100 LIBRARIES - HEALING RAINBOW LIGHT FOR OREGONIANS

Categories: Documentary, Short

This film documents American solar spectrum light artist Peter Erskine's mission to install his uniquely beautiful and powerful solar spectrum art in 100 libraries around the state of Oregon. The film explores the profound effects these installation are having on library patrons as well as the library staff. The film also explores Erskine's own personal and spiritual journey and how his recent near-death experiences have brought him into deeper contact with his own soul journey and the forces of nature that have guided him in this entire process.

Rating: G

Producer: Michael Walker Barnad, Faye Ann Bates

Director: Michael Walker Barnard

Cast: Peter Erskine

Runtime: 16

Language: English

Country: USA

25 CATS FROM QATAR

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

When the owner of Milwaukee’s Sip & Purr Cat Cafe learns of the feral cat crisis in Qatar, she creates a brave and unsanctioned plan to fly 25 cats from Doha back to Wisconsin for adoption. From the director of "Cat Daddies," this film offers a heartwarming, urgent look at strangers overcoming barriers to save lives, highlighting the global struggle for animal welfare.

Rating: G

Producer: Dave Boyle, Alex Megaro, Eman Akram Nader

Director: Mye Hoang

Runtime: 95

Language: English

Country: USA

A LONG HARD STREAK

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

Billy Dean Anderson was a prolific criminal and outsider artist who lived in a Tennessee cave for almost five years while on the run from the FBI. The cave became his home, spiritual refuge, and art studio. Billy’s decades-spanning criminal career included multiple imprisonments, three shootouts with the law, three prison escapes, and culminated with an addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. After his tumultuous and conflicted life, did Billy's art and deep immersion in nature bring some form of redemption?

Rating: G

Producer: Scott Rabideau, Sean Penn, John Ira Palmer

Director: Scott Rabideau

Cast: Billy Dean Anderson, Kay Wood, Cecil Moses

Runtime: 79

Language: English

Country: USA

A MOMENT IN THE SUN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

In April 2024, Houlton, Maine—a town of 6,000—was the final destination in the United States to see the 2024 total solar eclipse, and the people of Houlton expected tens of thousands of visitors to descend upon their home to witness this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event. Filmmakers Mia Weinberger and Thomas van Kalken captured the community of Houlton as they came together to host an influx of strangers and celebrate an incredibly rare privilege: living in the Path of Totality.

Rating: G

Producer: Mia Weinberger, Thomas van Kalken, Jacob Richardson

Director: Mia Weinberger, Thomas van Kalken

Runtime: 77

Language: English

Country: USA

A PROPER PINT: TIGH T.P.'S BAR - BALLYDAVID, IRELAND

World Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

On Ireland’s far west coast, a road meanders through the rugged, edge-of-the-world beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, passing sea stacks and islands, towering cliffs, green pastures, quiet beaches, and weathered piers. It’s easy to get lost in the striking scenery, but where the route comes to an end, a warm welcome awaits at the generations-old pub, Tigh T.P.’s, where Sean and Fiona invite travelers in for a proper pint and a cozy respite from the wild Atlantic landscape!

Rating: G

Producer: Keven Siegert

Director: Keven Siegert

Cast: Derek Collins

Runtime: 33

Language: English

Country: Ireland

A TIME TO CHERISH

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

Suzanne, 85 years old, a fanciful woman overflowing with energy, suddenly falls into old age when she injures her back. Her granddaughter, Charlotte, moves in with her to support her. With modesty and tenderness, they watch over each other, taking the time to cherish each other.

Rating: G

Producer: Clément Bancel

Director: Fiorella Basdereff

Cast: Marilu Marini, Armande Boulanger

Runtime: 25

Language: French

Country: France

A WOMAN'S WORK

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Feature

A young woman in rural Kentucky works as a coal miner to provide for her two younger sisters after losing her parents to the opioid epidemic.

Rating: G

Producer: Hai Lieberman

Director: A.R. Ephraim

Cast: Louisa Harland, Alice Kremelberg, Ryan Begay

Runtime: 92

Language: English

Country: USA

ABEL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Experimental, Short

"It was kind of a surprising, surprising event. . . ." Abel Berumen, an accomplished Mexican-American photographer, woke up blind one day as a result of a rare disease called Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum. This film, made seven years after the unexpected event, reflects on the paradox of his disability: how his loss of vision has enabled him to truly see.

Rating: G

Producer: Tasha Matsumoto

Director: Brain Hahm

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: USA

AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER LIFE

USA Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, International, Short, Student, Subtitles

When 35-year-old Anna, overwhelmed by her mundane life, is mistaken for a seemingly missing employee at an IKEA store, an opportunity opens up—one she can soon no longer resist.

Rating: G

Producer: Dominic Kubisch, Ronja Striibick, Lena Zechner

Director: Alex Reinberg, Leni Gruber

Cast: Claudia Kainbergerm Harry Lampl, Alexander Stecher

Runtime: 30

Language: German

Country: Austria

ALI EATS AMERICA

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

Ali Allouche spent his junior year of high school in chemotherapy. Tired of hospital food, Ali and his mom, Lt Col Jen Danko, became obsessed with Food Shows and Documentaries. Particularly inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, Ali and Jen plotted a map of restaurants across the United States that they would visit when Ali was medically cleared. To make their dream a reality, Jen launched a successful GoFundMe campaign, meeting their initial goal with the last $3,600 coming from Bourdain himself. ALI EATS AMERICA is a tearful, funny and honest story about living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Rating: G

Producer: Eva Longoria, Cris Abrego, Rachelle Mendez

Director: Roush Niaghi, Greg Morris

Cast: Ali Allouche, Jennifer Danko, José Andrés

Runtime: 90

Language: English

Country: USA

ANEMOIA

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Romance, Short

Longing for a past you’ve never experienced. Fifteen years apart, yet some ties never fade. Vero (Lorena López) and Carlos (Vito Sanz) reunite at a dinner meant for many, but truly for them, until old emotions resurface, and everything ignites.

Rating: G

Producer: Ana Camacho, Alberto Díaz, Javier Valenzuela

Director: Javier Valenzuela

Cast: Lorena López, Vito Sanz

Runtime: 20

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

ANOTHER GOOD DAY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Made in Iowa, Short

In ANOTHER GOOD DAY, two estranged sisters reunite in Dubuque, Iowa, to care for their father as his Alzheimer’s progresses. Between riverwalk strolls, coffee shop chats, and family recipes, they rediscover their bond, unpack the past, and find unexpected joy in the fleeting moments that make a family whole.

Rating: G

Producer: Chrissy Hogue Bartels, Rob Underhill, Jen Hogue

Director: Rob Underhill, Chrissy Hogue Bartels

Cast: Chrissy Hogue Bartels, Jen Hogue

Runtime: 6

Language: English

Country: USA

ANYONE LIVED IN A PRETTY HOW TOWN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Animation, International, Short

In a picturesque town, a man named “anyone" rejoices in the beauty of everyday life and celebrates the natural world. The people around him, however, are more focused on conforming to modern society, and ostracize anyone for being different.

Rating: G

Producer: Mary Nittolo, Sharon Chen, Akvilé Bliujûté-Janušé

Director: Daniel Kreizberg

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: Lithuania, Monaco, USA

BABY/GIRLS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

In post-Dobbs America, teen birth rates remain the highest in the Heartland.  For three pregnant teenage girls in Arkansas with struggling families, a Christian maternity home provides temporary housing and prenatal care. Filmed over two years with intimate verité access, BABY/GIRLS remains inside the house as three women move through pregnancy, give birth, and step into motherhood. They come from families marked by poverty, addiction, and abuse; Several are daughters of teen mothers themselves. BABY/GIRLS offers a powerful portrait of these young women revealing uncertainty and resilience.

Rating: G

Producer: Melissa Leardi, Alex Waterfield

Director: Jackie Jesko, Alyse Walsh

Runtime: 95

Language: English

Country: USA

BACKSTABBERS

World Premiere

Categories: Dark Comedy, Drama, Short, Student, Young Filmmaker

A young girl invites her four friends over for a movie night in the hopes of settling an ongoing rift within the group. Things take a turn when one of the friends winds up dead. Amidst the panic, a mysterious stranger shows up claiming to know exactly what happened. As the stranger recounts the events of the night, truths are revealed and bonds are broken as the friends quickly realize they are all prime suspects in the murder of their "friend."

Rating: G

Producer: Lisa Morgan, Joe Borrasso, Charlie Peterson

Director: Tyler Holme

Cast: Brain Deuse, Brendan Flaherty, Sloane Keegstra

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: USA

BAG LADIES

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, International, Short

A vintage influencer ruffles a well heeled fashionista for a peek at her iconic handbag in this witty comedy about obsession.

Rating: G

Producer: Dheeraj Agnihori, Amit Kaur

Director: Harry Syed

Cast: Iniki Mariano, Natalie Perera, Abbie Steele

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

BECALMING

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

Cleo and Wes are ready to move into the next chapter of their lives: expanding their family. Thinking that her breast pain is a sign that she’s pregnant, Cleo is surprised by her negative pregnancy test and the diagnosis that follows. BECALMING is a short film bringing awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer, an atypical presentation of Breast Cancer that is very aggressive and fast growing.

Rating: G

Producer: Shelby Slager, Nathan L. Slager

Director: Shelby Slager

Cast: Shelby Slager, Sargon Odicho

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: USA

BEING DEAD SHOULD BE EASY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Short

A Jewish Millennial woman has a breakdown at her great-aunt's shiva when she learns that there's no room left for her in the family mausoleum and what's worse is that everyone else has their afterlives planned, making her feel behind in life and in death.

Rating: G

Producer: Drew Brandon Jones, Claire Harris Matson

Director: Claire Harris Matson, Drew Brandon Jones

Cast: Maggie Wheeler, Olivia Macklin, Kevin Dorff

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

BERTA

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Berta wants Alex to understand the harm he caused her years ago and will do whatever it takes to explain it to him.

Rating: G

Producer: Lucía Forner Segarra

Director: Lucía Forner Segarra

Cast: Nerea Barros, Elías González, Thais Blume

Runtime: 17

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

BETWEEN THE PIERS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Short

One woman’s reluctant search of the beach to find her grieving mother’s wedding ring uncovers something far more valuable. Selected for distribution by a top European agent that enjoys an Oscar slate of films, this emotionally intricate drama about a woman and her estranged mother deals with the complexities of isolation, friendships and community at a rundown seaside town.

Rating: G

Producer: Carol Younghusband, Kate Cheeseman

Director: Kate Cheeseman

Cast: Elen Rhys, Anne Kavanagh, Brian Bovell

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

BLUE EVENING

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

A homeless addict in Los Angeles stumbles upon a lost masterpiece in a thrift store, setting him on a desperate journey of redemption, survival, and self discovery as he fights to reclaim his life before the painting slips through his fingers.

Rating: G

Producer: Jett Jansen Fernandez, Cory DeMeyers

Director: Jett Jansen Fernandez

Cast: Gustavo Ramirez, Kevin Kesar, Sari Sanchez

Runtime: 40

Language: English

Country: USA

BLUEBOTTLE THEORY

Categories: International, Short

Ever wanted to take the shot? Drew does. Every bloody day. BLUEBOTTLE THEORY is a darkly comic noir-style nine-minute thriller with a twist.

Rating: M

Producer: Luk Roberts, John J. Sanders

Director: John J. Sanders, Luke Roberts

Cast: Luck Roberts, Sam Roberts, Leanne Chuck

Runtime: 10

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

BOB WANNA KILL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Romance, Sci-Fi, Short

In a brutal world where breaking up means killing your partner, an arrogant and self-satisfied man contemplates murdering his lover, whose path no longer aligns with his own.

Rating: G

Producer: Bowen Sun

Director: Y Yang

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: Norway

BOOM BALLOON MACHINE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Student

After her best friend moves out, Claire adjusts to the unfamiliar quiet of the apartment—until 7-year-old Reese magically appears, as if from thin air. Despite Claire's efforts to determine where the child came from and return her to her parents, the young girl relentlessly clings to Claire. As Claire searches for answers, the two form an unlikely bond that takes them on small, yet profound adventures.

Rating: G

Producer: Olivia Goss, Diana Soukup

Director: Rob Luedtke

Cast: Camile Perry, Lila Heim

Runtime: 19

Language: English

Country: USA

BRAVADO

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature, Horror/Thriller

In this meta-thriller film within a film, a submissive writer strives to perfect her latest script under the shadow of a manipulative director, crafting a violent mafia story set in the UK’s gritty crime world that evolves with every note she gets.

