After a hospital in Rio shuts down and all patients are carelessly displaced, Gabi, a low-income lunch lady, does the impossible to make sure that Lola - a hospital patient with special needs who she grew close to - feels loved and cared for; two basic needs that the government will simply not provide for her.
Gabi decides she’ll begin looking after Lola by bringing her one “lollie" (lollipop) a day. But as time passes, Gabi realizes that the Lola’s true place can only be by her side. Her new mission becomes convincing her husband, Jonas, to take Lola in.

A reclusive musician retreats to a frozen island on Lake Superior to capture the lake’s rare sonic phenomena - the eerie tones of ice as it begins to freeze. But, solitude quickly turns to dread as they’re drawn into unsettling encounters with an overfamiliar neighbor, a polar plunge gone wrong, and a mysterious voice echoing from beneath the ice.

As their recordings grow stranger and their grip on reality frays, the musician finds themself haunted by disjointed memories and something far more ancient beneath the surface.

Mad Island is a psychological thriller set against the stark beauty of winter. A study in isolation, trauma, and the supernatural, it builds toward a chilling descent into the unknown - where the line between madness and truth lies just beneath the ice.

Unable to visit her grandmother due to the pandemic, a young woman tackles one of the hardest challenges a Chinese American can face... writing a birthday card in full mandarin.

When a ballet dancer arrives at a prestigious audition that could define her career, she expects to battle nerves, perfectionism, and fierce competition—not the ghosts of her past. But as she steps into the spotlight, she locks eyes with one of the judges: a celebrated choreographer who once abused his power over her as a young student.
The encounter threatens to unravel her composure, dredging up trauma she’s long buried in favor of discipline and ambition. As the audition unfolds, Maria must choose between walking away or reclaiming control of her narrative. Drawing strength from her pain, she crafts a performance that’s not only technically brilliant but emotionally raw, challenging the industry’s silence and forcing the panel, and herself, to reckon with the truth.

Mel Hansen was living in Minnesota with her dependable job, a fiancé, and a predictable future until her mom passed away. And she decided she could no longer ignore her dream. She moved out to Los Angeles and tried to make this far-flung dream of acting into a reality.

But the transition is harder than she expected. She is waiting tables, barely getting by, and trying unsuccessfully to break into the business. When her neighbor, Stevie, invites her to her acting class with
Theo Martin.

Suddenly Mel’s life begins to change for the better. Theo believes in her giving her a boost of confidence, and the class provides a circle of friends that help her feel like she belongs. Theo even offers to help Mel get acting representation.

But when Theo’s tests become more intense, Mel must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice to achieve her dream.

The Song of Summer follows a young girl orphaned at birth and raised in foster care, fighting to rise above her circumstances. With the support of a foster mother, Summer begins to glimpse a brighter future—until a tragic encounter with a teacher derails her path and leads to her untimely death. Blending fact and fiction, the film confronts a culture steeped in misogyny and mother-blaming, exposing how easily young women’s lives are broken by the systems meant to protect them.

Breaking Barriers is a student documentary that shares the story of Jessa Williams and her creation of INTRSXTN Surf, a women of color surf collective.

After a devastating breakup, Addie visits her recently widowed grandpa, and together they find the healing they need by learning to ride a tandem bicycle together.

Luke is the world’s greatest escape artist. But can he escape an uncomfortable conversation with Camille? She wants to define their relationship, but Luke uses his skills to disappear.

Bench Seats explores how the patterns of the past echo into the present and how we reflect the stories of our parents. The film follows Dani, a woman at an emotional crossroads after an argument with her wife, Erin. When a song on the radio jolts her memory back to the summer of 1989, Dani recalls riding shotgun in her mom’s oversized Buick, navigating the complexities of her parents’ recent divorce and her mother’s struggle to rebuild their lives. Through a series of nostalgic vignettes, we see young Dani’s world unfold and transform as she grapples with change, independence, and the weight of unspoken worries. In the present, Dani catches her 9-year-old son’s concerned gaze in the rearview mirror, recognizing in him the same shadow of uncertainty she once carried. In that moment, she sees how the patterns of the past echo into the present, prompting her to reconcile with Erin and show their son that love endures—even through conflict.

The holidays can be torture, or maybe even murder! On Thanksgiving a fight about orange juice leads to the shocking murder of a member of the Evan's family. Happy Thanksgiving explores generational issues pressing the boundaries of how we think, unspoken love, unearths a murderer, and reminds us that at the end of the day, family can put the FUN in dysFUNctional!

Bound is a CG animated short film about Turnip, a forgotten imaginary friend who longs for someone to stay. When Oliver, a runaway child, stumbles into his world, their friendship fills the enchanted Knot Woods with laughter and adventure. But the woods have their own magic, and the longer Oliver stays, the more he begins to change. Turnip must face a painful truth and learn that the depth of a friendship is not tied to its length. A poignant tale of love, loss, and change, Bound is a tribute to the friendships that shape us forever.

