NFFTY 2026 Programmers’ Picks

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