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Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

0∞

Film 0∞ Directed by Mar Sudac Gus and Clark — married, late 30s — would like to apply for a mortgage. Their small but…
ARCHIVAL, Asian Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

1983

Film 1983 Directed by Adla Massoud Four decades after surviving the 1983 US Embassy bombing in Beirut — one of only two people to…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

A Place Of Honor

Film A Place Of Honor Directed by Vanessa Roth A Place of Honor recounts the lived experiences of veterans and gold star family members from before, through...
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

A Story About Voices

Film A Story About Voices Directed by James Barahanos A Story About Voices is a participatory / hybrid documentary that follows Shell, a proud Australian Māori and…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

A Witch’s Heart

Film A Witch’s Heart Directed by Laura Martin A woman flees into the forest at dawn, her white underdress stained with blood. A warning of the…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

After What Happened at the Library

Film After What Happened at the Library Directed by Syra McCarthy Akita the drag queen hasn't left her apartment in days. Her inboxes overflow with messages of praise, concern,…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema, Women In Film Spotlight

Aftertaste

Film Aftertaste Directed by Chase Norman When two lovers spend a little too much alone time together, their extramarital affair turns from lustful to…
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 -…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

An Accident

Film An Accident Directed by Angelika Spangel Set within the microcosm of a small village the story weaves together multiple narrative threads to explore the…
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…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, SLIFF Kids / Family Films, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Antonio and the Last Wizard

Film Antonio and the Last Wizard Directed by Eros Zhao An illusion designer undertakes the intricate restoration of a 19th-century automaton trapeze performer, developing a profound bond with…
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Anyone lived in a pretty how town

Film Anyone lived in a pretty how town Directed by Daniel Kreizberg In a picturesque town, a man named “anyone" rejoices in the beauty of everyday life and celebrates the…
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…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Are We Breaking Up?

Film Are We Breaking Up? Directed by Mia Hagerty When Shandaeya and Nic watch a theatrical reenactment of the fight that nearly ended their relationship, they are…
International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Azul

Film Azul Directed by Algoritmo Malvado In 2053 Mexico, an orphaned street clown and his cadaver dog Gato scour the cartel killing fields in…
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.
Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Beneath the Surface of the Everyday

Film Beneath the Surface of the Everyday Directed by Alex Morelli An observer of quotidian strangeness, Deb Sokolow creates semi-fictitious drawings and books commenting on architecture, politics, and pop…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Between Sky and Sea

Film Between Sky and Sea Directed by Ismail Abu Hatab A largely wordless portrait of life in displacement from Gaza City filmmaker Ismail Abu Hatab (1993-2025), Between Sky…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Beware the Wolves

Film Beware the Wolves Directed by Alex Bush While isolated at their estranged grandparents' home, two children begin to suspect that their elders may be more…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Beyond Silence

Film Beyond Silence Directed by MARNIE BLOK Two women, two generations, same trauma - a deaf PhD student seeks help from her university counsellor, only…
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…
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Brain Space

Film Brain Space Directed by Laura Tofarides Propelled into her own mind, Rhi explores the thoughts, fears and impulses that shape our internal world. When…
Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Broken Dawn

Film Broken Dawn Directed by Hae-0h Park At dawn in Seoul, an elderly substitute driver faces indifference and rudeness while navigating the challenges of working…
International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Bruised Sky

Film Bruised Sky Directed by Gary James Kent In 1970's Essex, teenage Tommy follows a new friend to the home of an eccentric former cameraman for…
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, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Buried Under Years of Dust

Film Buried Under Years of Dust Directed by Sophie Sartain How does someone go from not communicating for 25 years to narrating her life story? Buried Under Years…
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Child of the Rouge

Film Child of the Rouge Directed by Taz F. Stark The recounting of a young girl's entry into the world on April 17th, 1975, the day the Khmer…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Close Your Eyes Hind

Film Close Your Eyes Hind Directed by Amir Zaza When tank fire kills her family, six-year-old Hind Rajab is left alone in a shattered car. Trapped and…
ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Come to See Me at Oglala

Film Come to See Me at Oglala Directed by Mary Heather Carver, William T. Horner This is a 1987 interview of William Horn Cloud, a renowned traditional Oglala Lakota singer, historian, philosopher, and…
Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Couture To the Max

Film Couture To the Max Directed by DORI Berinstein COUTURE TO THE MAX" shines a light on an extraordinary young designer who inspires us to dream boldly…
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Creature Mountain

