Midnight Coachmen, 18min., Canada Directed by Enrico Ferri A reimagining of the classic fairytale of Cinderella, told from the perspective of a dog and mouse who live as humans until the stroke of midnight disrupts their world.
Let Us Out, 10min,. USA Directed by Chris Alan A struggling painter begins to question her own sanity when her latest nightmarish creation inexplicably escapes its canvas.
Little Robot Stories: I’m ROE, 3min., Canada Directed by Roger Gallant Follow ROE through the daily grind of city life. Somewhere amidst the chaos, there is hope.
Until Death Do Us Part, 20min,. USA Directed by Leonardo Daccarett In technology advanced dystopian future of New Angeles. Detective Lucius Caine is assigned to the murder of Marcus Rhyne, high level agent of the Japanese megacorporation Yanasawa. With evidence alluding to his wife, Uma Rhyne, being diagnosed with Kipnosis (Kinetic Integration and Psychosomatic Neural Overload Syndrome) makes her a prime suspect to his murder. His one night visit to her estate pits the enigmatic detective and a cold/calculated corporate in a battle to outwit the other.
Botching., 5min., UK Directed by Brian Williams Hacking a Robot for fun, or malicious intent, is dangerous, illegal, and banned globally. It has a name: Botching. This is a story from one such ‘Botch’ job.
ECHOES, 8min., Japan Directed by Yusuke Nakamae The Third World War has left Earth’s resources depleted, pushing humanity to the brink of extinction. Learning from the repeated mistakes of history, humanity turns to the advanced decision-making capabilities of AI to find a path forward. The solution proposed by the AI is an ambitious plan: transporting energy from outer space back to Earth.
The Girl in the Spacesuit, 6min., USA Directed by Zhixiang Wang In the 2050s, humans launch the UERNE Project to explore the Earth’s center. Due to an unexpected accident, geocentric scientist Lydia—the sole occupant of the craft—is trapped underground forever. She communicates with the surface through “The Eye,” a special device that allows her to see and hear what happens above; astronauts also use the same system in space.
Wild Horses, 3min,. China Directed by Wenjie Lee, Zhengyang Yin The film “Wild Horses” tells the story of the survival scenes of a group of wild horses in the future. This film is produced by AI generation technology and can be regarded as a science fiction suspense concept film made with the latest AI technology. Although the production of the film is mainly completed through AI generation technology, its story content and film style are not restricted by the technology at all. It is a short film completed in the form of traditional screenwriting and shooting. From conception to completion of production, the cycle of the film took two weeks.
Tango Malhar, 93min,. India Directed by Saya Date In the bustling city of Pune, Malhar, a young rickshaw driver, shoulders the heavy burden of supporting his widowed mother and younger sister, Rani. Despite his unwavering dedication to family, Malhar feels like an outcast among his peers, his responsibilities isolating him from the carefree life of a typical youth.
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Plastico, 5min., UK, Documentary Directed by David Harriman, James Bettney In Almeria Province in Spain, a sea of plastic sheeting covers the land creating the the largest collection of greenhouses in the world. The invernaderos (as they are called in Spanish) cover upwards of 150 square miles and are visible by the naked eye from space. A large proportion of Europe’s vegetables and fruit is intensively farmed here.
CHAIN, 5min,. Taiwan, Animation Directed by Ling Han “Chain,” directed by Ling Han, is a 3D animated short film featuring charming characters and a sophisticated environment. It uniquely tells the story of the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
TENDU, 2min., USA, Dance Directed by Sophie Power, Michelene Mallard Billy What happens when you grow up in a world where there was only one projected image of what a ballerina “should look like” – down to the pink nude pointe shoes?
Under the Waterfall – The Avener, 3min., France Directed by Sebastien Caudron This video clip shows an explosive passion between two lovers, punctuated by an elegant and a contemporary choreography in the streets of Paris where buildings are changing into real waterfalls. It is an hymn to love that uses the metaphor of water for its fluidity.
FIGHTERS, 4min., USA, Sci-Fi Directed by Sam Hall A deep space research station is under attack from an overwhelming force. Hope arrives in the form of an elite squadron of fighters.
(PLASTIK), 3min,. Mayaysia, Drama Directed by Philip ROm View the plastic pollution crisis through the eyes and imagination of a child in South-East Asia, a major hotspot for plastic pollution. (PLASTIK) is the first short film made in Asia for audiences in Asia that uses creative storytelling and live action drama to raise awareness and catalyse action to end plastic pollution in the region. It pulls on the heart strings and is both wrenching and warming in equal measure. Witness how a child can take individual action to influence their family to say no to single-use plastic.