In this hilarious comedy, Malcolm is mortified when he arrives home to find his eccentric mother casually watchng TV with Winny, the most outlandish service animal.

PLACE OF INACCESSIBILITY
In the spot in the Swedish mountains farthest away from any road in any direction, lies the Place of Inaccessibility. One of the few places left that mankind has not exploited. What happens when a dancer finds her way to this site?
Director Hilde van Amelsvoort honors the grandeur of relativ unspoiled nature, exploring the profound connection between, movement, nature and solitude. She invites us to reflect on the significance of untouched places through an intimate dialogue between art and the environment.
Perhaps we all have a place of inaccessibility within us to uncover.

When a young girl with Tourette's encounters a struggling street performer on a city bus, a quirky and inspirational friendship is formed causing the world around them to alter in unexpected ways.

Lifesaver explores intergenerational trauma, bullying, and the consequences of adult inaction through the eyes of a six-year-old girl. After being dismissed with “boys will be boys,” she makes a dangerous discovery and, unaware of the true danger, decides to take matters into her own hands. Set in a small Southern town, the film asks: at what point could someone have stepped in - and why didn’t they?

Zach, the boy next door, begins his day by re-reading his attempt at poetry when a notification from a daily horoscope website appears. It reads: “You will find your forever soulmate.” Zach leaves his apartment to take out his trash just as his new next door neighbor exits her apartment. He is floored as he watches what could only be his dream girl lock her apartment door behind her. Eager to know her, but unsure what to say, he manages an “Hola” in greeting. Finding themselves both waiting for the elevator, the two stand awkwardly before Zach starts a conversation about her shoes.

As the weeks progress, Zach is able to hold conversations with his neighbor and the two seem to be getting along well, one conversation even ending with Zach getting her number. The next day, as he leaves his apartment with his trash, he realizes that his neighbor has left earlier than usual and follows her through the halls, down the stairs, and into the parking lot, only to watch her drive away before he can say hello. Certain that she didn’t see him, he plans to approach her later. But, later, as he is about to knock on her apartment door, he hears something break. Through the door, he hears his neighbor on the phone, exclaiming her upset over breaking a novelty mug. Zach decides bringing her an exact copy of the mug she’s broken will be just the thing to make her happy and show her how perfect they are for each other.

Kaia, the new neighbor, opens her door to see Zach with a gift bag in his hands. He thrusts the bag at her, and she opens it to find he’s gifted her an exact replica of the mug that she broke, despite her having never told him about it.

Alone in her apartment, Kaia stares at the mug. She messages her friend, Genna. Past messages pop up, showing that Kaia’s already mentioned Zach to Genna, how he followed her through the hallway the other day, never saying anything to her. She asks Genna if she thinks it’s weird Zach gave her the same mug she just broke, that she never told him about. Genna responds it is creepy.

As Kaia works out in the gym, Zach appears behind her from out of nowhere to ask her out on a date. Uncomfortable, Kaia tries to ease her way out of the encounter. She appears to succeed, Zach backing off and taking her no as an answer. Later, in her apartment, Kaia tries to relax, but she receives texts from Zach. He wants to know again if she would be free to spend time with him. He knocks on their shared wall, startling her, and he tells her to knock back in answer, once for yes and twice for no. Thoroughly scared, Kaia strips her bed down and curls up under a blanket. She wonders what it was that she did to lead to this. Did she lead him on? What did she do to cause him to stalk her? Spiraling, Kaia is drawn out of her despair by a call from Genna, who asks her if Zach makes her uncomfortable. Knowing that he does, and that she is not in the wrong for her feelings, Kaia confronts Zach. She tells him that his constant presence makes her uncomfortable and that she needs him to back off. Claiming he only thought they could be friends, Zach belittles Kaia’s concerns, but he does leave her alone. Relieved, Kaia says goodbye for good.

As Kaia walks away, Zach turns away, as well. Down the hallway, he spots another girl exiting her apartment. He greets her with an “Hola.”

A romantic picnic is derailed by a marriage proposal.

We Are The People who recognize this moment for what it is. It has happened before. We can see the injustice occurring every day. We know the struggle and know what we must do.
We the people remember the beauty of our land. We are the people that remember the splender of what existed before and must work together to reclaim it.
We are the people are the heroes that we have been waiting for, wishing for, demanding.
We are the people.

Many of the Sculpted Paintings in this film include the documents that founded this country.
They are embedded in the making of the painting as they were also rooted in the formation of our nation.

The Almost Adults is coming of age story, in which Sofia, a nine-year-old child, is mysteriously replaced by a twenty something version of herself. Her sister Charlotte and her friend Joaquim are going to help her survive in the adult world, where, flowered with clever worlds, strange laws such as the “leave-it-alone”, “do not look in each other’s eyes” and “do not speak your mind” exist.

