NFFTY 2026 Programmers’ Picks

Abe Dassa Kaye - 24 | NY, USA

“The cinematography in Abe Dassa Kaye’s short film AN ENCOUNTER has stuck with me since my first watch; I loved rollerblading through the city streets with Eli, and you can really feel the intention behind the construction of each frame of his story. A stunning slice of life exploring intimacy, desire, and independence, teeming with empathy and curiosity — there’s so much to enjoy in this one.” 

Friday Night Spotlight

Jillian Moray - 23, Gordy De St. Jeor - 22 | CA, USA

“To be a fly on the wall in Barbara’s home for an afternoon is such a joy. From the impeccable production design to intricate performances from Myra Turley and Ben Weinswig, it’s clear that every member of this filmmaking team understood the assignment. Director Jillian Moray balances affection and awkwardness so adeptly, I can’t wait to see what she makes next.”

Daily Grind

Alva van Niekerk - 24, Joel Wiklund Ekman - 23, Carl Sköld - 22 | Sweden

“Bookended by one of my favorite frames of this festival edition, director Alva van Niekerk’s film MY DAD IS DEAD shook me to my core. Edith Parke masterfully depicts Lo’s silent struggle with a subtlety and nuance that left me speechless. Incredible emerging talent in front of and behind the camera — you love to see it.”

Closing Night presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Julia Hogg - 24, Marissa Bondi - 24 | Canada

“This film absolutely stuck the landing for me. Marissa Bondi and Gage Monroe are so charming as Elma and Brad, their chemistry creating a delightfully unnerving dynamic. There’s an electricity in this short that’s hard to put words to; I’m really looking forward to experiencing it with an audience in the theater.”

Uneasy Street

Xinpeng Huang - 23, Keer Zhang - 24, Tuvshinsaikhan Ganbayar - 22 | TN, USA & China

“A pixelated odyssey that had me hooked from the first nostalgic note, Xinpeng Huang’s STELLA MARIS is a feat of animated filmmaking. From the ever-shifting aesthetics to the pivots in the plot, Bobbi’s journey is well worth the watch.”

Daily Grind

Angel Rojas - 22, Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui - 24 | Peru, OH & MA, USA

“We may never truly know how to capture the full essence of memory and history, but some of the most invigorating art creates new avenues for expressing it visually and sonically. Depicting a shared diasporic history through the structure of flipping through television channels, this film made me feel uniquely immersed in a shared history and experiences entirely different from my own. Through direct testimony, archival material, performance, and one of my new favorite short film songs, LOS TRES ANTIFACES lingers in the mind long after the first encounter.”

Experimental Visions

Lada Kopytova - 22 | UK

“I love art! I love the sea! I love wet land on 16mm! I spend a lot of time in the winter wandering the beaches of Puget Sound, whether that be loading up a bucket of clams or simply breathing in the salty air. Listening to the subject of this documentary made me pine (no pun intended) to be a mudlarker, scouring the coast for found material that has been cleansed of original purpose or intent. Though brief, this portrait of London jewelry maker Klara Fokicheva embraces the joyful sense of discovery found in the best art.”

Outside the Lines

Edward Gómez Granada - 23, Danna Muñoz - 23, Daniela Balanta - 22 | Colombia & CA, USA

“I spent my summers cruising around on a bicycle, savoring the bliss from coasting downhill on a humid evening. In MALICIA, you feel the pure ecstasy of the gravity riders who glide down the winding roads of Colombia as the camera elegantly flows with them. It makes the moments of drama so much more impacting, as blind corners can just as easily be hiding pain and violence. The relaxed performances give this film an incredible sense of immersion, where the emotional stakes of the world become so clear even within the span of 15min.”

