A doctor moonlighting as a cabbie picks up an unusual fare. A short film by Julio O. Ramos. Made at UCLA.
An awkward teenage girl reconnects with a quickly maturing childhood friend. Directed by Milena Pastreich (Birdmen) and written by Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night). Made at UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media.
A tiny cockroach falls in love with the woman whose apartment he infests. A short film by Jonathan Langager.
A boxer must confront his inner demons. A short film by Jules Nurrish. Made at UCLA.
In your standard arcade claw machine, there are treasures just out of reach. But not for young Pearl. Answering the call of plush animals and seeing an opportunity to escape a troubled family, the scraggly girl slips away from her mother and climbs into the safe and sealed environment of the claw booth. Mommy doesn’t take this too well. Directed by Kate Marks. Made at CalArts.
Two kids try to kill time with fireworks while the adults have an affair. A short film by Annie Silverstein. Made at the University of Texas in Austin.
A call center agent takes her corporate trainer around town under the guise that he is a celebrity. A film by Eric Flanagan. Made at NYU Tisch Asia.
A man with a dark past returns home to make his sister an unwelcome offer. A short film by Nils Taylor. Made at Dodge College at Chapman University.
An executioner on Singapore’s death row tries to help a young convict accept her fate, even though it means facing his own demons. A short film by Daniel Grove.
Credited with saving a kid’s life, a teenage lifeguard decides to act on his romantic obsession with a gorgeous country club wife. A short film by Alex Jablonski.
All Daisy wants to do is be one of the boys, but when she tags along with her brother and his troublesome friends, she realizes where her heart really lies. A short film by Erin Sanger.
A culinary connoisseur and an expert chef go on a hunt for a rare animal. A short film by Jason Mann. Made At Columbia University.
A little girl visits the land of the dead and experiences the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos with the help of someone very special to her. A short film by Ashley Graham, Kate Reynolds and Lindsey St. Pierre.
Pressured by his Satmar Hasidic community to settle down and start a family, Duvid Stern decides to experiment with the world of underground electronic music and psychedelic drugs. A short film by Chelsea Rebecca.
Ten-year-old Efrain’s father teaches him never to steal, but the lesson comes at a price on the charged Mexican border. A short film by Matthew Breault.
Despite their strained relationship, a young Trinidadian street-vendor must decide if he will help save his estranged father’s life. A short film by Ian Harnarine.
Mo is the only girl on an all-boy wrestling team. Despite her practice and training, her first high school wrestling match introduces a new challenge. A short film by Olivia Newman.
In New York City, an urban cowboy avoids going to his friend’s funeral. A short film by Christina Choe.
A novice crook kidnaps the wrong girl and learns the hard way that you don’t mess with Penny. A short film by Shane Atkinson.
When a piece of jewelry goes missing in a salon in Brooklyn, a recently engaged couple suspect the immigrant employees know more than they admit. A short film by Sarah-Violet Bliss.
During the Soviet-Afghan War, a father leads his injured daughter through the treacherous Peshawar Pass. In a literal minefield, her fate becomes linked to that of a Soviet sniper. A short film by Hammad Rizvi.
Another day of balancing volatile patients, violent quarrels and birthday celebrations turns into a personal journey for the head counselor at a group home for at-risk adolescents. A short film by Destin Cretton.
In search of her springtime, an 86-year-old pork sung maker quits her shop in rural Taiwan to head to the big city. A short film by Erica Liu.
A mother’s nerves start to fray as she waits for her soldier son to arrive home for his welcoming party. A short film by Michael Meehan.
Featured on Episode 201: "Together Alone". A relapsed drug addict is convinced by her fiancé to journey to a remote country cabin in order to clean up. A short film by Mark Raso. Made at Columbia University.
Set during the attacks of 9/11, a young girl wishes she could go back in time. A short film by Eusong Lee. Made at CalArts Film and Video.
When an arrogant young day-trader is delayed at an airport during the Boston Marathon bombing, the threat of tragedy brings a moment of clarity. A short film by Andrew Wood.
In the dangerous underworld of 1930s Shanghai, Fei, a young lady of the evening, must decide how far she is willing to go to exact vengeance. Winner of the Gold Medal at the 2014 Student Academy Awards. A short film by Keola Racela. Made at Columbia University School of the Arts.
Desperate to get funding for his groundbreaking new dating app, shy software developer Paul agrees to use the app to seduce a beautiful stranger, but his calculations backfire when he starts to feel a genuine connection. A short film by Alex Berman. Made at American Film Institute (AFI).
Beautifully rendered cardboard sets and characters and a seemingly weightless camera capture an astonishing voyage of immigration, love, and World War II in a single take. A short film by Shannon Kohlitz. Made at University of Michigan.