No Escuchado (Not Heard) follows a woman who feels increasingly uneasy during a movie.She seeks help from an usher in hopes of alleviating her discomfort. However, a breakdown in communication leaves the usher unable to understand her request. As the situation unfolds, what begins as a simple misunderstanding evolves into a deeply transformative encounter, altering both their lives in unexpected and lasting ways. The film explores themes of connection, misunderstanding, and the profound impact of being truly heard.

OVERVIEW

BENEATH THE UNDERCURRENT is a psychological thriller set in the present day English countryside and explores the themes of mental illness, grief, and loss.

Having stopped taking her Bipolar medication, Vivian (“Viv”) Stewart, a famous writer, decides to kill off the main character of her newest novel; however, when an angry Kathryn comes to life, she aims to drive Viv to suicide as a way of seeking revenge, because if Kathryn goes down, she’s taking Viv with her.

SYNOPSIS

When famous author VIVIAN (“VIV”) STEWART has difficulty ending her newest mystery novel, she decides to kill off the main character; however, an angry KATHRYN comes to life and tries to drive Viv to suicide. Knowing Viv’s deepest, darkest secrets, Kathryn uses the writer’s past against her.

Struggling with guilt and grief, Viv slides further and further away from reality. As Viv spirals into darkness, her sister VANESSA (“NESSA”) STEWART arrives in order to assist in preparing the house for Viv’s 45th birthday with the help of a nurse (SARAI) and medical student (ALFONSO), both of whom are there to not only cook, but keep an eye on Viv.

The party’s atmosphere grows more tense once Viv’s friends arrive, which includes her best friend OSCAR; her publisher and ex-lover JULIAN, who surprisingly brings his newest protege, FAYE; and the
sudden surprise arrival of Viv’s younger lover, AARON.

With Kathryn’s constant picking away at her psyche, Viv’s behaviour becomes more erratic as she struggles to keep her darkest secrets hidden. NESSA soon realises that Viv has stopped taking her BiPolar medication, leading to auditory and visual hallucinations; however, not everything is in her head. Unknown to them, the ghost of Viv and Nessa’s six-year-old sister VIRGINIA (“GINNIE”)
STEWART haunts the old family home.

As Ginnie tries to protect Viv from her personal demons, Kathryn remains focused on destroying Viv. Will Kathryn win or will Viv finally find peace?

In 1660s Scotland, an infamous Witch Pricker is brought to
Auldern by the town’s magistrate to garner confessions of
witchcraft from three women.
It quickly becomes clear, however, that the motivations for
killing these women is not justice or fear of witchcraft, but a
personal vendetta and power grab.
When one of the women discovers that the Witch Pricker is
actually another woman in disguise, the Witch Pricker has to
decide what justice really looks like when her own safety is
at stake. Will she kill an innocent woman to save her own life
and reap the rewards, or will her overcommitment to safety
and order erode in time?

Better Fate Than Never is a sharp, heartfelt comedy about reinvention, relevance, and the unpredictable nature of love at any age.

Annie, a successful relationships columnist in her 50s, is blindsided when a smug, younger editor informs her that her work is no longer “click-worthy.” Her loyal readership and decades of experience mean nothing in the face of analytics, scroll depth, and social shares. Unless she reinvents herself, and fast, she’s out of a job. Her editor suggests she switch lanes entirely and write a youthful travel piece, complete with hostel-hopping and hitchhiking tips. Annie is appalled.

Devastated but not defeated, Annie turns to her older sister Maeve, a free spirit with a flair for dramatics, who convinces her to visit a tarot reader for guidance. To Annie’s surprise, the reading seems to speak directly to her crisis, and hints at movement, change, and a journey tied to deeper connection. Still skeptical, Annie drowns her frustration in wine, sarcasm, and a late-night internet rabbit hole. She stumbles across a curious dating site for singles over 40 and impulsively signs up, only to receive an email the next morning that reads: CUPID FEST – Travel to Ireland – Meet the Love of Your Life.

What begins as a desperate attempt to save her job transforms into the start of something much more personal. With a plane ticket in hand and a hint of hope wrapped in a healthy dose of skepticism, Annie finds out that chasing a story might just lead her to one of her own. Better Fate Than Never is a funny, touching exploration of modern aging, female agency, and the courage it takes to write your next chapter - even when the ink’s long dry on the last one.

Confronting her disabled daughter's terminal diagnosis, a mother fights to have her become a Bat Mitzvah in their synagogue, which refuses to break from tradition. 

Maggie, a chronic people pleaser, is always getting pushed around. But when she tries to return a lost cat to his owner, Maggie is finally pushed too far and decides to push back… in a most unexpected way.