Weight of the World presented by Blackmagic Design

Haydon Mayer - 23, Ryan Dombrowski - 23, Audrey Mainville - 21, Kaity Holmes - 21, Spencer Milligan - 22 | IL, USA

“As a transplant from Chicago, there is something almost primal that kicks into effect when I see Midwest miscellanea, whether that be a wood panelled teamsters bar or a sunset over the Indiana Dunes. I also have a deep respect and admiration when a 20min short film confidently deploys its first line of spoken dialogue 12min into the film. The front half of this film, told through sojourns in the video game Second Life and a mixture of mid 2000s period detail, conjures an utterly singular depiction of the yearning for emotional connection. The back half culminates with such carefully observed moments of tenderness that you can’t help but marvel at the coherency of vision across both the virtual filmmaking and location work.”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Cate Christiansen - 22, Alexandra Mettler - 22, Lucas Manuel-Scheibe - 22 | NY, USA

“What happens when you take an inherently comedic concept (a flautist with a spider kink hiding their obsessions from an intimidatingly bass voiced father) and play it almost entirely straight? You find yourself somehow getting to the heart of real issues around sexual repression and desire. Each time I watch this film I’m taken in by its gaze, both empathetic and distant, absurdist and clinical. A film that seems impossible on paper, but manages the clarity of vision that comes from spinning a delicate web.”

Uneasy Street

JT Trinidad - 24, Earvic Noay - 22, Rocky Morilla - 24, Kukay Zinampan - 24 | Philippines

“Light dances with shadows as JT Trinidad’s tight direction brings life to Manila’s empty rooms with the hustle and bustle of its city; the sound tying the story’s vignettes together. Grounded in a surviving movie house, this queer coming-of-age film confronts life’s magic through questions like how to know when you love someone. Though it feels made for viewers like me - a queer Filipino with an affinity for slice-of-life storytelling - its resonance transcends matters of identity. HONEY, MY LOVE, SO SWEET reminds me of the importance of a neighborhood cinema. Really, it's the container for our own communities and self-discoveries. How beautiful it is to be alive in a SIFF theater!”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Siwoo Kim - 23, Katie Nagrowski - 22, Emily Leeds - 20 | NY, USA & South Korea

“I’ve yet to shake this film’s opening lines from my mind. Impressive animation paired with a lively soundscape, what starts off as a suicide pact between two lonely souls, becomes a mini-odyssey after someone bails. The film tries to find warmth in fleeting encounters, as faces are lit by car headlights and cigarette lighters, presented in a striking, textured color palette. Loneliness in the city, and what it looks like in the modern age, is explored by the focal character through excellently written dialogue with an old classmate. Tackling many themes, Inside my worn out drawer, is an ocean manages to hold it all with remarkable grace.”

Pedal to the Mettle

Maryam Zuhuri - 20, Aileen Fröhlich - 22 | Austria

“It’s easy to live in this world. Transitory spaces are weird. What you take from them, is often even weirder. Maryam Zuhuri’s director's statement discusses growing up across different countries, and you can feel it in this film. Without a home base, life can be disorienting, and at worst, lonely. Home for runaway girls discusses the pain, familial expectations, and class through stunning cinematography and composition. And its most interesting feature: it’s a film you read. Seriously- no dialogue here. It’s a big swing that pays off; spending nine minutes in its thoughtful silence is one of my most rewarding watches this NFFTY.”

Breaking the Mold

Izzy Dalton - 17, Leah Fitzgibbon - 16 | Ireland

“A film that understands contrast. By day, these scenes have a saturation to them that defines their home as inviting, but not quite right. An aquarium's vibrant colors will mesmerize you before quickly realizing Jack is mysteriously losing his fish one-by-one every night. And by night, Izzy Dalton wields elements of analog horror to transform an ordinary home into something sinister. Like Skinamarink and Paranormal Activity, Dalton lingers on the unknown long enough to condition familiarity into fear. Rich soundscapes, stellar editing, and the nighttime’s dizzying grainy texture; Barracuda has it all and sustains its balancing act until the very end.”