Rating: M

Producer: Luca Malacrino, Alex Hanno

Director: Alex Hanno

Cast: Caitlin Morris, Luca Malacrino, Rachel Di Renzo

Runtime: 107

Language: English

Country: USA

BREAKAWAY: THE REFUGEE WORLD CUP

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

Two refugees rediscover community, purpose, and identity through the world's game.

Rating: G

Producer: Alexander Jeffrey

Director: Jake Siam Solomon

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: USA

BREAKTHROUGH

World Premiere

Categories: Action, Drama, History, International, Short

Amid the unforgiving winter of 1944 in the Ardennes, a wounded Jewish American infantryman finds himself unexpectedly face-to-face with a German boy soldier. After the front sweeps past them, a brief but consequential encounter forces both men to confront fear, loyalty, and the fragile line between enemy and human being. In the shadow of war, survival depends not only on instinct but on the courage to see one another beyond the uniform.

Rating: G

Producer: Michael John Fuller, Norm Coyne, Tom Newell

Director: Kate Green

Cast: Michael John Fuller, William B. Davis, Aiden Smith

Runtime: 19

Language: English, German

Country: Canada

BRICK BY BRICK

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

From Executive Producer Alex Morgan, a story of teamwork, friendship, and the power of sports. A college stands to lose its basketball team until the soccer team steps up to take their place, losing games but growing closer brick by brick.

Rating: G

Producer: Chris Boyd, Nate Riedel

Director: Chris Boyd, Nate Riedel

Cast: Alex Morgan

Runtime: 30

Language: English

Country: USA

BRIDGING THE GAP

Categories: Documentary

BRIDGING THE GAP follows Liberal Director Dave Rosenberg and Conservative Producer Susan Gorrell as they trek across the country in an RV with a crew of 8, trying to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans.

Rating: G

Producer: Susan Gorrell

Director: Dave Rosenberg

Cast: Dave Rosenberg, Susan Gorrell, Leon Panetta

Runtime: 62

Language: English

Country: USA

BRUCE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short, Subtitles

From award-winning directors Kadi Tsang and Katusha Jin in collaboration with Cannes-nominated cinematographer Michael (Zhejian) Cong, and starring Miss Hong Kong 2008, comes “Bruce”, an intimate portrait of an immigrant mother from Hong Kong. Funded by the New York State CACF AAPI Community Fund and New York City non-profit organization MAES, sponsored by Bruce Lee Foundation, the short film is about the Asian immigrant experience of a widow, grieving the loss of her husband whilst wrestling with loneliness and cultural disconnection and navigating life’s uncertainties in New York with her young daughter.

Rating: G

Producer: Kadi Tsang, Katusha Jin, Brenden Hubbard

Director: Kadi Tsang, Katusha Jim

Cast: Kayi Cheung, Leora Lau

Runtime: 13

Language: Engilsh, Cantonese

Country: USA

CABALI AND THE TIKI MUG OBSESSION

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

CABALI AND THE TIKI MUG OBSESSION explores the subculture of Tiki enthusiasts who create and collect ceramic drinking vessels known as Tiki mugs. The film follows Fini Finical, as he assembles a team of craftsmen and artists to build a Tiki bar dedicated to his overwhelming collection of mugs.

Rating: G

Producer: Josh Dragotta, Fini Finical, Tony Marsico

Director: Josh Dragotta

Cast: Fini Finical, Sven Kirsten, Todd Rundgren

Runtime: 97

Language: English

Country: USA

CELLULOID JUKEBOX: HIPPIES AND HILLBILLIES

Categories: 16mm

The ancient ones have spoken: when words fail, music speaks. Ranging from the 20s to the 70s, this collection of toe-tapping 16mm ephemera will delight and surprise. This show has everything from Jimi Hendrix to prop-gun poppin' lady lassooers to an animated psychedelic reverie to backroads banjo bops. Peek into the 20th century in a way you never have, and come away with a newfound plucky attitude or spiritual insight beyond description.

Runtime: 0

CHOWMEIN HOLIDAY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Student

英文：Two Asian-American grandmas blaze through California on a wild crime spree—one discovers a new purpose, while the other hides a secret that could shatter everything.

Rating: M

Producer: Jingruo Wang, Annine Fan Zhang

Director: Iris Lanhua Ma

Cast: Cici Lau, Evelyn Olson

Runtime: 21

Language: English

Country: USA

CHRISTMAS IRL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, Dramedy, International, Short

An influencer decides what's truly important on Christmas.

Rating: M

Producer: Elise Laplante, Johanna Lukkari, Emily Wilson

Director: Rochan Liu

Cast: Jenny Soo, Li-Chen Chiang, Yi Liu

Runtime: 6

Language: English

Country: South Africa, Taiwan, USA

COMPARSA

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Subtitles

COMPARSA immerses audiences in the intense world of Ciudad Peronia, Guatemala, where sisters Lesli and Lupe use art to heal the community. After 41 girls are killed in a State-run “Safe Home”, the sisters respond with a comparsa—an exuberant street performance rooted in joyful protest and community care. They expose a power structure that permits violence against women, and they open up about surviving violence themselves. This intimate story is predicated on a 15-year relationship between the protagonists and producers, offering a stirring portrait of the transformational power of art.

Rating: G

Producer: Anna Hadingham, Vickie Curtis, Doug Anderson

Director: Vickie Curtis

Cast: Lesli Canela Pérez, Lupe Canela Pérez

Runtime: 79

Language: Spanish

Country: Guatemala

COUNTERFEIT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

A woman is given only five minutes to convince a young girl to testify against her trafficker.

Rating: M

Producer: Sam Black, Addison Ross Cendejas, Will Critchfield

Director: Addison Ross Cendejas

Cast: Jamie Perez, Micaela Walsh, Ashley Riccardi

Runtime: 11

Language: English, Spanish

Country: USA

CRITERION

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

After the devil is thrown out of Heaven, he goes into the desert to confront his replacement.

Rating: G

Producer: Joanna Fang

Director: Frank Reynolds

Cast: Joseph Boehm, Will Rothhaar

Runtime: 23

Language: English

Country: USA

CROAK SHOW

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Animation, Comedy, International, Short

As night fell, the marsh came alive with the much-awaited concert of nocturnal creatures, attended by the denizens of the wetland. All was well until an ardent fan could no longer contain their excitement.

Rating: G

Producer: Nilima Eriyat

Director: Suresh Eriyat

Runtime: 4

Language: Hindi

Country: India

DATING MARK SILCOX

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Romance, Short

Unable to get a second date, Mark Silcox attempts to find love by learning to be funny. But could his joking go too far?

Rating: G

Producer: Fleu Bell-Hendriks

Director: Joe Lycett

Cast: Mark Silcox, Katherine Pakinson

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

DÉJÀ VU

USA Premiere

Categories: Documentary

At a time when corporate power has made everyday life a veritable struggle for working people, comes the documentary DÉJÀ VU. Framed against the backdrop of Indian farmers’ protests—the largest such mobilization in recent times—the movie chronicles voices that are rarely heard: small family farmers in the United States—oft-ignored and conveniently marginalized.

Rating: G

Producer: Bedabrata Pain, Rajashik Tarafder, Sristy Agrawal

Director: Bedabrata Pain

Runtime: 63

Language: English, Hindi, Panjabi

Country: USA

DEAD DOG

Categories: Feature, International, Subtitles

On a rainy evening, Aida drives up to the Lebanese mountains and unlocks an empty family house where her husband, Walid, who has been living abroad for years, is confronted by her presence. Temporarily reunited in the same space, they must face the state of their lives together and apart. Is there anything left to be saved?

Rating: M

Producer: Lara Abou Saifan

Director: Sarah Francis

Cast: Chirine Karameh, Nida Wakim

Runtime: 92

Language: Arabic

Country: Lebanon

DO US PART

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Feature

When Rose—Ryan’s college best friend and unrequited love—crashes his wedding with a change of heart, years of buried emotions threaten to shatter his world. As Ryan reels, his best man must navigate a minefield of secrets to get his friend to "I do" before the past rewrites the future.

Rating: G

Producer: Reed Arnold, Xander Black, Nic Vannatta

Director: Reed Arnold

Cast: Kelly Russo, Travis Laughlin, Reed Arnold

Runtime: 93

Language: English

Country: USA

DOZIER

World Premiere

Categories: Action, Drama, Feature, Made in Iowa

An original feature film based on the Italian Red Brigades' kidnapping and liberation of NATO American General James L. Dozier.

Rating: G

Producer: Paola Cipollina

Director: Max Leonida

Cast: Chris Payne Gilbert, Scottie Thompson, Bruce Thomas

Runtime: 128

Language: English, Italian

Country: USA

DRYLAND

Categories: Made in Iowa, Short

Dennie, a swim coach grappling with PTSD and struggling to connect with her team, must overcome her biggest trigger as the team dives into their crucial first meet of the season.

Rating: G

Producer: Kalena Charkson, Aaron Bandy, Bruce James Bales

Director: Marissa Vonn

Cast: Destani Welch, Rebekah Bergthold, Kim Duede

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: USA

DUCK PRESS

Categories: International, Short

When widower Frank, hosts his lavish 65th birthday lunch his son, Michael, arrives early to confront Frank’s denial of something far from celebratory. . . .

Rating: G

Producer: Jack Pollington

Director: Cian Llewellyn

Cast: Matthew Marsh, Jordan Scowen

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

EAST DID MEET WEST

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, History, Romance, Short, Student

Inspired by the 1930s court case Roldan vs. Los Angeles County, Filipino Salvador Roldan and English Marjorie Rogers must find a way to convince an attorney to fight for their marriage despite the anti-miscegenation laws of the time.

Rating: G

Producer: Alexis Berganio

Director: Aiko Lozar

Cast: Kev Martinez, Tatyana Aravena, Eliza Kanter

Runtime: 15

Language: English, Other

Country: USA

ELIJAH

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Short

A group of young, sophisticated Jewish New Yorkers will have their ideals tested when an unexpected guest crashes their Passover Seder.

Rating: G

Producer: Tyler Miguel Mercer, Alejandro Medina, Talia Cohen

Director: Sam Roebling

Cast: Dan Perlman, Ellie Sachs, Moshe Kasher

Runtime: 16

Language: English

Country: USA

EM & SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Short

From BAFTA-winning Exec Producer Roy Lee (Weapons, How to Train Your Dragon, Barbarian, It, Welcome to Darry) comes an allegorical 1930s-set coming-of-age fable about mothers, daughters & the beasts they hunt. Starring HEREDITARY's Milly Shapiro and WALKING DEAD's Pollyanna McIntosh.

Rating: G

Producer: Roger Mayer

Director: Alexander Thompson

Cast: Milly Shapiro, Pollyanna McIntosh

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: USA

EVERY LIVING BREATHING MOMENT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Student

During his daily commute, a man finds himself stuck in a rut, hiding from the world behind the safety of his Polaroid camera and his street-photography obsession. It isn't until he misses the chance to meet someone special that he learns he must leave his shell and is forced to understand cherishing even the smallest moments in life.

Rating: G

Producer: Angelo Carmelo Visser

Director: Angelo Carmelo Visser

Cast: Kolton James Stewart, Eva sheikis, Brian Lange

Runtime: 19

Language: English

Country: USA

EXTINGUISHED LIVES

Iowa Premiere

Categories: History, Short, Subtitles

When a young bride and her husband escape the Nazi onslaught for the safety of her childhood home—a remote Jewish village in Lithuania—they discover that the most chilling threat may come not from the invaders, but from those they once called neighbors.

Rating: G

Producer: Roberta Grossman, Anna Różalska

Director: Roberta Grossman

Cast: Karolina Gruszka, Jovita Jankelaityté, Dorota Liliental

Runtime: 16

Language: English, Lithuanuan, Yiddish

Country: USA

FAILED STATE

World Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Feature

Two hapless writers enlist the help of a conspiracy theorist and the junior exec they got fired to extract their high concept, alt-reality TV show from a CIA/Hollywood cabal in order to avoid a shift in the global balance of power.

Rating: M

Producer: Matt Doherty, Debra Hoy

Director: Matt Doherty

Cast: Patrick Curran, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Patrick Joesoh Rieger

Runtime: 91

Language: English

Country: USA

FATAL KONFLICT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Animation, Short

BEST IN SHOW meets MORTAL KOMBAT in a semi-improvised motion capture mockumentary following a cast of interdimensional fighters who have to find new jobs after the tournament is cancelled by the "woke hivemind".

