2025 SCHEDULE

PLEASE NOTE: We are making some adjustments to accommodate visiting filmmakers. This will not affect those who confirmed they are attending.

FRIDAY, MAY 30TH

BLOCKS 1-3

Block #1: 4:00 pm

A Dog’s Purpose directed by Suhra Nahib (U.S., Animation, 3 mins) A heartwarming story about a playful puppy, Loso, who enters the lives of a family struggling to find joy and purpose.

A Test Through Time directed by Ciara Palmieri (U.S., Student Film, 9 mins) A period piece about a high school student stressed over the college application process, especially taking her SAT.

On The Brink directed by Ashley Ferreira (U.S., Student Film, Drama, Psychological Thriller, 17 mins) A college student takes matters into her own hands when her roommate decides to room with other girls.

Fallout directed by Desiree Zielinski (U.S., Drama, Thriller, 9 min) A group of close friends shelter in place from an impending nuclear attack.

Armata directed by Jasone Urgoitia Urrutia (Spain, Drama, 20 mins) Ane ends up at a fencing event because of her friend, who hopes it will help Ane cope with her traumatic past. 

Gina directed by Antonella Lauria (Italy, 10 mins) The story of an unconventional woman on the threshold of 40 years who is different, lonely, and lives among dogs and comics. 

Almost Boston directed by Dawn Sellers (U.S., 26 mins) After her cover is blown, an eager FBI agent is forced to wait out the case in Portland, Oregon’s wacky food cart scene, despite being a horrible cook. 

Block #2: 6:30 pm

Shut Up directed by Clara López Cantos and Almudena Sánchez-Rey López (Spain, Documentary, 20 mins) Taking place during the Francoism era, this recovers stories from researchers and relatives of women who suffered gender crimes, specifically shaving.

Claimant directed by Nadera Sadat Serki (Iran, 20 mins) A father discovers that his teenage daughter was raped and decides to confront and punish the rapist

My Guy directed by Marissa Graves (U.S., Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+, 27 mins) Eric, a young man in an affair with a closeted man, Robin, realizes they may be unable to reconcile their relationship when Robin proposes to his longtime girlfriend.

Phantom Frights directed by Kristen Skeet (WNY, 25 mins) A team of paranormal investigators takes on the Silas Mansion.

Block #3: 9:00 pm

Reverie directed by Gabrielle Nunzio (WNY, Romance, Drama, 25 mins) For months, a young man has dreamed about a young woman he has never met and is shocked when he meets her.

5683 directed by Brittany Benedict (U.S., Romantic Comedy, 1hr, 30 mins) After an intervention about her “single” status, Vanessa and three friends see a billboard promising her true love’s name. 

SATURDAY, MAY 31ST

BLOCKS 4-7

Block #4: 1:00 pm

Ash Wednesday directed by Grace O'Brien (U.S., Student Film, Comedy, Romance, Coming Of Age, 17 mins) A queer Catholic schoolgirl gets her period during Ash Wednesday Mass and looks for a tampon with her friend. Will they make it in time to get ashes or face suspension?

Just Right Justice directed by Julia Tutko-Balena (U.S., Experimental, 2 mins) Mama Bear and Papa Bear discuss the case of the Goldilocks Home Invasion.

A Matter of Poultry directed by Nandini Bapat (U.S., Student Film, Sci-Fi, Drama, 13 mins) When an ordinary guy on the cusp of starting his dream job finds out he's pregnant with an alien parasite, he flashes back to the time he told his teenage girlfriend not to get an abortion.

There Was directed by Amanda Besl (WNY, Experimental, 5 mins) This explores the paradox of memory: each time we remember an event, we actually remember what we previously remembered rather than what happened. 

Birds of a Feather directed by Katie Cobos (WNY, Animation, 5 mins) A talkative parrot attempts to befriend a boy with Tourette's syndrome.

The Geologic Record of My Heart directed by Joanne Burke (U.S., Experimental, 11 mins) Geologists talk about a “golden spike,” a change in the earth’s layers marking a reckoning.

No Strings Attached directed by Ava DeVoe (U.S., Student Film, 5 mins) In a world where social connections are represented with a physical red string, a young woman struggling with social anxiety forms an unlikely friendship with a wise nine-year-old.

Block #5: 3:30 pm

Serpentine directed by Amanda Besl (WNY, Experimental, 3 mins) A pet snake hurled from a moving car inspired this experimental short, which disrupts our human perspective. 

The Tale of Mari directed by Anya Vaughn (U.S., Documentary, Animation, 7 mins) Mari, an elderly Japanese woman, recounts her experiences growing up in Okinawa, moving to America, and attempting to become a newspaper cartoonist.

