Revival, 33min., USA Directed by Wendy Fleetwood “REVIVAL” follows the story of Emma, a young woman living in a historic condo in New Orleans. When her roommate, Lauren, abruptly moves out due to eerie occurrences, Emma finds herself in need of a new roommate to share the rent. As Emma navigates through a series of bizarre roommate interviews, she encounters Nick, a charming and enigmatic freelance writer.
Dividing Line, 28min,. Georgia Directed by Mevlud Sabashvili A woman finds the strength to leave an abusive relationship. A woman does not find the strength to leave an abusive relationship.
THIRTY SEVEN DOLLARS, 10min,. Singapore Directed by Ashish Sharma “Thirty Seven Dollars” is a powerful 10-minute thriller that explores the devastating cycle of urban violence through an unlikely conversation between predator and prey. When Jessica, a dignified woman, encounters Donnie, a volatile street criminal, their exchange becomes a haunting meditation on choice, consequence, and the true cost of violence. Set in the gritty underbelly of an unnamed city, this film delivers a shocking twist that reframes everything we thought we knew about victim and perpetrator.
Blow Me Down, 8min., USA Directed by Marta Renzi By turns goofy, sexy and poignant, BLOW ME DOWN messes with 3 dimensions and the 4th wall – or is it the 5th?
Music Drive Friday – “C’est La Vie” (That’s life), 5min,. Canada Directed by Violetta Cheredniuk In the streets of Toronto, Max and Darina enjoy a perfect date, unaware that danger is lurking. A mysterious man follows them, and soon, the mafia closes in – after Max and his money. Can he escape and stay with Darina, or will the past catch up to him? A mix of love, humor, suspense, and high-stakes drama.
out of control, 16min., Switzerland Directed by bellopropello Machines and robots take care of almost all human activities. The world is automated, and meaningful individual employment isn’t possible anymore. A workforce simply is no longer needed – except for some monitoring activities – and humans are doomed to carry out completely insignificant, absurd and repetitive work. The monotony of everyday life blends with suppressed desires resulting in a conflicting existence between reality and fiction.
FIRE IN MY BELLY, 5min. USA Directed by Steven Speliotis Richard was in his recording studio playing his guitar when he suddenly found himself in a cold sweat lying on the floor.
TIMELESS, 3min. USA Directed by Keanu Cordero In Timeless, Juic3 opens a book by the pool in modern-day reality — but what unfolds is anything but ordinary. She’s swept into an imagined 1960s world: a life filled with warmth, love, and everything she’s ever dreamed of. A beautiful home. A devoted husband. A life that feels realer than real.
NAMASTE, 6min., USA Directed by Matan Zrachia Every Sunday, Jenny and Hailey hit Central Park in full yogi performance of matching mats and just enough spiritual jargon to pass. It’s not about wellness. It’s the cute guy who jogs by at 10:42 a.m. sharp. But when he finally stops to say hi, their facade flow spirals into staged injuries, invented poses, and a last resort of “Flying Pinguin!” As their perfect plan collapses under crocs and chaos, NAMASTE reminds us that inner peace is great but petty is forever.
A Film by Roland Wehap, 29min., Austria Directed by Roland Wehap The film “A Film by Roland Wehap” is a work by the filmmaker of the same name, Roland Wehap, who, as a “one-man show filmmaker,” challenges the concept itself by embarking on an extraordinary experiment: Is it possible to produce a short film with almost no budget entirely on your own?
Farzaneh was a compassionate mother and a faithful wife. The life with love was going on, but unfortunately, her life was overshadowed by the shadow of darkness. While she was struggling with problems and circumstances, she accidentally found a secret that changed her life course completely….
Directed by Hamid Reza Mahmoudi Mehrizi
Cast: Elnaz Naghibi, Majid Norouzi
Director Statement I am trying to use more of the social realities in my filmmaking. I believe that creative filmmaking is not a place for repetition and regurgitation. I hope that I can have good relationships with all artists around the world in different fields of film and be able to produce up-to-date films with attractive creativity.
LOSS, 14min., Israel Directed by Sivan Levy Zakin Nine-year-old Goni has always run faster than the boys, always scored more goals. Until the day they decide she’s gotten too good at winning. The beating that follows is methodical, almost ceremonial – childhood cracking along lines that were always there.
pink marker, 4min., USA Directed by Bianca M Persicketti a reflection of my first, strongest relationship–my queer discovery– and it’s ending. simple as that. my way of shutting the book.