Thrills & Chills

Pranav Dawar - 22, Vidhu Kota - 22 | India & NY, USA

After seeing this, I wanted to show everyone. This is like when people say, “There’s a whole world out there!” but really, there’s a whole world out there. Bursting with energy and rich colors, Karnama (Well of Death) builds toward a finale that'll conclude our Opening Night block like a shot of espresso. With brilliant pacing, this documentary's reflections on the importance of work and family culminate in the cinematic equivalent of a guitar riff. It’s thrilling to feel through each new shot as the film sparks yet another jolt of joy, even in moments when these people are far from home. Understanding subcultures is a great way to bring us closer to the core of what makes us human, and what drives us forward. And here: the answer is family.

Opening Night

Eve Peters - 22, Felix Bailly - 23 | NY, USA

“A meet-cute drenched in 2013 internet cringe, Eve Peter’s My Little Clopfic is an acting tightrope from two leads performances which helped me discover my heart can ache for a man earnestly in a My Little Pony costume. And like the celluloid version of an online rabbit hole—it’s darkly funny, oddly poignant, and can shift right out from under your feet in an instant.”

Points of Contact

Weston Borg - 23, Riley Owens - 24, Lucas Wurman - 23 | NY, USA

“Before online betting markets bet on life, folks bet on horse races. But after more than 130 years of operations, New York’s The Aqueduct racetrack is closing and with it, its memories. The stories from racetrack employees and patrons in Weston Borg’s Railbirds tether the landmark to a local past that might not fill history books but reminds us how meaningful a bittersweet goodbye can be when you’re saying farewell to a place that shaped you.”

IYKYK

Alejandra Villegas - 23, Vanessa Navari - 23, Kate Vela - 24 | Mexico

“Equal parts compassionate and foreboding, Aquí Nadie Sabe Quién Fui feels like walking through someone else’s memories as they are scrubbed of any identifying details. Cigarette burns redact families’ faces in scrapbooks. Glimpses of homes, schools, and streets fill the screen but never reveal the documentary’s subject. Every new breadcrumb added to the story by filmmakers Vanessa Navari, Kate Vela, and Alejandra Villegas compels the film to a viewing experience that is both difficult to watch and difficult to turn away from.”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Luke Gardiner - 21 | NY, USA

“Did we all think growing up that there was a danger to swallowing watermelon seeds? Well, Luke McCormick Gardiner’s Evergreen may have that fear beat. This film is for the codependent green-thumbs out there. Or maybe for your friends who personify their plants a little too much? But if you’re just into well-paced thrillers inside a terrarium of a set where you feel you can touch each sprig, frond, and leaf? Then you’re welcome to enjoy the wild ride too!”

Uneasy Street

Nicola Rios - 23, Julie Chen - 23, Marcel Ruiz - 22 | Puerto Rico

“Not enough good things can be said about Nicola Ríos’s TELARAÑA. A masterful example of the hidden forces that shape a family, Ríos asks the audience what it means to inherit a past you may not want, and how you can forge your own path in its shadow. The film’s tension is built with precision, from quiet family moments to strikingly eerie visuals, keeping you on edge without ever feeling forced, culminating in an ending that is as unsettling as it is unforgettable.”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

John Kim - 22, Justin Nguyen - 21, Liya Yang - 23, Justin Roh - 23 | CA, USA

“Watching SWEET BOY, I was met with an intimacy so raw and familiar that it mirrored moments from my own family, at times even moving me to tears. The film inhabits the quiet, charged spaces of a household in tension, small gestures, held breaths, and fleeting glances, carrying a weight that is impossible to ignore. John Kim’s SWEET BOY urges you to confront how love and harm can exist in the same space.”

Closing Night presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Austen Taylor Pease - 21, Robert Peddie - 21, Theo Hughes - 21, Francis Kelly - 21 | UK

“This was one of the first films I watched this year, and it still leaves me with chills every time I revisit it. It can be difficult to create a film that encapsulates themes of grief, abuse, mental health, and toxic sports culture without feeling overwhelmingly heavy. Rather than burying you in that weight, DOGBONE finds a careful balance. Set within the stark world of football in Northern England, the film allows moments of tension and vulnerability to surface naturally, trusting the audience to feel alongside its characters. What emerges is a striking portrait of how silence, expectation, and loss can shape a young boy learning how to carry his grief.”

