ShortFest 2025 Program Index
All programs are listed by date and time
STARDUST | Thursday, 2:00 PM
We are but a blip on the boundless expanse of the universe. From Cambodia to the remote Arctic to the stars and beyond, these enigmatic shorts ponder all matters celestial and cosmic. Read More
GROWING PAINS | Thursday, 2:30 PM
Sensitive, fantastical, and stirring, these coming-of-age shorts encapsulate the delicate and diverse experiences of today’s youth. Read More
REBEL YELL | Thursday, 3:00 PM
Whether quiet or chaotic, personal or political, these bold shorts give voice to those who push back, break out, or burn it all down. Read More
HIGH ANXIETY | Thursday, 5:00 PM
Clench your jaw and whiten your knuckles with these tense, tightrope-walking shorts set in moments of peak pressure. Read More
POWER PLAYS | Thursday, 5:30 PM
Tense standoffs, risky gambits, and subtle manipulations characterize these stories about the lengths we go to in order to control our own lives—and sometimes those of others. Read More
A WORLD IMAGINED | Thursday, 6:00 PM
Blending science and speculative fiction, these eclectic films explore imagined futures and offer fresh perspectives on our present reality. Read More
GAYLA! | Thursday, 8:00 PM
Queer life takes center stage on the silver screen in this varied program showcasing the lives—political, artistic, and otherwise—of a kaleidoscopic community. Read More
CROSSROADS | Friday, 11:00 AM
Join characters at various stages in life as they find themselves at a crucial juncture, facing pivotal decisions and life-altering moments. Read More
THIS AMERICAN LIFE | Friday, 11:30 AM
It's a big country out there, and these uniquely American stories capture the lived experiences and daily struggles of people across the nation. Read More
BRIEF ENCOUNTERS | Friday, 12:00 PM
Our most profound and memorable experiences occur in the shortest of time spans. These films examine the enduring impact of terse exchanges and fleeting interactions. Read More
ACTS OF DEFIANCE | Friday, 2:00 PM
From desperate rescues to feverish escapes to stalwart resistance, these films highlight the lengths some will go to in order to fight for themselves, their principles, and others. Read More
BENEATH THE SURFACE | Friday, 2:30 PM
Whether nurtured or suppressed, intentional or accidental, something simmers in these films, pushing toward revelation, rupture, or release. Read More
DAYS OF YOUTH | Friday, 3:00 PM
Burgeoning desires, fiery personalities, and questionable choices, the protagonists in these stories remind us that growing up can be both the hardest and most exciting time of our lives. Read More
LIKE & SUBSCRIBE | Friday, 5:00 PM
Dive into the swirling maelstrom of social media with these shorts exploring the drama, vanity, and the eternal quest for validation in the digital era's labyrinth. Read More
FACE THE MUSIC | Friday, 5:30 PM
Be it through instruments, dance, or playlists, these shorts explore the role music plays in our lives, our memories, and our imaginations. Read More
IT TAKES TWO | Friday, 6:00 PM
Whether over dinner, through disaster, or across time, this collection explores what happens when two lives collide. Read More
THRILLS & CHILLS | Friday, 8:00 PM
Terror lurks in the most unexpected places in this collection of horror shorts—from bizarre family dynamics to eerie intrusions and darkly comic deceit, expect the unsettling, the outrageous, and the truly disturbing. Read More
DOING MY PART | Saturday, 11:00 AM
These inspiring true stories showcase extraordinary individuals working tirelessly with exceptional skill, passion, and dedication to create a more equitable and just world for all. Read More
SHORTIES | Saturday, 11:30 AM
Films for kids and the young at heart, this mix of family-friendly fare features a variety of animated and live-action tales. Read More
SUNDRENCHED | Saturday, 12:00 PM
Embrace the summer spirit with these warm-weather films replete with sizzling tension, fleeting romance, and scorching holidays. Read More