Promises, Promises, 15min., USA Directed by KC Simmons When a closeted Brooke meanders into a 1980’s underground party and meets wild-card Rio, the duo finds themselves in a week-long whirlwind relationship.
Stalling, 12min., USA Directed by Jasia Ka An unlikely queer love story unfolds when two women bond over a shared cheating ex, and they connect year after year in the same bar bathroom.
Lossnord, 3min., Norway Directed by Madelen Schønningsen A fallen viking warrior is saved from despair by a Nordic healer. Through recovery they grow closer, but the warrior is distracted, haunted by her violent past.
Differently Water, 8min., Italy Directed by Daniele Catini Two Arab women meet underwater to express their love. The sea becomes an accomplice to a secret in which their eyes reveal that desire hidden from a world that cannot understand
TELLING, 16min., USA Directed by Sean Dugan A previously estranged father and son spend a rare, unexpectedly fun weekend reconnecting — until something unspoken becomes spoken. Can their fragile bond survive the truth? And whose truth is it?
ISS TARAF, 9min., India Directed by Shrey Leena Shah Iss Taraf offers a glimpse into the quiet struggles and momentary victories of a trans man living in a cisnormative world, navigating the journey of acceptance in daily life.
LOSS, 14min., Israel Directed by Sivan Levy Zakin Nine-year-old Goni has always run faster than the boys, always scored more goals. Until the day they decide she’s gotten too good at winning. The beating that follows is methodical, almost ceremonial – childhood cracking along lines that were always there.
pink marker, 4min., USA Directed by Bianca M Persicketti a reflection of my first, strongest relationship–my queer discovery– and it’s ending. simple as that. my way of shutting the book.
Promises, Promises, 15min., USA Directed by KC Simmons When a closeted Brooke meanders into a 1980’s underground party and meets wild-card Rio, the duo finds themselves in a week-long whirlwind relationship.
Stalling, 12min., USA Directed by Jasia Ka An unlikely queer love story unfolds when two women bond over a shared cheating ex, and they connect year after year in the same bar bathroom.
Lossnord, 3min., Norway Directed by Madelen Schønningsen A fallen viking warrior is saved from despair by a Nordic healer. Through recovery they grow closer, but the warrior is distracted, haunted by her violent past.
Differently Water, 8min., Italy Directed by Daniele Catini Two Arab women meet underwater to express their love. The sea becomes an accomplice to a secret in which their eyes reveal that desire hidden from a world that cannot understand
TELLING, 16min., USA Directed by Sean Dugan A previously estranged father and son spend a rare, unexpectedly fun weekend reconnecting — until something unspoken becomes spoken. Can their fragile bond survive the truth? And whose truth is it?
ISS TARAF, 9min., India Directed by Shrey Leena Shah Iss Taraf offers a glimpse into the quiet struggles and momentary victories of a trans man living in a cisnormative world, navigating the journey of acceptance in daily life.
Immersion, 93min., USA Directed by William RA Rush A woman in a new home must protect her family while contending with the unexpected inhabitants of her house.
My name is William R.A. Rush and I have submitted my film “Immersion” for your consideration. All of principal photography took place in Pennsylvania and roughly 99% of all footage seen was filmed in Berks County specifically.
The film deals with how people may realistically deal with a strange circumstance in their own home. The central issues are the importance of women believing women, and women trusting their instincts.
Our mission is diversity and representation in film, both in front of and behind the camera. This includes women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, differently-abled people and people for whom English is a second language.
There are several LGBTQIA+ characters in the film, each of whom was portrayed by an LGBTQIA+ actor. Our crew is diverse in terms of sexuality and gender. Our top producer, editor, two associate producers, one of our intimacy coordinators, one of our fight coordinators, and several other individuals are women. Our casting director is a person of color and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our sets are always chosen for their accessibility so that no one is ever excluded from working on our films due to their background or physical limitations. The voices of traditionally-underrepresented people is essential to our filmmaking philosophy and our overall mission in film.
We hope this information is helpful to you in your consideration of our film, and we thank you for your evaluation of this work as you evaluate our submission.
