AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE TO OUR SCREENINGS BY GENRE
- 9 hours ago
- 22 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
PAIFF 2026 offers a rich and wide-ranging lineup of 78 films across 10 broad genre styles, adding up to an impressive 38 hours and 33 minutes of programming. The festival is anchored by a strong nonfiction core, with 19 documentaries totaling 19 hours and 33 minutes, followed by 12 dramas totaling 9 hours and 24 minutes, showing just how deeply this year’s schedule leans into powerful real-world stories and emotionally resonant character-driven cinema. At the same time, the program is energized by 10 music videos (42 minutes), 8 science fiction / speculative / experimental / poetic works (1 hour and 34 minutes), 7 animated films (39 minutes), 7 thriller / suspense selections (2 hours and 4 minutes), and 6 kid-centric / family-oriented films (1 hour and 6 minutes), with additional room for 3 comedies (1 hour and 22 minutes), 3 fantasy / magical realism titles (54 minutes), and 3 crime / noir / underworld films (1 hour and 15 minutes). Together, these numbers reveal a festival designed to balance substance, imagination, emotion, and entertainment, giving audiences everything from urgent documentaries and intimate dramas to playful shorts, bold experiments, and late-night genre fare. Attendees are encouraged to look closely at the screening schedule and chart their own course through the festival based on the styles of storytelling they most enjoy.
Below is a detailed look at ALL of our screenable films by genre (screenplay presentations not included):
Documentary / Nonfiction — 19 films
Acre Wall Jumpers, dir. by Donna Hacohen & Fira, (Israel), Doc Short, 56 min, Session 3-b
In Acre’s old city, children and teens spend the long summer days leaping from the ancient walls into the sea below, where a ritual of courage, friendship, and belonging shapes their passage into adolescence. Set against a striking coastal landscape, this documentary offers an intimate look at youthful masculinity and a vivid coming-of-age tradition that is both exhilarating and deeply rooted in place.
Adas Falasteen, dir. by Hamdi Khalil Elhusseini & Samar Taher Lulu, (Palestine), Doc Short, 8 min, Session 1
Palestine Lentils follows a Palestinian chef in Gaza who turns cooking into an act of care and resistance, using his craft to help his community endure the famine brought on by war. Centered on resilience, resourcefulness, and shared humanity, this documentary offers a moving portrait of hope sustained through food.
Big Mama Thornton: I Can't Be Anyone But Me, dir. by Robert Clem, (United States), Doc Feature, 88 min, Sessions 1 and 6
This powerful documentary honors the life and legacy of blues icon Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, a groundbreaking artist whose fierce authenticity and influence helped shape American music history. Audiences drawn to music, cultural history, and stories of creative resilience will find this portrait of a singular voice both inspiring and long overdue.
Class Of Her Own, dir. by Boaz Dvir, (United States), Doc Feature, 87 min, Session 7-b
Class Of Her Own tells the remarkable true story of Gloria Jean Merriex, an educator who transformed her classroom by rejecting rigid systems and creating her own bold, music-driven teaching methods. This uplifting documentary offers an energizing reminder that innovation, courage, and high expectations can radically change lives, making it especially compelling for educators, parents, and changemakers.
Dayton Guitars, dir. by D. Emmet Wilson, (United States), Doc Short, 17 min, Sessions 2 and 7-b
This documentary traces the life of Dayton luthier and musician Dennis Rotterman, whose handcrafted guitars and music have resonated with some of rock’s biggest stars. Rooted in his humble Ohio beginnings, the film celebrates a lifetime devoted to artistry, craft, and the enduring spirit of rock and roll.
Flowers Beyond The Dark, dir. by Iryna Pravylo, (Ukraine), Doc Feature, 78 min, Sessions 3-b and 6
Filmed during and after the occupation of the Kyiv region, Flowers Beyond The Dark captures artists, soldiers, clergy, and civilians living through devastation while searching for meaning, faith, and renewal. In the director’s words, the film is about “life overcoming death,” offering audiences an intimate and courageous portrait of resilience in the face of unspeakable loss.
