Joie Lim - 22 | WA, USA

“Who’s cutting onions in here?! Jii-chan is one of those special shorts that really packs an effective punch. A little girl trying to make sense of her Grandfather’s declining health envisions him as an astronaut preparing for a flight mission. Full of imagination, emotion, and childhood wonder. A perfect, rare gem (or moon rock) of a film.”

Fine Lines

Camille Ramos - 22, Chloe Ramos - 22, Gina York - 22, Lily Bump - 22 | NY, USA

“Shot on beautiful 16mm film, Sticky Fingers conveys a very relatable sense of anxiety and isolation when transplanted in a big city. The character Moll feels frustrated with the interactions she has with both strangers and friends to the point where she develops a particular coping mechanism in a desperate attempt to reclaim some control of her life. A tender look into a young soul trying to combat anonymity in the indifferent city.”

Coping for the Best

Xenia Matthews - 22, Keir Martin - 24 | PA, USA

“One of the most unique films I had the pleasure of viewing this year! I was completely blown away by the dazzling art direction and striking creativity. Made during the pandemic, Xenia Matthews experiments with a collage of stylized scenes intertwined with a personal narrative about police brutality and trauma. Powerfully reflective and radiant. Watch out for this filmmaker on the rise!”

Breaking the Mold

Gavin Arucan - 23, Sophia Whalen - 24, Chandelle Oliver - 24 | HI, USA

“A Hawaiian Sailor Moon-esque adventure series! Three friends have to overcome their personal squabbles and band together to defeat a looming sludge monster. Captivating animation, entirely charming, and overflowing with the enduring power of friendship and sisterhood. (And the power of an ono teriyaki plate lunch!)”

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Justice Jamal Jones - 20 | NY, USA

“A modern re-imagining of a fairytale that reclaims the genre from the normative white, heterosexual gaze. Justice Jamal Jones weaves an experimental rich tapestry of renaissance-styled collages within a coming of age story about queer Black boyhood, which traditional ideals of masculinity no longer serve. A rare Once upon a time with the most gorgeous voiceover you’ve ever heard.”

Centerpiece