Let’s Get Physical

Abigail Siddall - 22, Maggie Deer - 23, Lindsey Susor - 23 | GA, USA

“Whimsical, eerie, and endlessly inventive, bringing together humans and puppets alike for a wild ride. Without fail, this film lingers with everyone who experiences it, its playful, unpredictable rhythm keeping you hooked from start to finish. Within every stroke of paint on stage or stitch of fabric, co-directors Maggie Deer and Lindsey Susor have built a world so immersive it feels alive.”

Set Happens! presented by ShotDECK

Li Anne Liew - 24, Jessica Stossel - 24, Dajiana Huang - 23, Aleia Jacobs - 24 | CA, USA

“I was enamored with the entirety of this film, from the gorgeous 16mm visuals to the thought provoking narration, every element of this film works with each other perfectly. While lately headlines and media are dominated by chaos and death, Glide (All The People I'll Never Be) offers a reflective, mesmerizing exploration of what it means to watch life pass by while searching for your place within it.”

Friday Night Spotlight

Andrew Gerstenblatt - 23, Arthur Goldbart - 23, Amy Roach - 23 | CA, USA

“Who said romance is dead? With ‘The Extraordinaries,’ I was quickly won over by its lead actors, who play lifelong friends dealing with new and unexpected pressures. It strikes the perfect balance between high-energy comedy and genuinely earnest storytelling, making this a feel-good watch that’s both deeply relevant and delightfully fun.”

Happy Hour Shorts

Cameron J. Schulz - 22, Aidan Marx - 22, Corey Sabhlok - 23 | CA, USA

“Meeting your partner’s parents for the first time is enough to make anyone sweat. But director Cameron J. Schulz takes the phrase ‘bottling up your feelings’ to a literal, hilarious extreme that I’ve been quoting for months. A masterclass in high-production absurdity, this short will stick with you long after the credits roll (mostly because you’ll be repeating the title to everyone you meet for the rest of the weekend).”

Happy Hour Shorts

Aranza Berges - 24, Emilio Terrazas - 23 | Canada

“The characters at the center of ‘Shapes of Us’ embark on what may seem like a quiet, seemingly small journey, but I couldn’t help but be wowed by how it explores the connections that shape our lives -- how they can feel fleeting and permanent all at once. I was particularly impressed by the “living sketch” feel of this film, with its colored pencil backgrounds creating a world that feels both intimate and expansive.”

Outside the Lines

Jaxin Dolap - 24, Tobias Harrison | Canada

“Jaxin Dolap’s visually striking music video for this track by Long Island-based band Arcy Drive is full of infectious energy and just the right amount of nostalgia. I could tell right away that this was made with a whole lot of heart, plus it’s just a solid indie rock jam (my favorite kind).”

Seismic Soundtracks

Carley Lovito - 23, Chloe Lipman - 24, Ishq Pradhan - 22, Evan Miller - 23 | NY, USA

“I’m a theater kid at heart (sorry!), but I think everyone can relate to the struggle of being 12 years old and the longing for acceptance, desire to express yourself, and everything else that comes with that age. With ‘Can’t You See I’m Trying,’ you can’t help but root for the film’s protagonist, a young girl who faces an uphill battle as she looks to find her chance to shine and, hopefully, get the lead role in her school play.”

IYKYK

Freddie Gluck - 24 | CO, USA

“Nobody grows up the same way. For two siblings growing up in an alligator sanctuary, their situation is anything but “normal”. Gatorville is a strong example why I love documentaries. In this case, it’s a stunningly-shot candid of a childhood that is often overlooked in the media. I can’t fathom what it must be like to grow up in this situation, but also to have it captured so intimately. That final shot will stick with me for a long time.”

