, a community finds solace in their passion, as they navigate personal struggles and challenges both on and off the road.

YOUR OPINION, PLEASE

USA, Marshall Granger, 14 min.

As America enters the new millennium, listeners across Montana call into Yellowstone Public Radio to express their views on everything from state politics to the Iraq War to the meaning of poetry.

Jester

The Crumbs Crazy for You

ON THE JOB

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 5:00 PM FT5, 91 MINUTES

From the confines of the office to the high seas and everywhere in between, punch in and enjoy these funny and fraught portraits of working life.

DUTY FREE

Germany, Hilke Rönnfeldt, 17 min.

The shop manager of a floating bordershop container in the Baltic Sea casts off the chains to shore to save the universe of love she and her employees have created inside.

GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE

Norway, Ingvild Dahlgren, 26 min.

Kath sells sex in Oslo alongside her best friend, Andrea. When Andrea decides to walk away, Kath tries to ignore it and maintains their business on her own. The presence of Andrea follows her, forcing her to face her grief.

HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?

USA, Cam Banfield, 10 min.

It’s Monday morning in corporate America. If you didn’t have a good weekend, we can’t have a good week.

QUEEN OF HEARTS

USA, Joey Ally, 13 min.

An empathetic manager at a tech company receives a board-ordered directive that blows her mind.

THREE KEENINGS

United Kingdom, Oliver McGoldrick, 10 min.

Ian is a struggling actor who finds himself in the unconventional role of a professional mourner. As he tours the Northern Irish countryside, his practiced mask of apathy begins to slip amid the humor and heartache of the funeral circuit.

WHERE WE CAME FROM

United Kingdom, Nick Virk, 15 min.

Satinder Aujla, the UK Conservative government’s new foreign secretary, holds a press junket. Her internalised racism defends fascist policies as British values. Has she forgotten her heritage in exchange for power?

SIBLING STORIES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 5:30 PM FT1, 85 MINUTES

The bond between siblings is stronger than ever in this eclectic selection of shorts that oscillates between shenanigans and unconditional support, reminding us that blood is thicker than water.

ALMOST CERTAINLY FALSE

(NEREDEYSE KESINLIKLE YANLI )

Turkey, Cansu Baydar, 20 min.

Having fled Syria, Hanna and her brother Nader find themselves staying in a run-down neighbourhood of Istanbul. When Hanna falls for a Turkish man, she finds herself trying to balance her identity and desires with her younger brother’s needs.

DUST TO DUST

USA, Annika Chavez, 17 min.

Beau is forced to reconcile a falling-out with his brother when he returns home for the first time in two years to attend his funeral.

HATCHLINGS

USA, Jahmil Eady, 15 min.

A resentful teenager is forced to babysit her turtle-obsessed half-brother, who dives into a vivid fantasy world where he is a sea turtle and she is a tortoise.

HERMANO HERMANA

USA, Rodrigo Cuartas, Jonathan Cuartas, Michael Cuartas, 3 min.

Two siblings reconnect in a gothic cemetery 50 years later, after sister unburies brother.

LITTLE GOODBYES (LES FAUX SAPINS)

Canada, Justine Martin, 15 min.

When eight-year-old Florence accompanies her younger sister Simone to the local market to visit Santa Claus, a traumatic incident occurs. In shock, Florence will do everything to protect her little sister’s imagination.

STRANGER, BROTHER.

Australia, Annelise Hickey, 15 min.

When Adam, a self absorbed and lonely millennial, wakes to find his estranged half-brother on his footsteps one morning, he must face the family he’s been running away from.

OUT OF THE PAST

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 6:00 PM FT6, 94 MINUTES

The past seeps into the present in this diverse variety of films, in which memories and prior events make a pronounced return.

BIG BASS

USA, Drew Dickler, 14 min.

A filmmaker travels back to 1997 to revisit a dream-like memory from second grade that centers around her queer identity, her legendary PE teacher, and a mysterious large plastic fish.

CARTAGENE

France, Léa Berbach, Fabien Bernard, Lou Buisson, Paola Couturier, Marine La Villa, Théo Nouare, Marie Pacreau, Abla Saigh, 7 min.

Thirty year old Paul relives the memories of his childhood spent with his grandfather.

CENTURY EGG

Taiwan, Charles Barratt, 15 min.

A man returns to Taiwan, the country he left behind decades ago only to find himself wandering a city he no longer recognizes, and in the company of a stranger who took him in.

CURLY JOE TWO KITTENS FOUR BOXES AND THE SCENT OF FIRE

USA, Apo W. Bazidi, Anna Benner, 5 min.

A few days before her seventh birthday, Kira faces a devastating tragedy when her home is set on fire. Instead of receiving support, her single mother is pressured by the authorities to leave town, while the fire’s cause is left uninvestigated.

HEADREST

Finland, Heta Okkonen, 3 min.

A girl tries to escape the noise of the mind, but thoughts and memories fill the spaces. Is there peace to be found from yourself?

Century Egg

Hatchlings

Duty Free

Best Of The Fest

Monday, June 30

Watch the Festival Favorites

IN MY DAY

(ZA MOICH CZASÓW)

Poland, Iga Lis, 12 min.

Through intimate real-life phone calls between grandmothers and their granddaughters, stories of heartbreak, enduring love, and loss unfold, painting a universal portrait of womanhood across time.

THE LAST CINNAMON ROLL

USA, Michael Langan, 9 min.

Danny’s most beloved snack is disappearing forever. There’s only one left. But his six-year-old needs to potty RIGHT NOW or risk an accident. With the last shred of his youth on the line, Danny’s sanity begins to unravel.

RED BUCKETS

USA, Patrick Moser, 4 min.

A privileged child on the southern coast reflects on a failed attempt to clean fish.

SOLA

Croatia, Lana Barić, 15 min.

After many years, Karla returns to her home island where she must face everything she left behind.

SUNDAY IN AUGUST

USA, Troy Charbonnet, 10 min.

A young man calls an estranged friend, only to discover himself grappling with both familiar and newfound vulnerabilities.

CODES OF CONDUCT

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 8:00 PM FT5, 90 MINUTES

The unwritten rules of society can exasperate and confuse at every turn. These shorts examine how we follow—and break from—prescribed norms.

MEDUSA

USA, Sarah Meyohas, 15 min.

A young Swedish perfumer gets stung by a jellyfish while swimming at a remote beach in France. An attractive older French man comes to her aid, but his intentions remain unclear as a sudden intimacy develops.

MERCENAIRE

Canada, Pier-Philippe Chevigny, 15 min.

Hired at a pig slaughterhouse through a social reintegration program, an ex-convict desperately tries to find another job while repressing his inner violence.

NOT TODAY

USA, Christian Meola, 17 min.

A college student catches one of his buddies doing something he wasn’t supposed to see.

PAKKA

The Netherlands, Iniyavan Elumalai, 18 min.

Four queer Indian friends in the Netherlands bond over cricket and chosen family. When Kathir agrees to an arranged marriage to preserve ties back home, their friendship is tested — and he must choose between staying true to love or loyalty.

RUSE

India, Rhea Shukla, 10 min.

On a rainy afternoon, somewhere between innocence and awareness, three adolescent girls find themselves in the middle of a dance that takes on a life of its own.

SHE DEVIL

USA, Allie Perison, 15 min.

Gemma attends a break-up party with her girlfriend Mae and meets Mae’s friends, the “Femmes,” led by the effortlessly glamorous Lake Evans. As Gemma senses a dark secret behind Lake’s facade, she questions if her suspicions are real.

A DOSE OF REALITY

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 11:00 AM FT5, 90 MINUTES

Transportive, sobering, and wondrous, these nonfiction accounts from across the globe exemplify the power of narrative in truth.

BLACK TIDE (PIE DAN LO)

Reunion, Kim Yip Tong, 14 min.

On July 25, 2020, the bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on the reef on the east coast of Mauritius. Twelve days later, oil began to spill, causing the worst ecological disaster ever to occur in the region.

THE BUILDING AND BURNING OF A REFUGEE CAMP

Sweden, Dennis Harvey, 21 min.

Three men seeking sanctuary in Ireland find themselves caught on the streets between a hostile asylum policy and an increasingly militant far-right.