A loaded gun.
A tragic accident.
A family that will never be the same again.

Bullying has CHANGED. It's not what it was ten years, five years or even one year ago. This new form of bullying is subtle, insidious, and can really mess with student's health and well being - sometimes for years on end. In this compelling new short documentary, students in Sarasota, Florida share how bullying has deeply affected their lives.

It’s Burke’s Mattress Palace’s last night in business following the pending divorce of storeowner Mr. Lewis Burke. After a one-sided, foul-mouthed dispute between Burke and his young employee, Wesley, the two discover a strange man fast asleep on a mattress display. Wesley is troubled, believing the man, who can’t be woken up, needs immediate medical attention, while Burke is cold and dismissive. When the mysterious man suddenly vanishes, Burke and Wesley go on a wild goose chase in hopes of finding him before close. Seeing his boss is distressed, Wesley attempts to console him. Burke refuses to open up, and the two spiral into a much-anticipated argument about rights and wrongs. Their quarrel is interrupted upon the mattress man revealing himself, watching them from afar. Burke and Wesley see something we, the audience, do not see, and Wesley experiences a revelation. Burke tries to fire him, but he quits on his account, leaving Burke alone in his own personal retail hell.

Fading actress Celia Dalvi arranges her perfect day; it doesn't go as planned.

Newly single dad Daniel moves his teenage daughter, June, to his small southern hometown, only to find that loss of industry has hit the town hard. As he navigates money troubles and the rocky relationship with his daughter, Daniel seeks hope and new beginnings in the small community.

For seventy-five years, Ron and Julie Merrimen have lived on the once-rural coastline of Malibu. Now in their nineties, Ron is blind, hard of hearing, and confined to his wheelchair while Julie battles Alzheimer's. When two con men scheme to rob their home, Julie must become Ron's eyes, ears and physical capabilities -- and Ron must become Julie's short-term memory!

Naive but feisty Southern belle Talitha comes of age during a covered wagon move West, encountering hunger, Indians, and a steamboat fire and sinking. She is unaware that her wealthy father has lost his fortune in a stock market crash and has borrowed money from a rich old merchant - who plans to marry her. Talitha falls in love with Newmeris, a pro Union Southerner who confronts her about the family's African American slave. Talitha must choose between her parents' and society's expectations or an uncharted future, all in the midst of the Civil War.

A charismatic young boy who lives on a rubbish dump in Zimbabwe must convince a reclusive boxing coach to teach him to fight to find safety and strength in a world that has left him behind.

A woman who is convinced she’s been followed home locks her front door - but is that enough to keep her fears at bay?

Sequoia, a diligent AI maid, works for the captivating yet mysterious Mrs. Terrance. Although not designed to harbor any emotions, Sequoia starts developing sentience, when a certain sound triggers a feeling inside her that feels oddly familiar - and human. Forced to conceal her newfound emotions to evade shutdown, Sequoia embarks on a dangerous quest for truth, tearing at the seams of her own identity and re-evaluating the intricate power dynamics that govern her place within the household.
As Sequoia's hidden desire to uncover the truth collides with her need to survive, this sci-fi thriller short starring Elsha Kim and Amber Koval explores the relationship between technology and human nature and the consequences of technological advancement.

A surprise pregnancy forces a woman to make a difficult decision alone, triggering memories of the one person she could always turn to—her father—and leaving her to find strength in his absence.

An expectant mother makes some unusual preparations for her big day.

Pregnant and sleep-deprived, Bernie tosses in bed in the middle of the night. On top of that her five-year-old daughter Chloe apparently can’t sleep either. So Bernie takes her to the potty where Chloe catches her mother off-guard with some surprisingly existential questions and anxieties about the new baby’s arrival. And once she finally puts Chloe back to sleep, Bernie has something of an existential crisis of her own.

30 year old Disha is guided by the cosmic insights of spiritual influencer Maya, as she embarks on a quest to manifest true love and untangle the complexities of her situationship with Arush, as celestial forces intertwine with modern-day romance!

In the isolated high desert of the 1920s American West, queer lovers Mare and Gemma have carved out a fragile existence on their remote ranch. But after Gemma is assaulted one night by a familiar figure, the boundaries between right and wrong begin to blur. As the truth comes to light, loyalties are tested and moral certainties unravel. Set against a striking but unforgiving landscape, A Disturbance in the High Desert examines the cost of survival, the ambiguity of justice, and the limits of love when betrayal hits close to home.

When celebrated artist Albert La Pointe drops dead and winds up haunting the one place he loathes—his insufferable neighbors’ backyard—his wife, Vita, is left to pick up the pieces. As she stumbles through grief, art-world vultures, and a fortune buried in deception, she realizes the real mystery isn’t Albert’s unfinished business—it’s rediscovering who she was before she lost herself in him. But freedom, like art, comes at a price… and the clock is ticking.

