Section

Race In America: The Black Experience

Addressing the complexities of Race in America, this spotlight presents films that explore historical and contemporary perspectives on racial issues and the current focus on immigration. These films engage with systemic injustice, social activism, and the ongoing fight for racial equity.

Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience, Robert French and French-Language Focus, The Immigrant Experience

Alaska

Film Alaska Directed by Ilan Cohen The plan is simple: Léo hides inside the suitcase, which Jo drops into the bus luggage hold -…

American Indie Spotlight, ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

And Again I Dream

Film And Again I Dream Directed by Catherine Gund, Mariah Norman Ivy Young (1947-2023), a journalist and organizer, knows that mainstream society will not preserve her story after she's…

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Show-Me Cinema, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story

Film Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story Directed by Kim Love This documentary brings to life the remarkable story of Annie Turnbo Malone, the woman who launched an international…

Animation Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience

Apart

Film Apart Directed by Pola Maneli Amid the harsh realities of South African apartheid, two boys—Themba and Joel—form a dangerous friendship. As hate and…

Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Bao

Film Bao Directed by Sekera Mohamed Besta Two people debate identity, race, and shared histories while playing Bao, confronting uncomfortable truths about diaspora and belonging.

ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience

Born Secret

Film Born Secret Directed by Riley Fitchpatrick A filmmaker returns to his hometown, Oak Ridge, the secret city that built the atomic bomb. There, he…

ARCHIVAL, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience

Brothers in Blood: Black in Vietnam

Film Brothers in Blood: Black in Vietnam Directed by Joseph Puleo In the 1960s and early 1970s, Black Americans fought two wars, one in Vietnam and one at home…

Environmental Focus, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Buckskin

Film Buckskin Directed by Mars Verrone An experimental portrait of the filmmaker’s grandfather: Carroll B. Williams Jr., a ground-breaking African-American forester, reflecting on his…

Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience, SLIFF Kids / Family Films

Building a Dream

Film Building a Dream Directed by Ally Betker Following a catastrophic storm, a youth organization expands its mission to help a community in need.

American Indie Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Race In America: The Black Experience

C.R.E.A.M.

Film C.R.E.A.M. Directed by Ryen McPherson A modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" told entirely through lyrics sourced from over 700 Wu-Tang Clan…

Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Cycle

Film Cycle Directed by Laura Dyan Kezman, William Howell CYCLE pierces the silence surrounding police violence through the death of Ty’rese West, a Black teenager killed by…

American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Dust

Film Dust Directed by Swisyzinna Dust explores how one tragic event reverberates through the lives of several people across generations. When a young…

Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Fork in the Road

Film Fork in the Road Directed by Jonathan Nastasi, Vivian Sorenson Through compelling stories from independent farmers across the United States, from Alaskan kelp harvesters to dairy farmers in…

Environmental Focus, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Harvest

Film Harvest Directed by Hyacinth Parker, Natalie Baszile Four brothers. One farm. A season that could change everything. HARVEST follows the Nelson brothers, fourth-generation farmers in…

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Show-Me Cinema

Hell on Hall Street

Film Hell on Hall Street Directed by Ben Pfeiffer, Troy Jones Hell on Hall Street documents the grassroots movement led by ArchCity Defenders to close and demolish St. Louis’s…

Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience

Heroes Among Us: Kid Electric

Film Heroes Among Us: Kid Electric Directed by Anthony Jones Get ready to be shocked and electrified by a new hero on the horizon. Kid Electric! This young…

Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

JIA

Film JIA Directed by Sam Mandich In the haze of a California summer, two best friends must reckon with their feelings for one another.

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

My NDA

Film My NDA Directed by Juliane Dressner and Miriam Shor Bound by non-disclosure agreements that forbid them from even acknowledging they signed one, three individuals risk everything by…

American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage

Film Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage Directed by Deborah Riley Draper RB_SM_WIKI.1716__Pablo Picasso meeting with Rosanjin

Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley

Film She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley Directed by Abby Ginzberg She Dared to Dream documents the journey of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley from her early years in Chicago to…

Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The Good News

Film The Good News Directed by Christopher Hoerdemann A documentary about the transformation of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood—told by the people who are leading it. Once dismissed…

American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

What Will I Become?

Film What Will I Become? Directed by Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos Winner of the Amnesty International Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, What Will I Become? explores…