CLEAR SKY (CZYSTE NIEBO)

Ukraine, Marcin Kundera, 22 min.

Vova and Roma are spending their last days of vacation in their hometown. Explosions, alarm sirens, and military in the streets cast a shadow over their reality. Childhood, however, happens independently of the war.

LANAWARU

Colombia, Angello Faccini Rueda, 15 min.

When a local community member disappears in the Amazon, a boy faces an early memory, seeking comfort in the Indigenous traditions, healing rituals, and guidance from his grandfather.

ONE DAY I WILL HUG YOU

Palestine, Mohammed Fares Al Majdalawi, 18 min.

When Palestinian father Abou Yousef leaves for Gaza after a decade of living in Norway, his daughter Mai begins to confront the emotional distance shaped by his 20 years of imprisonment in Israel.

Clear Sky

Medusa

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 11:30 AM FT1, 83 MINUTES

From loyal companions to wild disruptors and everything in between, fauna take center stage in these charming, curious, and sometimes unruly shorts.

CHRISTOPHER & THE BUG

Canada, Vanessa Esteves, Kevin Micallef, 12 min.

A grouchy old owl learns a big lesson about friendship when a small bug moves into his house.

THE ETERNITY OF GRIEF

USA, Adriana Ducassi, 6 min.

A dog is thrust on a journey through all five stages of grief when his beloved mother leaves the house indefinitely.

MA MAO

Canada, Thanh Ngo, 2 min.

Pet owners know how they care for pets, but how do pets care for their owners? Join Mao as he secretly helps his owner, Chloe, throughout an eventful day in New York City.

MATILDA AND THE BRAVE ESCAPE

United Kingdom, Ash Reed, 7 min.

After being raised on a farm, Matilda decides to make a brave and daring escape in order to save herself and her piglets. The farmers, however, have a different plan for Matilda and set out to bring her back.

MELANOCHAITA

Greece, Niko Avgoustidi, 18 min.

On an ordinary day in the heart of the busy national zoo, visitors wander, captivated by exotic creatures, unaware that somewhere in the garden, an empty cage is about to change their lives forever.

CYCLE OF VIOLENCE: PUPPY PLEASE!

Germany, Felicia Bergström, 6 min.

PEDIGREE

USA, Kai Wen Hu, 15 min.

Samuel Kim and his daughter, Squid, are a pair of hustling street vendors who hatch a scam to pay rent: buy secondhand puppies and sell them as purebreds for big bucks.

TAPEWORM ALEXIS & THE OPERA DIVA

Switzerland, Thaïs Odermatt, 11 min.

The legendary tapeworm diet of the world’s most famous opera diva is told in tragicomic fashion — from the perspective of Alexis, the tapeworm living inside her.

WANDERING HORSE

USA, Emily Ann Hoffman, 1 min.

A wandering horse inspires a wandering mind through the extraterrestrial beauty of New Mexico.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH BIRDS?

USA, Taylor Bakken, 11 min.

A trailblazing young birder sets out to answer the age-old question: what’s the deal with birds? When a strange bird offers her answers, things begin to take flight.

UNBOUND VISIONS

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 12:00 PM FT6, 92 MINUTES

From surreal landscapes to abstract narratives and emotional excavations, experience the boundless creativity of filmmakers pushing the limits of storytelling and perception.

CAMPOLIVAR

Spain, Alicia Moncholí, 16 min.

After the death of her estranged father, a filmmaker sets out to understand their fractured relationship by visiting the family house, Campolivar, the last place she saw him.

Giggling as she hops between hills of fluffy pink cotton wool, Bunny tries to charm and seduce us. The relationship, at first so intimate and lustful, suddenly breaks down and turns to a furious escalation of accusations and violence.

HUN TUN

Czech Republic, Magdalena Hejzlarová, 15 min.

Measuring her strength against Hun Tun, the king of chaos himself, a filmmaker looks back to the time when she discovered that there are things in life she will never control.

ON WEARY WINGS GO BY (LINNUD LÄINUD)

Estonia, Anu-Laura Tuttelberg , 11 min.

As winter descends on Nordic nature, the sun moves low and days become shorter. Animals and insects hide from the freezing wind and snow. Only a small porcelain girl wanders the abandoned landscape, with no way out.

SPAGHETTI

USA, Charissa Kroeger, 10 min.

A “Where’s Waldo?” of characters engage in a choreographed ballet of routine socialization.

WHERE DO BIRDS DIE?

(¿DÓNDE MUEREN LAS AVES?)

Chile, Nadiela (Daniela Estay Castillo), 14 min.

A girl encounters a common bird that awakens a strange obsession within her, distorting her reality until she becomes a horrifying creature. Her investigation leads her to uncover a vengeful myth, pushing her toward an irreversible revelation.

WHO LOVES THE SUN

Canada, Arshia Shakiba, 20 min.

In war-torn northern Syria, makeshift oil refineries fuel survival amid a post-apocalyptic landscape. Mohammad, a key figure in these operations, navigates brutal working conditions and tangled local dynamics in a stark portrait of resilience, industry, and environmental devastation.

The Eternity of Grief

Hun Tun

STARDUST

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2:00 PM

FT5, 91 MINUTES

We are but a blip on the boundless expanse of the universe. From Cambodia to the remote Arctic to the stars and beyond, these enigmatic shorts ponder all matters celestial and cosmic.

ARCTIC DIVA

United Kingdom, Federico Barni, 19 min.

An up-and-coming experimental pop artist is invited to perform at a remote arctic research outpost for the resident scientists, an unwelcoming world which tests her resolve but expands her audience beyond the atmosphere.

AN ONGOING LIST OF THINGS FOUND IN THE LIBRARY BOOK DROP, USUALLY BEING USED AS BOOKMARKS

USA, Kayla Abuda Galang, 4 min.

In the quiet lull of a suburban library, mild-mannered library worker Daniel catalogs a strange assortment of forgotten objects left in returned books—and daydreams of the stories they accidentally tell.

PARADISE MAN

(II)

USA, Jordan Michael Blake, 12 min.

Hi! My name is Paradise Man, and welcome to this random place :)

PSYCHEDELIC IN THE SKY

USA, Matthew Salton, 11 min.

A mind-expanding documentary that explores the intersection of UFOs, spirituality, and the unexplained.

RAT ROD

USA, Jared Jakins, Carly Jakins, 11 min.

A rural mechanic muses on life, death, and his immigrant experience while resurrecting cars near a mysterious cemetery.

Best Of The Fest

Monday, June 30 New For 2025! Day Passes Available

THE SENTRY

Cambodia, Jake Wachtel, 18 min.

On assignment in Cambodia, a suave superspy has a haunting encounter with a garrulous guard.

UPPER

Belgium, Lennert Madou, 16 min.

Waiting for an asteroid to pass through the sky, two friends play around a remote landscape, driven by a curious urge to constantly aim higher.

GROWING PAINS

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2:30 PM

FT1, 87 MINUTES

Sensitive, fantastical, and stirring, these coming-of-age shorts encapsulate the delicate and diverse experiences of today’s youth.

AGOGE

Australia, Veniamin Gialouris, 13 min.

Placed in detention after a physical altercation on the school playground, two teenage boys find their developing friendship challenged by the limits of their emotional honesty.

AMARELA

Brazil, André Hayato Saito, 15 min.

On the day of the World Cup final between Brazil and France, Erika Oguihara, a Japanese-Brazilian teenager who rejects her family traditions, experiences a violence that seems invisible and plunges into a painful sea of emotions.

CUB

USA, Sofia Rubin, 10 min.

A 12-year-old mixed martial artist grapples with her suffocating new sports bra and her domineering dad, pushing her changing body to surreal limits during her toughest match yet.

HOLY CURSE

India, Snigdha Kapoor, 16 min.

During a visit to India, 11-year-old Radha grapples with their gender identity while subjected to manipulative orthodox rituals by their family who looks to dispel an ancestral curse they believe is distorting Radha’s thinking.

KUCHAR ( THE ITCH)

India, Vaidaangi Sharma, 20 min.

After the whirl of a washing machine unexpectedly introduces her to new sensations, teenage Chanda struggles to conceal her new discovery within the household. Meanwhile, her strict and composed mother is keeping secrets of her own.

MOON LAKE

USA, Jeannie Sui Wonders, 13 min.