Film Creature Mountain Directed by Loring Weisenberger Creature Mountain is the first chapter of a feature film (currently in production) that tells the tale of…
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Dear Upstairs Neighbors

Film Dear Upstairs Neighbors Directed by Connie He A young woman desperate for a good night’s sleep is kept awake by her exceedingly noisy neighbors. As…
Environmental Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Degree of Certainty

Film Degree of Certainty Directed by Simon Schneider It’s 1982, and Jackson Miller, a young risk analyst at one of the biggest US oil companies, fears…
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Dog Ear

Film Dog Ear Directed by P√©ter V√°cz After witnessing his parents' violent fight, eleven-year-old Berci struggles with his anger and emotions, finding a way to…
Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Dropping Off

Film Dropping Off Directed by Ian Scott McGregor, Will Mayo Shot almost entirely on security cameras and iPhones, Dropping Off follows Thom, an aspiring musician gigging as a…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Echoes Beneath The Hill

Film Echoes Beneath The Hill Directed by AIME OCTAVE Set in 1994 Rwanda, on the verge of the genocide against the minority Tutsi. Jeanne, 10, a daredevil…
Asian Focus, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Eight Walls Two Doors

Film Eight Walls Two Doors Directed by Miaochun Zhang As protests erupt back home, a Chinese woman living in a New York hospital travels between her past…
Asian Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Enver

Film Enver Directed by Hsi-lun Chen, Will Wen-jeng Chen A Uyghur surgeon in exile in the UK turns a long-buried secret into public testimony, yet one question…
Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Eternal

Film Eternal Directed by Joshua Jeffrey Miller Eternal is an allegorical tale about a man who, in his grief, seeks out death and the ability…
Animation Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Flamingo in the Garden

Film Flamingo in the Garden Directed by Xinhui Ma A young Chinese woman recovers from a traumatic injury in a Moroccan hospital, where isolation, pain, and morphine-induced…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Flodni

Film Flodni
Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema, Women In Film Spotlight

Forget Me Not

Film Forget Me Not Directed by Danielle Herrera Boivin, Michelle Bucci When a fracture in the multiverse tears them from their parallel lives, a guarded go-go dancer and a…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Four wise monkeys

Film Four wise monkeys Directed by Xin Wang A nearsighted neighbor, silent policemen, a wary Chinese family... A drama inspired by a true story, where a…
International Spotlight, J. Kim & Sharon Tucci Italian Focus, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Women In Film Spotlight

Gamberra

Film Gamberra Directed by Marine Auclair March During her first year at a conservative, elitist college residence, Marta is driven into a desperate search for…
Asian Focus, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Getar Hero

Film Getar Hero Directed by Teddy Stern In the neon streets of Bombay, a down-on-his-luck cowboy has one night to recover his stolen guitar or…
Environmental Focus, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Growing Humanity

Film Growing Humanity Directed by Zoe Malen Growing Humanity follows six resilient women farmers in the Western U.S., as they navigate gender discrimination, balancing life’s…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Hai Davai

Film Hai Davai Directed by Vlad Gradescu On the cusp of leaving her rural Moldovan village for a new life abroad, Nina is stopped, quite…
Animation Spotlight, Environmental Focus, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Hell

Film Hell Directed by Parker Croft A place where dreams are real, wishes come true, and everything is always awful for everyone.
Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Her Baby Don’t Block Her Jumpshot

Film Her Baby Don’t Block Her Jumpshot Directed by Emily M Lobsenz For most of the 20th century, Iowa high school girls thrilled fans in packed stadiums playing 6-on-6 basketball.…
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…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

hi mom

Film hi mom Directed by SM Goldberger Maya struggles to find the right words to come out to her mom.
ARCHIVAL, Human Rights Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

High Times

Film High Times Directed by Jack Moseley High Times traces the outlaw ambition of Tom Forcade, a rebel publisher who turned risk into revolution when…
Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Homebodies

Film Homebodies Directed by Rachel Olson Logline: In a near future where it literally costs money to leave the house, a burnt-out woman risks…
American Indie Spotlight, Environmental Focus, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

I Am Not The Last

Film I Am Not The Last Directed by Alvaro Donado Marooned by time and place in a natural world untouched by humankind, a young boy and his refugee…
Human Rights Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience

