2025 Film Selections Announced
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILMS:
Magic Hour
Overview
This is the story of Erin and Charlie, and what happens to their big, beautiful love after its unexpected loss. Love goes nowhere even if someone else does. It stays, present and pervasive, pressing even harder into every dark corner of your world until you nearly break into a thousand pieces. How long can you hold onto someone? Can you hold on too tight? Will staying with that person drive you to madness? Or will letting them go?
Directed by
Katie Aselton
Director Biography – Katie Aselton
Katie Aselton is an actress, producer, and director. Previous directorial features include Mack + Rita (2022), Black Rock (2012) and The Freebie (2010).
Runtime
01:20:00
This Side Up
Overview
A modern romantic comedy about a struggling screenwriter, who is dumped by his high school sweetheart. Having no sense of direction in his life, he moves into a storage unit, where he figures out life in a funny way.
Directed by
David Lanning
Runtime
01:38:00
Trash Baby
Overview
Trash Baby is a coming-of-age drama that follows 12-year-old Stevie as she navigates growing up, getting out, and the art of finding beauty in the ugliest of places.
Directed by
Jacy Mairs (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Jacy Mairs
Jacy Mairs is a multifaceted artist from Portland, Oregon. With a long history working in the commercial world as a one-stop shop producer, she has led campaigns and shot for clients such as Google, Canva, and Nike.
Jacy has worked on an array of narrative features for Amazon and A24, with recent work as Associate Producer for Director Alex Lehmann’s film, Acidman, which went on to premiere at Tribeca. Jacy’s debut feature, Trash Baby, was named an Academy Nicholl Semi Finalist and celebrated its world premiere at SXSW in 2025.
Runtime
01:39:00
Midnight in the Orange Grove
Overview
Based on true events, MIDNIGHT IN THE ORANGE GROVE is the story of a young woman who is jarred into remembering a tragedy long buried in her subconscious. Through therapy, a blossoming romance, and the appearance of a mysterious woman, past and present collide as she’s forced to confront the dark secret of her childhood.
Directed by
Andrew Troy (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Andrew Troy
Andrew Troy is a first-time Chiricahua Apache director and screenplay writer, also founder of the Hollywood film production companies Troy Entertainment and The Park Entertainment. Troy’s directorial debut, Midnight in the Orange Grove, is based on true-events and the script was co-written by Troy and American Psycho writer producer, Guinevere Turner (The L Word, The Notorious Betty Page, Charlie Says).
Troy is currently in pre-production on his next feature, Standing Bear – The True Story of Ponca Chief Standing Bear, that he co-wrote and will co-direct with Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In The Name of the Father, In America). Standing Bear has formal Resolutions of Support from the Ponca Tribe and is being produced by Troy Entertainment and Hell’s Kitchen Limited alongside longtime Anonymous Content executive, Paul Green (The Revenant, Spotlight, The Fifth Estate).
Runtime
01:25:25
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMS:
Sequoias of the Sea
Overview
Sequoias of the Sea tells the story of the environmental, cultural and economic destruction wrought in a California coastal town that’s lost its kelp forest. It’s a deep dive into the lives of a scientist, a commercial fisherman and a community working to restore its coastal resources devastated by a climate disaster.
Directed by
Natasha Benjamin, Ana Blanco (first time filmmakers)
Director Biography – Natasha Benjamin, Ana Blanco
Ana Blanco is the Executive Director of the International Ocean Film Festival leading a large group of volunteers to produce a four-day flagship event since 2011. Now the largest ocean film festival in the world, the festival showcases independent films from around the globe, inspiring people to become better ocean stewards. During her tenure Ana created two key pillars of the festival to advance the education of ocean conservation: the Student Film Competition and the Traveling Program. Ana’s passion for the ocean stems from being an avid sailor and certified scuba diver, as well as having grown up along the Pacific Coast in Lima, Peru. She has served as a jurist on international panels for major film festivals such as JacksonWild, FICMA in Barcelona, Spain, CINEMARE in Kiel, Germany, Maremostra in Palma, Mallorca, and Brest Surf Film Festival in Brest, France. Ana has a B.S. Degree in Economics from the University of Illinois.
Natasha is a marine scientist and filmmaker based in Northern California. She has worked in ocean science, conservation and communications for over 20 years. She is a producer for Peabody Award winning Brick City TV. As a diver, surfer and ocean lover who has not only spent her career, but most of her life working and playing in the ocean, she is dedicated to the ocean and working toward a healthy ocean for all.