Food Roots, dir. by Michele Josue, (United States), Doc Short, 60 min, Session 5-b
FOOD ROOTS follows Chicago restaurateur and television personality Billy Dec as he travels to the Philippines to reconnect with his last living elders, recover family recipes, and explore the cultural legacy that shaped him. Blending food, family, and personal discovery, the film offers a warm and heartfelt journey that will especially appeal to viewers drawn to stories of heritage and identity.
Hanging The Dead, dir. by Rahul Dholakia, (India), Doc Short, 29 min, Session 1
Chadotaru: Hanging the Dead examines the Bhil Adivasi practice of suspending a murder victim’s body until justice is carried out, following one grieving family in Gujarat as they endure months of waiting under a parallel system of tribal law. With rare access and clear-eyed sensitivity, the documentary offers a powerful look at grief, tradition, and justice that will stay with viewers interested in urgent, underreported realities.
Jailhouse To Milhouse, dir. by Buddy Farmer, (United States), Doc Feature, 67 min, Sessions 5-b and 6
This inspiring documentary follows the extraordinary true story of Pamela Hayden, beloved voice of Milhouse on The Simpsons, as she reflects on surviving trauma, institutional hardship, and profound setbacks before dedicating herself to helping teen girls overcome adversity. Told with candor, warmth, and surprising humor, the film delivers exactly the kind of uplifting emotional arc that stays with an audience.
Leaving Beringia, dir. by Barbara Hager, (Canada / United States / Mexico), Doc Feature, 90 min, Session 7-a
In a deeply personal and expansive documentary journey, Métis/Cree filmmaker Barbara Hager travels to some of the oldest archaeological sites in the Americas to explore Indigenous origin stories alongside scientific inquiry. This film offers audiences a fascinating and necessary re-examination of long-held narratives, opening space for a broader and more culturally grounded understanding of human arrival, memory, and belonging.
Mutation (Mutacion), dir. by Carlo Ayhllón, (Mexico), Doc Feature, 60 min, Session 5-a
Structured in three movements, Mutation explores the conception, creative process, and world premiere of Carlo Ayhllón’s contemporary orchestral work, bringing audiences inside a rare collision of philosophy, performance, and sound experimentation. This documentary is an ideal screening for music lovers, composers, and curious viewers eager to experience the rigor and beauty behind ambitious contemporary art.
Over The Moon: My Adventures Dealing With Cults, dir. by Michael A. Smith & Ted E. Haynes, (United States), Doc Feature, 66 min, , Session 3-b
This documentary dives into the dangerous and emotionally charged world of cult intervention, focusing on the personal risks once taken to rescue and deprogram vulnerable young adults. With real-life stakes, moral complexity, and a subject that remains deeply relevant, it promises a gripping and conversation-sparking screening.
Sargassum, dir. by Claude Barnes, (Canada / United States / Barbados / Mexico), Doc Feature, 90 min, , Session 7
Both visually immersive and urgently relevant, Sargassum explores the paradox of a floating marine ecosystem that is essential at sea yet increasingly devastating when it overwhelms coastlines. For Caribbean communities especially, this film will resonate as both an environmental wake-up call and a look at the ingenuity being applied to one of the region’s most pressing natural challenges.
Shield. The Living Wall Of The Caribbean, dir. by Mario Cuesta Hernando, (Spain / United States / Mexico / Panama / Puerto Rico), Doc Feature, 80 min, , Session 3-b
This timely documentary examines how mangroves and coral reefs serve as critical natural defenses against hurricanes and drought across the Caribbean, even as climate change and human impact threaten their survival. With strong regional relevance and a built-in sense of urgency, it is an important screening for audiences who care about science, conservation, and the future of coastal communities.
The Reencounter. 500 Years Moctezuma And Cortés, dir. by Miguel Gleason, (Mexico), Doc Feature, 100 min, , Session 2
This thought-provoking documentary explores the deep cultural divide still felt in Mexico through a symbolic modern-day reunion tied to the legacies of Moctezuma and Cortés. By examining resentment, identity, and the possibility of reconciliation, the film offers audiences a meaningful invitation to reflect on history not as a closed chapter, but as something still living inside the present.