Rating: G

Producer: Nino Mancuso, Kyle More

Director: Nino Mancuso, Kyle More

Cast: Kyle More, Jackie Gonzalez-Durruthy, Matt Cook

Runtime: 28

Language: English

Country: USA

FINAL HOURS—A PASSIONATE JOURNEY

USA Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Short

For thirty five years, one dedicated teacher at an Australian secondary school has re-enacted the story of Christ’s final hours without fail. FINAL HOURS—A PASSIONATE JOURNEY is a 40-minute documentary that chronicles this remarkable tradition, offering an intimate portrait of one teacher's dedication, students, teachers, and alumni united by a performance that is as much a rite of passage as it is a play. Blending archival footage with present-day interviews and behind-the-scenes moments, the film explores what it means to inherit a role, to retell the same story anew, and to find relevance in ritual.

Rating: G

Producer: Phil Dickson

Director: Phil Dickson

Runtime: 40

Language: English

Country: Austraila

FINDING COMFORT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short, Subtitles

Set in the heart of New York City, the story follows Marty, an isolated diner owner whose anguish and loss as a young man have ossified into a permanent grief, defining him in his old age. When a young refugee and her son enter his life, Marty is faced with an unexpected opportunity for connection. However, as the pain of his past resurfaces, it threatens to overshadow the present and unravel his already fragile future.

Rating: G

Producer: Sameer Butt, Darko Ibrahimpasic, Shahar Stroh

Director: Sameer Butt

Cast: Robert Axel, Samantha Dagnino, Jodie Lynne McClintock

Runtime: 29

Language: English, Spanish

Country: USA

FIRELINE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Action, Drama, Environment, Short

FIRELINE tells the story of an inmate firefighter desperately trying to call home while battling a wildfire with his crew. Today, 30% of CalFire Fire Dept. is supplemented by prison labor despite no clear pathway to employment upon release. FIRELINE is a tribute to the unsung heroes on the frontlines in the battle against climate change. The film stars Bobby Soto (The Tax Collector, Flamin' Hot) and is produced by Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad and Indeed's Rising Voices Program.

Rating: G

Producer: Fiona Hardingham, Dany Sanchez Lugo

Director: Ribin Takao D'Oench

Cast: Bobby Soto, Joshua Caleb Johnson, Fabian Alomar

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

FORK IN THE ROAD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Environment

FORK IN THE ROAD explores the profound connections between people, the land, and the future of our food system. Through stories from independent small-scale farmers across the United States, the film reveals the authentic, lived realities and unprecedented challenges of those working against the tide of escalating industrialization in agriculture. Featuring insights from visionary chefs and experts, this film expands the conversation beyond the farm, demonstrating how food sustainability is a shared responsibility, extending into our kitchens and communities.

Rating: G

Producer: Lisa Holmes, Vivian Sorenson, Nick Offerman

Director: Vivian Sorenson, Jonathan Nastassi

Cast: Nick Offerman, Bren Smith, Marc Murphy

Runtime: 89

Language: English, Spanish

Country: USA

FOUND&LOST

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Tamim, a Syrian father in Vienna, actually just wants to return a lost wallet to the club. But what begins as a well-intentioned act plunges him into a chaos of misunderstandings and moral conflicts.

Rating: G

Producer: Jakob Serdaroglu, Philip Ivancsics

Director: Reza Rasouli

Cast: Abdolelah Farhoud, Anton Noori, Florian Pochiatko

Runtime: 17

Language: Arabic, English, German

Country: Austria

FOUR HANDS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Short

FOUR HANDS explores the intimate relationship between legendary classical pianist Philippe Entremont and his young Japanese protégé, Gen Tomuro, through their rehearsals and musical exchanges, as the maestro prepares for his final concert at the age of 90.

Rating: G

Producer: Helene Sevaux

Director: Helene Sevaux

Runtime: 17

Language: French

Country: France

FRAGMENTED

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Experiment, International, Short

FRAGMENTED is a powerful poetic dance film that weaves the resilience of coral reefs with the human spirit, reflecting on healing and environmental change. Combining the affective power of dance, music, and poetry in collaboration with the expertise of top researchers at Harvard University and the University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, FRAGMENTED connects the dots on why people should care about coral reefs, as their fragility reflects our own brief and precious lives on this planet while drawing them in through the entertainment that ballet provides and spotlighting new research work on corals.

Rating: G

Producer: Neelambaree Prasad

Director: Jonathan Stow

Cast: Ann Louise Wall, Sophie Cotton, Coline L'Achiver

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

FRANCINE, EAST-WEST

USA Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Family, International, Short, Subtitles

Francine is on her way to her father’s funeral, accompanied by her husband, José—a man with whom she coexists rather than truly shares a life. During the ceremony, drained by pretense and the weight of social conventions, she refuses to read the speech prepared for her by her mother, Jeannette—a vindictive woman in her seventies. In that moment, something unexpected stirs within Francine: a rebellious spark, long dormant, ignites. . . .

Rating: M

Producer: Jérȏme Vidal

Director: Elvira Barboza

Runtime: 23

Language: French

Country: France

FRE$H DOUGH

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

A pizza delivery driver makes the wrong turn when he decides to break into homes to support himself after his mother’s death. A chance encounter with a seasoned thief turns into a partnership that delivers them into dark waters.

Rating: G

Producer: Seth McTigue, Cindy McTigue

Director: Seth McTigue

Cast: Seth McTigue, Luis Berrio

Runtime: 7

Language: English

Country: USA

FROGS AND FEATHERS

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, International, Short, Subtitles

As more crows gather at the frog sanctuary Anna (10) built with her late father, the frogs are in great danger. To her mother’s frustration, Anna therefore brings home a frog she saved by the lake. But her mother's lack of understanding pushes Anna away, and feeling unsupported, she decides to kiss the frog. To her great surprise, it turns into a mysterious, silent boy. Together, they build a scarecrow to protect the frogs from the hungry birds. But their plan fails, and Anna must learn to let go and trust nature’s course, so life can move forward with her mother.

Rating: G

Producer: Gabriela Uweis

Director: Lykke Sand Michelsen

Cast: Sia Alba Steckel Magnussen, Oliver Ye Lu, Iben Dorner

Runtime: 13

Language: Danish

Country: Denmark

FROM HOME

Categories: Drama, Short, Student

While budding pianist Victoria Franklin is out of town preparing for a recital, tragedy befalls her mother back home. Unable to cope, Victoria ignores her grief until it begins to manifest in her playing. She spirals into isolation, poring over whether her mother deserves her forgiveness and, if so, whether it’s too late.

Rating: G

Producer: Gina Lombardi, Gunnar Sizemore

Director: Gunnar Sizemore

Cast: Yasmeen Fletcher, Amy Pietz, Jackie Mazarella

Runtime: 27

Language: English

Country: USA

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA: KATHARINE LEE BATES AND THE STORY OF AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Categories: Documentary, Short

"America the Beautiful" may be America’s most beloved song. But few understand what the song really means or know about the fascinating life of the writer behind it. This film explores the rich life of poet, professor, and social reformer Katharine Lee Bates, author of "America the Beautiful." As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Bates’s story reminds us of the beauty and ideals of our nation as well as its shortcomings and honors the unbroken chain of Americans striving to live up to those ideals.

Rating: G

Producer: Laurence Cotton Karen Olcott

Director: John E de Graaf

Cast: Kate Udall

Runtime: 37

Language: English

Country: USA

GALLINA

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

In rural Spain, ten-year-old Pablo loves spending time at his granny’s countryside home, playing with his younger sister Alba and his best friend Martín. But everything changes when Martín pressures him to betray his family, leaving Pablo to question where he truly belongs.

Rating: G

Producer: Fernando Reinaldos

Director: Fernando Reinaldos

Cast: Rosario Pardo, Joaquín López Fernández

Runtime: 17

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

GRANDMA, WHO?

USA Premiere

Categories: Comedy, International, Short

Two women, a civil servant and a license looking for a grandmother. Grandma, who? It's a terrible time for me. Besides, did anyone ask me?

Rating: G

Producer: Xabi Vitoria

Director: Xabi Vitoria

Cast: Maribel Salas, Salva Reina, Goitze Blanco

Runtime: 16

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

GROSSNESS OF CLOSENESS

Categories: International, Short, Student

Driven by loneliness, a bachelor reaches out to an enigmatic company to rent a family. At first, it's everything he'd hoped for, but it's not long before this arrangement turns into something much stranger.

Rating: G

Producer: Isabelle Rivera, Griff Collins

Director: Cathal Power

Cast: Casey Feigh, Hillary Anne Matthews, Ryan Rosenberg

Runtime: 25

Language: English

Country: Ireland

GROWING UP SLOWLY

USA Premiere

Categories: Documentary

A playful perspective on a little known pandemic - play deprivation. Through the eyes of educators, parents, and children, GROWING UP SLOWLY captures the importance of play in raising happy and healthy children.

Rating: G

Producer: Bennett Krishock, Elizabeth Westwood, Brenden Hubbard

Director: Bennett Krishock

Runtime: 70

Language: English

Country: USA

HARVARD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

When a headstrong mother clashes with her son's college advisor over his prospects at Harvard, a routine advising session escalates dramatically, unveiling family and personal secrets.

Rating: G

Producer: Gary O. Bennett

Director: Gary O. Bennett

Cast: Alyssa Rallo Bennett, Jordan Chin, Kaya Simmons

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: USA

HATCHLINGS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Short

When her stepmother goes into labor, a resentful teenager is forced to babysit her turtle-obsessed half-brother; meanwhile, he dives into a vivid fantasy world where he is a sea turtle and she is a tortoise.

Rating: G

Producer: Tara Austin

Director: Jahmil Eady

Cast: Demi Singleton, Christian Robinson, Angela Lewis

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: USA

HEALING HANDS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

A deaf boy longing for acceptance finds himself in a situation that will change his understanding of what it means to be "complete."

Rating: G

Producer: Rachel Jobin, Jordan Ochel, Andy Racoti

Director: Jordan Ochel

Cast: Alexancer Campos III, Camp Weber, Danielle Grisko

Runtime: 15

Language: English, ASL

Country: USA

HEARTWORM

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature, Sci-Fi

In a near future where virtual reality has become a refuge for the grieving, HEARTWORM follows Avena, a bereaved mother struggling to pull her family back from the edge of disappearance. Her husband Mark has retreated into NeuraLife, a fully immersive digital world that promises comfort, continuity, and escape from unbearable loss. As Avena searches for a way to reconnect with him, she’s drawn into a disorienting journey through memory, technology, and longing. Featuring a striking breakout performance by Broadway star Amber Gray, HEARTWORM asks a haunting question for our time: when comfort is infinite, what becomes of being human?

Rating: G

Producer: Sultan Pirzhan, Flavia Amon, Miriam Louise Arens

Director: Miriam Louise Arens, Mitchell Arens

Cast: Amber Gray, Juan Riedinger, Lillias White

Runtime: 108

Language: English

Country: USA

HIT IT OFF

Categories: Drama, Made in Iowa, Short, Thriller

A reluctant school teacher goes on a blind date that turns into a night to remember.

Rating: G

Producer: Chris Veninga

Director: Chris Veninga, Mithi Sivaprakash

Cast: Abagail Aune, Michael Haubner, Dalen Maresh

Runtime: 10

Language: English

Country: USA

HOMEBODY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Student

After the death of her mother, a young artist faces eviction from her Brooklyn apartment when a new landlord plans to flip the building. As the last remaining tenant, she searches for creative ways to defend her right to stay in the place she calls home.

Rating: G

Producer: Laura Scarano, Shruit Parekh

Director: Shruti Parekh

Cast: Dela Meskienyar, Diane Ciesla, Shahjehan Khan

Runtime: 22

Language: English

Country: USA

HOMEBODY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Feature

Lee has been stuck, he's a homebody, he lives with his parents while working remotely from home for a job that doesn't pay enough to get his own place, & he is still getting over his failed relationship with his ex, Cal. When his family decides to sell their house, Lee must embark on a trek to New York City for a new job and a new outlook on life.

Rating: G

Producer: Alex Alessi, Jamall Green, William Kaufman

Director: Alex Alessi, Jamaal Green

Cast: Alex Alessi, Richard Kind, Danny Donnelly

Runtime: 102

Language: English

Country: USA

HOWARD

Categories: Drama, Short

In a near-future where automation has made human labor obsolete, HOWARD follows a truck driver—played by Sawyer Spielberg—reduced to a passenger in his own self-driving rig. As his job, marriage, and identity slip away, Howard drifts through life in quiet resignation. But when Ophelia, a sharp-witted teenage stowaway, unexpectedly climbs aboard, her presence jolts him awake. Through their unlikely bond, Howard finds the courage to confront his future and take control of his own destiny—no longer just a passenger. Written and directed by Paulina Keszler, this 15-minute short explores connection, resilience, and the quiet rebellion of reclaiming purpose in a world speeding past.

