The Hand of Darkness, 8min., USA Directed by Rowan Kelley In 1978, Astoria, Oregon, newcomer Alice Mitchell becomes the target of an otherworldly entity hell-bent on consuming her soul to regain its former power.
The Body, 6min., USA Directed by Ryleigh Kennedy Alex thinks she is at home alone, finishing up her “work,” when her brother Ansel interrupts. Now, she must clean up all the evidence before he can see it.
THE OTHER, 3min., France Directed by Cyril Emmanuel Ferment At 3:15 a.m., Lise is awakened by a strange noise. Dan has disappeared from the marital bed, and a disturbing clue lies on the sheet. Armed with her lantern and her courage, Lise goes to look for Dan in the apartment…
Pirate Jenny, 5min., Italy Directed by Elisabetta De Luca, Alessandro Freschi A hotel maid has a very particular story to tell us… Inspired by the ballad from The Threepenny Opera, by Bertolt Brecht – 1928.
The First Night, 7min., Brazil Directed by Gabriel Milessis Braga After collapsing at the altar, Elise awakens inside an old church, and something inside her has changed. Guided by a mysterious man who seems to understand her condition, she begins to confront a new, terrifying hunger. The First Night is a gothic meditation on becoming, resistance, and the quiet seduction of darkness in our lifes.
The Hand of Darkness, 8min., USA Directed by Rowan Kelley In 1978, Astoria, Oregon, newcomer Alice Mitchell becomes the target of an otherworldly entity hell-bent on consuming her soul to regain its former power.
The Body, 6min., USA Directed by Ryleigh Kennedy Alex thinks she is at home alone, finishing up her “work,” when her brother Ansel interrupts. Now, she must clean up all the evidence before he can see it.
THE OTHER, 3min., France Directed by Cyril Emmanuel Ferment At 3:15 a.m., Lise is awakened by a strange noise. Dan has disappeared from the marital bed, and a disturbing clue lies on the sheet. Armed with her lantern and her courage, Lise goes to look for Dan in the apartment…
Pirate Jenny, 5min., Italy Directed by Elisabetta De Luca, Alessandro Freschi A hotel maid has a very particular story to tell us… Inspired by the ballad from The Threepenny Opera, by Bertolt Brecht – 1928.
The First Night, 7min., Brazil Directed by Gabriel Milessis Braga After collapsing at the altar, Elise awakens inside an old church, and something inside her has changed. Guided by a mysterious man who seems to understand her condition, she begins to confront a new, terrifying hunger. The First Night is a gothic meditation on becoming, resistance, and the quiet seduction of darkness in our lifes.
KosherSoul, 13min., USA Directed by Ilja Sarro James-Beard-Award-winning author and culinary historian, Michael W. Twitty emphasizes that cooking is not just about the recipe, but the people who create it. He highlights the importance of representation in the culinary world, particularly among chefs of color, and how their unique backgrounds contribute to the richness of the food they prepare. This documentation encapsulates the essence of culinary identity and community.
I’M TRYING, 33min., Canada Directed by Raymond Cruzzola I’m Trying is a powerful portrait of Regan Russell — an animal rights activist killed in 2020 during a peaceful protest outside a slaughterhouse — and the ongoing fight for justice she inspired.
Conscious Co-Working, 22min., Mexico Directed by Matt Crowe Conscious Co-Working is an award winning heart-led documentary exploring the rise of spiritually conscious entrepreneurship and community in the digital age. Set in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the film follows a global tribe of creatives, healers, spiritual digital nomads, and conscious entrepreneurs who are redefining work as a sacred act of self-expression, collaboration, and inner growth. Through intimate interviews, rituals, and raw moments of transformation, the film captures how a coworking space became a sanctuary for purpose-driven humans building businesses that align with soul and service. This is not just about work – it’s about healing, connection, and the future of how we live and create together.
THROW IT BACK, 8min,. Canada Directed by Vicente Gacitua, Lucas Vollicks A story about a young man who started his own vintage store in North Bay called Talbots Throwback, and he shows and explains his love of vintage items and explains why it is so important to keep these items alive.
