Shortlisted

Sometimes the best escape… is out of this world.
A Stellar Vacation follows an overworked teen who books a getaway to a mysterious intergalactic travel agency—only to land on a planet full of the weird, the wild, and the unexpectedly wonderful. As they navigate alien customs, cosmic misunderstandings, and a robot tour guide with attitude, the trip becomes more than just a break from school—it’s a journey of discovery, laught...

Some friendships are bigger than words.
Kit and the Fish is a whimsical and heartfelt short film about a quiet child named Kit who discovers a mysterious talking fish in a park fountain. As the two form an unlikely friendship, the fish helps Kit navigate loneliness, fear, and the courage to speak up. Blending fantasy and emotional realism, this story is a gentle reminder that sometimes, connection comes from the most unexpected ...

Some battles are quiet. Some victories go unseen.
Every Day I Don’t Give In is a raw, powerful short film that captures one young man’s internal fight to stay strong in a world full of pressure. Whether it’s addiction, mental health, grief, or self-doubt, Joseph Russell’s story is a daily act of resistance and resilience. Through personal narration, stark visuals, and grounded honesty, this film reminds us that real strength isn’t l...

A Short Film by Samantha Abrica, Juliet Gauthier & Wesley Drown
What if the smallest actions carried the greatest weight?
Drops of Water is a visually moving short film that explores how moments of kindness, memory, and connection ripple through our lives like water. Told through three intertwining stories, the film follows characters navigating change, grief, and discovery—each one linked by a quiet gesture, a drop of wa...

A Short Film by Andrew Knapp
What starts as a simple road trip game turns into something hilariously competitive—and totally unexpected. In Cow Game, two friends pass the time counting cows out the window… until the game takes a surreal turn. From barnyard smack talk to mysterious rules only they understand, this quirky short blends absurd humor with a surprising twist. Is it just a game, or something deeper? Either way—moooove ...

When the world shut down, they stepped up.
COVID-19 Heroes is a heartfelt short film honoring the frontline workers, community leaders, and everyday people who risked everything to protect others during the global pandemic. Through real stories, emotional interviews, and powerful imagery, the film pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and humanity that emerged in one of history’s darkest moments. A reminder that heroes don’t a...

You can’t catch what you can’t hold.
Chasing the Wind is a lyrical, coming-of-age short film that follows a restless teen searching for meaning, escape, and something real in a world that never stands still. As friendships shift, dreams blur, and time races forward, they must decide whether to keep running—or finally stop and face the storm. With dreamlike visuals and emotional depth, this film is about the pursuit of freedom… and t...

A Short Film by Ravi Smith & Felix Schura
In a city where hardship is a daily rhythm, two young artists discover that pain can be a canvas—and struggle, a masterpiece. Beauty in the Struggle follows the intertwined journeys of resilience and creativity as music, movement, and raw emotion collide. With intimate storytelling and striking visuals, this short film explores what it means to rise, to create, and to find light in t...

Behind every touchdown is a woman with a story.
Real Football Wives of Lincoln Heights is a bold, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt short film that follows a group of high school girls navigating love, loyalty, and rivalry from the sidelines of the Lincoln Heights football field. With sharp dialogue, cheer-drama, and locker room secrets, the film flips the script on what it means to be “just the girlfriend.” These girls aren’t b...

Fulfillment isn’t found. It’s forged.
In this inspiring short film, a young person sets out to discover what it truly means to live with purpose. Through challenges at home, pressure at school, and moments of quiet self-doubt, they begin to chart their own path—one shaped by persistence, community, and the courage to dream. Blending poetic visuals with raw emotion, Path to Fulfillment is a story about choosing growth over fear, ...

In this student-led documentary short, teammates, coaches, and friends reflect on the impact of Jacky—a player who changed the game far beyond the field. Whether inspired by the legacy of Jackie Robinson or a local hero with the same name, this film explores themes of courage, character, and what it really means to break barriers. Through interviews, archival clips, and game-day memories, Baseball Interview About Jacky is a tribute...

What stories do we tell—and what do they say about us?
Angelica: Film Choices follows a young student filmmaker as she wrestles with which story to tell for a class project. Torn between cultural expectations, personal dreams, and the voices of those around her, Angelica navigates the creative crossroads where identity, pressure, and passion collide. Through a blend of realism and imagination, this short film explores the power ...