Young filmmakers and protagonists showcase their indomitable spirit and resilience in this showcase of youthful determination. In Benjamin Mullholland’s THE LAKE MERRITT MONSTER (17 min.), Ollie quests to rescue his mother from the grasp of a ferocious beast. Victorious F. Mcleod’s CRAYONS (16 min.) is a journey through a young boy's colorful imagination, and Jenn Shaw’s GAPS (12 min.) explores the gaps between a tween’s self-acceptance and perfection. In Monique Morton Derouselle’s RISING DAWN (15 min.), we witness Dawn baton twirl her way to confidence, while Addison Belhomme’s A THIN LINE BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE (6 min.) showcases young Ayanna's activism. In FATHER'S DAY (27 min.) director Tumelo Lekna delves into the intricacies of family matters, and in Ivan Rome’s TIKTOK CHALLENGED (9 min.) a grandmother-grandson duo join forces in hopes of finding TikTok fame. Select filmmakers scheduled to attend.