NFFTY 2025 Programmers’ Picks

Hannah Sperling - 21, Sadie Kopacz - 20, Karen Han - 21, Avani More - 20 | USA

“I’ve never seen a film capture the alluring, sinister, and anxiety-ridden nature of growing up quite like Hannah Sperling’s short film MEEK. Tatum Hopkins is captivating as Hailey, a teenage girl navigating her newfound independence and agency, providing the audience with an unflinching look at the pervasiveness and pitfalls of peer pressure.”

Experience Points (XP)

Jasper Fletcher - 20, Lukas Fletcher - 21 | USA

“Like lightning in a bottle, the Fletcher brothers have captured something undeniably special with this poignant portrait of their family in transition. I was engrossed in this film from the first frame, and find myself revisiting it often — the clever composition choices, pace of the edit, and transitory nature of what the audience is being shown provides something new to discover with each watch.”

Opening Night presented by MoPOP

Jestke Lieber - 24 | Netherlands

“A deeply empathetic film, I was immediately endeared to Willem on his journey of heartbreak and healing. Director Jestke Lieber crafts a nuanced character so easy to connect with, effectively integrating the audience into Willem’s world as he acclimates to a new normal. The month-long journey flies by in this understated, emotionally resonant short that’s stuck with me since my first watch.”

Friday Night Shorts presented by MUBI

Parker Fenady - 23 | USA

“Parker Fenady’s expertly directed, delightfully dialogue-driven film was an instant favorite for me. Perfectly balancing acerbic wit and earnest vulnerability, Alexis G Zall and Katelyn Nacon make an electrifying dynamic duo, their verbal volley exhilarating to watch. Fenady’s distinct artistic voice really shines in this short — I can’t wait to see what she makes next!”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Justin Nguyen - 21, Ethan Frank - 22, Devon Again - 23, Zayd Ezzeldine - 21 | USA

“Devon Again is back again! We’re kicking off Closing Night with this absolute showstopper of a short; the filmmaking prowess of Frank, Nguyen, and Ezzeldine collide with the unique stylings and talent of Devon Again to produce an immersive experience for a dynamic performance. It’s going to be such a treat to experience this one on the big screen!”

Closing Night presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Sungbin Moon - 23, Nicklas Beijer - 23 | USA

“This beautifully intimate and deeply moving film seeks to explore the filmmaker's relationship with her now-sober mother. With its unflinching, yet tender storytelling and striking cinematography, Sungbin Moon confronts her past, effectively capturing both the physical and emotional distance between herself and her mom. A must-watch for anyone drawn to confessional and evocative filmmaking.”

Closing Night presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Caitlyn Phu - 23, Drake Konishi - 24 | USA

“I could tell almost immediately that this film would be among my favorites in this year’s lineup. Caitlyn Phu’s film effortlessly blends humor and heart, serving as a delightful reminder of the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love — and what a performance from her grandfather!”

Happy Hour Shorts

Teddy Alvarez-Nissen - 23 | USA

“This moving and imaginative film is one I’ve found myself thinking about again and again. With its weighty themes of aging and loss, Teddy Alvarez-Nissen’s script approaches the subject matter with humor and grace. The film’s cinematography is a standout, capturing both the intimacy of family life and the vast loneliness of change.”

Having a Body is Weird

George Petrou - 22, Laura Calzada - 20, Geraldine Piong - 23 | UK

“Laura Calzada's experimental documentary skillfully blends visual and aural storytelling, expertly navigating its sensitive subjct matter and leaving a lasting impact. I found the film's interview segments to be particularly engaging and thought-provoking, allowing viewers to explore the use of sound as a means for communication and finding understanding.”

Closing Night presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Wren Petkov - 23, Michelle Saal - 22 | Ireland

“This heartwarming animated adventure follows its protagonist as she sets off on her journey to college, joined by an adorable canine companion she finds along the way. Wren Petkov and Michelle Saal’s character design is expressive and full of charm, bringing Allie’s journey to life with warmth and personality as she finds kindness and community in unfamiliar places. “

Choose Your Own Adventure presented by ShotDeck

Asta Marie Liedman - 17, Marco Andersen - 18, Romeo Banjas Struve - 16 | Denmark

“Longing is so simply and beautifully captured in this film. ‘What Came and What Went’ highlights the value of visual storytelling and how much can be said through image and editing. It revisits brief encounters and missed opportunities from our own lives.”

Feel the Yearn

Athena Stuebe - 20, Sydney White - 20, Isaiah Kollmansberger - 20 | USA

“At a secluded Catholic school, a young girl is haunted by her parent's death, ultimately projecting her into a state of madness. Stuebe makes fantastic use of light and textures with each frame to immerse the viewer into a world of despair.”