Rating: M

Producer: Arielle Haller-Silverstone, S.J. Allocco-St. Germain

Director: Paulina Olivia Keszler

Cast: Sawyer Spielberg, Bella Higginbotham

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

I GUESS THIS IS GOODBYE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

A couple wrestles with shattered dreams, unkept promises, and the poignant reality that goodbyes are never simple. Hoping to mend their fractured marriage, Ray and Sophia retreat to the picturesque Texas Hill Country for a weekend getaway. Amid the historic beauty and quiet seclusion of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, the tranquil setting mirrors the unrest within their hearts. As buried truths surface, the couple must confront the cracks in their relationship and make a life-altering decision about their future together.

Rating: G

Producer: Brad Kammiahm Brenden Hubbard

Director: Chad Mathews

Cast: Sarah Joy Byington

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: USA

I WANTED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

After eight years of caring for his mother with severe dementia, a son struggles through their daily care routine. Recorded voicemails serve to show the progression of the disease, underscoring the frustration, isolation and burnout that comes with intensive caregiving.

Rating: G

Producer: David Barba

Director: James Pellerito

Cast: Mary Pellerito, James Pellerito

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: USA

I'M SORRY (FOR THE FUTURE)

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Short

Upon learning he's to be a father, Brent types a letter to his future child detailing how pain, no matter how insignificant, will be part of life. A kaleidoscope of comedic, and poignant, violence ensues.

Rating: G

Producer: Max Walker

Director: Ben Louis Nicholas

Cast: Brent Skagford, Parmida Vand, Félix Legault

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: Canada

IDOLMAKERS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Feature, International, Subtitles

Sofia finds out that her father and grandfather belong to the “Order of IdolMakers”. This Order killed Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, James Dean, and many others to turn them into idols. If Sofia wants to become the first woman to enter the “Order of Idolmakers”, she must plan the death of a celebrity and turn him into an idol.

Rating: M

Producer: Luis Diogo

Director: Luis Diogo

Cast: Rafaela Sá, José Fidalgo, Ricardo Carriço

Runtime: 95

Language: English, Portuguese

Country: Portugal

IF BIRDS BELIEVED IN GOD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Experimental, Short, Student, Subtitles

A Palestinian man strives to be a photographer in New York City, but experiences surreal psychological visions as he struggles with generational trauma.

Rating: G

Producer: Samer Saifan, Darren Zeng

Director: Samer Saifan

Cast: Adam Budron, Nasser Faris, Veracity Butcher

Runtime: 21

Language: Arabic, English

Country: USA

IGNIS

World Premiere

Categories: Dramedy, Short

Camille's relationship is thrown into question after she discovers proof that her fiancé took a pill to fall in love with her.

Rating: G

Producer: Jake Borelli, Julie Cohn, Michael Scott

Director: Jake Borelli

Cast: Britt Baron, Allen Leech, Karan Soni

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: USA

IN THE REARVIEW

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Student

20-year-old Chester delivers a eulogy for his best friend after a tragic car crash. As memories of their lifelong bond surface, from childhood dreams to that reckless night, the line between truth and survival begins to blur. Faced with piercing guilt and peer pressure, Chester must decide what version of the past he’s willing to remember.

Rating: G

Producer: Nathaniel Demuth, Brad Thomas Waugh, Ben Charles Scott

Director: Nathaniel Demuth

Cast: Brad Thomas Waugh, Jaxon Burdette, Faith Louise Jackson

Runtime: 10

Language: English

Country: USA

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Student, Subtitles

On a Day of the Dead night, Jesús, a 10-year-old Mexican kid, longs to meet his paternal grandfather, Rubén, whom he never met. Convinced that Rubén will visit him that night, Jesus waits anxiously by the altar, but he falls asleep. To his surprise, he is awakened by the figure of his grandfather, who takes him on an emotional night journey where they get to know each other. Jesus finally met his paternal grandfather and Rubén was able to send a last message to his son Mateo, asking for forgiveness.

Rating: G

Producer: Aristides Mantilla, Paola Mantilla

Director: Aristides Mantilla

Cast: Yalitza Aparicio, Leonardo Najar, Memo Villegas

Runtime: 16

Language: Spanish

Country: Mexico

INSTANT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Romance, Short, Student, Young Filmmaker

For teenage photographer Bennett, memories are made to be captured; for free-spirited Grace, they're meant to be lived.

Rating: G

Producer: Hudson Hillin, Louis Thaun

Director: Hudson Hillin

Cast: Mollie Garner, Hudson Hillin

Runtime: 10

Language: English

Country: USA

ISLE CHILD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature

When a young Korean-American adoptee discovers a hidden letter revealing his birth mother is terminally ill in Korea, he must choose between maintaining his perfect American life or confronting the painful truth of his past.

Rating: G

Producer: Lauren Chen, Harrison Allen

Director: Tomas Percy Kim

Cast: Ethan Hwang, Samantha Mathis, Sam Robards

Runtime: 87

Language: English

Country: USA

IVANKO'S CHILDHOOD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Family, International, Short, Subtitles

Ivanko, an 8-year old Ukrainian refugee, makes his solitary way through the English countryside. Armed with crumpled sheets of paper and broken but endearing English, he approaches locals with what he calls a “big chance.” As he encounters various villagers—from a kind waitress to a suspicious pub owner—Ivanko’s innocent yet resourceful attempts to get a job reveal both the vulnerability and remarkable resilience of displaced children. His journey ultimately leads to a deeply moving revelation about family, loss, and the lengths a child will go to protect those he loves.

Rating: G

Producer: Vera Graziadei, Tamara Orlova

Director: Vera Graziadei

Cast: Tom Goodman-Hill, Sinead Matthews, Sandra Dickinson

Runtime: 15

Language: English, Ukrainian

Country: United Kingdom

JAMARCUS ROSE & DA 5 BULLET HOLES

USA Premiere

Categories: Short

A talented high school MLB prospect spends the day with his newly minted mentor from the Big Brothers of America Program.

Rating: G

Producer: Marcellus Cox

Director: Marcellus Cox

Cast: Stephen Cofield Jr, Ruthie Austin, Duane Ervin

Runtime: 23

Language: English

Country: USA

KALEIDOSCOPE CHILD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

From Soap Operas to Siem Reap . . . KALEIDOSCOPE CHILD follows David Ault, a former actor and singer turned spiritual teacher and global humanitarian, as he cultivates schools and communities in Cambodia, India, and Guatemala. A longtime friend and collaborator of the late Louise Hay, David carries forward the essence of her teachings—demonstrating how love in action can transform lives and communities.

Rating: G

Producer: Michael Patrick McKinley

Director: Michael Patrick McKinley

Cast: David Ault

Runtime: 113

Language: English

Country: USA

KIKUYU LAND

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International

In Kenya’s tea highlands, one man’s claim to his family’s stolen land sets Mr. Mungai against a multinational giant. His fight draws a local news producer into a battle that exposes buried histories, family secrets, and the unfinished business of colonial power.

Rating: G

Producer: Andrew H. Brown, Moses Bwayo, Bea Wangondu

Director: Andrew H. Brown, Bea Wangondu

Runtime: 95

Language: English, Swahili

Country: Kenya

LANDLORD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature, Horror

If vampires can't come into your home without an invitation, what happens if they own your housing? When a Black bounty hunter moves into a rundown apartment complex, she finds herself forced to protect an orphaned boy from the White vampire landlord. Combining Andrea Arnold's neo-realist aesthetics with John Carpenter's dreadful atmospherics, LANDLORD is a new take on vampires.

Rating: M

Producer: Remington Smith

Director: Remington Smith

Cast: Adama Abramson, Cohen Cooper, William McKinney

Runtime: 91

Language: English

Country: USA

LEGEND OF FRY-ROTI: RISE OF THE DOUGH

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Family, Short

A Navajo/Bengali niece kneads to find dough-mestic harmony when her aunties burst into a frybread vs. roti showdown, forcing her to cook up her own recipe for belonging from all the ingredients of her culture.

Rating: G

Producer: Sabrina Saleha, Alex Nystrom, Alifya Ali

Director: Sabrina Saleha

Cast: Sabrina Seleha, Nayab Hussain, Lori Tazbah Taphonso

Runtime: 9

Language: English, Navajo

Country: USA

LEONARDO

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Horror/Thriller, International, Sci-Fi, Short, Subtitles

Inspired by the Vitruvian Man and the Leonardo DiCaprio syndrome, LEONARDO imagines a near future in which Néstor, after losing his partner, seeks comfort in an artificial replica of her. What begins as a desperate attempt to revive their relationship seems to work . . . until an unexpected event changes everything.

Rating: G

Producer: Meka Ribera, Javier Peña, Àlvaro G. Company

Director: Àlvaro G. Company, Meka Ribera

Cast: Fernando Cayo, Roo Castillo

Runtime: 16

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

LIFE SUPPORT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

Inspired by true stories, an emergency doctor struggling under the weight of life and death decisions must confront his own hidden traumas as he teaches a young medical student what it truly means to save a life. Told with raw intensity and emotional depth, LIFE SUPPORT has won multiple jury awards for Best Short Film, Best First Time Filmmaker, & Best Performance. It offers a rare glimpse into the world of emergency medicine, where every choice can mean the difference between life and loss.

Rating: G

Producer: Bonnie Kim

Director: Jamon Tolbert

Cast: Abigail Johnson

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: USA

LOVING JOHN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

LOVING JOHN is a deeply compassionate documentary that grapples with death and dying with vulnerable honesty and splashes of humor. John Godinet is an irrepressible Pacific Islander and ultra-runner living with his husband Peter in rural Maryland. He’s outrun abuse as a teenager and discrimination as an adult, but now has a new adversary: ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Rating: G

Producer: Kimberlee Bassford, Anne de Mare, Robert Rooy

Director: Robert Rooy

Runtime: 76

Language: English

Country: USA

MADE IN EU

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Feature, International, Subtitles

Iva works in a clothing factory in rural Bulgaria, battling a persistent, yet mysterious illness. When it is revealed that she is the first case of COVID in her small town, the news spirals into an endless j’accuse—first from the factory owners eager to shift responsibility, then from her fellow co-workers, her son, and eventually her entire community, despite the fact that Iva hasn’t left her small town in years. With Iva's public demonization escalating as the first victims of the virus emerge, she is quickly turned into a social outcast.

Rating: G

Producer: Stephan Komandarev, Katya Trichkova

Director: Stephan Komandarev

Runtime: 109

Language: Bulgarian

Country: Bulgaria

MADE OF LOVE

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, International, Short, Subtitles

Emmanuelle and Mirra are two women in love who dream of having a child born solely from their love. When Mirra suddenly becomes pregnant, besides all biological possibilites, the surprise is total and the joy at its height. Well . . . for Emmanuelle, it's not that easy.

Rating: M

Producer: Amélie Queret

Director: Clémence Dirmeikis

Runtime: 23

Language: French

Country: France

MARILYN'S DARK PARADISE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Sci-Fi, Short

Before the world knew her as a legend, Marilyn Monroe endured a childhood marked by trauma and a career shaped by relentless pressures. Even so, she rose to become an icon, a respected actress, and a determined independent producer. As she confronts her past and wrestles with what it means to be enough, her time traveling companion faces his own demons. He is tempted to rewrite history, even if it risks unraveling everything.

Rating: G

Producer: Remi Gangarossa, Stephanie Stuart, Gary Vitacco-Robles

Director: Remi Gangarossa

Cast: Stephanie Stuart, Addelyn Workman, Remi Gangarossa

Runtime: 23

Language: English

Country: USA

MARY THE WIDOW

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Short

An aging widow begrudgingly goes to a speed-dating event at her daughter’s request. Among a string of dud dates, one gentle stranger lingers in her mind. MARY THE WIDOW is a tender look at love, memory, and the echoes of what we’ve lost.

Rating: G

Producer: Amina Fishburn, Trevor Alper, Brian Buxton

Director: Ryan Noufer

Cast: Julie Ariola, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jean Villepique

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

MAY I PUT YOU ON HOLD?

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Short

While battling the absurdity of telephone customer service, Liz is unexpectedly transferred to the Afterlife. There, she discovers it’s just as bureaucratic, frustrating, and illogical as Earth. Now, stuck between death and hold music, Liz must confront her own mortality, figure out what really matters, and find a way to navigate the red tape of the beyond… if she ever wants to return to the land of the living. But through doing so, she soon realizes that much like her current situation, she’s been putting the most important things in life on hold.

Rating: G

Producer: Tara Jayn

Director: Ash Blodgett

Cast: Tara Jayn, Natalie Lynch, Sam Manual

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

MELRAKKI THE ARCTIC FOX, QUEEN OF KVÍAR

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

The film follows the journey of Melrakki, a female Arctic fox living in Kvíar, a remote village in Iceland. Winter here is harsh, but the fox is built for Arctic conditions. She features impressive physical adaptations designed to keep her alive, warm and dry. Her personality, intelligence and ability to co-exist with humans allow her to thrive in this rugged and unforgiving place.

