Films are listed alphabetically and not necessarily in the order they will play within each film block.
Fridays
Director: Lenore Jones
Comedy Shorts
35 min.
United States
Jack and Charles are best friends and Vietnam veterans. Jack feels indebted to Charles for saving his life in Vietnam. Our story begins in the mid 1970's after Charles has lost his wife in a car accident .Jack, happily married, devises a highly unorthodox plan to help Charles overcome his grief. Jack's wife Veronica is enlisted to soothe Charles' grieving heart.This results in Veronica giddily falling for Charles .These feelings quickly evaporate when Charles brings a wild party girl to their home who is brazenly flirting with her husband. Confusion, mayhem and hilarity ensue while all of them engage in emotional and physical indulgence. Norms are challenged and hearts are shattered; but it all comes right in the end. As Shakespeare so aptly put it: "All's well that ends well".
Garden of Des Moines
Director: Teri Underhill
Documentary Shorts
16 min.
United States
Garden of Des Moines is an intimate interview-style short film that follows drag performers in Iowa as they navigate the challenges of being queer in a conservative state. Through personal stories, the film explores the difficulties they face, from political pushback to societal pressures, while highlighting the joy, resilience, and freedom they find in drag. Set against Iowa's landscape, the film captures the vibrant, defiant beauty of queer expression flourishing in unexpected places
Little Red Bracelets
Director: Dave Stuck
Dramatic Shorts
9 min.
United States
Lacy recounts the story of a little girl. A story of danger, fear, and resilience.
Mi-Mi Shu-Shu
Director: Andrew Littlefield
Dramatic Shorts
15 min.
United States
Following the cancellation of school bus services for selective enrollment and magnet school students, single mom Claire Banes is forced to navigate Chicago’s early morning streets, taking her son to school on public transit. With minimal support from the Chicago Public School system or anyone else, her world is shattered by a tragic accident during one of their morning commutes. As Claire struggles to rebuild her life, she discovers a Parent Coalition, CPS Parents for Buses on Facebook advocating for the restoration of school buses. Through online meetings and a public protest, Claire is able to find purpose again, slowly piecing her life back together.
Project Lucidity
Director: Erika Chagdes
Sci-Fi / Fantasy Shorts
8 min.
United States
Some dreams are not meant to be yours.
Still Life
Director: Hannah Rosalie Wright
Dramatic Shorts
17 min.
United States
Gareth, a man struggling to reconnect with himself and his son after a significant loss, revisits an old hobby.