“No Rain, No Flowers” is a heartfelt coming-of-age drama that follows Chia, a Hmong American teenager grappling with the complexities of identity and the desire to find her own voice. The film delves into her struggles at school, where she faces unconscious prejudices and stereotypes that alienate her from her peers.

A woman emerges from a period of grief, and slowly finds her way to the other side.

Inspired by the special needs community, "Apple Juice with No Ice" tells the story of Joey, who reluctantly takes a new job taking Miles—a high school boy with special needs—out to dinner each week. Over the course of this heartfelt coming-of-age short film, Joey forms an unexpected and genuine bond with Miles, dismantling the stereotypes he once held. In the end, he learns the true meaning of friendship—and that life is better with no ice.

A forgotten goddess wanders the desert only to realize we are never truly alone. We are the angels we seek.

LOGLINE
When a group home for boys closes and a single mother who has regained custody of her son does not show up on the final day, the house mother must go in search of the boy’s mom before heading off to her new life where she hopes to reconcile with her own estranged daughter.

SYNOPSIS
In a world where division around abortion fuels our headlines, hundreds of thousands of foster children remain in our system without families to care for them long term. More people fight for the rights of unborn children rather than those of children who are currently alive and alone in this country, desperately in need of a stable home. Additionally, funding to support these kids continues to dry up. In this case, the home, Stronghold, has been forced to close due to a lack of funding. And Fran, who has worked tirelessly for decades at this home, must move on. Fran believes she has found placement for all of the boys until Leo’s mother, Shelly, who has regained custody, fails to show up on the home’s final day. Now Fran must try to track down Shelly before she is able to embark on the next chapter of her own life — trying to reconcile with her grown daughter. When she finally finds Shelly, these women must make decisions that will change each of their lives forever — and that of Leo’s.

Detour is a tense, emotional drama about a young woman trapped in the shadows of abuse while working at a high-pressure corporate job. She hides the truth behind polite smiles and late nights, but her friends begin to notice cracks in her carefully built façade. As her boss piles on pressure and hostility, the walls close in, leaving her questioning if she’ll ever find a way out—or if the road she’s on will end in ruin.

A picture-perfect influencer couple, eagerly anticipates the arrival of their unborn son, Asher, as cracks appear in their seemingly flawless facade.

BECCA COMES TO VISIT is a 20 minute short film, produced by emerging filmmakers from Stanford University, centered around two Asian-American siblings who look for comfort in each other, but whose clashing communication styles make it damn near impossible. Unfortunate for them, because Becca and David could both use a friend right now, if they could only break down their defenses and say what they really mean.

19-year-old Becca is an energetic magnet for attention, commanding space and leaving her company under her spell. Her older brother David, passive and non confrontational, is tired of feeling like second fiddle to his sister. Tensions begin when she unexpectedly invites herself to stay at his house and, of course, charms his two friends–while drinking from his wine glass. Not one of the many guest wine glasses.

It is the people closest to us we often overlook the most, the people we have always seen a certain way, making honest vulnerability just seem…out of the question. BECCA is a reminder that even our family can get lonely, and the best way to support them may simply be to let them know that we are lonely too.

When Vera, the matriarch of the quirky Artis family, decides to make a break with her old life, she finds she has to resort to unique measures.

When the wrong dinner arrives 3 hours late, Ava coaches her reluctant best friend Claire through a grueling phone call for a refund. In a fight for the self-respect of women everywhere, Ava’s worldview is challenged as she pushes Claire to stand up for her basic right to the hummus she ordered.

Catherine’s life in her convent is fulfilling and peaceful. When she begins to “see” some troubling things, she begins to question what her God is trying to tell her. Is she missing something? Is something deeper happening? She is desperate for answers, and soon has to make her own decision.

KADAMA examines the meaning of our duty toward our spouses and when that loyalty might shift in favor of a precious grandchild.

Padma’s husband Dileep dies in strange circumstances, making it difficult to label it as an accident, suicide or homicide. As a retired Criminal Psychologist, Padma is delighted. that that Detective Rhodes, a student of hers from the past, has been assigned to question her. She is sure she can outwit him.

But when her tactics fail, Prema begs Rhodes to arrest her and let her granddaughter go. In a surprising move, the Detective, convinced that both were physically abused by Dileep, lets them go.

In the last scene, we watch Rhodes contemplate the potential consequences of his unorthodox action on his professional and personal lives. The possibility remains that police could arrest Prema and her granddaughter again and try them for the murder. Unless they flee to India.

Amid the sun-scorched expanse of California’s desert, two dancers navigate an unforgiving landscape where resources are vanishing. Through movement, the body maps the story of a state grappling with drought and depletion. This film unfolds as a meditation on survival, and the inevitable violence from scarcity.