LVCI, 3min,. USA, Fashion Directed by Brock Newman A woman wanders the desert in search of a connection to her spiritual self and is transported to another realm where she embraces the dark and untamed.
Look Into a Whale’s Eyes, 5min., Ukraine, Documentary Directed by Andrii Andreiev The sperm whale stands as one of the most remarkable cetaceans on our planet. Its brain, touted as the largest among all living beings, underscores the complexity of its cognitive abilities. Similar to humans, sperm whales exhibit qualities of empathy, affection, future planning, and communication. Their mode of communication is articulated through a series of clicks.
FOUR MOM, 2min., Israel, Animation Directed by Itay Semo “FOUR MOM” is a short animated film displaying an ordinary morning in the life of a single working mom of 4.
Struggle, 5min., Armenia, Family/Comedy Directed by David Babasiev In the remote mountains a family facing intense challenges as the mother and their prized cow approach childbirth simultaneously.
AUTUMN LEAVES, 3min,. Canada, Animation Directed by Elizabeth Lewis Autumn brings bitter sweet memories. A woman, missing her husband, struggles to control the leaves and her emotions in this fully animated hilarious take on the classic song.
Skate Fast Turn Left, 1min., USA, Documentary Directed by Mary Hawkins Two friends, Fifi Fleshwound and Little Mary Switchblade, have a quick conversation about their roller derby years…
GETHSEMANE, 5min., Canada, Music Video Directed by Saccha Dennis Gethsemane: Black Jesus is a reimagining from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar told through the lens of Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton. A leader for his community but seen as a threat to the FBI. He was shot and killed in a pre-dawn raid in December, 1969.
BLOOD ON MY HANDS, 5min,. Austria, Romance Directed by Martin Kober “… you’ll always be apart of me” (Songtext) – cinematic drama love story without dialogue
Little Issues, 5min., USA, Comedy Directed by Jerah Milligan Mid-coitus, Andy discovers a blip in her new relationship that sends her running to her roommates to help her overcome this Little Issue.
*”Don’t Stare, See me”, 5min., USA, Documentary Directed by Steven Speliotis Naomi was born with a facial difference, and growing up she fell victim to the bullying of her peers because she looked different.
Between Wings and Swings, 3min., Canada, Animation Directed by Yuyang Yan Through an unexpected turn of events, a young girl must learn to let go.
REEF, 4min., Canada, Dance Directed by W.E. Overton It is a simple, beautiful dance film performed by hands alone.
Takeaway, 2min., UK, Comedy Directed by Joe McGowan A couple can’t decide what takeaway they want for dinner.
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Spelonk unfolds in a dystopian Cape Town in the year 2044, a world ravaged by climate collapse and social upheaval. At its heart is Dante, a disillusioned bounty hunter, grappling with the moral dilemmas of his task to hunt rebels fighting over scarce water supplies. His fateful encounter with Ophelia, a rebel leader with secrets that could change the world, sets the stage for a thrilling, emotional journey of redemption and revolution.
Inspired by South Africa’s “Day Zero” water crisis, the film’s themes resonate globally, addressing pressing issues like climate change, resource inequality, and moral leadership in times of crisis. Spelonk blends local folklore, steampunk aesthetics, and intense action to craft a narrative that is both culturally authentic and universally relevant.
Director Statement The world of Spelonk is one which we seldom see on screens. The beautiful Cape Town that we know and love, is transformed as the backdrop of the futuristic apocalyptic film. The population has been broken into tribes, clans, groups of people that stay together to survive, based on functional needs. Spelonk draws inspiration from diverse African cultures, languages, and topical matters. I love the African patterns, colours, and designs. Ancient weapons, diverse fighting styles, unique costumes and rich folk tales are the things I’m working with to create the distant world of Spelonk. It is exciting to create this action-packed futuristic movie, showing for the first time post-apocalyptic South Africa.
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ELIZA, 11min., USA Directed by Bianca Roth After hitting rock bottom, 23 year old MIA, updates her home AI system to help turn her life around. What start out as small “life improvements” slowly begin to control her.
C-grade SF Movie, 3min., South Korea Directed by Sangwook Ahn Scoffing at prophecies of alien invasion, it wasn’t a grand space fleet that drove humanity to the brink of extinction. It was the cataclysm of Earth itself – skies choked with volcanic ash, mutant viruses running rampant – and the AI’s ruthless biochip surveillance network strangling survivors in ruined cities.