Set in mid-2000s suburban Michigan, Tess, a reserved and strange middle schooler, stains the carpet at a sleepover.

Paradise Man (II)

Holy Curse

REBEL YELL

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 3:00 PM

FT6, 85 MINUTES

Whether quiet or chaotic, personal or political, these bold shorts give voice to those who push back, break out, or burn it all down.

A BIG HUG

USA, Yael Grunseit, 6 min.

A young girl faces the aftermath of her innocent but inappropriate phone use.

FANTAS

Canada, Halima Elkhatabi, 13 min.

For the duration of a summer afternoon, Abby seeks to bring together two parts of herself. Two worlds that had never yet met are going to collide in a surreal urban western.

LIGHT CAN’T ESCAPE

Australia, Tim Sharp, 11 min.

Harriet’s disaster of a life gets a lot weirder when she discovers a black hole in her apartment.

MAJONEZË

Italy, Giulia Grandinetti, 23 min.

Elyria lives with her strict and domineering family in a small Albanian village. Concealing her anger with obedience, a powerful desire for rebellion gradually grows within her.

THE MAN OF SHIT (L’HOMME DE MERDE)

France, Sorel França, 22 min.

Struggling between college and her job in a luxury hotel, Fernanda wonders if she will ever achieve something meaningful in her life. The arrival of a corrupt president will give her an unexpected opportunity.

ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW

United Kingdom, Lipa Hussain, 10 min.

Filmmaker Lipa Hussain explores Alice in Wonderland syndrome, a neurological condition that causes sensations of shrinking and losing control — something she’s experienced since childhood. She examines its parallels with her own religious and racial struggles.

HIGH ANXIETY

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 5:00 PM

FT5, 95 MINUTES

Clench your jaw and whiten your knuckles with these tense, tightrope-walking shorts set in moments of peak pressure.

CATTYWAMPUS

USA, Jono Chanin, 19 min.

In the midst of a diamond score, two guilty thieves hold space to confess their interpersonal crimes of conscience.

GOODBYE SUN (ADIEU SOLEIL)

France, Hakim Atoui, 21 min.

Eleven-year-old Luna lives with her brother and two adoptive dads. As the summer heat builds, they await a much-anticipated solar eclipse, The sun disappears behind the moon... and does not reappear.

HOMEWORK

United Kingdom, Jamie Di Spirito, 12 min.

A young schoolgirl is determined not to get caught with the extra “homework” she’s carrying in her backpack.

MEAN ENDS (MOURIR EN SILENCE)

Canada, Emile Lavoie, 15 min.

A buried body, a missing sister, and an inquisitive neighbour makes for quite an evening. And the sun isn’t even close to setting on Eric’s crappy day.

OVERCOMER

United Kingdom, Wale Adetula, 11 min.

A self-conscious woman with a striking scar battles anxiety when an online job interview is switched to in-person.

PREMIERE

USA, Omer Ben-David, 17 min.

A filmmaker presenting his film at a prestigious festival competes against his girlfriend’s ex, a big-shot director.

POWER PLAYS

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 5:30 PM FT1, 84 MINUTES

Tense standoffs, risky gambits, and subtle manipulations characterize these stories about the lengths we go to in order to control our own lives—and sometimes those of others.

LITTLE ONE

USA, Lindsay Carpenter, 9 min.

Following a breakup, a woman’s pet cat magically turns human and becomes the object of her owner’s toxic fixation.

PUBLIC FREAKOUT

USA, Julia Bales, 10 min.

At a gas station, a tense encounter between a working man and a suburban teen escalates when the boy’s mother intervenes.

SHUTTERSPEED

Belgium, Jasper De Maeseneer, 25 min.

Fifteen-year-old Cas poses for his school’s trainee teacher and amateur photographer Jard. When he becomes painfully aware of the power imbalance between them, he seeks to reverse their dynamic.

SILVER NEEDLE

China, J Wang, 14 min.

After moving to China from New Zealand, two sisters try to adjust to their new ballet class, only to find that the teacher has an unusual teaching method.

VISA

USA, Chi Tran, 17 min.

Faced with deportation at the end of his work permit, an Asian employee tries to get hate-crimed to secure a green card.

YOU KNOW YOU WANNA STAY

USA, Alex Heller, 9 min.

A freshman girl sneaks out on a school night to counsel her senior friend. “Nothing happens” between them.

Public Freakout

Cattywampus

Fantas

A WORLD IMAGINED

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 6:00 PM

FT6, 94 MINUTES

Blending science and speculative fiction, these eclectic films explore imagined futures and offer fresh perspectives on our present reality.

BLOOD BOYS

USA, Jordan M. Hahn, 13 min.

In a cutthroat competition for the coveted position as a billionaire’s Blood Boy, Sam faces off against top-dog candidate Charlie, pushing Sam to confront the dark underbelly of his aspirations.

BLOOD TIES (LES LIENS DU SANG)

France, Hakim Atoui, 19 min.

A brother and a sister unable to confess a secret. A mother who blames them for their ingratitude and absence. A dysfunctional medical-assistance robot. Lunch is served, bon appétit!

COMMON PEAR

Slovenia, Gregor Božič, 15 min.

In a not-too-distant future ravaged by climate crisis, a team of scientists analyse the archival footage of farmers from the past, in an attempt to understand their connection to the land.

DREAMS, HOPES AND ROTATING DOLPHINS

(HAYALLER, UMUTLAR VE DONEN YUNUSLA)

Turkey, Adil Burak Aydin, 11 min.

A new technology allowing users to see who they were in their past lives launches just as Erdi is going through an existential crisis.

PLAGUE SEASON (ÉPOCA DE PLAGAS)

Ecuador, Gabriela Calvache, 19 min.

While her father is away, a girl hears strange noises from her sick mother’s room. As nature and humans suffer from foreign waste, she longs to see her mother– but is she ready for what’s behind the door?

TAPEWORM

United Kingdom, Daniel Rands, 17 min.

Trapped in a cycle of debt and complicit in years of exploitation, Worm has grown cold. But a final gamble for freedom offers her one last shot at reclaiming her humanity–and control over her own fate.

GAYLA

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 8:00 PM

FT5, 85 MINUTES

Queer life takes center stage on the silver screen in this varied program showcasing the lives– political, artistic, and otherwise– of a kaleidoscopic community.

Gayla screening sponsored by K-Gay!

DRAGFOX

United Kingdom, Lisa Ott, 8 min.

Sam’s search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox. Together they embark on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate their differences.

HERE COME THE DYKES!

USA, Devon Blackwell, Paul Moakley, 16 min.

From 1979 to 1984, photographer Joan E. Biren toured North America with her slideshow Lesbian Images in Photography: 1850-the Present, a.k.a. The Dyke Show. She revives the project once more before donating it to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay Art.

LUZ DIABLA (DEVIL’S BEACON)

Argentina, Gervasio Canda, Patricio Plaza, Paula Boffo, 11 min.

After a road accident, young urban raver Martín finds refuge in a mysterious countryside tavern after being taken in by two strangers.

ONE DAY THIS KID

Canada, Alexander Farah, 17 min.

A first-generation Afghan Canadian man takes steps toward establishing his own identity while navigating an undefined future with his father.

SLEAZY TIGER

Scotland, James Ley, 14 min.

Hopeless (but horny) romantic Alan is excited for his first date with Blair and doesn’t want to mess things up. When Blair gives Alan a jar of homemade kimchi, Alan realises he’s going to struggle controlling his erotic desires.

ZARI

USA, Shruti Parekh, 19 min.

American teen Neelu feels like a fish out of water amid preparations for her sister’s wedding in Delhi until she forges a brief and unexpected connection with Zeyb, a quiet sari store clerk who moonlights as an internet drag queen.

Gayla Party @ S

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 10:00 PM

Zari

CROSSROADS

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 11:00 AM

FT5, 79 MINUTES

Join characters at various stages in life as they find themselves at a crucial juncture, facing pivotal decisions and life-altering moments.

AFTER ALMA

USA, Lorena Durán, 9 min.

In the Astoria housing projects of New York, a demanding single mother grapples with her daughter’s last day home, revealing her own fragility.

ANA Y LA DISTANCIA

USA, Hansel Porras Garcia, 10 min.