Miss Fury and the Lost Legacy of Tarpé Mills directed by Chelsea Stone (U.S., Documentary, 1 hr. 20 mins) A documentary that explores the rise to success and fall into obscurity of June Tarpé Mills, the first woman to write, draw, and create a female superhero: Miss Fury.

Block #6: 6:00 pm

Passageways directed by Geneviève Tremblay and Milla Cummings (Canada, Student Film, Animation, Documentary, 5 mins) This stop-motion documentary positively portrays menopause.

Crimson directed by Sarah Falkiner (U.S., 12 mins) A woman meets her nightmares as she's caught in a cycle of unmentionable physical and emotional pain.

The Pit directed by Laura Archer (WNY, 5 mins) A woman must brave her own mind to face the day.

Blue Glitter directed by Hailey Vest (U.S., Student Film, 8 mins) On the eve of her wedding, a young woman's best friend confesses his feelings for her. 

Know Her Name directed by Zainab Muse (U.S., Documentary, 1 hr. 30 mins) This explores how film history is documented and the inequities that exist within this process.

Block #7: 9:00 pm

Commuting Murder directed by Chelsea DeMott Wildey (WNY, Student Film, Horror, Comedy, Animation, 3 mins) An ax murderer hiding in a woman's car gets more than he bargained for on his victim's commute home.

Midnight Snack directed by Sandra Foisy (Canada, Horror, Comedy, 2 min) Hunger always strikes in the dead of night.

Cupcake directed by Amanda R. Woomer (WNY, Horror, 3 mins) When none of her friends show up to her birthday party, Kate takes matters into her own (blood-stained) hands.

Jane & the Brain directed by Hope Muehlbauer (WNY, Horror, Drama, Romance, 16 mins) Jane copes with the loss of her husband by always keeping his brain with her.

Halloween Party directed by Erica Stockwell-Alpert (U.S., Horror, Comedy, 3 mins) A spooky mom hosts a Halloween party for children.

Still directed by Rakefet Abergel (U.S., Drama, Horror, Psychological Thriller, 12 mins) A despondent mother’s reality crumbles as she faces the unthinkable.

Multi-Level Massacre directed by Ashes Homon-Rahall (U.S., Horror, Comedy, 9 mins) A young woman tries to escape an epidemic plaguing American women only to realize that she can’t outrun her destiny. It's a pyramid scream!

Christmas Presence directed by Amelie Zazik (U.S., Student Film, Horror, 2 mins) A little girl learns the consequences of leaving her room too early on Christmas morning.

Underbelly directed by Taylor Martin (WNY, Neo-Noir, Mafia, Horror, 8 mins) Hitman Carlo DiLorenzo finds that his latest target isn't what he expects. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST

BLOCKS 8-10

Block #8: 1:00 pm 

Will Roger directed by Taylor Martin (WNY, Drama, Romance, LGBTQ, 9 mins) A closeted gay man recounts his story of lost love and regret, as one night in the 70’s could’ve led to a different outcome for his life.

Le Monstro directed by Gabrielle Rosson (U.S., 9 mins) This story about unrequited love, beauty, and acceptance is inspired by the “Victorian Ape Woman,” Julia Pastrana, and her husband, Theodor Lent.

Torn directed by Molly Lonigan (U.S., Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Psychological Drama, Student Film, Animation, 3 mins) Persephone is torn as a daughter when with her husband, Hades, and torn as a wife when with her mother, Demeter.

Medication directed by Missy Bell (U.S., 14 min) Former cross-country champion and current physics PhD candidate Leah is visited by a young girl’s apparition.

My More Beautiful Ghost directed by Kristine Trever (U.S., Documentary, 19 min) A short auto-documentary about living with chronic illness and disability.

Teacup directed by Katie Killourhy (U.S., Romance, Drama, Fantasy, 25 mins) When Holly loses her husband, the only way she can survive the heartache is by reading to escape reality and calming her dark, late-night thoughts with tea. 

Block #9: 3:15 pm

Lux directed by Mira H Steuer (U.S., Student Film, 7 mins) A young woman in the apocalypse struggles to care for her mother with dementia.

My Little Renaissance Girl directed by Amy Heller Zimmerman, Bethany Berg (U.S., 1 hr. 13 mins) As Amy contemplates motherhood, she faces Body Dysmorphia and increasingly strained relationships with her boyfriend and friends.

Block #10: 5:30 pm

The Peace of Cemeteries directed by Raquel Troyano (Spain, Drama, 9 mins) Through children's eyes, we see the abuses committed by a priest during the Spanish post-war period.

Table Chatter: Pilot Episode directed by Kristen Korkowski (U.S., Comedy, 37 mins) A sitcom about a group of friends that enjoy collaborative storytelling through tabletop roleplaying games.

The Ghost of Barbara Allen directed by Hannah V. Boyens (U.S., Horror, Romance, 12 mins) Folk music, horror, and nature explore the cyclical nature of heartbreak.

