Student Shorts
What We Imagined
Director: Shubhavi Arya
Country: United States; Running Time: 3 minutes
In a magical park, two children meet across a divide — one fast like a cheetah, the other once feared. Through questions, sketches, and a desktop of dreams, they invite us into a story of transformation, truth, and imagination. Their message is simple but powerful: Be who you are. Even if you're still figuring it out. Created by two young girls (8 and 9 years old), this story reflects their hopes for a world where differences are celebrated, mistakes don’t define you, and imagination opens the door to friendship and change. Through magical characters and a handmade digital world, they tell a story many individuals long to live — where being different means being brave, and everyone belongs.
J.P. United
Director: Sidney Timmons
Country: United States; Running Time: 8 minutes
An isolated German college student seeks to build community in the United States by organizing a co-ed football team.
Unseen in Plain Sight
Director: Rae'Dawn Rebert, Abigail Newlon, Samantha DiFiore, Juan Manosalva
Country: United States; Running Time: 14 minutes
We pass them on street corners, beneath interstate overpasses, and along busy shopping districts—yet we often fail to truly see them. The unhoused community, often at their most vulnerable, faces immense challenges and rarely receives the help they need. Unseen in Plain Sight is a compelling documentary that explores the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom are battling addiction and mental health struggles. Through heartfelt interviews and raw footage, the film reveals stories of resilience—those who have managed to rebuild their lives against incredible odds—and the harsh realities of those who remain invisible. It serves as a poignant reminder to remind polite society that those living on the streets are human beings, deserving of recognition, empathy, and dignity.
Bailar
Director: Hannah Marie Benavides
Country: United States; Running Time: 8 minutes
An elderly woman with late-stage dementia rediscovers an old pair of dance shoes, unlocking a lost love story from her past.
Fishy, Fishy
Director: Amaya G. Elijah
Country: United States; Running Time: 4 minutes
A suicidal girl tells her therapist about how she envisions her next life as a fish.
Slick
Director: Nick Thompson
Country: United States; Running Time: 11 minutes
Two environmentalist thugs enlist the help of a cat burglar to vandalize valuable art in the name of their righteous cause. However, they fail to foresee that their plan to protest pollution has a problem.
Second Chance
Director: India Anne Mitchell
Country: United States; Running Time: 9 minutes
An inspired young filmmaker who witnessed a disturbing incident at school looks inside Juvenile Hall and Court, through the moving account of a juvenile offender and his parents, as well as the insights of the judge, attorneys and probation officer. Second Chance takes a step towards better understanding, compassion and ultimately, hope for juveniles who are some of the most vulnerable in our society, and who are also part of its future.