ICED out of America

Film ICED out of America Directed by Michael Nigro This is the harvesting of human beings​ -- for profit​ -- documented in real time.​ For nearly a…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus

Inside

Film Inside Directed by Alvaro G. Company, Mario Hernandez For 80 years, Elías hasn’t been his true self. Until today.
Environmental Focus, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema, Women In Film Spotlight

Intervention

Film Intervention Directed by Kate Grumke, Kyle Pyatt Scientists head into some of the last remaining prairies in North America to undertake the painstaking work of…
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.
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Just Us

Film Just Us Directed by Anna Lauren Tufekci A story about grief, the isolation of motherhood, unwelcome company, and the quiet power of a home-cooked meal.…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Katya

Film Katya Directed by Timofey Pozhitkov A homesick immigrant mother makes the difficult decision to return to Russia with her young daughter, concealing plans…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema

Lady Killer

Film Lady Killer Directed by Caleb Wieland This Lady Killer is sure to have you clutching your pearls… A woman home alone is approached by…
American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema

Ladybeetle

Film Ladybeetle Directed by Jessica Che, John Che May, an anxious 18-year-old, struggles to move on from living a life dictated by the behavioral patterns she…
Animation Spotlight, ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Let’s All Go to the Lobby: The Story of Filmack Studios

Film Let’s All Go to the Lobby: The Story of Filmack Studios Directed by Justin Atkinson Robbie Mack, the third-generation owner of Filmack Studios, takes us behind the scenes of the world’s oldest producer…
American Indie Spotlight, Animation Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Living with a Visionary

Film Living with a Visionary Directed by Stephen P. Neary After 50 years of marriage, John must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Love Thy Neighbor

Film Love Thy Neighbor Directed by Isabella Urrutia Witness a day in the life of Casa De Paz workers as they support newly released individuals.
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women In Film Spotlight

Marble & Lemons

Film Marble & Lemons Directed by Anna Katalin Lovrity During a vacation on the Italian coast, a classy woman and her free-spirited adult daughter are struggling to…
Asian Focus, Fine Arts Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Mark Hama: In Service

Film Mark Hama: In Service Directed by Brendan Leahy At 16, Mark Hama entered the Yashica camera factory to support his father and siblings; years later, he…
Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus

Max

Film Max Directed by Adrien Boublil During World War II, in a sealed room, a brutal psychological duel unfolds between Jean Moulin, the leader…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Mike Leigh Shorts Program

Program Mike Leigh Shorts Program Our celebration of 1992 continues with two films from director Mike Leigh, one that was released the first...
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Mistake

Film Mistake Directed by JT Ibanez On a tragic relationship ending date. A couple is trapped in a battle, troubled by an irreverent argument,…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema

Mort

Film Mort Directed by Larry Ziegelman, Terry Ziegelman A risk-averse actuary's all-nighter spirals into absurdity when an unexpected visitor claiming to be Death, forces him to…
Animation Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Moticos

Film Moticos Directed by Paige Meakin In rural Texas, a driver embarks on a solitary road trip where she is overcome with memories of…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Notes on Courtwatch

Film Notes on Courtwatch Directed by Kate Levy In early summer of 2025, when ICE officials began detaining asylum seekers at their hearings, an ad-hoc network…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Octarine

Film Octarine Directed by Dustie Carter An obsessed fan spirals into an AI-fueled psychosis after attempting to conjure a meeting with their favorite pop…
ARCHIVAL, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Oh Whale

Film Oh Whale Directed by Winslow Crane-Murdoch When news anchor Paul Linnman arrived in Florence OR on November 12th, 1970, he had no idea that…
International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Olinda’s Golden Arches

Film Olinda’s Golden Arches Directed by Douglas Henrique The historic city of Olinda becomes the stage for a late Cold War between Brazil's first communist mayor…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier

Film Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier Directed by Brian Ryu In the shadow of America's secret artillery war against ISIS, soldiers Joshua Bullard and Joshua James battle debilitating…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

One More Cup

Film One More Cup Directed by Max Wagenblass As toddler Leona is about to host her very first tea party with her stuffed animals, it inexplicably…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Ornamental Horticulture

Film Ornamental Horticulture Directed by Sam Hyatt After experiencing the wrath of the internet firsthand, an aspiring succulent influencer struggles to make her second post.
Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

Our home’s cigarette butts

Film Our home’s cigarette butts Directed by Eduard Amado Amanda, trapped in the monotony of her daily life, sees how her son’s unexpected return stirs old wounds…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema, Women In Film Spotlight