Natasha Benjamin is the Media Director at Marine Research & Exploration (MARE) where she works on developing media content on deep-sea research and blue technology. She is also the Associate Director of Blue Frontier, where she works on ocean climate action policy and building a citizen movement toward healthy oceans. Natasha has a B.S. in Marine Biology from Boston University and M.S. in Marine Policy from University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS).
Runtime
54:00
Romano Twins
Overview
Matt and Greg Romano (identical twin sons of Ray Romano) set out to make a documentary about the unique challenges of not only being a twin, but having a famous father, and along the way face their own fears and challenges of self-identity.
Directed by
Greg Romano, Matt Roman (first time filmmakers)
Runtime
01:18:23
Rescued Hearts Film
Overview
Rescued Hearts is a powerful documentary that explores the profound and often miraculous connection between humans and horses.
Inspired by a life-changing moment—when a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with autism spoke his first words while interacting with a horse—filmmakers Dana Croschere and Krisanna Sexton set out to uncover the deeper meaning behind this extraordinary bond.
Through deeply moving personal stories, expert insights, and research, Rescued Hearts explores how horses serve as catalysts for healing and transformation, helping us open our hearts and reconnect with our authentic selves. The film not only highlights lives forever changed through these experiences but also reveals a profound truth: healing is never one-sided.
Rescued Hearts isn’t just the story of horses—it’s the story of all of us, offering an invitation for deeper connection with ourselves, each other, and all of nature.
Directed by
Krisanna Sexton
Director Biography – Krisanna Sexton
Krisanna Sexton is an award-winning director with Live Wild Films, dedicated to storytelling that embraces authenticity and the transformative power of love.
A filmmaker since the age of 16, her journey took a profound turn at 28 when coming out as gay reshaped both her life and her creative vision. Anchored in love and guided by deep listening, she allows each film to unfold organically, trusting the Universe to lead the way.
Her previous award-winning documentary, Love Heals, has touched audiences worldwide, airing on PBS, GAIA, and international platforms.
Working on Rescued Hearts has opened her heart in ways she never imagined, and she hopes the film inspires others to awaken to the healing power of love and connection.
Runtime
01:58:00
Anopheles
Overview
In São Tomé and Príncipe, an island nation off the coast of Central Africa, a passionate team of scientists and volunteers from around the world confront humanity’s most lethal enemy in a quest to eliminate malaria once and for all.
Responsible for a greater human death toll than any other creature on the planet, the Anopheles mosquito has brought down empires and altered our evolution as a species throughout history. It still does to this day.
This groundbreaking documentary takes the viewer to one of the least visited places on earth, São Tomé and Príncipe, revealing how this tiny island nation is in fact at the bleeding edge of a timeless global health struggle.
Through intimate interviews, the film reveals the human stories behind this ambitious endeavor—dedicated researchers, resilient locals, and a shared hope for a malaria-free future.
Set against the lush rainforests and vibrant communities of the islands, the film captures their bold mission: genetically modifying mosquitoes to halt the spread of the disease and a race to inspire the government to allow a release.
Anopheles is an inspiring journey to the center of the world and the frontlines of a historic battle, showcasing innovation, collaboration, and the power of science to transform lives through ingenuity, courage, and hope.
Directed by
Will Agee
Director Biography – Will Agee
Will Agee is an award-winning documentary filmmaker from the Napa Valley. He is the Founder and Director of Dulcinea Productions.
Born in Boston, Will grew up in Saint Helena, California. Before starting his career in film, Will was a nationally touring musician, a graduate of Stanford University, and a small business owner.
In 2016, in pursuit of his lifelong dream of storytelling, Will released his first short documentary, Crescite. The film examines how the community of Napa Valley came together to create a more progressive environment for its farm workers. Crescite was screened at numerous film festivals and won several awards.
Following on the success of Crescite, Will began production on his debut feature documentary, The Land of High Mountains. This powerful film explores the only pediatric hospital in Haiti and the individuals who work tirelessly for children. The Land of High Mountains premiered at Palm Springs Film Festival in 2019 to wide acclaim and was released on AppleTV in 2020.
Over the next 4 years and in the midst of the pandemic, he created Guerrera. This limited docuseries released in February 2025, unveils the trailblazing cadre of women in Special Operations who served at the tip of the spear in America’s longest war.
Will began production on his latest feature, Anopheles, in May 2024 and the film was completed in April 2025.
He currently has two documentary features in various stages of post-production that will be released in 2026.
Will’s approach to filmmaking is elegant and distinctive. He uses poetic cinematography, intimate interviews, and evocative musical scores to transport the audience and leave an indelible impression. Despite working with highly sensitive issues including immigration, poverty, and war, his films have demonstrated the ability to bridge empathy gaps and advance dialogue.