LUCKY ALIEN, 15min., USA Directed by Jasmin Please Haugstuen “Lucky Alien” is a gripping short film that explores one woman’s fight for love and dignity against the merciless bureaucracy of immigration, shedding light on the dark corners of a broken system. This social drama with a sprinkle of dark humor will evoke feelings and moments of intense suspense, witnessing uncomfortable but real situations that happen everyday on these country borders. With it’s fast-paced dialogue and seemingly endless levels of hell, the cast of characters in this world of limbo will make you laugh and cry, and hopefully inspire conversation and actions for change. – BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Love & War, 15min., USA Directed by Amy Johnston Kalie and Connor, two lonely assassins, form an unlikely bond when they meet on an online dating app and find themselves on the run from the hitmen and women hired to kill them both.
BODIES OF WORK, 25min., USA Directed by Rabia Khan “Bodies of Work: The Stories That Live in Jen Hyde.” In this evocative documentary, journey through the emotional landscape of Emmy-award-winning documentary producer Jen Hyde. Known for her courageous and compassionate storytelling at NBC and CNN, Jen has consistently illuminated humanity’s hidden pains and resilience.
Dividing Line, 28min., Georgia Directed by Mevlud Sabashvili A woman finds the strength to leave an abusive relationship. A woman does not find the strength to leave an abusive relationship.
Roots of Resilience: Stories of Caribbean Women in Agriculture, 48min., Saint Lucia Directed by Curmiah Lisette, Keithlin Caroo-Afrifa Roots of Resilience: Stories of Caribbean Women in Agriculture is a moving portrait of St. Lucia’s agricultural journey, celebrating the strength of its women and the enduring spirit of a community deeply connected to its land through the lens of the local non-profit, Helen’s Daughters.
Manly Dam Something Incredible Stirred, 4min., Australia Directed by Malcolm John Fisher A glimpse into the Incredible Biodiversity of Manly Warringah War Memorial Park and why it is so important to protect it.
A Silent Cry, 2min,. USA Directed by Donna Weng Friedman “A Silent Cry” is a two-and-a-half-minute microfilm set in the Himalayan Mountains—one of the world’s most vital and fragile ecosystems. The film uses evocative visuals and music to highlight the urgent need to sustain and protect this unique environment, which is essential for countless species and provides life-sustaining resources for millions of people.
From Waste to Wages: Tennessee’s Economic Potential in Recycling, 7min., USA Directed by Ryan Scott, Jeffrey Barrie, Shelby White Tennessee is in the midst of a crisis. Landfills are reaching capacity, and raw materials are becoming more expensive. But all across the state, major companies are looking to recycling as a solution. Aluminum, glass, and plastic are precious resources that are being lost in landfills – but with improved recycling infrastructure, Tennessee can reclaim that wasted value.
Walking With Elephants, 9min., China Directed by Yuqing Jiao Every Asian elephants is a living archive, deciphering the rifting of the Gondwana supercontinent. Fifty-five million years ago, as the ancestors of Asian elephants began their evolutionary journey in Africa, a slow-motion collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates thrust the Himalayas to the roof of the world.
Blu’s, 10min., India Directed by Rajesh PK Growing up freely in harmony with nature, witnessing her beautiful environment being swallowed up by industrialisation, BLU decides to fight for the wildlife, meadows, rivers and trees before they disappear completely.
The Inga Tree Model 2025, 10min., Honduras Directed by Adam Wakeling The Inga Alley-Cropping pilot is in year 13 in rural, northern Honduras and has impressive results for carbon sequestered and avoided–876,000 tons in 12 years–trained and assisted by an all-Honduran team, 500 smallholder families have planted over 3 million native, nitrogen-fixing trees on steep, highly degraded land. The clearing/burning stops when a family plants their alley (a process that destroys 200,000 acres a day).
Oh！My God, 1min., China Directed by Urchin Shang, I-Wen Chn An elderly man meditates, but his mind is overwhelmed with worries, preventing peace. He makes a wish to the Rabbit God, symbolized by a pendant on his necklace. The Rabbit God guides him to a realm where his worries fade away, but he finds only monotony. Realizing that life’s essence lies in its blend of joy and sorrow, he chooses to return to reality. Embracing life’s inherent worries, he discovers a deeper peace in accepting its complexities.
CAPTURADA, 10min., USA Directed by Isabela Paiao, Ryan Rivera, Sophie Gould A grandmother, Alma, secretly explores a new relationship online, rediscovering her identity beyond the roles of mother and grandmother. When her hidden life collides with her family, Alma faces a transformative journey of self-love, desire, and liberation.
Festival Reviews 