Permanent Scar

Film Permanent Scar Directed by Ally Betker An introverted and withdrawn young woman, Kali, meets a precocious little girl at a park. Though she tries…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Plumped

Film Plumped Directed by Faye Tsakas, Nora DeLigter Inspired by Les Blank’s seminal short film Gap-Toothed Women (1987), Plumped is an honest, direct-to-camera survey film in…
Environmental Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Polyphem

Film Polyphem Directed by Ilaria Di Carlo POLYPHEM is the second chapter in a series of short landscape films that reinterpret the stages of the…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Princessy

Film Princessy Directed by Franciszek Korolczuk Diana, a 22-year-old mother, is awaiting her partner’s return so they can move to England together. However, their…
International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

profession: activist

Film profession: activist Directed by Saber Tatarcheh A director wants to make films about human rights, animals, and the environment, but he is prevented from…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Reentry

Film Reentry Directed by Keenan OReilly Two friends make a pact to get out and stay out when released from prison.
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Remedy in the Rhythm

Film Remedy in the Rhythm Directed by Jon Boogz Haunted and guilt-ridden after his childhood best friend's suicide, Jon spirals into isolation until his friends push him…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Right on Time

Film Right on Time Directed by Tom Bent When Ben is late to an important family event in his Cornish hometown, memories of his tumultuous relationship…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Right On Time

Film Right On Time When Ben is late to an important family event in his Cornish hometown, memories of his tumultuous relationship...
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Rise of the Dead

Film Rise of the Dead Directed by Emma Jacqueline A sapphic apocalypse survivor must go on a journey to find a cure for her undead and unrequited…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema

Ronita Rambo

Film Ronita Rambo Directed by Michael Doshier At a small-town diner in rural Missouri, a tough-talking waitress finds the courage to ask a pair of…
Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Sandiwara

Film Sandiwara Directed by Sean Baker Michelle Yeoh delivers a transformative performance, amid Penang’s vibrant cityscape. In collaboration with Academy Award-winning Director Sean Baker,…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Sawyer Avenue, Sunday Afternoon

Film Sawyer Avenue, Sunday Afternoon Directed by Bill Morrison When masked US Customs and Border Protection agents abduct a man from a residential street in Chicago without…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Scary Lullaby

Film Scary Lullaby Directed by Daria Lebedeva Yura has an unusual diagnosis: the number of heartbeats he has left is limited. To survive, he avoids…
Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

See you tomorrow.

Film See you tomorrow. Directed by Keiya Ando A five-year-old boy wakes to find his beloved dog has died in the early morning. As he drifts…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

See You Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow

Film See You Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow Directed by Desdemona Chiang An aspiring queer stand-up comedian delays her career aspirations to do the greater work of caring for her…
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, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Shoulder

Film Shoulder Directed by Batchen Kahalani Seventeen years ago, when she was a child, the director experienced a traumatic event that still holds her,…
Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Si la Isla Quiere (“Island Willing”)

Film Si la Isla Quiere (“Island Willing”) Directed by Cece King Chile's Robinson Crusoe Island, named for the marooned sailor who inspired the novel, has a higher percentage of…
Asian Focus, Environmental Focus, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Sight of Fish

Film Sight of Fish Directed by Wanqing Xu At a remote mountain stream, streamer Yin Lu rehearses a cruel fishing livestream—until a mysterious boy emerges from…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Signal

Film Signal Directed by Zak Jarvis Starring Emmy award winner Christopher Eccleston as Ray, a railway Signalman whose routine night shift turns into a…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

SLIFF KIDS DOC SHORTS

Program SLIFF KIDS DOC SHORTS SLIFF KIDS DOC SHORTS introduces kids of all ages to a diverse set of topics and films they...
Animation Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Small Hours

Film Small Hours Directed by Oscar Wyndham Lewis Struggling with alcohol addiction and mental illness, an artist reaches out to an old friend.
Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Sotobosque

Film Sotobosque Directed by Raina Bhargava Dany Murillo was born and raised in Camarones, a small community nestled in Ecuador's Pacific Forest. With the…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

State of Nebraska v. Crotchy the Clown

Film State of Nebraska v. Crotchy the Clown Directed by Benjamin Radford State of Nebraska V. Crotchy the Clown is a short documentary about a clown named Crotchy who took…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Stop to Stop