Runtime
01:03:27
Wonders of the Wolf
Overview
Wonders of the Wolf is an award-winning short documentary exploring one of the most successful conservation efforts in modern history, The Yellowstone Wolf Project. From their historic recovery in 1995 to today’s thriving wolf packs, Yellowstone Wolf Project biologists share inspiring stories about the wolves they study in the park. Using bioacoustic technology, researchers are uncovering how wolves communicate, applying their findings to resolve livestock-wildlife conflicts and protect these majestic creatures.
Wonders of the Wolf recently won Best Central Coast Documentary Short at The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.
Directed by
Angie Ruiz
Director Biography – Angie Ruiz
California native, Angie Ruiz is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She is the writer, director, and producer of Black Beauty Breed, a film that celebrates the intelligence and inherent working abilities of the Rottweiler breed. She fell in love with the breed after rescuing a Rottweiler in 2007. The film screened in multiple cities worldwide and is currently streaming on AppleTV and Amazon Prime. Black Beauty Breed has played an active role in redefining the Rottweiler’s image in the media. Accurate terms such as “working breed” and “intelligent” are now more commonly used when describing them.
During the filming of Black Beauty Breed, Angie learned that the Rottweiler and other large breed dogs are prone to bone cancer. She was deeply affected when her own dog was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Her film, Forever Faithful, shares her family’s experience with canine cancer alongside those of others in an effort to help pet owners make informed decisions about their companion’s health. Veterinarians and animal rehabilitation specialists share advanced treatments available to dogs and pet owners share their observations of their pet’s treatments and recovery. The award-winning documentary is currently streaming on AppleTV and Amazon Prime.
Born and raised in Northern California, Angie graduated from Cal Poly SLO. She became interested in filmmaking while volunteering in Tanzania, East Africa in 2004. She traveled to Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, and India to photograph landscapes, wildlife, monuments, and people. She formed her production company, Wandering Films, to create art and documentary films
Angie resides in Santa Barbara with her husband, two daughters, Rottie named Bodhi, and a cat named Carmen. She loves to cook, surf, hike, and ski. She is a volunteer at ASAP Cats Rescue in Santa Barbara County.
Runtime
30:00
Unscripted Lives
Overview
This funny and touching documentary follows the setbacks, tears and triumphs as a little New England village and an enrichment center for people with disabilities attempt to stage an original musical together. With music by Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Lionel Ritchie, The Hollies, The Righteous Brothers and more this film is guaranteed to strip away any preconceptions you ever had about people with disabilities.
Directed by
James Sadwith
Director Biography – James Sadwith
Jim Sadwith’s TV movies, miniseries and drama series have won or been nominated for over thirty-five Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. He has been twice nominated for Emmys and won the Emmy for Best Direction with the five-hour miniseries “Sinatra.” In addition, Jim has twice been a DGA Award finalist and once a finalist for the Humanitas Award.
Additionally, several of Jim’s projects received special recognition. “In Broad Daylight” was singled out by TIME magazine as one of the ten best TV offerings of that year. His 6-part ABC-TV anthology series “Gun” was the premier show launching the Trio Channel with its series “Brilliant But Cancelled.” And the ABC-TV/Hallmark Hall of Fame TV Movie “A Smile as Big as the Moon” was given a special award from The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences because of “its ability to inspire, inform, motivate and change lives.”
Runtime
01:28:00
Blue – The Life and Art of George Rodrigue
Overview
For world-renowned Cajun artist George Rodrigue (1944-2013), the story of his exiled ancestors was one he told through brushstrokes, one that culminated in a golden eyed Blue Dog. Blue, The Life and Art of George Rodrigue paints a portrait of an artist who overcame great adversity on his way to becoming an international Pop Art sensation. Interviews with family, curators, critics, collectors and notable subjects and admirers, including Emeril Lagasse, Drew Brees, James Carville, and Marc Morial, and archival interviews of the artist himself including his final broadcast interview, will shed light on the significance of Rodrigue’s life and work. Heavily influenced by the art of Andy Warhol, Rodrigue attended the College of Art and Design in Los Angeles in the 1960s before returning home to paint Louisiana. After two decades of celebrating Cajun culture on canvas, in a way no American artist ever had, Rodrigue achieved commercial success by turning a Cajun folklore character known as the Loup Garou into the iconic star of his works. From teaching himself to paint while bedridden with polio, to being snubbed by art critics and museums for decades, to his valiant battles with Hurricane Katrina then terminal cancer, George Rodrigue stayed true to his vision and in the process made us all happy to feel Blue.