Rating: G

Producer: David P. Glatz, Shiela P. Glatz

Director: David P. Glatz

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: USA

MEMENTO FABULAM

USA Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Short

MEMENTO FABULAM reconstructs the silenced memory of Jerez during the Francoist repression, guided by the figure of “grandfather Viruta,” a carpenter who wrote down the names of those who disappeared. His grandson narrates this legacy while 22 families share their stories of absence, dignity, and resistance. The documentary culminates with a tribute to Viruta on July 18, 2024, in a city that, at last, begins to name its own.

Rating: G

Producer: Candela Núñez Gutiérrez

Director: Candela Núñez Gutiérrez

Runtime: 22

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

MEMORY FOR BURIAL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Subtitles

Survive against all odds. In 1940, Benjamin Orenstein, just a teenager, was sent to his first concentration camp in Poland. The start of a journey that will mark him for life. After years of silence, he testifies on one of the darkest pages in history

Rating: G

Producer: Norbert Balit, Charlotte Jarrix

Director: Charlotte Jarrix, Maud Guillaumin

Runtime: 61

Language: French

Country: France

MILQUETOAST

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Short

When a woman is broken up with for being “too nice” and learns her friends feel the same way, she does something very mean.

Rating: M

Producer: Eliza Huberth, Max Woertendyke, Vella Lovell

Director: Eliza Huberth

Cast: Bella Lovel, Kayhun Kim, Ismenia Mendes

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: USA

MIND OVER MATTER

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Sci-Fi, Short, Student, Young Filmmaker

Nathan, a 16 year-old genius obsessed with consciousness based time travel, must use his dangerous and untested invention to save his best friend's life from a freak car accident.

Rating: G

Producer: DragonMaster Films

Director: Wes Tian

Cast: Wes Tian, Shayna Youkhana

Runtime: 27

Language: English

Country: USA

MISTAKE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature

In 1941, a child is born between the sexes, and the family must choose: boy or girl? The doctors call it adrenogenital syndrome . . . intersex . . . sexually ambiguous. Mother calls it Devil’s work. With hormone treatment, Larry has become a man. The deep south is anything but an understanding environment in which to realize that a mistake has been made. Larry’s mother loves him, knowing his . . . difference. Her sister, Aunt Peg, knows he would have a better chance in California. Lily, herself different, loves Larry. Larry’s father wanted a son.

Rating: G

Producer: Brad Wyman

Director: Honey Lauren

Cast: Dominic Bogart, Jijl Hise, Kay Lenz

Runtime: 123

Language: English

Country: USA

MR. WONDERFUL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature

Brian Fenton’s life is falling apart. A middle-aged professor, Brian (Michael Madsen), is suddenly losing his teaching job. Meanwhile, his loopy 30-year-old son, running from drug dealers, needs a place to crash. And Brian’s aging father is declining rapidly from dementia. His family imploding, Brian must somehow find a way forward. MR. WONDERFUL creates an affecting comic and heart-wrenching family saga that offers a piercingly honest window into how we struggle to make sense of ourselves, our families, and our life purpose. If we’re lucky, we discover Mr. Wonderful.

Rating: G

Producer: Daniel Blake Smith, Mard David, Pauline Jones

Director: Mark David

Cast: Michael Madsen, Priscilla Barnes, Robert Miano

Runtime: 105

Language: English

Country: USA

MY BOYFRIEND, A MANNEQUIN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Fantasy, Feature, International, Romance, Subtitles

Vika is an unusual girl. Only she can see the enchanted guy in the mannequin, the son of the mall owner who disappeared a year ago. By putting a magical mask on him, she brought Radmir back to life, but even he didn't believe Vika, let alone the people around them, who, under the influence of ancient magic, can't see or hear Radmir. Vika proves to him that magic is real, and they team up to break the spell.

Rating: G

Producer: Arseny Ovchinnikov

Director: Dmitry Nikolenko

Cast: Anastasiya Ranova, Denis Nikitin

Runtime: 80

Language: Russian

Country: Russian Federation

MY LITTLE GIRL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, International, Short, Subtitles

Alex (45), recently divorced, accompanies his daughter, Jade (15), to a twirling competition. Before long, the single father is faced with a situation he never thought he'd have to deal with before. . . .

Rating: G

Producer: Yann Scherb, Julia Longuy

Director: Chloé Jouannet

Cast: Mado Jouannet, Thomas Jouannet, Sophie-Marie Larrouy

Runtime: 15

Language: French

Country: France

MY RECOLLECTION

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short, Student, Young Filmmaker

After the sudden death of her husband during a anniversary dinner, the young woman is brought in for questioning. What appears to be a tragic medical emergency slowly unravels under interrogation as she recounts the evening in careful detail. Her story shifts between memory and manipulation, casting suspicion.

Rating: G

Producer: Micah Pollack

Director: Shayna Quartello Youkhana

Cast: Demi Viena, Dylan Monti, Braeden Holtz

Runtime: 5

Language: English

Country: USA

MY WINGS WILL PROTECT YOU

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature, International, Subtitles

Wentinam, an orphaned boy on the streets of Kara, Togo, survives amidst darkness and misery until he finds hope in the “City of the Children” and the support of a Spanish missionary, embarking on a path toward redemption and a better future.

Rating: G

Producer: Carlos Díaz del Rio, Luis Carlos Millán, Tono Escudero

Director: Antonio Cuadri

Cast: Ibrahima Kone, Nacho López, Alejo Saura

Runtime: 107

Language: French, Spanish

Country: Spain

NARCISA'S WILL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Feature, Horror/Thriller, International, Subtitles

Haunted by the memories of her recently deceased mother, the once known Brazilian star Narcisa, Ana wants to sell her childhood home and split the money with her younger brother, Diego. But when her mother’s ghost starts giving signs of her presence in the dressing room, it becomes clear that Narcisa’s will is still stronger than her own, even after death.

Rating: M

Producer: Amanda Amorim, Leonardo Edde, Eduardo Edde

Director: Clarissa Appelt, Daniel Dias

Cast: Paolla Oliveira, Pedro Henrque Müller

Runtime: 85

Language: Portuguese

Country: Brazil

NEWS WITHOUT A NEWSROOM

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary

As local newsrooms vanish, NEWS WITHOUT A NEWSROOM explores journalism’s uncertain future in the digital age. Through powerful stories and expert insights, the film examines the collapse of traditional media, the rise of misinformation, and the fight to preserve truth, trust, and accountability in an era of disruption.

Rating: G

Producer: Oana Martisca

Director: Oana Martisca

Cast: Martin Baron, Alberto Ibarguen, Dale Anglin

Runtime: 80

Language: English

Country: USA

NEXT OF KIN

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Fred, a drag queen, is performing on stage at a cabaret when he learns that his father, Jean, has died. In the emergency room, he comes face to face with his ghost. Over the next three days, Fred and his sister Cassandre try to organize Jean's funeral, whereas Fred seems to be the only one to see him.

Rating: G

Producer: Melson Ghrénassia

Director: Florent Gouëlou

Cast: Calypso Baqey, Jean-Marie Gouëloi, Florent Gouëou

Runtime: 36

Language: French

Country: France

NIGHTFALL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Short, Thriller

On a stormy night a guilt-ridden teen visits a grieving mother, looking for some kind of connection. As buried grief resurfaces he's drawn into a psychological reckoning that blurs reality—a final act of shocking vengeance completes the cycle.

Rating: M

Producer: Alessia Cruci, Zarye Wossene, Steve Ewer

Director: Zac Villanueva

Cast: Teri Hatcher, Buy Hershier, Emma Malouff

Runtime: 17

Language: English

Country: USA

NOISE

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Parvaneh, a deaf painter, faces a pivotal decision: to continue her life in quietude or confront the unfamiliar auditory world with a hearing aid, her fiancé’s gift.

Rating: G

Producer: Melina Samizadeh

Director: Melina Samizadeh

Cast: Shideh Ghafarian, Amir Shariat, Paniz Khoshnik

Runtime: 15

Country: Islamic Republic of Iran

NOT REALLY ORDINARY (PAS VRAIMENT ORDINAIRE)

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Subtitles

After his mother suffers a schizophrenic episode, a young boy is faced with an inconceivable task—persuade his mother to go to the hospital after his father and the police have failed to do so. As turmoil unfolds around them, he tries to protect his little sister from the painful truth while realizing he may be the only one who can truly help his mother.

Rating: G

Producer: Gil Henry

Director: Gil Henry

Cast: Jordan Belfi, Floriane Andersen

Runtime: 16

Language: English, French

Country: USA

OCEAN WATCH - A STORY OF DEEP SEA EXPLORATION

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Short

Earth’s Ocean covers over 70% of the planet, yet most of it remains unseen. Onboard the cutting-edge research vessel R/V Falkor (too), scientists and engineers push into the deep with next-generation sensors and a remotely operated robot that dives to 4,500 meters. Each expedition reveals startling landscapes, fragile ecosystems, and species never filmed before . . . clues to how life persists under crushing pressure and total darkness. From real-time discoveries to the human stories behind them, witness the exhilaration of exploration and the urgent importance of understanding the largest, least known habitat on Earth.

Rating: G

Producer: Logan Mock-Bunting

Director: Leo Richards

Runtime: 40

Language: English

Country: Filmed throughout the Atlnatic and South Pacific

OCTOPUS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, International, Short, Subtitles

A young boy’s imagination begins to blur the lines of reality, leaving the adults around him uncertain about what’s real. As his uncanny abilities begin to grow, they’re forced to ask: is it a gift—or a curse?

Rating: G

Producer: George Dogaru, Andrei Baltaretulancu

Director: George Dogaru

Cast: Costa Ovejanu, Andrei Hutuleac, Andreea Mateiu

Runtime: 12

Language: Romanian

Country: Romania

OLIVE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Romance, Short

While caring for his grandmother, Sam begins to question the nature of their relationship.

Rating: G

Producer: Anthony James Faure, Astrid Lark

Director: Tom Koch

Cast: Lesley Ann Warren, Jeffrey Farber, Tom Koch

Runtime: 13

Language: English

Country: France, USA

ONCE MORE, LIKE RAIN MAN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Experimental, Short

"It’s up to you to make a future that has you in it. . . . " We follow Zoe (Martinez) and her dad, Gerry (Jones) in a "day in the life" of an autistic actress running the gambit of stereotypes she has to deal with—and her dad’s battle in supporting her forging that path for herself—in a funny, frustrating, painful and sometimes triumphantly sarcastic kind of way.

Rating: M

Producer: Suzann Ellis Spurgeon, Darren Dean, Bella Zoe Martinez

Director: Sue Ann Pien

Cast: Bella Zoe Martinez, Matt Jones, Joe Mantegna

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: USA

OUIJA GO OUT WITH ME?

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Horror, International, Romance, Short

Since the death of her boyfriend, Harriet has been traversing the hell that is the online dating scene but to no avail. Following yet another bad date Harriet finds an Ouija board in the basement and an idea forms—why move on when you can just channel your dead boyfriend and keep the relationship going?

Rating: M

Producer: Matt French, Bruce H. Gill

Director: James Kennedy

Cast: Hayy Preston, Leah Brotherhead, Feddy Quinn

Runtime: 16

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

OUILMETTE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

Sharon Hoogstraten searches for her Indigenous Chicago heritage, tracing the story of ancestors connected to Archange Ouilmette and the region’s early Native communities. Following a path from Chicago to Iowa and Kansas, the film explores the forced removals that reshaped Native families and histories. Created to present Chicago’s Native history, the film honors the resilience of displaced families and their connection to place and memory. Produced by Susan L. Kelsey with Citizen Potawatomi Sharon Hoogstraten, featuring music by Mark Jourdan, Elexa Dawson, and William Allison Buchholtz.

Rating: G

Producer: Susan Roe Musacchio (Kelsey)

Director: Susan Roe Musacchio (Kelsey)

Cast: Sharon Hoogstraten

Runtime: 26

Language: English

Country: USA

OUR HOUSE

World Premiere

Categories: Made in Iowa, Short

OUR HOUSE is a story of love and grief following main character Juliet. The film takes you on a visual journey through Juliet's emotional turmoil while unraveling the tension between her and her husband Mark.

Rating: G

Producer: Alannah Swenka

Director: Alannah Swenka

Cast: Alannah Swenka, Landon Sheetz

Runtime: 10

Language: English

Country: USA

OUR MONSTERS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short

OUR MONSTERS is a short film about two kids, Daniel and Peter, who team up to defeat the monster in Daniel’s closet. The story begins with Daniel impatiently waiting until he hears Peter’s voice through his walkie talkie. The boys prepare for their mission, donning homemade armour and weapons. When Daniel opens the closet, he discovers a pile of laundry, which is disappointing until his imagination brings the monster to life, and a battle ensues. With Peter cheering him on, Daniel emerges victorious.