Night Terrors presented by Chapman University

Julia Lalonde - 22, Sydney Beaton - 21 | Canada

“Be big, be bold, be beautiful. With a clever script and important message, "Wet Noodle" brought me back to childhood, reminding myself of a time where I thought I would have more value if my body had looked different. Lalonde handles this subject with care and playfulness that I wish for all young people to have the opportunity to watch this. “

Having a Body is Weird

Jordie Simpson - 21 | USA

“Grieving words recite over images of lush roses and old photos. This is a lovely abstract piece Simpson captures what its like to remember someone fondly, the questions that will remain, the moments you once shared, the reminders are everywhere.”

Memory Lane

Skye Schoenhoeft - 22, Nina Tartibi - 22 | USA

“We often forget the impact that certain spaces have on us at certain points in our lives. They are more than the rooms we inhabit, but vital to the experiences that make us who we are. This lyrical and experimental film reflects on an experience between two roommates, what lead them there, memories, and how it affected their future. “

Experimental Visions

Martin Lee - 21, Airham Almonte - 23 | USA

“Without being hidden behind ticket counters or museum glass, street art can be seen as the embodiment of community voices, perhaps giving catharsis to the artists’ themselves and maybe even to observers that see the work interwoven onto the structures in their day to day.The small, temporary acts of rebellion in the form of graffiti that are at the forefront of Martin Lee & Airham Almonte’s documentary remind us of the creators as indivudals who reach out across a variety of mediums to express and connect with others, and possibly to be remembered in some small-scale manner. And aren’t we all doing that, in our own way?“

Friday Night Spotlight presented by MUBI

Jules Vésigot-Wahl - 24 | France

“With such a long history of mystery to the sea, has it finally righted one of its tragedies? Though Jules Vésigot-Wahl’s film remains mostly landlocked, our understanding of the goings-on ebbs and flows with such effective visual storytelling that even without being spelled out, you too feel the allure of the supernatural to alleviate a buried & bygone hurt, like a riptide dragging you into the unknown.“

Memory Lane

Jiaying Lin - 21 | China

“Jiaying Lin’s documentary turns a handheld, trembling camera to her own family’s grief with such vulnerability and grace that it almost feels meant for relatives exclusively rather than a general audience. How special and comforting it is to have a privileged look into this amount of love for a grandfather and to see how the coincidences of life can be interpreted as echos from the departed in order to feel their presence once more.”

In Absentia

Phoenix Park - 19, Angel Noriega - 18, Sophia UY - 19 | USA

“The constant bombardment of commercials over every inch of our digital and physical spaces is nothing short of overwhelming. If corporations could make a buck off placing an advertisement in this very recommendation, they would! Instead, thankfully, I get to sing the praises of Phoenix Park’s entrancing animation film capturing the feeling of being overstimulated by the avalanche of ads that is beamed directly into our brains. If commercials were as refreshingly relatable as MANNIKIN PARADE, the GDP would skyrocket higher than this film’s protagonist. But for now, between life’s ads, we get to watch this gem of a short. “

Wired In presented by Blackmagic

Rahul Koul - 22, Ford Cowan - 22, Haneol Lee - 21 | USA

“Rahul Koul & Ford Cowan’s Yajñopavīta draws you in with its fluctuating restraint between a mother and son, between deep shadows and warm light, and between unspoken truths and overheard confessions. It embodies the quiet hesitance and subdued tenderness often found between family members rebuilding their shared trust, when a misplaced word can jeopardize a whole relationship. These silences and cutaways culminate in a deeply universal film that becomes more empathetic the longer it sits with you.“

Opening Night presented by MoPOP

Eli Staub - 21, Sofia Uribe - 22, Evie Masters - 22 | USA

“We've all seen disturbing videos online and reported them for harmful content. But we've never been on the other side of the screen, sitting in the chair that has to review them. "Moderator" throws its audience into a unique perspective, forcing us to sit with the anxiety and suspense of the loading screen. This film tackles its subject fantastically, showing different reactions and effects to such content: Desensitization, compartimentalizing, breaking down. Many of us scroll through daily algorithms mindlessly, but ‘Moderator’ faces the internet's problems head on. An incredible film that will stick with you.”

Wired In presented by Blackmagic

Nathan Cowles - 21 | USA

“It's infinitely complex trying to navigate sibling relationships, let alone mental health struggles on top of that. But "Thank you for Everything" finds a way to explore these themes in such a beautiful way. Paired with visuals of a busy yet isolated city at night, this film is a love letter to both Nathan's past-self and his sister. The dialogue resonates with the audience in such an emotional way that ironically, words can barely capture the beauty of this film. “

Experimental Visions

Julio Aceituno - 20, Barkın Öztürk - 21 | USA

“‘Somewhere Out There’ isn't afraid to let moments speak for themselves. This film explores the work and life of sculpture artist Charlie Brouwer as he comes to terms with becoming legally blind in his career. This film is peaceful and relaxing, yet simaltaneously somber and heartbreaking. It's a wonderful testament to Brouwer's life's work and the beauty and endless possibilities of art.”