Friday Night Spotlight

Marlena Lerner - 24, Stella Smyth - 23 , Colin Ortiz - 24 | CA, USA

“I found all the mermaids, they're in Orange County. Marlena Lerner’s utilization of fluid, free body movement and saturation enhance the video’s utopia. I yearn for a summer like this.“

Friday Night Spotlight

Juliet Belisario - 21 | Canada

“Direct, immediate reflection of childhood trauma that shows a young woman come into her own and reclaim her narrative. I was moved by the director's visual perspective of childhood and her use of landscape imagery to create a portrait of time.”

Memory Lane

Justin Nguyen - 23, Zayd Ezzeldine - 23, Devon Again - 24 | CA, USA

“Love is a Toyota. I adore this music video, the blues, the sincerity, the silliness. Los Angeles, commonly depicted on film in warm colors, is depicted here in cool tones, immersing us in the disruptive feeling of moving on. Every frame feels perfect.”

Centerpiece presented by Adobe Premiere Pro

Jamie Simiele - 21, Daniel Shillinglaw - 20, Zeena Kubeisy - 23 | NY, USA

“Pansies shocked me. Jamie Simiele might be the love child of Andrea Arnold and Xavier Dolan. My first viewing left me mersmerized and hurt. This film is so kinetic with its saturated environment and three-dimensional characters. I'm a sucker for queer Americana.“

Experience Points (XP)

Cally Nguyen - 23, Karyn Lopez - 22, Cameron J. Schulz - 22 | CA, USA

“This moving and visually captivating film from Cally Nguyen captures the quiet tenderness between a grandfather and grandson facing an uncertain future. I was immediately drawn into the quiet atmosphere they share during their final days together. Instead of “I love you,” their bond shows through an “I hate you so much” that says far more than the words themselves.”

Family Portraits

Giran Findlay Liu - 23 | Canada

“Giran Findlay Liu tells this story with such care and restraint. Through small interactions, the film reveals the quiet tension between a mother, her son, and his family, allowing us to see both the love and the pain she carries. Beautifully shot and paced, it leaves you sitting with those emotions long after it ends. This is a must watch for sure!”

Opening Night

Eli Staub - 23, Caroline McDonald - 23, Amy Roach - 23, Cally Nguyen - 23, Sophie Wright - 23 | USA

“Eli Staub's Four Square instantly took me back to 5th grade recess, lining up to play four square where every round felt like the most important game of the day. It captures the playful yet fiercely competitive spirit of the playground in such a sweet and lighthearted way. I also love seeing the range Staub continues to show across their NFFTY films.”

Let’s Get Physical

Keith Leung - 23, Xiaochen Yu - 24 | NY, USA

“I loved the cinematography and the way Keith Leung creates a whole world within the house that invites us to follow along through each moment. It is so fun to move with the music as the video unfolds, while still carrying a real sense of warmth. Watching it, I couldn’t help but see reflections of myself, and by the end it left me with a deeper appreciation for my own mom.”

Opening Night

Zihan Yang - 23, Jiaying Lin - 23, Nikos Campbell - 23 | NY, USA

“This surely brought tears to my eyes. The quiet intimacy of the film reminded me of my own grandmother and the lingering feelings that come with watching someone you love grow older. The small moments between them felt so tender and familiar, even bringing back memories of visiting my mom’s family in China. As Zihan Yang intended, the film beautifully blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction, allowing these moments to feel deeply lived in.”

Weight of the World presented by Blackmagic Design

Deniz Akyurek - 22, Mason Grammer - 23, Felix Bailly - 23 | NY, USA

“We're all haunted by mistakes we made in middle school- actions we regret that we can no longer take back. In ‘It's OK, Johnny’, Deniz Akyurek explores what may entail when one tries to make amends for their past self. This film perfectly balances uneasy and tense moments with comedic undertones and fantastically written dialogue. Longer camera shots are expertly woven together to build suspense, while simultaneously immersing the viewer in the story. This film will leave you on the edge of your seat.”