The Unfixing, dir. by Nicole Betancourt, (Spain / United States), Doc Feature, 87 min, Session 4
A deeply personal and visually layered documentary, The Unfixing follows Nicole Betancourt through chronic illness, family struggle, ecological grief, and an evolving search for renewal. As Betancourt writes, the film seeks to offer “another way to face the sickness in our bodies and the earth,” making it a powerful and poetic choice for audiences drawn to healing, reflection, and emotionally daring nonfiction.
The Weekend Sailor, dir. by Bernardo Arsuaga, (Mexico), Feature, 74 min SPECIAL BONUS FEATURE, Session 8
This documentary recounts how Ramón Carlin, a self-taught Mexican sailor, entered the grueling Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race with a crew of family and friends and improbably outsailed far more experienced international teams. Blending adventure, family conflict, and an underdog true story, it offers an inspiring ride for viewers drawn to remarkable feats of persistence and heart.
This Is How The Mexican Revolution Began, dir. by Nurh Elizabeth Trejo Aguilar, (Mexico), Doc Short, 6 min, , Session 7-b
This work examines the deep inequality and social injustice that grew during more than three decades of Porfirio Díaz’s rule, tracing how that unrest helped spark the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Grounded in history and civic reflection, it offers an accessible and engaging perspective for viewers interested in Mexico’s struggle for justice and social change.
Zubr: Here Be Giants, dir. by Giles Pitman, (United Kingdom), Doc Short, 30 min, Session 7-a
Following a bison ranger’s journey from the UK to Poland’s Białowieża Forest, this documentary explores how Europe’s largest land mammals are helping restore ecosystems and reshape our relationship with the wild. Grounded in curiosity and hope, it offers an inspiring perspective for viewers interested in conservation, rewilding, and living more closely with nature.
Drama — 12 films
Aloof (Desdén), dir. by Dylan Vega Aragon, (Mexico), Short, 12 min, Session 4
When a man living with schizophrenia runs out of his medication, his grip on reality begins to unravel, leading him toward actions that will haunt him forever. This intimate psychological drama offers a stark, human look at mental illness and invites audiences to reflect with empathy on a struggle often faced in silence.
All Saints Day, dir. by Matt Aaron Krinsky, (Canada), Feature, 99 min SPECIAL BONUS FEATURE, , Session 6
When their eldest brother’s alcoholism and dementia worsen inside the family’s Chelsea apartment, fiercely loyal Ronan turns to their estranged brother Mickey—a priest who left home years ago—for help, setting off a tense and fragile reunion. This intimate family drama offers a sharp, compassionate look at care, denial, and the ties that keep pulling us back, making it an affecting choice for viewers drawn to richly observed character stories.
Cats, dir. by Danilo Stanimirović, (Serbia / Switzerland), Short, 10 min, Session 1 and 7-b
When eight-year-old Miša finds an abandoned kitten on the street, he clings to it in a desperate attempt to draw out the affection missing from his fractured home. This intimate drama observes childhood loneliness with quiet sensitivity, inviting audiences into a poignant story about the need for care and connection.
Dreamer, dir. by Juan Javier “Javo” Aguirre, (United States), Short, 20 min, Session 2
After a young girl loses her mother while crossing the U.S.–Mexico border, an act of unexpected kindness helps shape the life she builds in the years that follow. Anchored by compassion and resilience, this emotional drama offers a humane perspective on migration that may especially resonate with viewers drawn to stories of survival, dignity, and grace.
Homicide, dir. by Nima Tabandeh, (Iran), Short, 10 min, Session 1
At dawn, a grieving family travels to prison to carry out the execution of the man convicted of murdering their son, exposing the brutal machinery of state punishment. This stark Iranian drama confronts justice, vengeance, and loss with unsettling clarity, offering a powerful experience for viewers drawn to urgent, socially engaged cinema.
Piggy Duster, dir. by Jesse Stewart, (United States), Feature, 91 min, Session 3-a
Set on a high-altitude camping trip interrupted by a grizzly bear, Piggy Duster uses wilderness tension as the backdrop for a deeply personal story of family fracture and attempted repair between a teenage girl and her stepfather. Director Jesse Stewart describes it as “a love letter to our sons, sisters, daughters, and fathers,” and that emotional sincerity gives this intimate feature its pull.