THE PLAZA OF TIME, 11min., China Directed by Xinyuan He The Plaza of Time is an observational documentary directed by a teenage dancer, chronicling the lives of three elder performers—Auntie Yuan, Auntie Zhang, and Mr. Li—who each bring their own rhythm, resilience, and reason to dance on the public plazas of urban China.
NIGHT SHIFT, 29min,. Ukraine Directed by Megumi Lim In the still hours of Kharkiv’s curfewed nights, a quiet resilience hums through its empty streets. Night Shift is a short film about people who work under the cover of darkness, navigating both routine and risk as Russia often attacks when residents try to sleep. Those who stay awake to work do so for the city’s survival. The film explores how nighttime in Ukraine’s second largest city has transformed because of war, its nightly hope that dawn will arrive quietly, and the human need to carry on.
STAG, 20min,. USA Directed by Nick Giannetto A queer son and his conservative father venture into the Sierra Nevadas for a hunting trip heavy with silence, grief, and unspoken truths. In the stillness of nature, their clash over identity and tradition becomes a test of love, acceptance, and whether connection can survive the distance between them.
TROY! The Original Lady Boy, 32min,. USA Directed by Christina Linhardt Take a peek inside the gritty, glitzy life of the one-and-only honky-tonk Queen, Troy Walker, considered to be the first “lady boy”. From his life of drugs and drag on the Sunset strip in the 1960s, to his infamous 1970s run at North Hollywood’s World Famous Palomino, not only did the ultra-flamboyant singer survive, but is now preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday.
At The Edge of Skin, 20min,. Brazil Directed by Danielle Villanova “At The Edge of Skin” (20’, 2024, dir. Danielle Villanova) is an observational documentary guided by the lives of Laiz and Joselito, both Black and albino. By juxtaposing Laiz at the height of her 7-year-old childhood and Joselito at 60, the film weaves together and reveals the complex ancestral network that connects their two lives.”
For The Love of Dogs, 26min., India Directed by Mohanjeet Baldev Singh Kalsi In the biting cold of North India’s winters, thousands of stray dogs struggle to survive, unseen and unheard. But in the bustling city of Gurugram, one man refuses to look away.
ON TIPTOES, 23min., Brazil Directed by Giovanna Romano When Fernanda and Andressa received the autism diagnosis for their sons, Rafael and Martin, they found themselves facing a future that seemed to be decided by others—invasive treatments, heavy medication, and the fears and uncertainties that come with the diagnosis. But in their pursuit of dignity and autonomy for their children, the two mothers decided to rewrite their future. The key? Cannabis oil, which gave their sons the possibility to dream. A story of courage, where maternal love transforms into a fight. Each new step is taken with the hope of achieving what once seemed impossible.
Rosalyn, a wealthy and talented high school senior, grapples with immense grief after the loss of her brother in a surfing accident. The void left behind by his absence consumes her, and she begins a descent into addiction—alcohol becoming her solace as she numbs the pain and confusion. Amidst her downward spiral, she finds herself in a complex relationship with two other people, Isaac, and Emma. Drawn to the comfort and sweetness of their affection, the throuple provides a fleeting sense of escape, but Rosalyn’s internal struggle with grief and substance abuse complicates her search for self-love, growth, healing and identity.
Cast: Zoe Manzotti, Kelli Garner, Michael Landes, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson
Director Statement I was immediately drawn to the story of two young women who refuse to wait for permission or apologize for their desires. In a culture that pressures young people, especially women, to suppress their sexuality and conform to rigid expectations, watching these characters take control felt both powerful and necessary. Their boldness in pursuing what they want becomes an act of rebellion against societal constraints.
The setting became equally important to the narrative. California’s Spanish Colonial architecture carries a haunting beauty built on histories we collectively refuse to acknowledge. The grand estates of places like Rancho Palos Verdes function as fortresses of privilege: stunning yet exclusionary. I wanted these structures to operate as characters themselves, gorgeous but subtly menacing, reflecting the beautiful facades that often mask darker truths.
At its core, this film explores how the throuple evolves into a chosen family. When traditional family structures and societal institutions fail to provide the love and acceptance young people desperately need, they must forge their own networks of care and support. These three characters discover something authentic together: a way of loving and supporting each other that surpasses the hollow relationships they witness in the adult world around them.