Rating: G

Producer: Stevem Hu, Jordan J. Rivera, & Tristan Miura

Director: Mia Manger Ptrovic

Cast: Azriel Dalman, Xander Wilson, Paula Burrows

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: Canada

PAPA

Categories: International, Short

Elga, a lonely immigrant in her late forties, works as a cleaning lady to support her ailing father, Mozus, and pay for his nurse. When the nurse suddenly quits, Elga is forced to care for him herself and discovers his condition is far worse than she imagined. As his dementia worsens and he becomes dependent and sometimes violent, Elga struggles to cope physically, emotionally, and financially. With no replacement nurse willing to take the job, she faces a heartbreaking decision: place her father in a care home, forcing her to confront guilt, identity, and what she can endure.

Rating: G

Producer: Olamide Shoyinka, Lucy Vikki Pardo, Zoe Sharples

Director: Bella Rinsky

Cast: Margarita Grillis, Bregory Cox

Runtime: 27

Language: English

Country: Cyprus

PARANOID

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

A prisoner must redeem his sentence through a series of therapy sessions with a psychiatrist specializing in paranoid schizophrenia. During one session with the inmate, the psychiatrist realizes he is confronting one of his deepest fears.

Rating: G

Producer: Jordi Sallén

Director: Jordi Sallén

Cast: Alberto Esparza, Mercè Teruel, Ainara Sallén

Runtime: 20

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

PERCHERON

World Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

A terminally sick father has one last opportunity to fight for his daughter's freedom.

Rating: G

Producer: Shane Jonathan Collins

Director: Shane Jonathan Collins

Cast: Benjamin Garnier, Andrew French

Runtime: 17

Language: English, French

Country: Ireland, United Kingdom

PLASTIC SURGERY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Horror, International, Short, Thriller

A doctor on her last day before maternity leave is thrown into chaos when a hidden threat emerges.

Rating: M

Producer: Sophie Stacey, Caroline McCrystal, Guy Trevellyan

Director: Guy Trevellyan

Cast: Anna Popplewell, Daniel Ings

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

PLEASE DON'T SEND HELP

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Experimental, International, Short

We've finally heard back from our deep-space outpost on Proxima Centauri B, but there's something odd about their message. . . .

Rating: G

Producer: Grigory Lukin

Director: Grigory Lukin

Cast: Sarah Erica Caulfield

Runtime: 3

Language: English

Country: Canada

PRAWN BHUNA

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Short

A meal at a restaurant. A taxi. And a kidnapping. Not necessarily in that order.

Rating: G

Producer: Howard Charles

Director: Howard Charles

Cast: Steve Toussaint, Mike Noble, Simon Lennon

Runtime: 24

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

PROUT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Animation, International, Short

Obsolete household appliances and waste of all kinds are sent to the planet Prout, Earth's dumping ground. Bean and Spaghet, two little emergency workers from this strange planet, go on an emergency mission to save one of their friends who has been crushed by debris falling from the sky.

Rating: G

Producer: Marc-Henri Wajnberg

Director: Marc-Henri Wajnberg

Runtime: 8

Country: Belgium

PYRE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Horror/Thriller, Short

In a remote 17th-century village, a widowed mother accused of witchcraft is interrogated by a charming but ruthless inquisitor, forcing an impossible choice to save her daughter.

Rating: M

Producer: Dawna Miller, Nicole Toren

Director: Dylan Miller

Cast: Tara Kaye Burgh, Will R. Muller, Mila Rose

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: USA

QAHER

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Jason, a Canadian Palestinian, returns to Palestine after years away to surprise his sister, bringing an unconventional gift—a goat, a traditional offering for his newborn nephew. As he embarks on his journey to reach her, he rediscovers the true meaning of Palestinian identity.

Rating: G

Producer: Maciej Ślesucki

Director: Nada Khalifa

Cast: Nabil Al-Raee, Fadi Al-Ghoul, Odai Al-Saeedi

Runtime: 20

Language: Arabic

Country: Poland

RAIN WAS NOT IN THE FORECAST

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

P.I. Cole Draft gets a visit from his old spy client and lover, Gail Storm. Does she plan to save the climate, or to catch her old flame in a weather trap?

Rating: G

Producer: Brian Russell, Lisa DelTullio Russell

Director: Brain Russell

Cast: Dana DiTrani, Michael McGuirk

Runtime: 5

Language: English

Country: USA

REVELATION: THE REST IS SILENCE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short, Student

REVELATION: THE REST IS SILENCE tells the story of a Nuyorican political family. In the wake of tragedy, 24-year-old Angel Cortez is reeling from the sudden death of his father, Antonio Cortez, a beloved but controversial reformist Mayor of New York City. Once a promising young artist with dreams far from politics, Angel now finds himself lost, grappling with overwhelming grief, a growing addiction, and following his uncle Cristobal’s announcement of his own running for mayor, a gnawing suspicion that his father’s death wasn’t the accident the public believes it to be.

Rating: G

Producer: Christoper D. Arnold, Kmurt Hardeman, Kenneth LaZebnik

Director: Kenneth LaZebnik

Cast: Sebastian Jaime Zuniga, Annie Meek Montgomery, Ed Trucco

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: USA

RUN WILD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Subtitles

The time with Rayla’s erratic father Taz, teeters between exhilaration and abuse. Rayla finds herself forced into a terrifying task in the desert; a piece of twine and a tenuous trust is the only tie she has to refuge. Her father’s rebellious nature crumbles beneath the gravity of confronting his own turmoil and powerlessness. The bizarre lessons Taz sets out to teach Rayla unearth his scars and clouds their relationship.

Rating: G

Producer: Roxanna Lewis, Rachel Stander, Tracy A. Martin

Director: Roxanna Lewis

Cast: Jophielle Love, Eric Palmer, Lidiya Korotko

Runtime: 21

Language: Arabic, English

Country: USA

SALVATION MOUNTAIN - LEONARD KNIGHT

Categories: Documentary, Short

A portrait of Leonard Knight and his visionary monument, Salvation Mountain. Painted with 18 coats of donated latex paint, Salvation Mountain was created over many years and shows how one man's determination and faith can make for quite a majestic achievement.

Rating: G

Producer: Harrod Blank

Director: Harrod Blank

Cast: Leonard Knight

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: USA

SEEMS LIKE LOVE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, Feature, International, Romantic, Subtitles

Liza, a young and optimistic woman, arrives in Saint Petersburg for the first time, enchanted by the city's poetic bridges, legendary embankments, and vibrant bohemian parties. Her adventure begins when she meets a free-spirited artist named Vasya and his musician friend, Viktor. Together, they embark on a whimsical journey through the city, involving the sale of an antique bed, spontaneous conversations, and the magic of white nights. As the day unfolds, unexpected connections form, leading Liza to discover that love might be found in the most unforeseen circumstances.

Rating: G

Producer: Igor Mishin, Ekaterina Kononenko, Ilya Burets

Director: Yana Klimova-Yusupova

Runtime: 92

Language: Russian

Country: Russian Federation

BAG LADIES

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Drama, International, Short

A vintage influencer ruffles a well heeled fashionista for a peek at her iconic handbag in this witty comedy about obsession.

Rating: G

Producer: Dheeraj Agnihori, Amit Kaur

Director: Harry Syed

Cast: Iniki Mariano, Natalie Perera, Abbie Steele

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

HARVARD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

When a headstrong mother clashes with her son's college advisor over his prospects at Harvard, a routine advising session escalates dramatically, unveiling family and personal secrets.

Rating: G

Producer: Gary O. Bennett

Director: Gary O. Bennett

Cast: Alyssa Rallo Bennett, Jordan Chin, Kaya Simmons

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: USA

THE INSPECTOR

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Horror, International, Short, Subtitles

A fake gas inspector visits vulnerable elderly people to take advantage of them. It is now the turn of Carmen, a charming grandmother who keeps great antiques.

Rating: M

Producer: Jandro, Rafa Piqueras

Director: Jandro

Cast: Pablo Puyol, Mamen Garcia

Runtime: 12

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

LEGEND OF FRY-ROTI: RISE OF THE DOUGH

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Family, Short

A Navajo/Bengali niece kneads to find dough-mestic harmony when her aunties burst into a frybread vs. roti showdown, forcing her to cook up her own recipe for belonging from all the ingredients of her culture.

Rating: G

Producer: Sabrina Saleha, Alex Nystrom, Alifya Ali

Director: Sabrina Saleha

Cast: Sabrina Seleha, Nayab Hussain, Lori Tazbah Taphonso

Runtime: 9

Language: English, Navajo

Country: USA

MAY I PUT YOU ON HOLD?

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Short

While battling the absurdity of telephone customer service, Liz is unexpectedly transferred to the Afterlife. There, she discovers it’s just as bureaucratic, frustrating, and illogical as Earth. Now, stuck between death and hold music, Liz must confront her own mortality, figure out what really matters, and find a way to navigate the red tape of the beyond… if she ever wants to return to the land of the living. But through doing so, she soon realizes that much like her current situation, she’s been putting the most important things in life on hold.

Rating: G

Producer: Tara Jayn

Director: Ash Blodgett

Cast: Tara Jayn, Natalie Lynch, Sam Manual

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

MY LITTLE GIRL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, International, Short, Subtitles

Alex (45), recently divorced, accompanies his daughter, Jade (15), to a twirling competition. Before long, the single father is faced with a situation he never thought he'd have to deal with before. . . .

Rating: G

Producer: Yann Scherb, Julia Longuy

Director: Chloé Jouannet

Cast: Mado Jouannet, Thomas Jouannet, Sophie-Marie Larrouy

Runtime: 15

Language: French

Country: France

THE PIC

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

Single mom Jen gets an unexpectedly provocative pic from her friend Steve (Dan Lippert, "Comedy Bang-Bang," "Hacks"). Through the course of a phone conversation, she tries to figure out what's going on in this modern screwball romantic comedy.

Rating: G

Producer: Sharon Mayo, Ralph Semilla, Faces Chewning

Director: Frances Chewning

Cast: Dan Lippert, Frances Chewning

Runtime: 8

Language: English

Country: USA

RAIN WAS NOT IN THE FORECAST

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

P.I. Cole Draft gets a visit from his old spy client and lover, Gail Storm. Does she plan to save the climate, or to catch her old flame in a weather trap?

Rating: G

Producer: Brian Russell, Lisa DelTullio Russell

Director: Brain Russell

Cast: Dana DiTrani, Michael McGuirk

Runtime: 5

Language: English

Country: USA

TILL DEATH DO US PART

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Short

Abby’s husband, Dick, insults the local "Village Watch" kingpin. To dodge social exile and save their mansion, she serves up cake, vintage wine, and desperate flattery—only to discover it’ll take something much bigger (and shinier) to make things right.

Rating: M

Producer: Jackie Sheppard, Luk Walton

Director: Oliver Kember

Cast: Carolyn Goodyear, Jack Brady, Matthew Carter

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

BOB WANNA KILL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Romance, Sci-Fi, Short

In a brutal world where breaking up means killing your partner, an arrogant and self-satisfied man contemplates murdering his lover, whose path no longer aligns with his own.

Rating: G

Producer: Bowen Sun

Director: Y Yang

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: Norway

NIGHTFALL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, Short, Thriller

On a stormy night a guilt-ridden teen visits a grieving mother, looking for some kind of connection. As buried grief resurfaces he's drawn into a psychological reckoning that blurs reality—a final act of shocking vengeance completes the cycle.

Rating: M

Producer: Alessia Cruci, Zarye Wossene, Steve Ewer

Director: Zac Villanueva

Cast: Teri Hatcher, Buy Hershier, Emma Malouff

Runtime: 17

Language: English

Country: USA

PRAWN BHUNA

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Short

A meal at a restaurant. A taxi. And a kidnapping. Not necessarily in that order.

Rating: G

Producer: Howard Charles

Director: Howard Charles

Cast: Steve Toussaint, Mike Noble, Simon Lennon

Runtime: 24

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

THE SEVENTH TURN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short, Subtitles

THE SEVENTH TURN is based on a Spanish Urban legend, “La Chica de la Curva”. An allegory designed to make coercive control visible and understandable, the film demonstrates how psychological manipulation operates in real time—how it sounds in everyday conversation, how it destabilizes perception, and how it gradually conditions compliance without the need for physical force.