Nova, an earnest aspiring actress, just wants to be kissed. After a rough breakup and slew of tough auditions, her wish is granted when she’s seduced by the unbelievably hot queer couple of every Silver Lake baddie’s wildest fantasies: Margot and Toni. They invite her to their Den and things get freaky. Having lived in Margot’s shadow for years, Nova is the first third that actually seems to be interested–and maybe even care about Toni. Their connection is undeniable. Not used to losing her iron grip on their practiced threesome dynamic, Margot starts to unravel at the thought of Toni’s autonomy evolving beyond her reach. Will Margot’s jealousy ruin Toni’s financial stability or destroy Nova’s future?

Alzheimer’s is slowly withdrawing Esther from reality, but when Johnny, her devoted husband and caregiver, plays a song she once loved, there’s a temporary respite reminding us that even when memory fades, music remains.

Alfie's husband Ed has advanced Alzheimer's. On his 70th birthday, she arrives at the care facility to discover that he has consumed neither food nor fluids in 24 hours. Alfie must choose quickly between medical intervention or letting the long goodbye come to an end.

When a struggling young musician turns to her grandfather for comfort, she uncovers a hidden piece of his past that reshapes their bond. A tender exploration of generational connection, resilience, and the quiet power of being truly seen.

Catarina, a young and insatiably curious journalist, becomes involved in a contest to discover the most red thing in the world, which strains her relationship with Gabriel. Her growing obsession with finding the answer brings up deep and conflicting emotions about their unstable relationship.

Polly, an outgoing, confident, plus size woman tries to move on after her three year, moderately healthy, relationship comes to an end. With help from her friends, Polly ventures to try the dreaded dating app game that she was hoping to avoid for the remainder of her life. However, when the insidious fat-phobic nature of society starts to ooze all over her, she takes the unsolicited advice of her bestfriend’s boyfriend and unwittingly launches herself into a downward spiral of doubt and shame, leading her to question the value and esteem she’s held onto so tightly. But, changing herself and living her life as someone other than who she is has never appealed to Polly, no matter how much society might push her in that direction. So, Polly decides to take dating into her own hands and go on the offensive, even if that means accepting the fact that things may not always work out in her favor. Polly wants love, she doesn't need it.

Stuck in a nightmarish cycle of failing to check everything off her never ending to-do list, and juggling situationships with noncommittal Los Angeles lovers, Violet must overcome her desire for distraction before her overbearing mother comes to town.

Grieving the loss of her wife, Brin returns home to find what she believes is a mermaid in her pool. But instead of encountering a magical creature, she discovers a trespassing non-binary teen. What begins as an unlikely and humorous friendship soon deepens into something more profound. However, when a dark secret comes to light, it threatens to unravel the bond they've built and reopen old wounds.

"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

Gemma, sobbing with rage, floors it into the desert. She pulls up to an abandoned gas station and checks her texts: the person she’s meeting is late. Gemma lets out a guttural scream as we flashback – to yesterday, when a tense moment between Gemma and her sloppy long-distance boyfriend, Manny, escalates into their swift breakup. Back to present, Manny arrives at the gas station and a vibrant Western showdown ensues. Manny has Gemma’s beloved cat, Frankie, and she has his missing Xbox controller. Frankie gets loose, sparking a race for the feline, resulting in Gemma’s victory! Reunited, Gemma drives off into the sunset with Frankie. An onlooking Cowboy eulogizes Frankie, revealing the film is based on true events.

Isfahan, a Persian-Jewish woman in Los Angeles, is considered, at
thirty-one, to be well past marrying age. So her conservative parents are relieved when she announces her engagement to her younger boyfriend, Kambiz.

Until they learn he is Muslim.

Her father immediately vetoes the marriage, her mother calls the siblings over, and Kambiz gets kicked out of the house. The situation escalates into an all-out confrontation between Isfahan and her family.
As she defends her love, the family defends their traditions, demanding that she honor their religion and old-world values. This intergenerational struggle forces Isfahan to make a decision that will define the rest of her life.

The story of Tanpopo (Dandelion) is about the search of his best friend, Little Bee, and making new friends with Beggar-ticks and Little Dog. The animation covers issues such as nature, environmental protection, pollution, quit farming, eco-friendly farming, climate change, and teamwork by bringing these animals, plants, and nature to daily life. The little girl’s question of “Will they find Little Bee?” in the end of the animation aims to arouses children’s awareness and care for the environment.

In 1892 California, a Victorian woman contemplating adultery is forced to take refuge from a storm at the home of her first husband and his unstable wife, who claims to be haunted by their dead child.

Filmed pre and post October 7th from 2017-2024, The Other focuses on Israeli & Palestinian peace-builders, anti-occupation activists, artists, academics, ex-fighters, bereaved parents and many more living the reality on the ground. Whether in non-violent co-resistance, peace-building, or shared community, we witness those who have only known each other through hate, bloodshed, inequality, and war, transcend beyond narratives & belief systems. They teach us that unlearning deep-seated conditioning is possible and that we can liberate ourselves from generational trauma, hatred and fear—no matter how ingrained and legitimate those fears are.