Visiting from South Korea, Seungmin and Dongjoo are counting on their Korean-American friend John to hook them up with girls — babes in bikinis on the Florida beach, to be exact. It doesn’t take long for the trio to realize that picking up chicks isn’t as easy as John’s braggadocio would suggest. With their day at the beach ending and prospects diminishing, the friends reevaluate their mission.
Amidst Saigon’s underground motorcycle racing scene, a young man and woman struggle to define their ambiguous romance. A short film by Andinh Ha. Made at NYU.
A hurricane pulls a couple out of their comfort zone and drops them at the crossroads of commitment, disaster and the art of being prepared. A short film by Melissa Finell. Made at UCLA.
How do you transport a pet goldfish from Los Angeles to Denver? A film by Ryan Charmatz. Made at School of Visual Arts.
When Dean finds out his girlfriend Dani is pregnant, he decides to revisit an old high school experiment in his quest to prove his parenting abilities. A short film by Clare Sackler. Made at NYU.
David has autism, but he prides himself on not being rigid, “like that movie Rain Man.” He enjoys chasing women, offensive humor and “exclusive clubs,” but he comes to reevaluate “normal” when he meets a new love interest at a support group. A short film by Rachel Israel. Made at Columbia University.
Determined to meet the father who left her before she was born, a woman travels to Ireland, hoping it will help her understand his decision. A short film by Jeannie Donohoe. Made at Columbia University.
During the Libyan Revolution of 2011, a petty clerk at a police station must choose sides when a tortured prisoner asks him for help. A short film by Zachary Kerschberg. Made at NYU.
Like poetry in motion, a single leaf morphs from clay to pencil to paper as it blows through a series of imaginative worlds in this delightful animation. A short film by Yawen Zheng and Xia Li.
In this wry tale that celebrates the art of stop-motion animation, a curmudgeonly owl must fight his nature when he has to watch over a young mouse for a night. A short film by Emma J. Noble. Made at NYU.
An imaginary friend is forced to consider retirement when his creator – and best friend – starts to grow up. A short film by Kate Tsang. Made at NYU.
A faithful dog must journey through the zombie apocalypse to save his best friend. A short film by John Cody Kim. Made at CalArts.
When thirteen-year-old Raúl is asked to entertain the local landowner’s son, a treacherous game of power and pride unfolds between the boys. A short film by Mauro Mueller. Made at Columbia University. The film won Bronze Medal at the 2013 Student Academy Award for Best Narrative Short. Contains mature content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' gets a modern update as three young Asian-American sneaker fans make their way to buy the dopest new kicks on the market. But as racial tensions among the sneakerheads intensify, Ronny must choose between a pair of shoes and protecting his sister Justine. Written and directed by Jess dela Merced.
It's just another day at the offices of Hopkins & Delaney LLP. Amidst the steady hums and pings of the technology that fuels modern commerce, a client from Texas comes in to discuss his copyright suit. A short film by Sean Buckelew.
Many people love to hate reality TV, but for Pablo and Marie, the newest episode of The Bachelor provides the perfect opportunity for the couple to reconnect despite their busy, disparate lives. Directed by Luke Haskard.
Featuring Brad Leland (Friday Night Lights) and Dale Raoul (True Blood), a quick stop for gas turns into a high-stress waiting game for one unlucky criminal. Directed by Henry Chaisson.
Iranian-born Rita Mahtoubian comes from a long line of doers and dreamers. But after she arrives in America alone in the 1980s, she seems destined for anonymity. After an inspiring Rosh Hashanah dinner at her neighbor's house, Rita sets out to change her life from ordinary to extraordinary. In the process, she also unwittingly attracts the attention of a Homeland Security agent.
A sock merchant (Stephen Singer, Obvious Child) and his girlfriend head out to the Hamptons to sell the next big thing in socks and undergarments only to discover there's a more pressing negotiation at hand.
Longing for acceptance, Timmy II the robot undergoes cosmetic surgery, waking up with an Arab face on the same day as the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Timmy II flees to the Middle East in search of acceptance, but instead he discovers a new set of problems. Will Timmy II ever find his home? Directed by Imran J. Khan.
Overcome by his loneliness, James is ready to give up on the world, until the day a woman arrives like a flash of color into his life. Through her, he could once again find happiness and purpose — but will this be everlasting or yet another false hope in his dreary life? Directed by Brandon Lake.
Summer camp takes a dark turn in this 80’s-esque comedy about how the pursuit of a first kiss awakens a monster from the deep. Directed by Andrew Ellmaker.
Much to her dismay, a girl's mischievous cat loves to knock over trashcans — both real and virtual. Directed by Kelsey Goldych.
A mother who strives to "have it all" orders a clone to keep her home life in order and outshine her flawless colleague, but soon realizes she purchased an unbeatable rival. Directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir.