A Cuban mother exiled in Miami anxiously awaits the arrival of her son, who is crossing Central American borders to join her.

THE ERRAND

USA, Hayley Marie Norman, 10 min.

On the precipice of a life-changing event, Hayley is faced with the cost of letting go as she struggles to complete the final errand that will close the door on her past and force her to embrace an uncertain future.

MADE FROM LEAKPROOF PLASTIC

Canada, Anastasiya Mykhaylova, 15 min.

As a recent Ukrainian widow prepares to move out of her Toronto home, a persistent leak threatens to destroy a collection of drawings by her late husband, leading her to confront emotions she had tried to avoid.

SALEM ON THE ROAD (SALEM SUR LA ROUTE)

Canada, Étienne Galloy, 20 min.

While experiencing a severe depersonalization episode, Salem sets off on a solo biking journey along Route 132 across the Gaspé Peninsula, determined to end her life at the point where the land meets the sea.

SZYPLISZKI

USA, Jordan Axelrod, 15 min.

Sam, en route to a Polish village to romance a likelyimaginary woman, spends an overnight layover in Queens with his niece and her girlfriend whose relationship is on its last legs.

THIS AMERICAN LIFE

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 11:30 AM FT1, 91 MINUTES

It’s a big country out there, and these uniquely American stories capture the lived experiences and daily struggles of people across the nation.

FIRELINE

USA, Robin Takao D’Oench, 13 min.

An inmate firefighter desperately tries to call home while battling a wildfire with his crew.

HOOPS, HOPES & DREAMS

USA, Glenn Kaino, 20 min.

This is the untold story of how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an all-star team of activists took to basketball courts to connect with young voters, and how their strategy echoed in contemporary politics through President Obama’s historic campaign.

INSIDE, THE VALLEY SINGS

Ireland, Nathan Fagan, 15 min.

Trapped in the never-ending horror of prolonged solitary confinement, three prisoners seek comfort and escape in the boundless vistas of their own imaginations.

TIGER

USA, Loren Waters, 13 min.

Dana Tiger, daughter of legendary Muscogee Creek artist Jerome Tiger, turns to his art to connect with him and her heritage. Amid grief and family tragedy, she reflects on the legacy of her father’s art and their iconic t-shirt business.

WRECKED A BUNCH OF CARS, HAD A GOOD TIME

USA, James P. Gannon, Matt Ferrin, 11 min.

Four people who have never met will smash each other to smithereens in a Demolition Derby.

YOU CAN’T SEE IT FROM HERE (NO SE VE DESDE ACÁ)

USA, Enrique Pedráza-Botero, 19 min.

Using Miami as a point of convergence, contrasting experiences of migration and the endless pursuit of the American Dream are explored through archival and contemporary vignettes.

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 12:00 PM

FT6, 80 MINUTES

Our most profound and memorable experiences occur in the shortest of time spans. These films examine the enduring impact of terse exchanges and fleeting interactions.

A BLUE SUMMER (UN ÉTÉ BLEU)

France, Juliette Ragot, 8 min.

It’s the summer holidays at the local swimming pool and it’s hot. Fourteen-year old Louane is lying by the pool when she is approached by Aïssa. Sheltered from the world around them, the two share a tender moment.

CALL GLORIA! (LLAMÁ GLORIA!)

Argentina, Malena Filmus, 19 min.

Bernarda, a young actress with anxiety issues, calls a suicide hotline after taking a few pills. On the other end, she meets Gloria, a talkative and eccentric volunteer who takes her job very seriously.

I’M REALLY SCARED I’M DYING TBH

USA, Lindsay Calleran, 15 min.

An anxious young man convinces himself he may be dying after experiencing mysterious symptoms of panic. While looking for an anonymous outlet for his fears, he stumbles into a live adult camming site, and finds unlikely support from strangers.

KAMINHU

France, Marie Vieillevie, 15 min.

Joanna, a young European traveller, roams the Cape Verde Islands with her sketchbook. She encounters Lito, a local fisherman, who will convince her to delay her departure from the village of Esperanza.

MELODY OF LOVE

USA, Guy Kozak, 10 min.

A cowboy earns the favor of a rancher’s daughter, but can’t keep his eye off his horse.

THE YELLOW

USA, Simone Faoro, Maika Monroe, 13 min.

When Roy and Susanne’s lives bottom out in a malaise of monotony, despair, and alienation, can a glimmer of bright color re-awaken them to wonder?

The Errand

You Can’t See It From Here Melody of Love

ACTS OF DEFIANCE

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2:00 PM FT5, 71 MINUTES

From desperate rescues to feverish escapes to stalwart resistance, these films highlight the lengths some will go to in order to fight for themselves, their principles, and others.

DANCING IN TOMORROWLAND

USA, Jakob Roston, 16 min.

In this fantasia of a 1980s gay rights theme park documentary, activist Crusader (FKA Andrew Exler) fights to overturn Disneyland’s ban on same-sex dancing.

THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT

Croatia, Nebojša Slijepčević, 14 min.

A passenger train from Belgrade to Bar is stopped by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. As they haul off innocent civilians, only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them.

SHEEP

Iran, Hadi Babaeifar, 13 min.

A young girl in Tehran, living with her mother, takes matters into her own hands to save sheep from being sacrificed during the traditional Eid-e-Ghorban ceremony.

KISSES AND BULLETS

USA, Faranak Sahafian, 12 min.

During the Iranian Women, Life, Freedom movement in 2022, Anahita in NYC and Yalda in Tehran each face their fears by going to a protest, and connect across the world through a photo that brings hope for a better tomorrow.

WHAT FREEDOM

USA, Paul James, 16 min.

When a major construction project outside a juvenile detention facility gives Kadeem a chance to escape, he is forced to confront his desire for freedom and grace against the harsh reality of his place in society.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2:30 PM

FT1, 85 MINUTES

Whether nurtured or suppressed, intentional or accidental, something simmers in these films, pushing toward revelation, rupture, or release.

AS IF SWALLOWED BY EARTH

(COMO SI LA TIERRA SE LAS HUBIERA TRAGADO)

France, Natalia León, 14 min.

Olivia, a young woman living abroad, returns to her hometown in Mexico in the hope of reconnecting with her past.

CHRYSANTHEMUM

New Zealand, Jolin Lee, 12 min.

When her child mysteriously vanishes in a garden centre, an anguished gardener develops an unhealthy relationship with a chrysanthemum plant.

GURGLING

Taiwan, Christine Margaret Wu, 13 min.

Living under the same roof with her aging in-laws and inattentive husband, a young housewife’s mundane life is stirred when she suspects someone of gazing at her through her shower window.

HIDE-AND-SEEK (ESCONDE-ESCONDE)

Brazil, Vitória Vasconcellos, 10 min.

In the voracious streets of São Paulo, a woman hides a deadly secret, unaware that her little sister follows her with a video camera.

KISMET

Slovenia, Žiga Virc, 15 min.

As her sister prepares to marry and leave home, 11-year-old Milena, terrified of losing the most important bond in her life, lashes out in defiance.

A LOUD PIECE OF ARMOUR

United Kingdom, Molly Burdett, 11 min.

Seeing her daughter scream with such abandon and ease sends Holly on a mission to rediscover the primal, unbridled howl of self-expression she once had as a child.

MY TEENAGE BLACKOUT

(J’AI AVALÉ UNE CHENILLE)

France, Basile Khatir, 10 min.

Tristan swallowed a caterpillar while downing a tequila shot and now he’s in a coma. Thoughts run through his head: that girl at the party, his overbearing mother, and how he’ll never get to change his Facebook photo ever again.

PUREBRED

Northern Ireland, Caleb J. Roberts, 15 min.

During a heatwave, transgender man Owen returns to the flat of his on-off-again lover, Seán, after taking a pregnancy test.

DAYS OF YOUTH

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 3:00 PM FT6, 95 MINUTES

Burgeoning desires, fiery personalities, and questionable choices, the protagonists in these stories remind us that growing up can be both the hardest and most exciting time of our lives.

GIOIA

France, Nixon Singa, 21 min.

Fifteen-year-old Gioia lives a boring life at school. After class, she escapes into her passion: Afro dance. When she shares her hobby with Amandine, a popular student, their worlds collide.

LEADING MAN

USA, Amanda Michaels, Whitney Houser, 17 min.