FLOCKY is an animated allegory navigating pregnancy, exploring the connection between a mother and her unborn child. Set in a melancholic and enchanting world, the film beautifully captures the essence of love, and the poignant nature of loss.

Two women, separately ready to take their own lives by jumping in front of a train, happen to
meet while standing on the platform. Through laughter, drama, and a little bit of luck, they are
both dissuaded and form a new friendship.

In a hospital where everyone’s too busy monologuing or making out in supply closets, one no-nonsense background doctor just wants to treat her patients and avoid the drama—if only the drama would stop following her.

An alien and her human test subject have spent 3 months doing research together. Tensions have risen has each person's understanding of their relationship, or what it could be is different. As the night goes on the true intentions of each is reveal to the other.

Beth (Ali Bastian) is ‘Full of life’ and enjoying the winter sun in her garden speaking to her unseen husband. Beth is bubbly, exuberant but has an air of heaviness on her soul. She has news to bare and she needs to unburden herself to be able to walk freely forward. Her fear of disappointing is matched by her fear of the unknown… or in Beth’s case, the fear of the previously known that Alzheimers is now robbing her of. As she explains that
she is selling the family home and moving into an assisted living abode we realise that the unseen husband is dead but Beth still wants to confide in him.
Our perceptions about age and how a dementia sufferer sees themselves is then challenged with a final ‘reveal’.

A nanny goes on vacation with her affluent employers and uncovers a dark family secret.

After meeting online, a BOY and GIRL are out on their first date. It rapidly devolves into the BOY vomiting out his life in a Howl that ultimately encompasses the entire universe.

Synopsis:
Born with cerebral palsy in 1970s Canada, Tony is bullied at school, but when he discovers Terry Fox, he begins to believe his life holds more value than the world has led him to believe. With the help of his friend David and support from his sister Stella, he earns a spot on the cross-country team alongside his bullies. When he’s hit by a car during training and denied proper medical care, Tony self-medicates. After his father, Antonio, discovers Tony’s addiction, he kicks Tony out onto the streets. Tony finds a community of friends at the shelter and begins to fall for a volunteer named Diana. Years later, Tony’s parents check him into rehab, where he finds sobriety and newfound hope, but soon relapses after his father’s criticism. Tony’s luck momentarily turns around. He’s granted permanent housing, lands a job and begins dating Diana. But soon after, Tony is fired due to his disability, which leads
him back to drinking. As a result, he breaks up with Diana and is evicted from his apartment. As America’s crack epidemic bleeds into Canada, Tony spirals and turns to prostitution. After learning he has AIDS, Tony refuses treatment and tries to end
his life but is saved by a stranger. Tony rents a couch from a drug-addicted couple named Dan and Jessie. After a chance encounter with David, Tony chooses treatment, makes amends with his mother, and visits Antonio despite his memory. He urges Stella to take her son and leave Chris after learning that he’s been abusing her. Instead of buying more drugs, Tony spends the last of his money on Jessie’s baby. After Dan confronts Tony over unpaid rent, Tony falls to his death. His passing gives Stella the strength to leave Chris and run the Marathon of Hope.

This film is a supernatural thriller about a family living in the same space but not really together. The phone keeps ringing, but Beatrice, our protagonist, is the only one who seems to notice. The intentions of the caller are unclear until Beatrice discovers something hidden within the walls of her own home, a secret room outside of time where she gets trapped.

Izidor is a disabled orphan trapped in a world of animation. He lives in a hidden asylum where “defective” children are banished and abused in 1988 communist Romania. Izidor spends his days staring out the window at a world he is not allowed to touch. That is, until the day nanny Onisa takes him home for the night. Once they step outside the asylum gate, the world transforms into live action – it’s real! Izidor is spellbound by the sights and sounds of village life. He delights in the beauty of love and belonging in Onisa’s family. But all too soon, Izidor remembers where he really belongs. Was Onisa’s courageous act of kindness a terrible mistake?

When their pastor mother suffers a devastating fall from her pulpit, two estranged sisters are forced to return to their childhood home to care for her. As they wrestle with unresolved childhood trauma and their mother's part in it, church repair work uncovers their grandfather's hidden notebook, revealing dark truths about their family's religious dynasty. Complicating matters is one sister's growing certainty that she's experiencing visions of the past within the walls of their old home, which sits in the shadow of their grandfather's church. As three generations of buried trauma and religious hypocrisy come to light, from 1940s ministry beginnings through 1950s Hollywood to present-day reckoning, the sisters must decide whether stripping back their family's carefully constructed facade is worth destroying everything and everyone they love.