Film Stop to Stop Directed by Asher Grodman, Samantha Massell Carolyn is flooded with political text messages. When a chance encounter reveals the identity of one of her…
International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Stuck

Film Stuck Directed by Will Peppercorn Ambitious journalist Simon is drawn into a bitter rural feud involving one dead dog, two angry men, and…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Tampons & Taxes

Film Tampons & Taxes Directed by Emily Harrold When male legislators in South Carolina refuse to repeal a sexist state tax on menstrual hygiene products, the…
Animation Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

That Night

Film That Night Directed by Hoda Sobhani When Iran's Evin prison caught fire on October 15, 2022, activist Neda was locked inside a smoke-filled cell,…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

The Burden of Manhood

Film The Burden of Manhood Directed by Aurora Nossen Jørn-Gunnar identifies as a cat, but is an adult man, whom feels insufficient as a man and has…
Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

The Custodian

Film The Custodian Directed by Khaula Malik Following Samu Qureshi, a devoted Washington Commanders superfan who has spent more than 50 years building the country’s…
ARCHIVAL, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

The Dark Knot at the Center

Film The Dark Knot at the Center Directed by Inês Pedrosa e Melo Drawing from an archive of letters written in the 1960s, the film reimagines women's clandestine journeys from across…
Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

The Everydayness

Film The Everydayness Directed by Shuyao Chen
Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

The Expiration of Darius Campbell

Film The Expiration of Darius Campbell Directed by Charlie Roth In a retro-futuristic "revitalization suite" widow Bethany Campbell pays to have her dead husband Darius revived so that…
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…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

The moon we love like a brother

Film The moon we love like a brother Directed by Iñaki Velasquez Two exchange students in Chile, Anya and Sung-Joon, are kidnapped by a rideshare driver who is clearly xenophobic.
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus

The Most Beautiful Girl in the World

Film The Most Beautiful Girl in the World Directed by Vassili Schneider Gabriel has become friends with "the most beautiful girl in the world." Obsessed with her, he sets aside…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The Race

Film The Race Directed by Zoran Pribičević Sanja, Darko, and their 7-year-old daughter Mara live in perfect family bliss—until a sudden heart defect shatters their…
Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

The Scarlet Tamagochi

Film The Scarlet Tamagochi Directed by Francisco 'Visceral' Rivera A priceless toy has been stolen: The Scarlet Tamagochi. Iñaki and his turtle friend Cecilio become private detectives…
Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

The Tuners

Film The Tuners Directed by Paweł Chorzępa In the shadows of the world's most important piano competition, a group of expert tuners spend a month…
American Indie Spotlight, Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience

The Whistle

Film The Whistle Directed by Greg Franklin A Jewish doctor and his family are living a comfortable life in Cologne, Germany when, in 1938, the…
Human Ties, J. Kim & Sharon Tucci Italian Focus, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Tiramisu

Film Tiramisu Directed by Katerina Munis In the aftermath of ICE raids, a temperamental Italian chef must bargain for help in his kitchen from…
Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Trading Cards

Film Trading Cards Directed by Radheya Jang An enigmatic man journeys back in time to find his younger self, seemingly to revisit the nostalgia of…
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Unbroken Reins

Film Unbroken Reins Directed by Udi Zaken On the vast Kazakh steppe, a young boy named Nurzhigit finds joy and purpose in caring for horses,…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Women In Film Spotlight

Under the Sun

Film Under the Sun Directed by Isabel Barajas On a vacation, 10-year-old Elisa wants her mother to teach her to swim, but Claudia's incessant work calls…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Visiting Time

Film Visiting Time Directed by Sebastian Szewczykowski Ula wants to see her deceased son. Together with Dorothy, his girlfriend, she deceives the receptionist to get…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Water Cooler

Film Water Cooler Directed by Emma V.F. The Trump administration has turned immigration courts into deportation traps. As ICE agents wait to arrest their targets…
Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

WEGWERF!

Film WEGWERF! Directed by Cole Edwards An anti-AI in the arts comedy. A hospice workers gets more than he bargained for cleaning the room…
Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Who Trains My Hands To War

Film Who Trains My Hands To War Directed by Caroline Gaio Founding a social Muay Thai project in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Mestre BG and his…
Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Worldless

Film Worldless Directed by Amin Nakhi Worldless tells the personal story of an Iranian filmmaker whose search for a better life becomes a difficult…