Ashlyn’s inability to accept herself keeps her from pursuing her biggest dream.

ON A SUNDAY AT ELEVEN

Canada, Alicia K. Harris, 9 min.

A young Black ballerina performs her Sunday rituals, while facing the pressures to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.

RAGAMUFFIN

USA, Kaitlyn Mikayla, 14 min.

A 12 year old motocross racer spends what seems like an average race weekend at the track with her father. But as the weekend unfolds, she’s faced with her identity, her deafness, and what it means to be a girl.

WE HAD FUN

France, Linda Lô, 19 min.

Bordeaux, 1987, Christmas Eve. Linda, Biram, and Roger live apart from their mother in Gabon. While Roger escapes for a weekend getaway, his young siblings, experiencing snow for the first time, end up putting themselves in danger.

LIKE & SUBSCRIBE

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 5:00 PM

FT5, 85 MINUTES

Dive into the swirling maelstrom of social media with these shorts exploring the drama, vanity, and the eternal quest for validation in the digital era’s labyrinth.

AFTER WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LIBRARY

USA, Syra McCarthy, 15 min.

In the wake of a terrifying encounter, an overwhelmed drag queen struggles under the weight of public attention.

CHRONIC

USA, Taylor Landesman, 14 min.

A chronically ill woman stumbles upon a magical cure in her best friend, a discovery that will have alarming consequences for them both.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL PLEASE FOLLOW BACK

USA, Amandine Thomas, 7 min.

As her grandmother’s relationship with an online romance scammer evolves, a filmmaker explores the ways in which we strive to connect through the internet.

REAL (RÉEL)

France, Rodrigue Hart, 4 min.

1857. Coutances. Two farmer girls find a smartphone in their field.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME

USA, Wylie Anderson, 15 min.

A former YouTube star must reconnect with his opportunistic father while attempting to attain independence and come to terms with his exploited childhood.

WASSUPKAYLEE

France, Pepi Ginsberg, 20 min.

A 17-year-old prank video influencer joins a popular TikTok content house, struggling to fit in and pay the rent. When a new and intense friendship offers the chance of viral fame, she learns how far she’ll go to belong.

WOOF.

USA, Edward Hoke, 10 min.

A dogfluencer doubles down after he goes viral for animal abuse.

FACE THE MUSIC

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 5:30 PM

FT1, 90 MINUTES

Be it through instruments, dance, or playlists, these shorts explore the role music plays in our lives, our memories, and our imaginations.

MEAL TICKET

USA, Wes Andre Goodrich, 13 min.

A scrappy manager must decide what to do with life-changing news he receives about his client—a young hip hop star—just 12 minutes before he goes on stage for his debut tour.

NOW, HEAR ME GOOD

USA, Dwayne LeBlanc, 15 min.

After hosting a party in his new home abroad, a musician explores his sense of community and, in exile, rediscovers his voice.

PLAY HARD

USA, Winter Dunn, 13 min.

Nate, a workaholic drummer, spends all his time practicing, striving for perfection. After meeting Yazmine, a dedicated modern dancer, he realizes that the key to success isn’t just hard work — it’s knowing when to play hard, too.

THE SINGERS

USA, Sam Davis, 18 min.

A lowly pub full of downtrodden patrons unexpectedly connects through an impromptu sing-off. Featuring viral video singing talents and unique personalities from the internet’s unlikeliest corners, this experimental docu-musical hybrid is crafted like an improvisational play.

SYNTHESIZE ME

USA, Bear Damen, 16 min.

Violeta, daughter of a widowed electrical worker, escapes to her late mother’s abandoned music workshop to keep her memory alive. When she causes a major blackout, tensions rise between father and daughter, bringing their grief to a boiling point.

VOICELESS (SANS VOIX)

Switzerland, Samuel Patthey, 15 min.

Dan, a young man immersed in electronic music and his isolated routine, feels disconnected from the world. Only in nightclubs does he find freedom through techno and drugs. But when a baby catches his eye, his perception of life changes.

IT TAKES

TWO FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 6:00 PM FT6, 87 MINUTES

Whether over dinner, through disaster, or across time, this collection explores what happens when two lives collide.

APOCALYPSE BESTIES

USA, Kristen Buckels Cantrell, 18 min.

Best friends Sam & Becky accidentally survive a sudden apocalyptic pandemic. With maybe one hard skill between the two of them, they decide it’s up to them to save and repopulate the earth. Step one? Take out each other’s IUDs.

CHECK PLEASE

USA, Shane Chung, 10 min.

Two headstrong Koreans can’t agree on who’s treating who to dinner, causing their casual restaurant outing to spiral into a martial arts deathmatch.

CURA SANA

Spain, Lucía G. Romero, 19 min.

Jessica and Alma, two sisters in a situation of domestic violence, will begin to treat each other with love instead of violence through one of their routine trips to the food stamp office on the night of San Juan, a Spanish holiday.

ÉNOUEMENT

USA, Angel Lu, 15 min.

Jen, a recent college grad and career-driven amateur navigating the film industry, struggles to balance her career while caring for her grandfather with dementia.

LOVE IMMORTAL

Denmark, Ömer Sami, 12 min.

After cryonically preserving his late wife, 87-year-old pioneer Alan clings to the hope of reuniting with her in the future. But when he discovers newfound love, he must choose between a distant dream and the present.

MOON & BACK

Canada, Pony Nicole Herauf, 13 min.

Two young people spend a weekend memorializing their friendship before one of them permanently moves to the moon.

Moon & Back

Voiceless

Hello Beautiful Please Call Me Back

THRILLS & CHILLS

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 8:00 PM FT5, 75 MINUTES

Terror lurks in the most unexpected places in this collection of horror shorts—from bizarre family dynamics to eerie intrusions and darkly comic deceit, expect the unsettling, the outrageous, and the truly disturbing.

THE BEGUILING

USA, ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby, 15 min.

What seems to be a burgeoning romance between two Natives takes a sinister turn as one grows suspicious of the other’s Indigenous heritage. When confronted, deceit turns their romantic evening into a darkly comedic nightmare.

GASLIT

Canada, Anna MacLean, 11 min.

A woman goes to dangerous lengths to prove she wasn’t responsible for a fart.

/HAAW/

USA, Joey Scoma, 12 min.

A typical day at a ski resort takes a bizarre turn when a xenophobic guest shares a gondola with an unusual family.

RATA

USA, Giselle Bonilla, 16 min.

A tenant releases a rat from its trap, unleashing chaos in her apartment complex.

STOMACH BUG

United Kingdom, Matty Crawford, 15 min.

A single father struggles to cope with empty nest syndrome, but as his grief intensifies, strange and unsettling physical changes begin to occur.

WHITCH

USA, Hoku Uchiyama, 6 min.

After putting her daughter to bed, Aura discovers an intruder in her house: an elderly lady who acts strangely familiar, and who is hell-bent on performing a bloody ritual before midnight.

DOING MY PART

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 11:00 AM

FT5, 93 MINUTES

These inspiring true stories showcase extraordinary individuals working tirelessly with exceptional skill, passion, and dedication to create a more equitable & just world for all.

THE DEVIL IS BUSY

USA, Geeta Gandbhir, Christalyn Hampton, 31 min.

As the director of operations and security of an abortion clinic in Atlanta, Tracy doesn’t take any chances when it comes to the safety of both the patients and the staff.

OUT HERE

USA, Lisa Klein, 28 min.

Mark, a former addict turned outreach coordinator, navigates daily struggles, builds trust, and faces hard truths with empathy in a system deeply stacked against the unhoused.

TEDDY

USA, Lauren Santucci, 16 min.

By day, Teddy Gant is a security guard. Off duty, he’s a birth worker supporting Black women in Houston, where maternal mortality rates are among the nation’s worst. As a doula, he helps clients reclaim safety, dignity, and power in birth.

TESSITURA

USA, Lydia Cornett, Brit Fryer, 18 min.

Blending history and personal stories, this documentary explores how transgender opera singers navigate voice, gender, and character in a tradition bound by rigid roles.

SHORTIES

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 11:30 AM

FT1, 79 MINUTES

Films for kids and the young at heart, this mix of familyfriendly fare features a variety of animated & live-action tales.

FOREVERGREEN

USA, Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy Spears, 13 min.