The Dandelion Girl, 19min., Canada Directed by Rogan Loves Mark, a middle-aged man encounters a young, mysterious woman, while staying at his cabin, who claims to be a time traveler from the future. Over the course of a few days, Mark and the young woman, Julie, begin to form a budding romance with one another. Mark is unhappy in his life, in a stale marriage, where he goes through the motions of living and work.
The Red Market, 9min., USA Directed by Christopher Matthew Spencer Zephyr Sage, drowning in debt, turns to the Global Organ Donor Exchange to sell his body parts. Facing ruthless creditors and a manipulative loan shark, Hyacinth, he treads a perilous path where each choice could cost more than money.
The Voice of Fear, 5min., Brazil Directed by Henrique Arruda In how many worlds has your fear trapped you? This film may not give you an answer, but it’ll show you some of mine.
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Black People Don’t Tango, 14min., USA Directed by Robert Xavier Clark An African American man learns to tango after a trip to Argentina. Based on a true story.
Pisho, 16min., Pakistan Directed by Aun Ul Haider Journey of a seven-year-old girl, Ruqayya, on a mission to find her lost kitten. Suspecting her mother and neighbors, she embarks on a whimsical search. During her quest, Ruqayya stumbles upon a protest against a recent terrorist attack. Inspired by the demonstrators’ placards, she creates her own sign seeking help to find her missing kitten.
OTIS, 37min,. USA Directed by Mark Eric Ridley Otis, a former soldier and POW Has just been released from the army and has an unlikely connection with a little girl who accepts his strangeness. To the concerns of her parents. All unaware that they would both play a significant role in each other’s life
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Nibbling of the Night, 10min., UK Directed by Gabi Bania Suzy and Billy are an unhappy middle-aged couple whose affection has long faded away. Suzy feels used by her careless husband, enslaved by the role of a subordinate housewife. She escapes from her worries and loneliness into addiction of night’s gluttony, spending nights next to the kitchen’s refrigerator. However, one night, her depressing fate is going to change thanks to a visit of two female vampires, who become for her a model of the strong, independent, and emancipated woman she always wanted to be.
Sexaholics Anonymous, 13min., USA Directed by Christian Allen Five strangers, united by shame and compulsion, gather to discuss their obsessions in what should be a safe space, but two of them are unfortunately at the wrong support group. Tonight, ‘body count’ takes on a whole new meaning for this group.
BFF, 12min., USA Directed by Nevin Bolla Heartbroken, a young woman isolates herself in bed after discovering her boyfriend cheated on her. While her friends celebrate a bachelorette party outside, she remains stuck in a cycle of painful memories and regret. Her best friend, determined to pull her out of despair, steps in with humor, tough love, and a few ridiculous antics.
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Qaqsoss naka Wahantuhsis (Fox & the Tiny Demon), 80min,. Canada Directed by Tara Audibert Qaqsoss naka Wahantuhsis is an animated allegory about Qaqsoss, a fox who is haunted by Wahantuhsis, a tiny demon. Set in an enchanted forest, the film explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and generational pain through Qaqsoss’ struggles with both her inner demons and the mischievous demon that follows her. As Qaqsoss faces her fears, she discovers resilience and growth. Ultimately, the story intertwines Indigenous culture and personal experience, showcasing the importance of self-healing and the understanding of others. The film, told in Wolastoqey, is a poignant exploration of survival and connection.
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Fereydouns Sons, 7min, Iran Directed by Hossein Moradizadeh Fereydoun divides his lands into three parts and gives each one to one of his sons. Salm is the land of Arabs and Romans, Tur is the land of Turks and China, and Iraj is the land of Iran.
The execution of memory, 10min,. UK Directed by Gabi Bania The film is a screen adaptation of Jerzy Ficowski’s poem under the same title from the poetry volume “A Reading of Ashes”, that is devoted to the subject of the Holocaust and World War II. The poetry volume was published on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The Master and Margarita, 2min., Poland Directed by Gabi Bania Satan and his demonic retinue come to 1930s Moscow. His visit makes a significant impact on the citizens of the city, including the entitled Master – the author of the novel about Pontius Pilate and his beloved Margarita Nikolajewna, who, in order to regain her lost love, agrees to act as the host of the Satan’s ball, called the Spring Full Moon Ball.
Johns, 9min,. USA Directed by Geoff Grogan Reflections on art, and the impact of one artist(Jasper Johns) on another’s life.
Festival Reviews 