Rating: G

Producer: Marta Milans, Jillian Nodland

Director: Eric D. Howell

Cast: Charlotte Vega, Luke Forbes, Marta Milans

Runtime: 20

Language: English, Spanish

Country: USA

THE SOLUTION

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Thriller

A math professor, rejected over and over again for publication, finds herself supplanted by her genius-level teaching assistant, and resorts to drastic measures to re-assert her authority.

Rating: M

Producer: John Klein, Steve Kniss, Ben Kurstin

Director: John Klein, Steve Kniss

Cast: Diana Simonzadeh, Jocelyn Zamudio, William Ryder

Runtime: 17

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

BREAKAWAY: THE REFUGEE WORLD CUP

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

Two refugees rediscover community, purpose, and identity through the world's game.

Rating: G

Producer: Alexander Jeffrey

Director: Jake Siam Solomon

Runtime: 20

Language: English

Country: USA

BRICK BY BRICK

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

From Executive Producer Alex Morgan, a story of teamwork, friendship, and the power of sports. A college stands to lose its basketball team until the soccer team steps up to take their place, losing games but growing closer brick by brick.

Rating: G

Producer: Chris Boyd, Nate Riedel

Director: Chris Boyd, Nate Riedel

Cast: Alex Morgan

Runtime: 30

Language: English

Country: USA

THE JOURNEYING

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Made in Iowa, Short

On a multi-day stand-up paddle-board journey to his childhood home in Iowa, a Colorado father and four friends confront the humor, hardship, and uncertainty of middle age.

Rating: G

Producer: Chris Ward, Josh Dragge

Director: Chris Ward, Josh Dragge

Cast: Chris Ward, Chris Cornejo, Phil Pinti

Runtime: 41

Language: English

Country: USA

RUN WILD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Subtitles

The time with Rayla’s erratic father Taz, teeters between exhilaration and abuse. Rayla finds herself forced into a terrifying task in the desert; a piece of twine and a tenuous trust is the only tie she has to refuge. Her father’s rebellious nature crumbles beneath the gravity of confronting his own turmoil and powerlessness. The bizarre lessons Taz sets out to teach Rayla unearth his scars and clouds their relationship.

Rating: G

Producer: Roxanna Lewis, Rachel Stander, Tracy A. Martin

Director: Roxanna Lewis

Cast: Jophielle Love, Eric Palmer, Lidiya Korotko

Runtime: 21

Language: Arabic, English

Country: USA

A TIME TO CHERISH

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

Suzanne, 85 years old, a fanciful woman overflowing with energy, suddenly falls into old age when she injures her back. Her granddaughter, Charlotte, moves in with her to support her. With modesty and tenderness, they watch over each other, taking the time to cherish each other.

Rating: G

Producer: Clément Bancel

Director: Fiorella Basdereff

Cast: Marilu Marini, Armande Boulanger

Runtime: 25

Language: French

Country: France

BREAKTHROUGH

World Premiere

Categories: Action, Drama, History, International, Short

Amid the unforgiving winter of 1944 in the Ardennes, a wounded Jewish American infantryman finds himself unexpectedly face-to-face with a German boy soldier. After the front sweeps past them, a brief but consequential encounter forces both men to confront fear, loyalty, and the fragile line between enemy and human being. In the shadow of war, survival depends not only on instinct but on the courage to see one another beyond the uniform.

Rating: G

Producer: Michael John Fuller, Norm Coyne, Tom Newell

Director: Kate Green

Cast: Michael John Fuller, William B. Davis, Aiden Smith

Runtime: 19

Language: English, German

Country: Canada

EXTINGUISHED LIVES

Iowa Premiere

Categories: History, Short, Subtitles

When a young bride and her husband escape the Nazi onslaught for the safety of her childhood home—a remote Jewish village in Lithuania—they discover that the most chilling threat may come not from the invaders, but from those they once called neighbors.

Rating: G

Producer: Roberta Grossman, Anna Różalska

Director: Roberta Grossman

Cast: Karolina Gruszka, Jovita Jankelaityté, Dorota Liliental

Runtime: 16

Language: English, Lithuanuan, Yiddish

Country: USA

I WANTED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

After eight years of caring for his mother with severe dementia, a son struggles through their daily care routine. Recorded voicemails serve to show the progression of the disease, underscoring the frustration, isolation and burnout that comes with intensive caregiving.

Rating: G

Producer: David Barba

Director: James Pellerito

Cast: Mary Pellerito, James Pellerito

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: USA

IF BIRDS BELIEVED IN GOD

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Experimental, Short, Student, Subtitles

A Palestinian man strives to be a photographer in New York City, but experiences surreal psychological visions as he struggles with generational trauma.

Rating: G

Producer: Samer Saifan, Darren Zeng

Director: Samer Saifan

Cast: Adam Budron, Nasser Faris, Veracity Butcher

Runtime: 21

Language: Arabic, English

Country: USA

BECALMING

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

Cleo and Wes are ready to move into the next chapter of their lives: expanding their family. Thinking that her breast pain is a sign that she’s pregnant, Cleo is surprised by her negative pregnancy test and the diagnosis that follows. BECALMING is a short film bringing awareness to Inflammatory Breast Cancer, an atypical presentation of Breast Cancer that is very aggressive and fast growing.

Rating: G

Producer: Shelby Slager, Nathan L. Slager

Director: Shelby Slager

Cast: Shelby Slager, Sargon Odicho

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: USA

FIRELINE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Action, Drama, Environment, Short

FIRELINE tells the story of an inmate firefighter desperately trying to call home while battling a wildfire with his crew. Today, 30% of CalFire Fire Dept. is supplemented by prison labor despite no clear pathway to employment upon release. FIRELINE is a tribute to the unsung heroes on the frontlines in the battle against climate change. The film stars Bobby Soto (The Tax Collector, Flamin' Hot) and is produced by Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad and Indeed's Rising Voices Program.

Rating: G

Producer: Fiona Hardingham, Dany Sanchez Lugo

Director: Ribin Takao D'Oench

Cast: Bobby Soto, Joshua Caleb Johnson, Fabian Alomar

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

FOUND&LOST

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Tamim, a Syrian father in Vienna, actually just wants to return a lost wallet to the club. But what begins as a well-intentioned act plunges him into a chaos of misunderstandings and moral conflicts.

Rating: G

Producer: Jakob Serdaroglu, Philip Ivancsics

Director: Reza Rasouli

Cast: Abdolelah Farhoud, Anton Noori, Florian Pochiatko

Runtime: 17

Language: Arabic, English, German

Country: Austria

HEALING HANDS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

A deaf boy longing for acceptance finds himself in a situation that will change his understanding of what it means to be "complete."

Rating: G

Producer: Rachel Jobin, Jordan Ochel, Andy Racoti

Director: Jordan Ochel

Cast: Alexancer Campos III, Camp Weber, Danielle Grisko

Runtime: 15

Language: English, ASL

Country: USA

LIFE SUPPORT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

Inspired by true stories, an emergency doctor struggling under the weight of life and death decisions must confront his own hidden traumas as he teaches a young medical student what it truly means to save a life. Told with raw intensity and emotional depth, LIFE SUPPORT has won multiple jury awards for Best Short Film, Best First Time Filmmaker, & Best Performance. It offers a rare glimpse into the world of emergency medicine, where every choice can mean the difference between life and loss.

Rating: G

Producer: Bonnie Kim

Director: Jamon Tolbert

Cast: Abigail Johnson

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: USA

THE OTHER SHORE

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

THE OTHER SHORE is more than a story: the fear of death explores one's existence through the eyes of a girl, showing that it is a natural part of life. María, a girl with a rare illness, learns to face her fears with music, hope and love for life. He meets Marisol, a music therapist, and Soledad, an old woman who repairs instruments. Their lives will unexpectedly intertwine.

Rating: G

Producer: Isabel Esparcia

Director: Jerónimo Molero Doval

Runtime: 30

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

ANYONE LIVED IN A PRETTY HOW TOWN

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Animation, International, Short

In a picturesque town, a man named “anyone" rejoices in the beauty of everyday life and celebrates the natural world. The people around him, however, are more focused on conforming to modern society, and ostracize anyone for being different.

Rating: G

Producer: Mary Nittolo, Sharon Chen, Akvilé Bliujûté-Janušé

Director: Daniel Kreizberg

Runtime: 9

Language: English

Country: Lithuania, Monaco, USA

BETWEEN THE PIERS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Short

One woman’s reluctant search of the beach to find her grieving mother’s wedding ring uncovers something far more valuable. Selected for distribution by a top European agent that enjoys an Oscar slate of films, this emotionally intricate drama about a woman and her estranged mother deals with the complexities of isolation, friendships and community at a rundown seaside town.

Rating: G

Producer: Carol Younghusband, Kate Cheeseman

Director: Kate Cheeseman

Cast: Elen Rhys, Anne Kavanagh, Brian Bovell

Runtime: 15

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

I GUESS THIS IS GOODBYE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short

A couple wrestles with shattered dreams, unkept promises, and the poignant reality that goodbyes are never simple. Hoping to mend their fractured marriage, Ray and Sophia retreat to the picturesque Texas Hill Country for a weekend getaway. Amid the historic beauty and quiet seclusion of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, the tranquil setting mirrors the unrest within their hearts. As buried truths surface, the couple must confront the cracks in their relationship and make a life-altering decision about their future together.

Rating: G

Producer: Brad Kammiahm Brenden Hubbard

Director: Chad Mathews

Cast: Sarah Joy Byington

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: USA

NEXT OF KIN

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Fred, a drag queen, is performing on stage at a cabaret when he learns that his father, Jean, has died. In the emergency room, he comes face to face with his ghost. Over the next three days, Fred and his sister Cassandre try to organize Jean's funeral, whereas Fred seems to be the only one to see him.

Rating: G

Producer: Melson Ghrénassia

Director: Florent Gouëlou

Cast: Calypso Baqey, Jean-Marie Gouëloi, Florent Gouëou

Runtime: 36

Language: French

Country: France

OCTOPUS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, International, Short, Subtitles

A young boy’s imagination begins to blur the lines of reality, leaving the adults around him uncertain about what’s real. As his uncanny abilities begin to grow, they’re forced to ask: is it a gift—or a curse?

Rating: G

Producer: George Dogaru, Andrei Baltaretulancu

Director: George Dogaru

Cast: Costa Ovejanu, Andrei Hutuleac, Andreea Mateiu

Runtime: 12

Language: Romanian

Country: Romania

OLIVE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Romance, Short

While caring for his grandmother, Sam begins to question the nature of their relationship.

Rating: G

Producer: Anthony James Faure, Astrid Lark

Director: Tom Koch

Cast: Lesley Ann Warren, Jeffrey Farber, Tom Koch

Runtime: 13

Language: English

Country: France, USA

MEMENTO FABULAM

USA Premiere

Categories: Documentary, International, Short

MEMENTO FABULAM reconstructs the silenced memory of Jerez during the Francoist repression, guided by the figure of “grandfather Viruta,” a carpenter who wrote down the names of those who disappeared. His grandson narrates this legacy while 22 families share their stories of absence, dignity, and resistance. The documentary culminates with a tribute to Viruta on July 18, 2024, in a city that, at last, begins to name its own.

Rating: G

Producer: Candela Núñez Gutiérrez

Director: Candela Núñez Gutiérrez

Runtime: 22

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

OUILMETTE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

Sharon Hoogstraten searches for her Indigenous Chicago heritage, tracing the story of ancestors connected to Archange Ouilmette and the region’s early Native communities. Following a path from Chicago to Iowa and Kansas, the film explores the forced removals that reshaped Native families and histories. Created to present Chicago’s Native history, the film honors the resilience of displaced families and their connection to place and memory. Produced by Susan L. Kelsey with Citizen Potawatomi Sharon Hoogstraten, featuring music by Mark Jourdan, Elexa Dawson, and William Allison Buchholtz.

Rating: G

Producer: Susan Roe Musacchio (Kelsey)

Director: Susan Roe Musacchio (Kelsey)

Cast: Sharon Hoogstraten

Runtime: 26

Language: English

Country: USA

SPIRIT OF THE DRIFTLESS: PERSERVING OUR LEGACY

Categories: Documentary, Short

SPIRIT OF THE DRIFTLESS is a short documentary that transports viewers on a serene yet powerful journey through the rugged landscapes, hidden underworlds, ancient archaeology, rare habitats, and vibrant wildlife of the unglaciated Driftless Region.

Rating: G

Producer: Timothy Steve Jacobson, Rob Nelson, George Howe

Director: Jonas Stenstrom

Cast: Sophia Landis, George Howe, Joonas Stenstrom

Runtime: 27

Language: English

Country: USA

UKRAINE UNDER FIRE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Short

At its essence, UKRAINE UNDER FIRE is a film about Ukrainian resilience during a time of war. The story follows Olga Butko, a Ukrainian television news presenter, and Jordan Campbell's experience as an American journalist covering the conflict. With the war escalating every day, the duo collaborates on a series of interviews, chronicling aspects of resistance, war crimes, and acts of genocide. More broadly, the film speaks to Ukraine’s quest for freedom, democracy, and European integration, amidst the most significant conflict in Europe since World War II.