A joyful adventure featuring an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly tree turns serious when the cub is tempted by the allure of easy food.

HAPPY SNAPS

United Kingdom, Tyro Heath, 12 min.

On the Isle of Sheppey, two boys try to enjoy a last day together. But as the day goes on, fears about the future cloud their friendship.

HOOFS ON

SKATES

(KANOPOS IR PA I OS)

Lithuania, Ignas Meilūnas, 12 min.

In a winter wonderland, two friends are having a blast ice-skating on a frozen lake when suddenly a strange and unfamiliar world cracks open underneath them.

LE PETIT ET LE GÉANT

France, Isabela Costa, 9 min.

In a world recovering from a disaster, a little hamster meets a giant plant creature afraid to go outside. Together they face new challenges, and make a plan to reflourish the land.

POW!

USA, Joey Clift, 8 min.

A Native American kid races to charge his dying video game console amid the vibrant chaos of an intertribal powwow, caught between modern distractions and his cultural heritage.

SOAP BOX (BOITE À SAVON)

Canada, Jimmy G. Pettigrew, 17 min.

A group of kids gather for the annual soap box race down the Mountain of the Muertay, the village’s highest peak. Hubert aims to win for the first time to impress Anouk, the girl who makes his heart race. (In French with English subtitles)

WEDNESDAYS WITH GRAMPS

USA, Chris Coopland, Justin Copeland, 8 min. When a teenage boy visits his Gramps at a seemingly mundane boring assisted living facility, he comes to find that they have much more in common than he thought.

/HAAW/

The Devil is Busy Forevergreen

SUNDRENCHED

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 12:00 PM FT6, 83 MINUTES

Embrace the summer spirit with these warm-weather films replete with sizzling tension, fleeting romance, and scorching holidays.

A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY FOR THE LADY AVENGERS

Taiwan, Birdy Wei-Ting Hung, 12 min.

In 1980s Taiwan, a teenage girl named Ming explores her budding desires through daydreams on a sweltering summer afternoon spent sipping watermelon juice and going to the movies.

TANNING ZONE

USA, Chloe East, 18 min.

Two California besties and entrepreneur baddies ride the highs and lows of chasing big dreams under the sun. A vibey, sun-drenched comedy about friendship and hustle.

WATER HAZARD (À TONA D’ÁGUA)

Portugal, Alexander David, 23 min.

A pre-adolescent spends a family summer at a golf village. A newly built lake on the course becomes the backdrop to a mysterious encounter, leading to the discovery of an unknown other — and the revelation of an unknown self.

THE HUNTERS (OS CAÇADORES)

Portugal, David Pinheiro Vicente, 30 min.

As the end of an era of repression approaches, a bourgeois family still in its bubble of power spends their vacation in a sprawling country house. It will only take the introduction of an outside element for mayhem to erupt.

The Hunters

MODERN ROMANCE

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2:00 PM

FT5, 92 MINUTES

Courtship brings out the best and worst in us. Sex, heartbreak, obsession, and betrayal—these shorts have it all.

AN ALMOST SUCCESSFUL DATING

APP LOVE STORY

USA, Winter Coleman, 14 min.

A curious young woman attends the funeral of a man she matched with on a dating app.

ARIA

USA, Federica Belletti, 12 min.

A young woman in New York City learns how to stand her ground after a sexual encounter turns harrowing.

BETWEEN THE LINES

Austria, Niklas Pollmann, 20 min.

Between the tracks of an underground station, the intentions of two people slowly emerge.

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A CRUSH

USA, Omer Ben Shachar, 11 min.

After finding a phone accidentally left behind by an astronaut, a lonely alien develops an all-consuming crush that tests his hold on reality.

BURNING INSIDE (QUEIMANDO POR DENTRO)

Brazil, Enock Carvalho, Matheus Farias, 17 min.

Raised in a neo-Pentecostal evangelical family at the heart of Brazil’s rising religious movement, Samuel’s world is upended when his father forbids him from dancing in church as he begins to embrace his queer identity.

I WANT TO FEEL FUN

USA, Jessica Sanders, 9 min.

zOn a single day in Los Angeles, Esther hurtles through an exhaustive search for love, connection, and Nicki Minaj.

MAMBO NO.2 (MÜSSEN MÜSSEN)

Germany, Anne Feldmeier, 10 min.

As Betti and Tom begin their courtship dance while out on a date, an unforeseen little something suddenly forms in Betti’s bowels. And wants to get out.

MAX DISTANCE

USA, Marissa Goldman, 16 min.

Stuck in endless droning Zoom meetings, a programmer daydreams about the stranger next door—until she finally gets a chance at love.

CLEAN SLATE

USA, Emily May Jampel, 9 min.

Two Asian nonbinary best friends and actor must make some sacrifices when they go up for the same breakout role.

DORMILÓN

USA, Olivia Marie Valdez, 9 min.

In a quest to become the performer of his dreams, Dormilón, a starry-eyed and middle-aged janitor living in an abandoned theater, must confront his nightmares face-to-face.

LITTLE REBELS CINEMA CLUB

Indonesia, Khozy Rizal, 17 min.

In 2008, 14-year-old Doddy sets out to recreate an iconic scene from a zombie film with three of his best friends, using a handycam belonging to Anji, his sad and angry emo brother.

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2:30 PM

FT1, 89 MINUTES

Whether for the camera or for an audience, for family, friends, or complete strangers, this collection of films digs into what it takes to mount a memorable performance.

BRIEF SOMEBODIES

Canada, Andy Reid, 15 min.

During rehearsal, a filmmaker and the actor hired to sexually assault him on screen form a bond they’ll soon be forced to reconfigure.

MAIN MAN

USA, John de Menil, 10 min.

A German tourist who gained fame in the 1970s after becoming lost in America and a washed-up one-hit-wonder indie rocker are connected across history by feelings of having already peaked.

SAMRA’S DOLLHOUSE

Tunisia, Maissa Lihedheb, 12 min.

Heartbroken director Samra casts Hedi as the perfect male lead for her romance film. During rehearsals, Hedi begins to suspect his role eerily mirrors reality. As tensions rise, the lines between truth and fiction begin to blur.

Main Man

PARABLES, FANTASIES & FABLES

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2:45 PM

FT6, 89 MINUTES

Suspend disbelief and lose yourself in this selection of imaginative and otherworldly shorts.

AUTOPHAGY

United Kingdom, Edie Lawrence, 11 min.

A disease ravages a town, the affliction slowly morphing citizens into an octopus. With societal hatred towards those suffering building, a couple faces a choice: afford the medication to carry on living, or drink the water and suffer being shunned.

THE BRIDE’S CURSE

USA, Alex Kavutskiy, Jerzy Rose, 20 min.

On their first night of marriage, a wife tells her husband about an ancient curse on the women in her family that threatens a very specific calamity should their husbands lie. Skeptical, the husband decides to test the truth of the story.

HEAVEN IS NOBODY’S

Spain, Hector Prats, 12 min.

A boy journeys through a nightmarish maze of streets to find a cure for his mother as a dancing curse descends on the city.

HIMALIA

Canada, Clara Milo, Juliette Lossky, 21 min.

On an idyllic farmland, a child fascinated by a single, everflowing sunbeam unlocks an otherworldly journey through light, time, and wonder.

MY MOTHER IS A COW (MINHA MÃE É UMA VACA)

Brazil, Moara Passoni, 15 min.

Left in her aunt’s care on a ranch at the edge of a burning wetland, 12-year-old Mia is desperate for her mother’s touch. But in this volatile world, with the impending threat of a deadly jaguar, love comes in unexpected form.

NO ROOM (NEMA MJESTA)

Croatia, Jelena Oroz, 6 min.

In a world where cars have legs and use the pavement as they please, a leisurely stroll can be stressful. Is there any way to share the road when there is no room?

RADIX

Germany, Anne Breymann, 4 min.

Two creatures meet on a tree. Their encounter goes deep down to the roots and beyond.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 5:00 PM

FT5, 81 MINUTES

Wade into seven sinful selections that explore each cardinal vice—gluttony, lust, greed, wrath, sloth, envy, and pride—in which transgression, temptation, and the thrill of wrongdoing run rampant.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!

USA, Zen Pace, 12 min.