Directed by
Sean O’Malley
Director Biography – Sean O’Malley
Producer, writer, director, Sean O’Malley established O’Malley Productions in 2005, with his business partner and wife Jeannine O’Malley, in Los Angeles, California. He has written, directed, and produced series and specials for Food Network, Cooking Channel, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Univision’s streaming platform ViX, and Discovery+, including over 175 hours of Food Paradise, one of Discovery’s longest running food series. Sean also worked with LAE productions on the award-winning PBS documentary Fats Domino: Walkin’ Back to New Orleans.
Runtime
01:00:00
The Fight for Monterey Bay: Sanctuary for Our Future
Overview
History of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Narrated by Clint Eastwood and featuring Former U.S. Congressman Sam Farr, Mayor of Santa Cruz Fred Keeley, Former MBNMS Superintendent Bill Douros, and Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
Directed by
James Moore, Dana Frankoff
Runtime
11:41
BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMS:
Flowers Beyond the Dark
Overview
Amid the chaos of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Natalia and Serhiy, a couple of artists separated by occupation, quickly lose contact. Like millions of Ukrainians, they are drowning in helplessness and uncertainty. At the same time, the soldiers of the 72nd brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are guarding the “road of life”, securing the evacuation of civilians to Kyiv and further to the West. Priest Andriy Halavin attends to the burial of the region’s first casualties.
The spatiotemporal transformation of Ukrainian people, architecture, and nature – from petrification to the revival of life – is captured during the occupation and after the liberation of the Kyiv region in the early stages of the full-scale war in spring 2022.
Directed by
Iryna Pravylo (first feature-length film)
Director Biography – Iryna Pravylo
Iryna Pravylo (born 1987 in Kyiv) is a Ukrainian film director, screenwriter, and producer. In 2024, Iryna became the first Doctor of Fine Arts in Ukraine in Audiovisual Arts and Production. She studied in a studio that traces its origins to the world-renowned movie and theater director and innovator Les Kurbas. Iryna’s movie language is characterized by imagery, deep symbolism, and the timelessness of the themes.
She is an associate professor at the Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University, and a member of the National Union of Cinematographers of Ukraine.
As the author, director, and producer of the international film project “My Childhood,” Iryna received numerous awards.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Iryna remained in Ukraine. In the first weeks, she actively participated in volunteer activities and, together with caring colleagues, engaged in the procurement and coordination of humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups of Kyiv residents in the city’s sleeping areas, who were limited in resources and mobility.
Immediately after the de-occupation of the Kyiv region, Iryna and her colleague Oleksandr Meshcheriakov, began filming the consequences of the invasion. This work evolved into the full-length documentary film “Flowers beyond the Dark,” marking Iryna’s debut as a feature-length director.
Runtime
01:18:00
BEST SERIES:
The Long Long Night
Overview
It’s been 6 months since that disastrous night in the motel and these two guys (Mark Duplass and Barret O’Brien) are nowhere near over it.
Directed by
Barret O’Brien (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Barret O’Brien
Barret O’Brien has appeared in over eighty works for the international stage in such diverse locales as New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans, London, Paris, Budapest, Bonn, and Tblisi, Republic of Georgia. Recent projects include the off-Broadway production of JULIUS CAESAR and the films ABOVE THE TREES, PHOENIX OREGON, REDWOOD HIGHWAY, and the upcoming PELICAN and THE LEMURIAN CANDIDATE. Barret is a graduate of the Yale school of Drama and an award-winning playwright whose plays have seen productions at theatres across the country. Committed to creating work that is gentle on Earth’s natural resources, O’Brien has staged work in such unconventional locales as abandoned bars, off-grid farms, dusty book stores, and after-hours soup kitchens. He is also the founder of Wagging Tales, national storytelling workshops that embolden youth to share their voices through the tools of theatre. Barret is part of the growing movement to forefront land stewardship and sustainability in television, film, and theatre production.
Runtime
22:47
BEST ANIMATED FILMS:
Snow Bear
Overview
When a lonely polar bear can’t find a friend…he makes one. Set in a rapidly changing world, “Snow Bear” tells the story of a polar bear in an unforgiving environment on his quest to find a friend. This independently produced 2D hand drawn film was painstakingly created entirely by Aaron Blaise over 3 years. With Aaron’s lifelong dedication to studying, drawing, and animating animals, the adventure is infused with humor, relatability, and emotional depth in the tradition of classic animated films.
Directed by
Aaron Blaise
Director Biography – Aaron Blaise
For 21 years Aaron was with Walt Disney Feature Animation where he helped to create some of the greatest animated films ever made. During that time he worked as an animator or supervising animator on “The Rescuers Down Under”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Lion King”, “Pocahontas” and “Mulan”.