Rating: G

Producer: Jordan Campbell

Director: Jordan Campbell

Cast: Olga Butko, Peter Fouché

Runtime: 40

Language: English, Ukrainian

Country: USA

CRITERION

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short

After the devil is thrown out of Heaven, he goes into the desert to confront his replacement.

Rating: G

Producer: Joanna Fang

Director: Frank Reynolds

Cast: Joseph Boehm, Will Rothhaar

Runtime: 23

Language: English

Country: USA

FINDING COMFORT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Short, Subtitles

Set in the heart of New York City, the story follows Marty, an isolated diner owner whose anguish and loss as a young man have ossified into a permanent grief, defining him in his old age. When a young refugee and her son enter his life, Marty is faced with an unexpected opportunity for connection. However, as the pain of his past resurfaces, it threatens to overshadow the present and unravel his already fragile future.

Rating: G

Producer: Sameer Butt, Darko Ibrahimpasic, Shahar Stroh

Director: Sameer Butt

Cast: Robert Axel, Samantha Dagnino, Jodie Lynne McClintock

Runtime: 29

Language: English, Spanish

Country: USA

THE MIRACLE OF LIFE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Documentary, Experimental, International, Short, Subtitles

A Palestinian mother-to-be in the Netherlands grapples with emotional and physical challenges during pregnancy. Through personal reflections, she confronts pain, uncertainty, fear of bodily changes, and an identity crisis, all while challenging societal norms around motherhood. Torn between her personal struggles and the devastation in Gaza, she feels guilt and shame, questioning her right to feel pain and wrestling with her privilege while others endure unimaginable suffering.

Rating: G

Producer: Sabrine Khoury

Director: Sabrine Khoury

Runtime: 8

Language: Arabic

Country: Netherlands, State of Palestine

NOISE

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Parvaneh, a deaf painter, faces a pivotal decision: to continue her life in quietude or confront the unfamiliar auditory world with a hearing aid, her fiancé’s gift.

Rating: G

Producer: Melina Samizadeh

Director: Melina Samizadeh

Cast: Shideh Ghafarian, Amir Shariat, Paniz Khoshnik

Runtime: 15

Country: Islamic Republic of Iran

PAPA

Categories: International, Short

Elga, a lonely immigrant in her late forties, works as a cleaning lady to support her ailing father, Mozus, and pay for his nurse. When the nurse suddenly quits, Elga is forced to care for him herself and discovers his condition is far worse than she imagined. As his dementia worsens and he becomes dependent and sometimes violent, Elga struggles to cope physically, emotionally, and financially. With no replacement nurse willing to take the job, she faces a heartbreaking decision: place her father in a care home, forcing her to confront guilt, identity, and what she can endure.

Rating: G

Producer: Olamide Shoyinka, Lucy Vikki Pardo, Zoe Sharples

Director: Bella Rinsky

Cast: Margarita Grillis, Bregory Cox

Runtime: 27

Language: English

Country: Cyprus

THE BEAST OF THE BLACK FOREST

Categories: Short

The small, quiet Bavarian village of Kuzitze is experiencing an unexpected rash of horrific murders. And it's up to a reluctant and underqualified local constable to figure out who really is the killer. A dark, German expressionist serial killer comedy created entirely on a green screen virtual environment.

Rating: M

Producer: Anthony Wood, Marcus Truschinski

Director: Anthony Wood

Cast: Marcus Truschinski, Colleen Madden, David Daniel

Runtime: 29

Language: English

Country: USA

CHOWMEIN HOLIDAY

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Short, Student

英文：Two Asian-American grandmas blaze through California on a wild crime spree—one discovers a new purpose, while the other hides a secret that could shatter everything.

Rating: M

Producer: Jingruo Wang, Annine Fan Zhang

Director: Iris Lanhua Ma

Cast: Cici Lau, Evelyn Olson

Runtime: 21

Language: English

Country: USA

FATAL KONFLICT

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Animation, Short

BEST IN SHOW meets MORTAL KOMBAT in a semi-improvised motion capture mockumentary following a cast of interdimensional fighters who have to find new jobs after the tournament is cancelled by the "woke hivemind".

Rating: G

Producer: Nino Mancuso, Kyle More

Director: Nino Mancuso, Kyle More

Cast: Kyle More, Jackie Gonzalez-Durruthy, Matt Cook

Runtime: 28

Language: English

Country: USA

FROGS AND FEATHERS

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, International, Short, Subtitles

As more crows gather at the frog sanctuary Anna (10) built with her late father, the frogs are in great danger. To her mother’s frustration, Anna therefore brings home a frog she saved by the lake. But her mother's lack of understanding pushes Anna away, and feeling unsupported, she decides to kiss the frog. To her great surprise, it turns into a mysterious, silent boy. Together, they build a scarecrow to protect the frogs from the hungry birds. But their plan fails, and Anna must learn to let go and trust nature’s course, so life can move forward with her mother.

Rating: G

Producer: Gabriela Uweis

Director: Lykke Sand Michelsen

Cast: Sia Alba Steckel Magnussen, Oliver Ye Lu, Iben Dorner

Runtime: 13

Language: Danish

Country: Denmark

PLEASE DON'T SEND HELP

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Experimental, International, Short

We've finally heard back from our deep-space outpost on Proxima Centauri B, but there's something odd about their message. . . .

Rating: G

Producer: Grigory Lukin

Director: Grigory Lukin

Cast: Sarah Erica Caulfield

Runtime: 3

Language: English

Country: Canada

THE FABULOUS FLOCKS

World Premiere

Categories: Drama, History, Short

During prohibition in 1920s Alabama, a reluctant teenager risks everything by running moonshine for his kingpin uncle in order to keep his family out of poverty.

Rating: G

Producer: Allegra Deneroff

Director: Jeffrey Kaminkski

Cast: Robert McLeroy, Caleb White

Runtime: 22

Language: English

Country: USA

HOWARD

Categories: Drama, Short

In a near-future where automation has made human labor obsolete, HOWARD follows a truck driver—played by Sawyer Spielberg—reduced to a passenger in his own self-driving rig. As his job, marriage, and identity slip away, Howard drifts through life in quiet resignation. But when Ophelia, a sharp-witted teenage stowaway, unexpectedly climbs aboard, her presence jolts him awake. Through their unlikely bond, Howard finds the courage to confront his future and take control of his own destiny—no longer just a passenger. Written and directed by Paulina Keszler, this 15-minute short explores connection, resilience, and the quiet rebellion of reclaiming purpose in a world speeding past.

Rating: M

Producer: Arielle Haller-Silverstone, S.J. Allocco-St. Germain

Director: Paulina Olivia Keszler

Cast: Sawyer Spielberg, Bella Higginbotham

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: USA

THE STONES OF DUNAMASE CASTLE

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Short

In the shadow of ancient Irish ruins, the aftermath of a heist unravels into deadly betrayals as four thieves learn that trust is the most dangerous currency of all.

Rating: G

Producer: Melissa Jo Peltier, John Gray, Hugh Connell

Director: John Gray

Cast: Aoibhinn McGinnity, Desmond Eastwood, Brian Moore

Runtime: 18

Language: English

Country: Ireland

TIMELESS

Iowa Premiere

Categories: International, Short

When an overworked woman encounters a freak accident that leaves time frozen, she thinks she's finally found freedom through exploring Paris, her dream city, alone. Filmed in Paris, France; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Los Angeles, California.

Rating: G

Producer: Stevo Chang, Rachel Mathieu

Director: Stevo Chang, Rachel Mathieu

Cast: Rachel Mathieu, Aubrey Rhodes, Jens Sweaney

Runtime: 14

Language: English

Country: France

EAST DID MEET WEST

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, History, Romance, Short, Student

Inspired by the 1930s court case Roldan vs. Los Angeles County, Filipino Salvador Roldan and English Marjorie Rogers must find a way to convince an attorney to fight for their marriage despite the anti-miscegenation laws of the time.

Rating: G

Producer: Alexis Berganio

Director: Aiko Lozar

Cast: Kev Martinez, Tatyana Aravena, Eliza Kanter

Runtime: 15

Language: English, Other

Country: USA

ANEMOIA

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Romance, Short

Longing for a past you’ve never experienced. Fifteen years apart, yet some ties never fade. Vero (Lorena López) and Carlos (Vito Sanz) reunite at a dinner meant for many, but truly for them, until old emotions resurface, and everything ignites.

Rating: G

Producer: Ana Camacho, Alberto Díaz, Javier Valenzuela

Director: Javier Valenzuela

Cast: Lorena López, Vito Sanz

Runtime: 20

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

LEONARDO

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Drama, Horror/Thriller, International, Sci-Fi, Short, Subtitles

Inspired by the Vitruvian Man and the Leonardo DiCaprio syndrome, LEONARDO imagines a near future in which Néstor, after losing his partner, seeks comfort in an artificial replica of her. What begins as a desperate attempt to revive their relationship seems to work . . . until an unexpected event changes everything.

Rating: G

Producer: Meka Ribera, Javier Peña, Àlvaro G. Company

Director: Àlvaro G. Company, Meka Ribera

Cast: Fernando Cayo, Roo Castillo

Runtime: 16

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

MADE OF LOVE

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, Fantasy, International, Short, Subtitles

Emmanuelle and Mirra are two women in love who dream of having a child born solely from their love. When Mirra suddenly becomes pregnant, besides all biological possibilites, the surprise is total and the joy at its height. Well . . . for Emmanuelle, it's not that easy.

Rating: M

Producer: Amélie Queret

Director: Clémence Dirmeikis

Runtime: 23

Language: French

Country: France

QAHER

USA Premiere

Categories: International, Short, Subtitles

Jason, a Canadian Palestinian, returns to Palestine after years away to surprise his sister, bringing an unconventional gift—a goat, a traditional offering for his newborn nephew. As he embarks on his journey to reach her, he rediscovers the true meaning of Palestinian identity.

Rating: G

Producer: Maciej Ślesucki

Director: Nada Khalifa

Cast: Nabil Al-Raee, Fadi Al-Ghoul, Odai Al-Saeedi

Runtime: 20

Language: Arabic

Country: Poland

VICKY VENUCCI'S LAST MAN

USA Premiere

Categories: Drama, International, Short, Subtitles

Vicky Venucci is a pornographic actress who is about to shoot the most important scene of her young career. But when the big moment arrives, she decides to flee the set to join her father, whom she hasn't seen in years.

Rating: M

Producer: Lucas Tothe, Jessica Arfuso

Director: Swann Dupont

Cast: Alba Gaïa Bellugi, Laurent Fernandez

Runtime: 23

Language: French

Country: France

CHRISTMAS IRL

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, Dramedy, International, Short

An influencer decides what's truly important on Christmas.

Rating: M

Producer: Elise Laplante, Johanna Lukkari, Emily Wilson

Director: Rochan Liu

Cast: Jenny Soo, Li-Chen Chiang, Yi Liu

Runtime: 6

Language: English

Country: South Africa, Taiwan, USA

DATING MARK SILCOX

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Romance, Short

Unable to get a second date, Mark Silcox attempts to find love by learning to be funny. But could his joking go too far?

Rating: G

Producer: Fleu Bell-Hendriks

Director: Joe Lycett

Cast: Mark Silcox, Katherine Pakinson

Runtime: 12

Language: English

Country: United Kingdom

THE DINNER GHOST

Categories: Animation, Short, Student

Sam is an anxious lesbian who on the night of her proposal is surprised by the sudden appearance of her Grandpa's ghost! How will she keep her over eager Grandpa from finding out her secret when her girlfriend is in the next room over?

Rating: G

Producer: Christopher Davis Herbst, Zachary Allen Kapinos, Ringling College of Art & Design

Director: Christopher Davis Herbst

Cast: Lev Rodriguez Shivers, Thomas Racine, Romy Evans

Runtime: 3

Language: English

Country: USA

I'M SORRY (FOR THE FUTURE)

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, International, Short

Upon learning he's to be a father, Brent types a letter to his future child detailing how pain, no matter how insignificant, will be part of life. A kaleidoscope of comedic, and poignant, violence ensues.

Rating: G

Producer: Max Walker

Director: Ben Louis Nicholas

Cast: Brent Skagford, Parmida Vand, Félix Legault

Runtime: 11

Language: English

Country: Canada

MILQUETOAST

Iowa Premiere

Categories: Comedy, Short

When a woman is broken up with for being “too nice” and learns her friends feel the same way, she does something very mean.

Rating: M