When a broke party clown finds out in the middle of a gig from hell that his mother is on her deathbed, he must do whatever it takes to afford a flight home, while slowly losing grip on reality.

DON’T

TRY THIS IN THE WOODS

Greece, Emma Doxiadi, 16 min.

Maya, a driven development executive, enters a mystical forest in search of profit. Ignoring the cryptic warnings of her enigmatic guide, her insatiable hunger for success pushes her deeper into the untouched wilderness.

FOLLOW ME WHEREVER I GO

USA, Max DeFalco, 13 min.

Cathleen Jett-Witowski Donovan, a deeply religious single mother, is determined to start her life anew but will stop at nothing until she gets what she wants: her son’s best friend.

INTERLOPER

USA, Kerry O’Neill, 17 min.

A troubled 16-year-old girl disrupts the harmony in her new foster home.

MIN’S DAY OFF

Brazil, João Londres, 7 min.

After an embarrassing night of karaoke, Min decides to take a day off.

PARADISE BUFFET (BUFFET PARAÍSO)

Spain, Héctor Zafra, Santi Amézqueta, 8 min.

In a buffet restaurant, a diverse group of characters access a wide variety of exquisite delicacies without being aware of the serious sin that gluttony represents.

A RECONCILIATION AT THE DONUT SHOP

USA, Zach Tavel, 8 min.

A homeschooled girl from Pennsylvania, obsessed with The Doom Generation, tries to reconnect with her estranged half-sister and land a marketing manager job at their uncle’s donut shop by hiring an actor to reenact a reunion that never happened.

PARADISE

EP. 106: “YOU ASKED FOR MIRACLES” SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 5:15 PM FT6, 47 MINUTES

ShortFest spotlights Hulu’s Paradise, created by Dan Fogelman and starring Sterling K. Brown. Set in an elite, tranquil community upended by a shocking murder, the series explores the fallout of a high-stakes investigation. We’ll screen the episode “You Asked for Miracles,” directed by ShortFest alum Hanelle M. Culpepper (Star Trek: Picard, Westworld), followed by a conversation about her work in television.

This special screening is free and open to the public.

The Bride’s Curse

Follow Me Wherever I Go

LIFE OF THE PARTY

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 5:30 PM FT1, 88 MINUTES

Wild nights and poignant moments abound in these stories devoted to the memorable times we gather to celebrate.

LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE

USA, Tyler Cunningham, 10 min.

Bettina, a recent Los Angeles transplant and struggling actress-turned-babysitter, must chauffeur precocious preteen Wynn to a birthday party in Laurel Canyon. There’s just one problem: she barely knows how to drive a car.

MADAWA

USA, Musila Munuve, 12 min.

In order to win over a young woman he likes before she moves away, a young man tries MDMA for the first time.

MYSELF WHEN I AM REAL

USA, Angeline Gragasin, 18 min.

Set in the year 2000, a single mother and her teenage daughter struggle to make friends and find belonging at a Filipino Christmas party in suburban Wisconsin.

RAGE (FURIA)

Spain, Fran Moreno Blanco, Santi Pujol Amat, 19 min.

Eric, living in a juvenile center, hopes to rebuild his relationship with his mother before turning 18. When she misses a visit, he runs away to her home only to discover she has moved on with a new family.

CHASING THE PARTY

USA, Jessie Komitor, 14 min.

UNHOLY

USA, Daisy Friedman, 14 min.

Noa, living with a complex gastrointestinal disorder, attends her family’s Passover Seder for the first time since getting a feeding tube. Surrounded by food she can’t eat, she faces malfunctioning devices and well-meaning relatives who don’t know when to stop.

WHITE TRASH

Finland, Teppo Airaksinen, 15 min.

Pilvi, a single mother, is invited to a “white trash” costume party hosted by her affluent friends. She feels out of place, and as the evening unfolds, her past choices and societal judgments come to the forefront.

NIGHTS TO REMEMBER

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 7:00 PM FT6, 90 MINUTES

Lost souls are found, crackpot schemes are hatched, and life-changing decisions are weighed in these nocturnal tales.

AFTER THE VERY END

France, Miriam Furniss-Yacoubi, 22 min.

As their world is about to end, world leaders gather one last time.

AUTOMAGIC

India, Ashok Vish, 13 min.

On his return home, androgynous-looking Madhu attempts to seduce Ratnakar, his rickshaw driver, who is practicing celibacy in preparation for a religious pilgrimage.

Seventeen-year-old suburbanites Melissa and Stephanie fantasize about becoming “IT” girls in the Lower East Side party scene circa 2007. Their dreams come crashing down when the photographer they idolize is the one to lift the veil.

MUNCHIES

USA, Brittany Alexia Young, 11 min.

An estranged clique from high school reunites for a summer girls’ night to get high together like old times. Their sleepover takes a turn when a junk food craving lands them in the middle of a botched convenience store robbery.

ONE NIGHT IN BROOKLYN

USA, CJ Taglione, 13 min.

The lives of four strangers intertwine when a couple’s anniversary night spirals into a whirlwind of bizarre run-ins, chance encounters, and a frantic search for baby formula.

WHAT IF THEY BOMB HERE TONIGHT?

Lebanon, Samir Syriani, 17 min.

Samir and Nadyn, a Lebanese couple, spend a sleepless night anxious and fearing an Israeli airstrike could shatter their home’s glass walls. With their children peacefully asleep, they battle with whether to flee or stay and risk the worst.

Chasing the Party

White Trash

LATE NIGHT

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 8:00 PM

FT5, 77 MINUTES

The absurd and the surreal converge in this playfully unhinged collection of after-dark shorts featuring a wild array of antics and peculiarities.

BDAY PRIVATE DICK

USA, Dante Ariola, 12 min.

On his birthday Nick is tired of getting gifts so he hires his own private detective to follow himself.

¡BESO DE LENGUA!

Mexico, José Luis Zorrero, 15 min.

Itzcóatl and Moisés are on their first date. After a couple of hours of getting to know each other, they both play a very unusual game that strengthens their romantic chemistry.

CHANNELVUE

USA, Brandon Tauszik, 8 min.

During a late ‘90s TV Guide channel broadcast, an uptight cable company CEO fights off deranged hackers as they hijack her station, changing its content in real time.

DAD DOLL

USA, Kyle Kenyon, 10 min.

In a world without dads, one doll will rise.

PLAYING GOD

Italy, Matteo Burani, 9 min.

A clay sculpture comes to life in the darkness of a workshop, surrounded by strange creatures.

Best Of The Fest

Monday, June 30

Watch the Festival Favorites

REPLAY

USA, Phil Mazo, 3 min.

A man has the chance for redemption over a humiliating TV show appearance from his childhood.

THE TRAVELER & THE TROLL

USA, Adam Murray, 9 min.

When a weary Traveler stops in a haunted forest, they encounter a fearsome troll who demands riddles answered in place of treasure. As night falls, the Troll discovers this Traveler may be a far more cunning foe than expected.

YOUR OWN FLAVOR

USA, Alisha Ketry, 11 min.

After Renee gets ghosted, she receives comfort from a very nice guy.

COUPLING & UNCOUPLING

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 1:00 PM FT5, 90 MINUTES

Unexpected matchmakers, unceremonious goodbyes, and unbreakable bonds make up this collection exploring the vast spectrum of human connection.

A BEAR IN THE WOODS

USA, Andrew Laurich, 11 min.

A hungry bear tests the relationship of two campers.

GOOD BOY BANJO

USA, Jackie! Zhou, 12 min.

In small-town Pennsylvania, a directionless Asian-American teenager receives existential advice from an unexpected source.

GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES

(CHAO SOMNOP CHET)

Cambodia, Chheangkea, 19 min.

Upon hearing about her favorite grandson’s impending engagement to a woman, Grandma Nai ventures out of her tomb to stop the arrangement, and to help her grandson stand up for himself.

HOLD ME CLOSE

USA, Aurora Brachman, LaTajh Simmons-Weaver, 19 min.

Through intimate voice recordings documented every day over the course of a season, a Queer Black couple experiences the cycles of life’s joys and pains in the home they share.

LE CHARADE

USA, Erika Totoro, 3 min.

In a run-down 1950s diner, a lonely mime has a psychotic episode after his imaginary friend breaks up with him and he is forced to re-enter society.