It's love at first sight in the midst of the dinosaur invasion for Tommy and Stacey. Together, they flee for a life of adventure and romance only to discover that even the brightest flames don’t burn forever. Directed by Michael Lukk Litvak. Made at NYU.
At a beach, in the snow, and underwater, stop-motion short Bottle details a transoceanic conversation. Directed by Kirsten Lepore. In Glory Days, Jack, a recovering alcoholic and divorced father of two, has to look after his kids on New Year’s weekend. Directed by Benjamin Rutkowski. Léa chronicles the life of a delusional actress with an affinity for burning bridges. Directed by Connor Simpson.
In Busted on Brigham Lane, a young girl gets creative as she attempts to convince her estranged father to attend her 18th birthday celebration. Directed by Talibah Newman. Followed by Expiration Date, where fridge foods come to life to fight a zombie apocalypse. Directed by Sarah Tejeda.
It's love at first sight in the midst of a dinosaur invasion in The Life and Death of Tommy Chaos and Stacey Danger. Googly Eyes, Cooper Barnes stars as Gary, whose chronic earache stirs up memories of his childhood and unresolved baggage with his ex-girlfriend. Dance across an old Victorian mansion filled with whimsical animated characters in Fool of People.
Stephen Singer plays a sock merchant in Socks & Bonds. Directed by Daniel Zimbler. Then, an animation directed by Sean Buckelew of life in the law offices of Hopkins & Delaney, LLP. In Butterfingers, every marriage has its moments, and this wife can’t listen to another word from her husband about work. Directed by Milan Roganovic.
In 'Zelos' a mother who strives to "have it all" orders a clone to outshine her flawless colleague, but soon realizes she purchased an unbeatable rival. Directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir. 'Salaam Ghourba' (Farewell Exile) takes viewers to an impoverished neighborhood of Casablanca, Morocco, where Fatima impatiently awaits news from her husband. Directed by Lamia Alami.
Growing up is hard to do, whether you’re a teen (Total Freak), an immigrant (Rita Mahtoubian is Not a Terrorist), or a robot (Timmy II); everyone in these films just wants to fit in.
Cats, criminals, and gangsters join forces for a few laughs and a meditation on violence in film. Foodfellas Directed by Reuben Guberek. Culture Directed by Ari Gold. Open 24 Hours Directed by Henry Chaisson. Trash Cat. Directed by Kelsey Goldych. The First Date Directed by Janella Lacson.
Anna Camp, Frances Conroy, and Ashley Williams star in Sequin Raze, a behind-the-scenes look at life on a Bachelor-style reality television program. Adapted into Lifetime’s award-winning television series UnREAL. Directed by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. Kendall Got a Rose focuses on a couple discussing the latest episode of The Bachelor as one gets ready for work. Directed by Luke Haskard.
A post-apocalyptic lesbian western.
Myrna’s secret pen pal romance with an incarcerated serial killer takes an unexpected turn when he escapes from prison. Directed by Jean Pesce.
A Norwegian park ranger makes an unexpected discovery in the woods. Directed by Dawson Taylor.
A Native American family struggles against the wilderness and each other to make a life. Directed by Christopher Nataanii.
Given few options for her future, lesbian teenager Joey decides to join the military. Will a romance with a married housewife give her a way out? Directed by Deb Shoval.
Travel to Fourth of July in the 1970s, where one young woman struggles to fit into the normal pace of family life. Directed by Dom Villarrubia.
eing the new kid is never easy. A young boy questions his own identity after being bullied by classmates for being biracial. Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour.
Will Cheeto-stained fingers stand in the way of true love? A young germophobe must face the perils of riding the subway and make it to school. Directed by Gabriel Wilson.
Ever had a bad date? A summer boat trips leads to a gruesome discovery in Cupcake Bob. Directed by Olivia Accardo.
Every day, the curious Ellen LeBlanc watches Ernest Gorby as he tends to his beloved plants. He is the love of her life, only he doesn't know she exists. Ellen has a stalker of her own, Chester, who will stop at nothing to take Gorby out of the picture. Directed by Max O'Connor.
Coming of age is a drag when delayed development gets in the way of romance. Kowalski discovers a creative solution. Directed by Evan Roberts.
A young woman experiences a disturbing transformation after spending the night with a mysterious stranger. Will she adapt to this strange new lifestyle? A film by Sebastian Kleppe.
Chinese immigrant Hui Ying finds herself unexpectedly alone in an unfamiliar and hostile Wild West. She fights both natural and supernatural foes on a quest for survival as she makes her way to "The Golden Mountain." A Film by Hannah Anderson.
Sight and sound joyfully collide in this experimental short film featuring abstract shapes and a drum-driven jazz soundtrack. This minute-long film was shot on Super 8 at SFSU. A film by Sarah Frei.