Stylistically, we employed handheld cinematography inspired by verité techniques and my background in documentary filmmaking. Multiple perspectives unfold simultaneously, creating an intimate, unguarded viewing experience. Rather than observing from a distance, audiences discover these pivotal moments alongside the characters, fostering deeper emotional connection and authenticity.
This story feels particularly urgent in our current moment. Young people are actively redefining love, relationships, and family structures while traditional institutions crumble around them. In an era defined by uncertainty and upheaval, the most radical act might simply be creating your own version of home: building the love and stability that the world has failed to provide.
The Briefcase, 6min., USA Directed by Valdis Pelenitsyn What begins as a typical criminal job between old friends takes an unexpected twist, leading them into an unpredictable situation.
DILEMMA, 14min., USA Directed by Trevan Jay Hiatt Dilemma is a tense psychological thriller that delves into the consequences of a single, reckless decision. When high school friends find themselves trapped in a situation they can’t escape, panic sets in, and their once-close bond begins to fray. With each choice they make, the weight of their actions grows heavier, and the line between right and wrong blurs. Dilemma is a gripping exploration of guilt, fear, and where unexpected paths can lead us.
FARE SHARE, 26min., USA Directed by Carlos Leos On the surface, it’s just another rideshare. But as a weary driver picks up a silent, blood-covered passenger, what begins as awkward small talk unravels into a quiet confrontation with his own doubts, fears, and faith. With no answers from the woman in his backseat, and none from the universe he keeps questioning, the ride grows increasingly tense. Some fares are routine. This one carries a price.
A trans man wants to use the men’s bathroom for the first time, however, he’s hindered by his own fears and insecurities. He shares these fears to his friend shown through imaginary scenarios.
Written and Directed by Karter Masuhara
Produced by Tyler Gaucheron-Land and Daniel Joseph
This is a story that explores trans identity and some of the overlooked day-to-day struggles that trans people face. Using kind-hearted and bittersweet humour to gut punch with a stark and troubling reality, I wanted to create an experience that isn’t afraid to fully delve into very real fears of violence and exclusion, while remaining hopeful for positive change.
The purpose of this film is to demonstrate both the real fears and dangers that trans people face when using the washroom, but to also show the ridiculous side of it all and invite cis audiences to step into the shoes of trans people and understand the struggles we face in day-to-day life.
In this political landscape everyday it seems another state or country is passing laws that impede on trans rights and news headlines covering trans stories are predominantly negative. The purpose of this film is to offer a positive narrative for trans people and help destigmatize trans’ experiences. I feel it’s a very relevant story that aims to promote discussion and support around these areas.
I do hope this film reaches audiences who are less informed about trans experiences. I want people watching the film to empathize with the main character. It may not be an experience you can relate to, but through the telling of this story, I hope you’ll be able to understand Ben’s fears and see where he is coming from.
When a by -the-book lawyer allows a prank war to escalate and spiraling occur. The lines of law, ethics and office humor blur.
Directed by Mitra Goodwin
Director’s BIO:
Engineer, Business Analyst, Program Manager, Script Supervisor. Those were my titles before deciding to write and direct my short film, Prank’d.
Growing up an army brat, and as an only girl to 3 brothers, movies and books were my best and constant companions. When I realized some books were made into movies, a new hobby emerged, reading the book, and subsequently watching and critiquing the movie. “Devil in a Blue Dress” and “Harry Potter” are the favorites for the transition. However, my writing outlets at the time were journaling and poetry.
Fast forward and I graduated from the University of Louisville with a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and continued performing time studies at a parcel shipping company. As I moved into software development in the corporate realm and in location to Camden, South Carolina, I realized that I gained an ability. The ability to handle meeting overloads, personality conflicts and small talk fatigue by secretly giving spirit animal nick names to my colleagues and before you knew it, I had amassed mini stories for them as well.
Another fast forward, and a week before the pandemic shutdowns, in Atlanta, GA (where I currently reside) I attended BWFN (Black Women Film Network) and later uncovered the old writings. That creative experience and those memories pushed me to the next logical step in….a Script Supervisor for Film and TV. Not apparently logical but Mitra logic, I was able to observe and learn more behind the scenes production while I honed my storytelling confidence and abilities. As I continue to create content, I hope it brings joy to those reading and watching as it brought joy to me writing.
Festival Reviews 