• Live & Learn

That's the bell! These shorts set in classrooms, hallways, and young minds prove what a difficult, worthy process it is to have lessons learned.

Short Films

BLOOMED IN THE WATER

When school picture day gets lost in translation between Korean-American single mom Min and her kindergartener son Noah, Min tries to course-correct with the ragtag help of her assimilated sisters, a sharp new outfit for Noah, and an ocean's worth of determination to give him better.

ESSEX GIRLS

After an incident at her high school pulls her into the orbit of the only other Black girl in her year, “Essex Girl” Bisola is plunged into a journey to discover a whole new side of herself.

FIVE WAYS TO GET RID OF A HICKEY

After being suspended for the day for giving each other hickeys in the school bathroom, two teen girls embark on a journey to the outskirts of the city, exploring desire, guilt, and farewells.

IT'S OKAY

As hate and violence grow around the globe, Drag Story Hour has emerged as a way to promote reading and acceptance among kids. We step into the experience of two young brothers in this quiet exploration of a deafening subject.

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT THE FIGHT

Between school trouble, mean girl drama, catchy lyrics, and a mysterious blue car, teenage Lena, sometimes distracted or interrupted, tells us the real story behind The Big Fight. But what isn’t she telling us?

SHINY ISLAND

During a school trip to the beach, Adrián experiences a glistening revelation after sparking a fight with Isma in this vibrant fable about self-discovery.

ShortFest 2024