The Color Of Exile, dir. by Azlarabe Alaoui, (France), Feature, 98 min, Session 3-a
Set in motion by persecution and shaped by an unforgiving journey, The Color Of Exile follows a young albino boy and his mother as they navigate desert crossings, superstition, and the brutal realities of displacement. Emotionally urgent and visually striking, the film invites audiences into a deeply human story about survival, rejection, and the search for dignity in an ever-shifting world.
The Dog, My Father And Us., dir. by Pablo Arturo Suárez, (Ecuador), Feature, 90 min, Session 5-a
This darkly humorous family drama centers on a 45-year-old man whose life begins unraveling all at once, forcing him to confront work, marriage, aging, family tension, and long-buried resentments. As director Pablo Arturo Suárez notes, the film uses humor to explore how Sebastián must “change and reformulate” his life, making this a relatable and emotionally rewarding watch for anyone who understands that family chaos often reveals what matters most.
The Rivals, dir. by Fraser James MacLeod, (Sweden), Short, 25 min, Session 2
When Connor returns to town, his reunion with William stirs old memories, buried resentments, and a growing jealousy that sends William down an increasingly destructive path. Sharp, messy, and emotionally revealing, the film offers an engaging look at friendship, ambition, and the complicated feelings that can surface when the past comes back into view.
The Shell, dir. by Marco Santos, (Portugal), Short, 7 min, Session 1
Haunted by the world’s constant noise and suffering, a young woman retreats to the sea in search of silence and relief. Quietly evocative and emotionally focused, the film offers a contemplative experience for viewers drawn to intimate stories of inner turmoil and escape.
Vas Mar, dir. by Nima Tabandeh, (Iran), Short, 20 min, Session 1
As Nowruz approaches, an elderly woman grieving her husband’s sudden death must choose between surrendering to despair and carrying forward the hopeful life they built together. Tender and deeply human, the film offers a moving reflection on loss, resilience, and the quiet power of continuing on.
Welcome To Vegas, dir. by Hae Sun Hong, (United States / Korea), Feature, 82 min, , Session 4
Hae Sun Hong’s debut feature is a moving intergenerational portrait of survival, migration, and the emotional weight carried between a mother and son trying to rebuild their lives in Las Vegas. Blending raw feeling with cultural specificity, the film promises a heartfelt and resonant experience; as Hong writes, “Laughter and tears often walk hand in hand,” and this story lives in that space.
Music Video — 10 films
Ahorita, dir. by Simone Coppo, (Italy), Music Video, 4 min, Session 1
On a sunlit beach, the Masked Singer becomes captivated by a mysterious girl who drifts in and out of his world between parties and cliffs, embodying the fleeting nature of time and the present moment. This playful, reflective piece invites viewers to savor the beauty of the “ahorita”—the ever-changing now.
Blue Moanin', dir. by Allen Brooks, (United States), Music Video, 5 min, Session 1
Veteran musician Allen Brooks reimagines Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s 1974 song “Blue Moanin’” with a harder-edged rock cover and a surreal music video built from collage-style animation and cut-out imagery. Blending playful visual influences with decades of rock experience, the piece offers fans a bold tribute that both honors and reinvents a classic track.
Darling Dark – Ma Mort, dir. by Ju Conci, (Brazil), Music Video, 3 min, Session 1
The music video for “ma mort,” the debut track from darling dark project, uses rich symbolism to explore the many forms grief can take over the course of a life. With its evocative imagery and emotional depth, it offers a resonant experience for viewers drawn to intimate, visually expressive meditations on loss.
Darling Dark – Time Still Breaks, dir. by Ju Conci, (Brazil), Music Video, 4 min, Session 1
In this visually layered music video, fractured faces, warped clocks, and a shattered mirror turn a song about time into a meditation on how we dream, love, and imagine meaning against what we cannot control. Its striking imagery and emotional clarity offer viewers an immersive experience that will especially resonate with audiences drawn to poetic, concept-driven music videos.
Fight For Me, dir. by Juanfer Andres, (Spain), Music Video, 4 min, Session 1
“Fight For Me” traces the collapse of a relationship as one partner pleads for love that is no longer being returned. With emotional clarity and raw vulnerability, the song captures the painful moment between holding on and letting go, making it especially resonant for listeners drawn to honest heartbreak ballads.