Uneasy Street

Lucian Patton - 21, Shubhra Dubey - 21 | CA, USA

“Lucian Patton explores dedication and passion beautifully in ‘Fugue’, with such thoughtfulness and affection for artists. Patton effectively highlights that while creativity can be spiritual and lifegiving, it can also bring disappointment and destruction if one becomes too focused on unachievable expectations and "perfecting" their craft. ‘Fugue’ is a beautifully told story that will resonate with artists and creatives of any kind. The opening scene will leave you reeling for more.”

Outside the Lines

Olivia Adele Steinberg - 23, Kyle Farscht - 23, Hannah Weis - 22 | USA

“Olivia Adele Steinberg's ‘Virgins Anonymous’ captures an intriguing, relatable premise with witty dialogue and well-paced comedic beats that will certainly translate well onto the big screen. Steinberg takes a creative and comedic approach to portraying societal pressures and social constructions that will make you laugh and yearn for more.”

Happy Hour Shorts

Lindsey Susor - 21, Abigail Siddall - 21 | GA, USA

“Films oftentimes inquire us to investigate, to think twice before drawing conclusions. In one of her most recent films, Lindsey Susor asks a brand new question: What are grandchildren made of? This was an instant favorite for me, balancing an arguably dark concept with humor, absurdity, and an unpredictable plot. Susor's vibrant artistic voice and attention for detail shines brightly in ‘What Are Grandchildren Made Of?’ and is guaranteed to stick with the audience long after it ends."

Uneasy Street

Xiao Xiao - 20 | NY, USA

“Life is a grind. Are we our work, or is our work us? Where do we draw the line between man and machine? In just two and a half minutes, Xiao Xiao’s Squelch attempts to answer these questions. Squelch is a film that does more than get under your skin, it courses through your veins like hot lava, cementing itself right in the center of your living, beating flesh.”

Thrills & Chills

Nathan Campbell - 20, Kristýna Cabalková - 23, Gaspard Choquet - 19, Nic Chang - 20 | Czech Republic

“Nathan Campbell confidently encapsulates the overwhelming wrongness of boyhood in a short yet challenging vision that’s reminiscent of 2025’s The Plague; subtle and understated yet unnervingly stomach-churning. Accompanied by some gorgeous 35mm shots and impressive child acting, The Shower will leave a pit in your stomach and a resonant hollowness in your chest. “

Pedal to the Mettle

Adrian Delcan - 23, Kento Komatsu - 24, Isabel Roney - 24, Ben Fiorica - 24 | NY, USA

“Swollen with dread and unease, Early Human Media feels like something you wake up to at 2 AM on the couch after you accidentally left the TV on all night. Mouth dry, vision blurred, you can’t exactly make out what it is you’re seeing… but something between intrigue and fear prevents you from turning it off. After all, what might be awaiting you in the dark?”

Uneasy Street

Eduardo Machado - 23, Ella Braff - 21, João Vera - 22 | NY, USA & Brazil

“Between childhood and adulthood, between your home and your future, between your friends and your family. São Paulo, New York is one of those films that reaffirms the necessity in the push and pull of life, assuring us that even in moments of despair or disquiet, there’s beauty waiting on the other side. Somehow a story that’s unique yet entirely universal, Eduardo Machado’s film has a comforting sonic rhythm that feels like you’re being guided by the hand through a lively party.”

Outside the Lines

Sea Sombar - 17, Alice Chiotti-Lee - 16, Alex Armstrong - 16, Malachite Clute - 16 | PA, USA

“They say that you have to know the filmmaking rules in order to break them, and Sea Sombar and Alice Chiotti-Lee—dual-directors of Nail Polish—have a searingly-original grip on form and function in their short experimental piece. Tenderly capturing the highs and lows of queer adolescence, the film at times makes us feel as though we’re having the secrets of the universe whispered to us, planted delicately in our ear as our fears are assuaged by a guardian angel.”

Breaking the Mold