THE BARMY HORDE, 60min,. UK Directed by Calvin O’Neill Do you like silly little cartoons, but are too OLD and HAIRY to watch them without feelings of shame and fear that you are some kind of MENTALLY STUNTED BABY PERSON? Well, you are in for a right treat mate! Because these cartoons are SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED for hairy, mentally stunted freaks like yourself. It’s animated, it’s absurd, and it’s complete anarchy; a showcase of comical cartoons centered around a peculiar town named Barmy, based on the combined inspiration of Calvin O’Neill’s childhood entertainment and his experiences growing up in Croydon. Culminating in a multi-media collection of goofy characters and storylines that transport you into the wacky world of The Barmy Horde. So yeah…swing by, if that’s something you’re interested in.
Right Hand Man, 3min,. USA Directed by Emma Greenman, Yaumara Carrion Lucas tries to navigate his first date with Cristine at a fancy restaurant; however, his conjoined hand puppet brother, Cade, also wants in on the fun.
Striking Gold, 2min., USA Directed by Marin Francis When gold miners Alonzo and Rufus come across a stuck nugget of gold, their disagreement on how to get it unstuck leads to chaos.
The Legend of King Nibbles, 3min,. USA Directed by Alison Chang, Selin Bekiroglu A hamster king is a victim of his own demise when he refuses to share his excessive wealth with the rest of his kingdom.
Total Opposites, 2min., USA Directed by Afek Felix Eyal Two beings, Dark and Light, fight to impose control of the world in order to achieve peace- only to realize peace can only come through co-existence.
Wall unit, 10min,. Poland Directed by Joanna Polak A ramshackle wall unit is a symbol of the monotonous life of a certain 40-year-old man living in a grey, dirty post-communist block of flats district. Right after his birthday, suffering from the midlife crisis, the man decides to change his dull and routine-based existence. Alas, his wife stands in the way.
Alyssum, 6min,. USA Directed by Alex King Alyssum follows Alyson, a young woman who’s struggling with perfectionism as she attempts to craft the perfect bouquet for her wife, Lilith. Overwhelmed by anxiety and self-doubt, she battles her inner critic, represented by corrupting vines. As she spirals deeper into self-doubt, she must decide: will she push forward and embrace imperfection, or will her fears consume her?
If I Were a Carpenter, 3min., Canada Directed by Elizabeth Lewis This hand drawn animated film is based on the classic song If I Were a Carpenter and sung by the great Bobby Darin. How can love conquer the social divide? This film is a tender slightly tongue in cheek story of how love can transform us and ultimately bridge our differences.
The Happy Balloon, 4min., Iraq Directed by Ahmed Najm The film talks about the dreams and ambitions of young people that mix illusion and reality, so the hero discovers the way to reach the truth he wants to achieve his dreams.
Self-Shot Film, 13min., Kazakhstan Directed by Marat Narimanov The pre-life, life and after-life of a human, featuring problems that we meet and decisions that we take. A surrealist film told in a non-narrative form: in non-concrete images, emotions and associations. A journey, a meditation, a disturbing experience.
Beautify, 1min,. Russia Directed by Elizaveta Makarenko Beautify follows a young woman’s surreal journey to self-acceptance as she confronts society’s beauty standards and embraces her true identity.
Beetle Summer, 3min,. USA Directed by Jian Yuan, Anyue Chen A young girl, Rika, who lives in the countryside of Japan, is raising a rhino beetle for beetle fights in order to gain friends. But before then, she needs to train and nurture it.
Date Knight, 3min., USA Directed by Amber Schmoyer, Kareena Bhatia A knight catfishes a dragon on a date in an attempt to slay her.
Dogs of Bishkek, 2min,. USA Directed by Viktor Niksdorf Set in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a young boy named Sasha has to evade a ravenous dog on his way home from the market.
Harmonia, 3min., USA Directed by Alex Rodarte, Victoria Sjostedt In a magical forest, a reckless young knight discovers a music box but unleashes an ancient wrath upon winding it and must run to safety.
Jurassic Ward, 2min., USA Directed by Max “Amber” Bellomio A troubled employee for the “Wishes Come True Foundation” needs to bring a dangerous dinosaur through the hospital to fulfill a child’s only wish.
Loud & Proud, 2min. USA Directed by Eliana Anselmo A young volleyball player tells her story of how it’s not the tough conditions that make volleyball hard… “It’s her mom”, embarrassed by her overbearing mother putting strain on their relationship and her relationship with volleyball.
Close to Home, 32min., USA Directed by Whitney Skauge Through the exploration of their personal and shared experiences, four young advocates imagine a world where access to safe, affordable, and reliable housing is not a privilege but an undeniable human right.
Revenge, 19min., Brazil Directed by Mari Penteado, Eduardo Campos Virginia is a 43-year-old transgender woman who works as a community health agent in Guarulhos, Brazil. The film follows a day in her life, marked by the exhaustion of work, but also by meaningful encounters, dreams, and, above all, the need to live – and resist.
AT ARM’S LENGTH, 5min. USA Directed by August Broussard When a neurotic teen asks his best friend to break his arm for prescription meds, what starts as a twisted favor spirals into an absurd test of loyalty — with consequences neither of them is quite prepared for.
STEALING ASH, 13min., USA Directed by Frances Capel After their best friend dies, four best friends plan a heist to steal their ashes and take them on a final joyride for the send off they deserve.
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.
AT ARM’S LENGTH, 5min. USA Directed by August Broussard When a neurotic teen asks his best friend to break his arm for prescription meds, what starts as a twisted favor spirals into an absurd test of loyalty — with consequences neither of them is quite prepared for.
STEALING ASH, 13min., USA Directed by Frances Capel After their best friend dies, four best friends plan a heist to steal their ashes and take them on a final joyride for the send off they deserve.
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.
Directed by Noely Mendoza Written by Zoe Manzotti
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.
Watch the 2 winning comedy short films from the September 2025 COMEDY Festival.
Detectives & Dragons, 8min., Canada Directed by Lucas Candelino, Benjamin Kostecki, Evan McDowell A know-it-all detective is tasked with incriminating a murder suspect through a fantasy role-playing game by recreating the scenario of the killing. Tensions escalate when he goes off-script.
Watch the 2 winning comedy short films from the September 2025 COMEDY Festival.
Detectives & Dragons, 8min., Canada Directed by Lucas Candelino, Benjamin Kostecki, Evan McDowell A know-it-all detective is tasked with incriminating a murder suspect through a fantasy role-playing game by recreating the scenario of the killing. Tensions escalate when he goes off-script.
Festival Reviews 