Got That Holy Spirit, dir. by Ayanda Andiy Nxum, (Australia), Music Video, 3 min, Session 1
Shot in Johannesburg’s Maboneng district, this music video for Daughter of the Son’s “GOT THAT HOLY SPIRIT” captures the artist singing and connecting with the local community, celebrating shared joy, faith, and musical energy. With its vibrant street-level spirit and feel-good gospel afrobeats pulse, it offers an uplifting watch grounded in genuine connection.
Heart Failed, dir. by Diana Näcke, (Germany), Music Video, 4 min, Session 1
In this single-take music video for Masha Qrella’s “Heart Failed,” an AI-generated spectacle is projected onto the artist’s body, transforming her into a surreal, balloon-filled hall of mirrors populated by playful, subversive figures. Blending pop performance with sharp visual wit, it offers an inventive reflection on control, artifice, and the strange allure of AI-generated imagery.
Little Darling, dir. by Xavier Guàrdia, (Spain), Music Video, 4 min, Session 1
In this music video, a Mexican singer and a Catalan soprano reimagine “Cielito Lindo” as a duet, blending Spanish and Catalan to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved traditional song. Connected to the feature film Barcelona Tourist Walk, it offers a thoughtful cross-cultural interpretation that will especially appeal to viewers who enjoy music-driven cinema and inventive takes on familiar classics.
Searching For That Sea, dir. by Xavier Guàrdia, (Spain), Music Video, 4 min, Session 1
This music video captures the Spanish band CRUDEZAS in the studio as they shape “Buscando ese Mar,” the central song for the documentary feature Ruta al Paraíso. Offering an intimate glimpse into the creative process, it should especially appeal to viewers interested in music, collaboration, and the energy behind a song’s creation.
Touch of Clash, dir. by Moe Taylor, (United States), Music Video, 7 min, Session 1
Composed of 10,000 rapidly sequenced images, this film creates a high-speed portrait of women through a striking range of personalities, expressions, and identities. Bold and visually kinetic, it offers an arresting experience for viewers interested in experimental form and the many ways femininity can be seen and felt.
Science Fiction / Speculative / Experimental / Poetic Cinema — 8 films
Elias Ai, dir. by Marco Casado, (Mexico), Animation, 11 min, Session 1
Blending environmental reflection with a story about storytelling itself, Elias examines deforestation, the politics of representation, and the challenge of capturing reality in the age of artificial intelligence. Experimental and intellectually provocative, the film offers a distinctive viewing experience for audiences interested in cinema that questions both its subject and its own means of creation.
Invaders Of The Valley Saloon, dir. by Dustin Tidwell, (United States), Short, 12 min, Session 1 and 7-b
A saloon in the old west is visited by extra terrestrial beings.
Olympus Plays On, dir. by Rodyz Art, (Belgium), Animation, 5 min, Session 1
This work reflects an artist’s exploration of AI as a creative tool, using technology to express ideas, experiences, and dreams through an expanded imaginative lens. It offers a timely and thought-provoking perspective that may especially resonate with viewers curious about the evolving relationship between art, technology, and human creativity.
PeriPerseu, dir. by Stella Brajterman, (Brazil), Short, 5 min, Session 1
Part two of the Icor trilogy, PeriPerseu is a visual poem inspired by Greek myth that reflects on Perseus and Danae through the mother’s body as a vessel for new life. Blending mythic imagery with embodied, experimental form, the film offers a meditative experience that should appeal to viewers drawn to poetic cinema and hybrid artistic expression.
Somber Tides, dir. by Chantal Caron, (Canada), Short, 12 min, Session 1
Somber Tides evokes a world on the brink, where life struggles against wind, water, and the threat of extinction in a visceral cry for survival. With its elemental imagery and embodied intensity, the film offers a striking experience for viewers drawn to dance-driven cinema and urgent reflections on the natural world.
The Family Photo, dir. by John Norris Ray & Maria Victoria Sanchez, (United States), Animation, 9 min, Sessions 6 and 7-b
This animated short imagines the far-reaching consequences of a family photo left on the moon by an Earth astronaut more than fifty years ago, turning a small gesture into a cosmic chain reaction. Blending curiosity, wonder, and speculative imagination, it offers an engaging premise that should appeal to viewers drawn to thoughtful science fiction and inventive animation.