A water crisis in Tulare County inspires an unconventional response in this animated short film by Isabelle Aspin.
The suburbs aren't as innocent as they seem. A young girl stumbles across a dark scene while looking for her lost dog in this one-shot short film.
Small towns have their own way of dealing with things. 'The Execution' begins with its titular moment, leaving the audience to piece together the details of who — or what — was executed, and why.
In 'uNomalanga and the Witch', a church-going woman in a small South African town becomes obsessed with her hairdresser neighbor - a rumored murderer. Directed by Palesa Shongwe.
Young Somalian refugee Ndizeye is navigating new her new life and love (played by Gbenga Akinnagbe) in the U.S. until unexpected visitors come knocking at her door. A film by Dehanza Rogers.
It's not easy being the new kid in a small Icelandic fishing village. Eirikur manages to befriend a local girl but their new friendship quickly takes an unexpected turn in this haunting short film.
A young woman returning to her grandmother's finds the house empty but full of memories. She reconciles the past with her new role as caretaker in this sweet animated short.
A blossoming romance between an Indian American teenager and his white date is derailed by racism. Adapted from a true story by Hasan Minhaj ('The Daily Show'). A film by Imran J. Khan.
Fidel is a six-year-old with lots of opinions, but he doesn't quite understand the changes happening in his family. A film by Thais Drassinower.
Based on disturbing true events that shook California's child welfare system, two at-risk kids run away from a group home facility but find that life on the streets isn't any easier. A film by Varun Chopra.
Adapted from the Flannery O’Connor Award-winning short story by Mary Hood, How Far She Went examines the quarrelsome relationship between a hardened grandmother, her estranged granddaughter, and how sacrifice can reveal the depths of love. A film by Ugla Hauksdottir.
The world surrounding an ostracized schoolgirl becomes twisted and menacing in this surreal short animation. A film by Mel Wong.
A woman grapples with her life-long severe anxiety. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a sympathetic co-worker. A film by Michelle Noland.
While playing with his friends, young Henry threw a boomerang that never came back. Now a grown man, he spends his life in fear of its inevitable return. In desperation, he seeks out professional help in this animated short film. A film by Renua Giwa-Amu.
Hard Candy is an electro-pop, animated noir film that follows two shadowy agents on a mission through the underbelly of Oakland, California. A film by Henry McClellan.
A new romance between two women from different backgrounds becomes complicated when a street musician loses her home. A short film exploring intimacy, gender expression, and privilege. A film by Jackson Kroopf.
Marian, a common goldfish, realizes the claustrophobic nature of the world around her.
Sick of being reincarnated? There's a support group for that. No matter what body he is born into, Harls can't catch a break in this stop motion animated short by Kenzie Sutton.
Two teen sisters working the night shift at a small town convenience store have their minds blown when their favorite boy band shows up on a snack run. However, their teenage dreams are soon shattered when the boys are not as dreamy as expected. A film by Madeline Jordan.
Vintage musical toys provide the soundtrack for this cute and catchy animated short. Frogs and other swamp pals each perform a signature dance move, but the amphibious party goes awry when an unexpected guest arrives. A film by Karli Melder.
An overachiever named Gwen is obsessed with eggs. Her passion has led to four consecutive wins for "Best Dish" at the Blue Briar Neighborhood Fair. Gwen enjoys being the reigning fair queen until a crushing loss in the Spring of 2009 steals her thunder. Will she reclaim her title this year? A film by Madeline Snapp.
Unrequited romance is tough, especially when you're light years away from earth. Two coworkers navigate a workplace crush on the other side of the asteroid belt in this sweet and hilarious animated short by Janice Chun.
Ten days after the death of her partner, Athina arrives on the Greek island of Skyros to clear out the shared summer house where they once lived together. A film by Mavra Peponis.
On the last day of summer camp, a teenage girl with cerebral palsy confronts institutional obstacles in addition to the regular challenges of young love in order to connect with her hot counselor crush. Will she woo him before the summer ends? A film by Jake Yuzna.
An undocumented, single mother risks her freedom in order to support her young daughter. A film by Tanya Nunez.
Autumn, fed up and exhausted, cuts ties with her heroin addict boyfriend in a gas station parking lot. Stranded and alone, she approaches a truck driver eating by himself. The two strangers find a common bond as they awkwardly share a table. A film by Grant Conversano.
Restricted by the oppressive summer heat, a single-minded mother, and the limits of childhood, a young girl's outing to the corner store stirs an unexpected self-realization in this quiet coming-of-age film. A film by Brittney Shepherd.
A family prepares to defend themselves when they learn a girl's abusive father has been released from prison. A film by Kelly McKay.