Short Stories 1

A kaleidoscopic lens on our world today.

Total running time: 89 minutes

A Summer's End Poem

Lam Can-zhao
China/Switzerland/Malaysia, 2024, 15 mins, narrative, in Min Nan Chinese with English subtitles
Shortly before the end of the summer holidays, a country boy spends his savings on his dream of a big city hairstyle – with surprising results.

The Sentry

Jack Wachtel
Cambodia/USA/Denmark, 2025, 17 mins, narrative, in Central Khmer and English with English subtitles
On assignment in Cambodia, a suave superspy has a haunting encounter.

Today I Will Only Come Home Tomorrow

Diego Lacerda
Brazil, 2024, 8 mins, animation, in Portuguese with English subtitles, US Premiere
Amidst the historic splendor of Olinda, Marina seeks the ecstasy of Carnival. Her journey is seen through the eyes of ten different characters, and for each of them a different director lends their artistic view.

In Person: Director Diego Lacerda

Gold Status

Charles Haine
USA, 2024, 14 mins, narrative, in English and Spanish with English and Spanish subtitles, World Premiere
A deliverista (Latin American food delivery worker) in New York city navigates the dinner rush driven by the ghost boss, an app called DineTime.

Moon Crab

Leah Clare Michaels
USA, 2024, 10 mins, documentary
The horseshoe crab, one of Earth's oldest living species, is now struggling with extreme population decline. In describing his lifetime of research, physiologist Abner Lall captures a timeless story of resilience and fragility that urges us to reconsider our connection to the natural world.

In Person: Director Leah Clare Michaels

Becoming Air

Alisi Telengut, Diego Galafassi
Canada, 2024, 6 mins, experimental
Take a deep breath. As you exhale, imagine that in about three years, anywhere you would go on the planet you will find molecules that were inside you in this moment.

Forward is a Pace

Team Milk Productions
USA, 2025, 19 mins, documentary, world premiere
As five runners from across the United States prepare for the first ever Every Woman's Marathon, they share what drives them to run for their health, their families, and their rights.

In Person: Shalisha Davis and Citialli Gomez, participants in the first Every Woman's Marathon