A heartfelt drama that unfolds through the intimate lens of a home video camera. It tells the story of Luke, a firefighter, and his family, as they navigate the heartbreaking aftermath of September 11th. Capturing the family's everyday moments, juxtaposed against the backdrop of Luke's declining health due to 9/11-related illnesses, the film immerses us in the love, grief, and strength of a family as they confront a system that chooses to ignore the ongoing challenges of a tragedy that continues to shape their lives.

During her senior year of college, Mia discovers that the father who abandoned her has a new family, leading her down a dangerous path of obsession with her half-sister, Isabella — a young woman living the life Mia believes was meant to be hers.

As the video reaches its climax, the cityscape and desert transforms into a beautiful array of colors, symbolizing unity. Her mesmerizing performance and message becomes clear: "People Are People," and the importance of embracing humanity. In the end, Vaja's meaningful journey captures the pure essence of her story.

Bianca, a 50-year-old Latina, lives a wild, reckless life in a rundown trailer in Port Isabel, Texas, working as a bartender on South Padre Island. As her looks fade and younger women take the best shifts, she resorts to trading sexual favors for prescription meds, which she sells to make ends meet. Her addiction-fueled lifestyle has destroyed her relationships with her daughter and father, leaving her isolated and on the edge.

When her estranged, obese, half-Black grandson is suddenly thrust into her custody, Bianca’s chaotic world is turned upside down. Starving for love and using food as his only comfort, the boy forces her to confront the mess she’s made of her life. Can Bianca clean up her act and become the parental figure he so desperately needs, or will her self-destructive tendencies push her further into the darkness?

This raw, raunchy tale explores the collision of guilt, redemption, and the unlikely bond between a broken woman and the grandson who just might save her.

She’s Got It is a cinematic pop reverie that turns self-doubt into sparkle. In this whimsical and satirical music video, an aspiring starlet flubs a tennis lesson, only to be knocked out and launched into a surreal daydream where she becomes the radiant icon she has always imagined. With vintage flair, playful choreography, and a swoon-worthy romance with the director calling the shots, the video blurs the lines between fantasy and failure. At its core, She’s Got It is a love letter to dreamers, to those bold enough to believe in a future more dazzling than their present.

Directed By: Charisma Chen, Grace Shi

Rescued Hearts is a powerful documentary that explores the profound and often miraculous connection between humans and horses.

Inspired by a life-changing moment—when a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with autism spoke his first words while interacting with a horse—filmmakers Dana Croschere and Krisanna Sexton set out to uncover the deeper meaning behind this extraordinary connection.

Through deeply moving personal stories, expert insights, and research, Rescued Hearts explores how horses serve as catalysts for healing and transformation, helping us open our hearts and reconnect with our authentic selves. The film not only highlights lives forever changed through these experiences but also reveals a profound truth: healing is never one-sided.

Rescued Hearts isn’t just the story of horses—it’s the story of all of us, offering an invitation for deeper connection with ourselves, each other, and all of nature.

Elle and Jonah are reeling after their young child, Kai, receives a life changing medical diagnosis. On the run from facing the unthinkable, they turn to a retired grief counselor, Sarah. By being in Sarah's world, they are forced to face unspeakable truths and something within them begins to crack and let in the faintest of lights.

Marina is caregiving for her aging father and strange leaks are dripping from the ceiling. As she and her dad journey up the stairs, the leaks worsen, his memory falters, and Marina struggles to keep her wits about her. In the end, they share a peaceful moment in a bedroom fully submerged in water – a half-oceanic, half-domestic time of otherworldly grief.

Two young men — one in a relationship with another man, and one in a relationship with a woman — explore both LA and their connection over the course of one night.

A woman wakes up in an abandoned basement at the mercy of an enigmatic killer who forces her to confront her darkest secret. In the end, he only asks her one thing: “Are you sorry?”

Bobby Haden Church is a struggling actor living in Omaha, Nebraska. The younger brother of Hollywood star Thomas Haden Church, Bobby refuses to rest on his siblings laurels. Instead, Bobby works hard to build his own path with the help of his acting coach, aspiring peers, adopted-home-town network and coworkers.

A dancer, Jo, agrees to participate in a self-made piece as a favor to a choreographer friend of hers. In doing so, she agrees to perform with Victoria, a fellow dancer who used to be Jo's best friend. While developing this new dance, Jo is also processing the loss of her grandmother. The two did not have the best relationship, and Jo struggles to express her mixture of emotions in the way she wishes she could. This creates a rift between Jo and her sister, Shannon, who cannot understand Jo’s distancing herself from the entire situation. The frustration of this misunderstanding, combined with repeatedly confusing interactions with Victoria, leads to Jo’s eventual emotional demise. The film culminates with the choreographer’s dance piece, though it doesn’t necessarily go as planned.