The Life Of Dae-Vee Six, dir. by JD McWilliams, (United States), Short, 11 min, Session 6
Stranded on a doomed planet, a malfunctioning android repeats the same two-kilometer route as a fragmented human consciousness recounts the life inside it in this cerebral sci-fi horror film. Eerie, disorienting, and conceptually bold, it offers a distinctive experience for viewers drawn to unsettling speculative cinema and psychological unease.
The Space Between Attack And Decay, dir. by Jessica Kourkounis, (United States), Short, 29 min, Sessions 1 and 4
Under a gray, fractured world, a sailing scientist’s rigid ritual begins to unravel when a chrome apparition appears and a radio’s cryptic commands pull him into a surreal journey across disjointed landscapes. Atmospheric and visually striking, the film offers an intriguing blend of sci-fi, mystery, and abstraction for viewers drawn to dreamlike cinema and fragile glimmers of hope.
Animation — 7 films
Miami Creek, C. 1350, dir. by Walter Bender, (United States), Animation / Music Video, 5 min, Session 1
Set in a woodland near Miami Creek, this period romance follows a young Native woman whose secret longing for a warrior is suddenly tested when a charging buffalo turns a tender encounter into a fight for survival. Blending natural beauty, danger, and longing, the film offers an intimate dramatic moment that should appeal to viewers drawn to romance with a strong sense of place and suspense.
Prayer Of The Sea, dir. by Martin Gerigk, (Germany), Animation, 7 min, Session 1
In this audiovisual elegy, a composer revisits a formative dream that inspired the slow movement of his first string quartet and, decades later, reflects on its vision of death as a peaceful return to sea and wind. Meditative and emotionally resonant, the film offers a serene contemplation of mortality that will speak to viewers drawn to poetic, music-driven cinema.
The Future With Us, dir. by Ziping Yu, (China), Animation, 2 min, Session 1
This film reflects on the fate of traditional Chinese cultural practices—including opera, Tai Chi, calligraphy, and embroidery—as they confront the pressures of modernization and technological change. With striking imagery and an open-ended emotional arc, it offers a thoughtful viewing experience for audiences interested in culture, innovation, and the question of what we choose to carry forward.
The Little Ancestor, dir. by Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur, (Canada), Animation, 12 min, Session 1
On a windswept hill, an ancestral house rises from an empty landscape and quietly bears witness to 150 years of life, change, and the relentless advance of the city around it. With its poetic sense of time and place, this animated short offers a moving reflection on memory, impermanence, and urban transformation that should resonate with viewers drawn to contemplative visual storytelling.
The Mythological Serpent, dir. by Miguel Gleason, (Mexico), Animation, 3 min, Session 1
Blending history and reflection, this documentary explores how shared myths, legends, and acts of collective belief shape civilizations and influence the encounter between two vastly different cultures. Thought-provoking and conceptually rich, it offers an engaging perspective for viewers interested in history, identity, and the stories societies tell to understand themselves.
The Series 10K, dir. by Dan Hertzog, (United States), Animation, 7 min, Sessions 2 and 7-b
In the misty hills of Scotland, a courteous pie-serving machine becomes a quiet witness to the kindness and cruelty of the workers it serves, learning more than its customers realize. Blending offbeat humor with a sly edge, the film offers a memorable fable for viewers who enjoy whimsical world-building with a darker undercurrent.
Underneath, dir. by Matthew James Bissett-Johnson, (Australia), Animation, 3 min, Session 1
A geometric figure pursues a blob through an underground complex in this stripped-down, surreal animated chase. Playful and enigmatic, the film offers a distinctive visual experience for viewers drawn to abstraction, absurdity, and animation that invites interpretation.
Thriller / Suspense — 7 films
Diego Velazquez: A Body Of Work, dir. by Walter E. Haussner, (United States), Short, 20 min, Session 2
An art dealer’s long pursuit of a missing masterpiece leads him to a discovery shaped by obsession, secrecy, and the seductive surface of appearances. With its intrigue and darkly playful edge, this compact drama offers a clever twist for viewers drawn to stories where art and desire blur in unexpected ways.