Colourblind directed by Kaitlin Manalili (Canada, Student Film, 12 mins) This musical is about an artist who grapples with the decision to either create art or please her father, who wants her to be a lawyer like him.

Pages of Protest directed by Devon Jezek (U.S., Student Film, Documentary, 18 mins) This critically examines the history of book banning in the U.S., exploring how politics, religion, and shifting cultural battles shape information control and ideas.

Mourning Glory directed by Livi DarConte (U.S., Experimental, 13 mins) A woman visiting her loved one in the hospital is hit with heartbreaking news, triggering a surreal journey through the five stages of grief.

Year 10 directed by V. Leigh (U.S., Drama, 6 mins) Every year, Ruth & Ciera reunite outside their old elementary school, sharing memories of what happened on that fateful day.

7:45 pm

 The Awards

MONDAY, JUNE 2ND

BLOCKS 11-12

Block #11: 6:30 pm

Fight for Ukraine: For the Children directed by Karen Floyd (U.S., Documentary, 1 hr. 33 mins) This is the second part of a story shown at Valkyrie International Film Festival in 2024: Fight for Ukraine: 12 Women's War. This documents the impacts of the war on Ukrainian children.

Block #12: 8:30 pm

Build me a Home in the Meadow directed by Rae Ann Owczarzak (U.S., Student Film Experimental, 2 mins) A daughter recounts her traumatic home life and her escape from it.

The Loving Couple directed by Mhairi Kerr (Canada, Animation, 6 mins) A long-term relationship can seem picture-perfect on the outside, but as this couple celebrates their fortieth anniversary, we see that life isn’t always as rosy as it appears. 

The Cardinal directed by Kylie Kuty (U.S., Student Film, 11 mins) In this slow cinema short, a man seeks solace and refuge from his troubled past in a remote cabin.

Realm of Reality directed by Jo O'Donnell (WNY, 13 mins) A grieving woman goes to a diner.

The Paradise Road directed by Lisa Marie Tedesco (U.S., Drama, Romance, LGBTQ, Queer, 25 mins) Two women tie the knot and embark on a romantic excursion before inevitably coming to terms with a life-altering decision.

Agency directed by Kristen Skeet (WNY, 20 mins) A man seeking revenge for his sister's torment kidnaps a world-famous pop star, encountering unexpected consequences.

Chore Wheel directed by Rylie Field (WNY, Comedy, 5 min) After a long day of work, roommates notice something strange in their apartment.

TUESDAY, JUNE 3RD

BLOCKS 13-14

Block #13: 6:30 pm

Where is earth mother? directed by Amanda Woomer (WNY, Experimental, 3 mins) This film is inspired by a poem written by the filmmaker's grandmother in the 1970s. Mother Nature (earth mother) is found in everyone--no matter their age, gender, or walk of life.

Siren Tale directed by Eva Rose Young (WNY, Student Film, Animation, Experimental, Music Video, 2 mins) A decaying bride seeks revenge on her ex-lover.

The Soul Within directed by Sabrina Peña Young (WNY, Animation, Experimental, Music Video, 3 mins) A young girl's final dream takes her to an underwater mystical realm, where she rejoins her former self.

My daughter My problem a Zombie Movie directed by Cat Martinez (WNY, Student Film, Horror, 10 mins) A mother has to make the ultimate choice during a zombie apocalypse.

Slasher Days of Summer directed by Kristen Skeet (WNY, Horror, 1 hr. 13 mins) A woodsman’s spirit possesses a man and attacks people on the grounds where he was killed.

Block #14: 8:00 pm

Women in Red directed by Yiran Wang (U.S., Student Film, 9 mins) In a state where abortion is forbidden, a young college student discovers she is pregnant. 

Buried directed by Ashleigh Becker (U.S., Romance, Queer, LGBTQIA+, Horror, Drama, 12 mins) Looking back on a failed love, a woman tries to prevent irreparable heartbreak.

Sundays are for Winners directed by Ryan Elizabeth Brady (WNY, Student Film, 14 mins) A father at his wits end must persevere against the elements of his house that turn against him on his quest to achieve life's ultimate goal: Watching golf in peace on a Sunday.

Not Proven directed by Ashley Ferreira (U.S., Student Film, 16 mins) A reluctant juror doubts the defendant's guilt in a murder trial, drawing the ire of her fellow jurors. 

More Than Half directed by Ashley Czerniewski (U.S., Documentary, 23 mins) Struggling with questions of identity and the weight of societal expectations, Ashley explores her family's history and her own multi-racial background.

Under the Water directed by Isabella Andronos (Australia, Drama, 10 mins) When an eleven-year-old girl is confronted with misogynistic taunts and violence from the boys in her town, a series of strange happenings lead to her revisit a storybook about the sirens of the sea.