Having a Body is Weird

Maria Paula Quesada Quiros - 23, Gabby Fiszman - 23, Doug Kerner - 23, Tre'len Johnston - 24 | USA

“A unique take on the Coming of Age Genre, ‘Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday’ explores the shitstorm of a day that exhausted 23 year-old Aly has, only to come home to a surprise party. This film is brilliantly written, full of vibrant colors and dynamic characters. The comedic timing is so perfect throughout that you'll be reeling with laughter. In short, ‘Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday’ takes a story about a shitty day and effectively explores the anxieties of entering adulthood without knowing what to do.“

Friday Night Spotlight presented by MUBI

Pacqui Pascual - 23, Annie Cui - 23, Carolyn Chen - 23, Nikko Wisner - 24 | USA

“Do you enjoy heartfelt family moments but also the occasional dance party? Then ‘Awit Natin’ is perfect for you. This film is full of emotion, diving into a family who's caring for their mother after suffering a brain aneurysm. I was instantly drawn in by its vibrant and colorful lighting, fantastic acting and its bizarre dance sequences. This film will make you laugh and it will make you cry. How can you not love it?”

Opening Night presented by MoPOP

Esther Kong - 22, Vivian Xiao - 20 | USA

“Ancestry is such a topic of fascination that we’re tempted to mail our spit to corporations just to get some answers about those who came before us. How to Smell Without a Nose brings them, living and breathing, to the forefront. I felt this film work my senses like the heightened calm of an adrenaline rush, and at the same time, cause me to wonder about the echoes of time, what prayers our ancestors have sent for us, and what curses of theirs we carry.”

Experimental Visions

Roxy Sophie Sorkin - 23, Chelsea Eisen - 24, Brian Niles - 24 | USA

“Raunchy, bold, and immensely stylish, “Swollen” is a gothic camp classic that plays with the grotesqueness and hilarity of modern beauty and luxury. And yet, on top of the infectious joie de vivre of the lead characters, delightfully absurd dialogue detours, and needle drops so perfect you can't even see the surgery scars, this film is a feat of aesthetic excellence with levels of detail and taste that reveal the filmmakers’ talent not only for poking fun at beauty, but creating it. “

Friday Night Spotlight presented by MUBI

Eion Nunez - 17 | USA

“A mind-bending, risk-taking, electrifying journey that must be experienced, THE MECHANIZATION OF A MAN plunges headfirst into the meat of its themes— fear, death, tech, meds, God. At the heart of the film is Cillian, whose suffering and striving to transcend saturates the entire film. The rhythmic pulse of his near non-stop narration paired with hi-octane visuals evokes the agony and the ecstasy of a life hurtling full speed ahead towards oblivion and drags you kicking and screaming towards the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Wired In presented by Blackmagic

Harshith S. Kotni - 24, Julie Zhao - 24 | USA

“It’s hard to feel the love when we are stuck inside our minds, which often want to criticize, analyze, and improve upon their victims. Kana, a young Bharatanatyam dancer, is not lacking in discipline or skill, yet is frustrated that she cannot seem to reach the heights she is aiming for because her dance lacks prema; love. Watch as prema finds Kana in the form of her mother and transforms not only her art, but her world. The vicarious experience might be enough to have you evangelizing about love as a gift we give to others and to our selves.”

Growing Through It

Chi Tran - 22, Skylar Kim - 23, Jason Wang - 21 | USA

“With the state of the world being what it is in 2025, feelings of defeat are undoubtedly pervasive; I know I recognize them in myself. VISA follows Kevin, a young creative professional living in New York and seeking an H-1B visa so that he can stay there. Watching him game the system and fight to keep the life he has created for himself is equal parts exciting and cathartic.”

Gray Areas

Giles Perkins - 24, Roya Alidjani - 24, Tiana Cantu - 23 | USA

“More and more stories dissecting toxic masculinity have reached the screen in recent years, but few seem to hit the mark in asking the right questions while keeping the story human and relatable. APOLLO is an effective portrayal of the smaller acts of boyish violence inflicted at an age when we’re impressionable, where all we want to do is fit in, even if this means going against our principles.”