El Búnker, dir. by Rodrigo Gil Becerra & Bruno Leal Herrera, (Mexico), Short, 14 min, Session 4
After the apocalypse drives him into a bunker with three companions, a survivalist is forced to confront an impossible choice when dwindling supplies expose the fragile logic holding his world together. Blending psychological tension with existential drama, this unsettling short offers a compelling portrait of isolation, survival, and the will to step back into the unknown.
Hide, dir. by Brenden Hubbard, (United States), Short, 17 min, Session 1
After a devastating loss, a father and daughter hold tight to their nightly bedtime ritual as an unspeakable horror stalks their town after dark. This haunting short pairs emotional intimacy with creeping dread in a way that should especially appeal to viewers drawn to atmospheric horror with a strong human core.
Man Eater, dir. by Alexander Whitrow, (Australia), Short, 25 min, Session 1
After a gruesome act of self-defense, a young woman branded a psychopath is confined to an asylum and forced to confront an impossible choice between her freedom and her moral conscience. Set against a chilling mid-century system of punishment and control, this psychological drama offers a tense, character-driven story that will resonate with viewers drawn to dark social critique and morally fraught suspense.
Night Shift At Ned's, dir. by Hagen Mattingly, (United States), Short, 25 min, Session 5-b
A veteran waitress takes the graveyard shift at a Deep South diner and quickly discovers that its late-night patrons are far more sinister than the usual difficult customers. Mixing horror, comedy, and workplace chaos, the film promises sharp laughs and supernatural mayhem for viewers who enjoy genre fun with a relatable bite.
Orange Cove, dir. by John Lockmer, (United States), Short, 12 min, Session 6
When Craig hires a film restoration artist to revive footage from his late grandparents’ ranch, the project stirs increasingly strange encounters that blur the line between memory, imagination, and reality. Balancing mystery with emotional warmth, the film offers an offbeat and engaging reflection on grief, trauma, and the stories we tell ourselves to move forward.
Parasomnia, dir. by Daniel Noblom Gibert, (Spain), Short, 11 min, Session 4
When a traffic light turns green, a young man suddenly finds himself unable to move anything but his eyes as the world flows past him and his surroundings grow increasingly strange and menacing. This unsettling psychological thriller draws viewers into a tense, immersive experience that will appeal to those who enjoy suspense rooted in fear, isolation, and distorted reality.
Kid-Centric / Family-Oriented — 6 films
Cell Buddies, dir. by Melle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jurgen de Smit, Arjen van der Plas, (Netherlands), Animation, 6 min, Session 7-b
In this playful stop-motion animation, a grumpy raccoon and a sweet but dim manatee become unlikely cellmates whose chaotic jailbreak begins to turn irritation into friendship. Packed with slapstick mishaps and handmade charm, the film celebrates the messy magic of trust and the unexpected bonds that can form in the unlikeliest places.
Gum, dir. by Belal Albader, (Saudi Arabia), Short, 10 min, Session 7-b
A child with Down syndrome experiences first love for the first time, setting off a deeply personal journey through unfamiliar emotions and choices he may not be ready to face. Grounded in empathy and emotional honesty, this award-winning short offers a moving coming-of-age story that invites audiences to connect with its protagonist as a full, vibrant human being.
It's About Time, dir. by Dan Hertzog, (United States), Short, 21 min, , Session 7-b
After sneaking into an abandoned mansion, nine-year-old Justine discovers a pocket watch that bends time and is pulled through a series of eerie, unpredictable worlds as she struggles to reclaim it. Blending fantasy, mystery, and coming-of-age adventure, the film offers a visually imaginative journey with emotional stakes that should appeal to viewers drawn to youthful wonder and uncanny thrills.
Little Wings, dir. by Kyu Dong Min, (South Korea), Animation, 7 min, Session 7-b
A young girl draws on her imagination and the legacy of her father as she pursues her dream of flying in this gentle fantasy. With its emotional warmth and sense of wonder, the film offers an uplifting experience for viewers drawn to stories about childhood dreams and enduring love.
Superschoolers 2. A Healthy Mind, dir. by Íñigo Echávarri, (Spain), Animation, 6 min, Session 7-b
Amaya and Telmo spend a playful day discovering that the mind, like an engine, needs care and energy to keep going. With warmth, humor, and a gentle educational touch, this charming short offers young audiences and families an inviting way to talk about mental health, friendship, and asking for help.