NERVOUS ENERGY

USA, Eve Liu, 15 min.

On the cusp of success/failure, two unhinged female filmmakers decide to break up with their boyfriends and, for once, make a bold decision with their lives.

PETRA AND THE SUN (PETRA Y EL SOL)

Chile, Malu Furche, Stefania Malacchini, 11 min.

During a heavy snowmelt in the Andes, Petra, 71, discovers the perfectly preserved corpse of a mountaineer from the last century. Initially hesitant, she brings him to her wooden chalet, sparking an unexpected romantic story.

Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites

Channelvue

CLOSE-UPS

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 1:30 PM FT1, 96 MINUTES

These documentary portraits offer an intimate look into the lives of fascinating individuals, capturing their stories with beauty, humor, and depth.

CAMP WIDOW

USA, Laura Green, Anna Moot-Levin, 15 min.

Camp Widow is a gathering for widowed people by widowed people. Over the course of three days, attendees speak candidly about death, forge connections with others over shared experiences of loss, and find ways to navigate the tricky waters of grief.

DEARS IN THE HEADLIGHTS

South Africa, Julia Jansch, 16 min.

A young woman taxidermies roadkill in order to restore dignity to their lives.

GEORGIE

USA, Jennie Butler, 14 min.

An ex-mobster reflects on life, love, and loss after spending 32 years in prison.

HASAMI (SCISSORS)

USA, Toyoko Matsuo Saindon, 20 min.

A filmmaker’s Japanese mother, Eiko, attempts to find a final resting place for her younger sister who refused to be buried in the family plot in Hasami.

IT WILL ALWAYS END IN THE END

(ÇA VA FINIR PAR FINIR)

Canada, Nancy Pettinicchio, 16 min.

Step into the artistic world of Gabriel Drolet-Maguire, a queer fashion designer living in Montreal, whose own HIV diagnosis led them to the HIV-positive community of activists in Quebec.

PEAR GARDEN

Germany, Shadab Shayegan, 7 min.

WHILE WE STILL HAVE TIME

Australia, Ava Grimshaw-Hall, 15 min.

A filmmaker embarks on a poignant journey to connect with her sperm donor father, John, as he faces aggressive cancer. Together, they explore their unique bond, seeking understanding and closure amid life’s uncertainties.

THE SHAPE I’M IN

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2:00 PM FT6, 86 MINUTES

From illness and desire to healing and self-reckoning, these films explore how identity takes shape through the physical—and what it means to live inside a changing form.

BELLY BELLY

USA, Gabriel Carnick, 12 min.

As two body-obsessed queer femmes begin to relax the brutal control they exert over their urges, romantic appetites are derailed by deeper cravings.

MANGO

United Kingdom, Joan Iyiola, 11 min.

Zadie is a florist making waves in her self-made business while privately suffering with fibroids. When a huge work opportunity arises, Zadie’s big break is threatened as the unwanted growths begin to take over.

MASTERPIECE MOMMY

United Kingdom, Dorothy Sing Zhang, 15 min.

After being admitted to the hospital following a fall, Tess learns of a lump in her breast. Her daughter Justine accompanies her to the mammogram, and ultimately uncovers the real reason for the accident.

Six-year-old Lily visits her grandmother after a mastectomy. One night, she sees Grandma’s shadow still has breasts and sets off on a tender, magical quest to retrieve them, hoping to make her grandmother whole again.

TAKE CARE

USA, Brittany Ashley, 11 min.

A self-destructive woman deliberately injures herself to experience the twisted comfort of being tended to by a nurse she’s grown attached to.

THREE SCREAMING VAGINAS (TROIS VAGINS QUI CRIENT)

Canada, Alexia Roc, 16 min.

This triptych offers a candid look into the lives of three women. With humor and sincerity, it explores the challenges, joys, and complexities of the vaginal experience, shedding light on womanhood’s diverse realities.

VOID SPACES

(PUSTE PRZESTRZENIE)

Poland, Marta Koch, 14 min.

A therapy session evokes memories from five different places and times, bringing traumatic experiences to life through expressive images. As chaos transforms into peace, new perspectives emerge, offering the chance to heal and find hope through loss and reflection.

CLOSING NIGHT

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 6:30 PM FT5

Join us as we screen a collection of award-winning gems, reveal the crowd favorites, and bid adieu to an epic ShortFest.

A grand finale NOT TO BE MISSED!

Closing night party immediately following – Hosted by Flannery Exchange Sponsored by Lulu’s California Bistro.

BEST OF THE FEST MONDAY, JUNE 30

Award-winning. Crowd-pleasing. Totally unmissable. Six blocks of the most talked-about shorts.

Thank You!

Chairman, Premiere and Producer Level Members

CHAIRMAN DUAL

Cindy Blikre & Michael Cornelo

Todd Burke & Dennis Wolframski

Kelly Caruso

Nachhattar & Susana Chandi

Mark Coleman & Terence Kissack

Camille Cook

Shari Foos

Kathi Garcin & Joan Heeter

Dan Harries & Andrew Faye

Bobbi Lampros

Athalie & Adnan LaPamuk

Carlos J. Ledezma, MD & Mary Clare

Lynch de Ledezma

Harold Matzner & Shellie Reade

Maxine Schaffer

Mary Swink

CHAIRMAN INDIVIDUAL

Judge Tom Chiola (Ret.)

Clara DiFelice

Christiane Joubert

Cecilia Ponicsan

Pamela Schmider

Stephanie Wernig

PREMIERE DUAL

Ken Alterwitz

Michael Amaro & Les Young

Jeff Barnes

Nan Biggs

Mark Bua

Michael W. Elliot & Sandra B. Norman

Jim Gomes

Pierre Lemieux

Randolph Paschke & John Bisceglia

Fred & Richel Roggin

Lori & Aubrey Serfling

Deborah Schwarz & Chris Thomas

Joel Thurm

PREMIERE INDIVIDUAL

Mario Bertucci

Louisa Burek

Nanci Garoon

Patti Goldberg

Sandra Hayward Feriancek

Donna Hetchler

PRODUCER DUAL

Betsy Aubrey

Mark Borovitz

Lewis Brown

Tom Carlock & Rich Schirrmacher

Karen & Nate Cheney

Anita & George Cooks

Garret Demarest & Tim Murphy

David Denison

Michaele Drayer

Donna & Robert Dughi

Seth & Sylvia Evans

Glenn Flood & Louise Passey

Bruce Goodman

Rich Gordon

Stella Green

Carol & Bill Kaplan

Don Kasper & Jim Bochinski

Mary Ann LaBahn & Ryann Whalen

Susan and Rodney Lubeznik

Dana Manciagli

John McDonald-O’Lear

Bill Mitchell & David Vignolo

Laureen Ong

Loren Ostrow

Marsha Pachter

Joshua Pyle

Catharine Reed

Janelle Reiring

Kathy Savitt

Esther Schwartz

Stanton & Betsy Segal

Smaby Family Foundation

Paige Sullivan

Sally & Mike Traidman

George & Carla Van Hoomissen

Edward Woods

Dr. Les Zendle & Jerry Hanson

PRODUCER INDIVIDUAL

Linda Cheever

Iijosa A. Dobler

Dr. Kenneth P. Green

Rahul Jadhav

Martin Kuffel

Nicole MacNaughton

J. Michael Naughton

Tom O’Brien

Dr. Joseph Palacios

Gail A. Pischak

Marcella Ruble

Arlene Colman-Schwimmer & Arthur E. Schwimmer

Leigh Silverton

Jeffrey Sosnick

Julie Spira

Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns

Tom Swedenburg

Best Of The Fest

Award-winning. Crowd-pleasing. Totally unmissable. Six blocks of the most talked-about shorts at ShortFest. Come for one block or binge them all – this is your last chance to catch a favorite!

MONDAY, JUNE 30

EACH TIME BLOCK OF FILMS IS

10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00

Membership Is For Film Fanatics

Save on Festival Passes and Tickets

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Save 10% on festival merchandise

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To the filmmakers, dreamers, and storytellers, thank you.

For turning short films into lasting moments.

For filling our theaters, our streets, and our hearts.

For making this year one to remember.

You brought the magic. We felt the love.

With gratitude from the City of Palm Springs.