Friday Night Spotlight presented by MUBI

Mir Mengi - 21, ZJ Wang - 20, Luis Figueroa Caunedo - 21 | Czech Republic

“Exploring uncertainty is one of my favorite things to do, so it’s always a treat when a film navigates this feeling through a smart and effective use of image and language. Dialogue that weighs little but says lots, stories so expressive you can see them without visual manifestations, and beautifully muted colors allow a hickey to become a footprint—evidence of change in everyday occurrences that would otherwise seem trivial.”

Experience Points (XP)

Sayna Fardaraghi - 23, Julian Wolf Stoller - 20 | UK

“I love to cherish and celebrate films that feel like intimate memories. Helena’s life is not a life I can personally relate to, but the emotional depth behind certain coming-of-age narratives like this one is always a treasure. The fear of growing up is not always in the form of a dress, but perhaps a person, an idea, a place or a word—whatever its shape, what matters is what we make of it.”

Experience Points (XP)

Peyton Tenison - 24, Juan Felipe Díaz - 24, Sam Wolf - 24 | USA

“As an indoor plant who should get out of the house more often, this film taps into a desire for connection beyond what is sometimes a self-imposed social confinement. We connect through the things that make us different, and sometimes all we need is a little push (like potential death by dehydration) to embrace these differences.”

Happy Hour Shorts

Mona D'hertefelt - 21 | Belgium

“Have you seen that video of two men playing jazz for a bunch of cows? This is not that, but I’m just as captivated by this cast of needle-felted cows and their grassroots (ha) activism. Mixing the timeless humor of a fart joke with effective stop motion characterization and subtitled mooing, how could I not be a fan?”

All Around Us presented by ScanDesign Foundation

Jesse Padveen - 23, Solmund MacPherson - 24, Tobias Harrison - 23, Josh Willick - 23 | Canada

“Have you ever had a night that was such a bummer, such a pile up of rotten luck and inopportune life challenges, that you were left with a distinct cocktail of incomprehensibly bleak emotions? Sometimes all you can do is laugh. Or, perhaps, you can dive straight into the subconscious, dredge up the detritus of our woes and throw it all on screen. THE SPHINX is one of the most bafflingly funny films I’ve seen in a long time, where every formal decision contributes to a specific sense of comedic dread that had me completely locked in from beginning to end. I find myself quoting it to friends and forgetting it’s not (yet) a well known feature.”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Amira Stone - 23 | USA

“Some of my favorite documentaries calibrate themselves to the pace of life as experienced by the subject; this one takes it a step further by including a Costco POV shot! The filmmaker's grandmother, fka “Angelita,” has built a home for herself that has offered great comfort in her later years, one that invites reflections on the space of the past and our memories. There's a profoundly touching moment where Angelita, resting on the beach, discusses her inability to walk comfortably after back surgery; we then cut to a group of clams burrowing into the sand as the tide comes rushing in. Through simple visual association and unobtrusive montage, we find ourselves discovering the peace in life.”

Familial Frames

Justin Kaminuma - 24 | USA

“As a lifelong lover of cinema, it might not come as a surprise that loss of vision remains one of my recurring anxieties (it doesn’t help that I end up with more floaters with each passing year). When I encountered this film, I kept asking myself what I was looking at and where its uncanny power came from. Upon learning that the filmmaker created it entirely in their bedroom through a process of animating forgotten photos of childhood hallways and haunting backrooms, subsequently printed out on copy paper and scanned back into the film itself, I couldn’t help but marvel even more. What we’re left with is a bad dream we can’t shake, a liminal nightmare that pops up in unexpected places long after the film has ended.”

Experimental Visions

Thibeaux Hirsh - 22 | Jamaica

“I try to pay extra attention to the odd moments of coincidental synchronicity in my life. Early in the morning before starting a day of NFFTY programming, I finished reading Cockfighter by the great Charles Willeford. I was immediately struck when my first short of the day was this portrait of a Jamaican alligator conservationist and fowl fighter named Evel. First I marvelled at the happenstance, and then I found myself marveling at the film (along with many of the echoes across both depictions of complicated men and the relationships that keep them going). With a perceptive approach to the material, the film characterizes the remarkable life of a caring father and his unconventional professions.”

Friday Night Spotlight presented by MUBI

Léo Gatinot - 24, Clara Nicolas - 24 | France & Italy

“What role does the landscape play in our activism? Could it even, perhaps, be a member of our collective? With a keen eye for landscape photography (exquisitely captured on 16mm), this documentary charts the repercussions of a tunnel boring machine cutting its way through a mountain on the Franco-Italian border. Eschewing talking heads, we hear voices of the community overlaid over scenes of both natural beauty and the haunting intervention of humanity. Does our anger simply echo in the valley, or is that the land speaking back at us?”

Reel Impact presented by Team Soapbox