To Fly, dir. by Mohsen Khademi, (Iran), Short, 16 min, Session 7-b
In a remote village, a girl escapes into the mountains to save her beloved duck and, with the help of a mysterious boy who can hear distant sounds, arrives at a mystical place where loss becomes transformation. Gentle and lyrical, the film offers a moving experience for viewers drawn to stories of childhood wonder, love, and letting go.
Comedy / Dark Comedy — 3 films
Audience, dir. by Tom Miller (United States), Feature, 65 min, Session 5-a
Tom Miller’s Audience invites viewers into a delightfully surreal, layered, and self-aware theatrical experience where the line between spectator and performer begins to collapse in unexpected ways. With sharp wit, inventive structure, and a playful skewering of avant-garde pretension, this is a must-see for audiences who enjoy films that challenge perspective while remaining genuinely funny and accessible.
Deadline, dir. by Idan Gilboa, (Israel), Animation, 15 min, Session 1
In this stop-motion black comedy, two elderly women forge a fierce bond as they confront bureaucracy, death, and a society that has cast them aside. With its sharp satire, handmade energy, and gleefully unruly spirit, the film should especially delight viewers who enjoy dark humor with a rebellious heart.
The Ale, dir. by Adrian Eppel, (Australia), Short, 2 min, Sessions 1 and 2
Heartbroken and hoping to drink alone, Sam finds his plans upended when three friends descend on his Melbourne bar and turn his misery into surreal, unruly chaos. Mixing absurd comedy with real emotional warmth, the film offers a fast, affectionate portrait of friendship that should especially connect with viewers who appreciate humor with heart.
Fantasy / Magical Realism — 3 films
Curandero (Healer), dir. by Armando Arenas, (Mexico), Short, 20 min, Session 4
When Manuel’s wife is near death, he sets out on a desperate journey to find a legendary healer said to have the power to persuade Death to spare the living. Blending folklore, grief, and spiritual mystery, this poignant debut offers an evocative meditation on loss that will resonate with viewers drawn to emotionally rich, mythic storytelling.
The Amazing Kitsuverse, dir. by Leo Neumann, (Germany), Animation, 6 min, Sessions 1 and 7-b
An elderly woman is lured by a sly fox into a magical realm where every wish can be granted with a clap, only to discover that its enchantment comes at the cost of her individuality. Blending fable-like fantasy with a pointed contemporary edge, the film offers a visually imaginative cautionary tale that will appeal to viewers drawn to animation with both charm and substance.
The Reach, dir. by Luca Caserta, (Italy), Short, 28 min, Sessions 1 and 3
On Goat Island, an elderly woman who has never crossed the stretch of water separating her from the mainland begins to see visions of lost loved ones and is drawn toward a final journey through memory, love, and mortality. Tender and supernatural in equal measure, the film offers a moving, reflective experience for viewers drawn to intimate stories about grief, courage, and the boundaries between life and death in this adaptation of a Steven King short story.
Crime / Noir / Underworld — 3 films
Caminos Al Cielo (Roads To Heaven), dir. by Erik Y. Montiel, (Mexico), Short, 15 min, Session 4
As he prepares for the end of his life, André—a man tied to the criminal underworld—spends his final hours caring for Agnes, a woman lost in vice and ruin whom he deeply loves. This moody drama follows a risky act of devotion that challenges dangerous loyalties and invites viewers into a tragic story of love and sacrifice.
Dream Man, dir. by Harald Takke & Steven Takke, (Germany), Short, 30 min, Session 5-b
Set against the neon-lit streets of Frankfurt’s red-light district, this stylized drama follows a young man caught between the pull of the criminal underworld and the fragile love that still ties him to Charlie. Blending raw city realism with dreamlike imagery, the film offers a vivid and emotionally charged portrait of longing, self-destruction, and the search for belonging.
Xpendable, dir. by Walter E. Haussner, (United States), Short, 30 min, Sessions 2 and 5-b
When two crime organizations choose an old-school showdown to settle a dispute, a high-stakes meeting reveals how age, gender, and experience can upend expectations. Infused with noir sensibility and black humor, the film offers a sharp, entertaining twist on the classic crime faceoff.