In 2003 he was co-director of “Brother Bear” for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.
After “Brother Bear” he helped to develop several projects but ultimately left Disney to pursue an opportunity back home in Florida. Aaron recently served as a 2D Animation Supervisor and Character Designer for the “The Bear and the Hare” an advertisement loved by millions around the world.
He was recently named as the 2025 recipient of the Windsor McCay Lifetime Achievement Award in animation by ASIFA-Hollywood and was presented the award at the 2025 Annie Awards.
In 2013 Aaron and his business partner, Nick Burch founded one of the world’s top online art schools, CreatureArtTeacher.com
Runtime
11:29
Mosley
Overview
A species of creatures known as “thoriphants” rebel against their life of servitude and embark on a treacherous journey to find the fabled city of Uprights.
Directed by
Kirby Atkins
Director Biography – Kirby Atkins
KIRBY ATKINS has been a director and Senior Animator at LAIKA Studios and DNA PRODUCTIONS. He served as DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR for DNA Studios creating properties for animated features and prime time television. His short film MUTT won BEST ANIMATED SHORT at the HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL. He has written feature film scripts for MIRAMAX, 20th CENTURY FOX, NEW REGENCY, and ROBERT DE NIRO’S TRIBECA Productions. He has directed the TV show THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY NEUTRON, BOY GENIUS for NICKELODEON and has animated on feature films for SONY ANIMATION, REEL FX studios, and WETA DIGITAL, New Zealand.
Kirby is currently directing the animated feature film MOSLEY which will be released worldwide in 2020. He wrote the screenplay and plays the title role along with the all Kiwi cast of John Rhys-Davies (LOTR), Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warrior Princess), Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords), and Termuera Morrison (Star Wars).
Runtime
01:39:38
Happy Life
Overview
Happy Life is a stop-motion animation about an old woman who turns her loneliness into joy with the help of three balloons and a mysterious stranger.
Directed by
Sara Caldwell
Director Biography – Sara Caldwell
Sara Caldwell teaches film production, screenwriting and animation courses at UC Santa Barbara and College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA. As a filmmaker, she specializes in the sci-fi/horror genre and has won numerous awards for her work, including Best Animation, California Women’s Film Festival; Best Animation Short, Santa Clarita International Film Festival; and Best Stop Motion Animator, Los Angeles Short Film Festival.
Runtime
08:17
BEST SHORT FILMS:
King City MCI
Overview
On March 3, 2024, County of Monterey EMS dispatchers received multiple 911 calls following a drive-by shooting in a small suburban neighborhood in King City, California. This 18-minute documentary, written and directed by the EMS Medical Director, details the complex and challenging EMS and hospital response to that Mass Casualty Incident.
Directed by
John Robert Beuerle (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – John Robert Beuerle
John Beuerle is a novelist, director, filmmaker, and emergency medicine physician. He grew up in Maryland, attended medical school in Chicago, and completed his emergency medicine residency training in Baltimore. He has published four novels in the genre of dark psychological suspense under the pseudonym John Burley (www.john-burley.com). He currently practices emergency medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area, and he serves as EMS Medical Director for the County of Monterey EMS Agency. King City MCI is his first film.
Runtime
18:00
Procession
Overview
Procession is an intense, intimate, and poetic retrospective vision that tackle themes of generational trauma, horrors of history past, and memory. The film follows a young Japanese American girl, June, living in rural Colorado during the week her family is issued the executive order 9066, to be moved to incarceration camps. We then jump to the early 2000s, where June is now in her 70s, and is going on a bus pilgrimage back to the site she was wrongfully incarcerated at as a child.
Directed by
Bruce Tetsuya
Director Biography – Bruce Tetsuya
Bruce Tetsuya is a Japanese director, photographer, and father. His work focuses on memory, nature, and the narrative beauty of movement. If he’s not on set, you can find Bruce on the tennis court, grabbing an espresso, or exploring new lands with his wife, son, and daughter. Bruce is currently in early pre-production stages for his first feature film.
Runtime
16:45
Guru$$
Overview
Guru$$, a music video created by a fictional character, is about a woman who tries to take a shortcut to enlightenment, gets caught up in the glitz, and ends up with nothing. Yes, it is a comedy…and it is also a cautionary tale.
Directed by
Chris Johnson, Erik Passoja
Director Biography – Chris Johnson, Erik Passoja
Chris Johnson found filmmaking at a young age shooting skate videos on miniDV tape. After an exceptional high school teacher nurtured his creative curiosity, Chris studied film and television at Boston University, and now runs Cineatra, a production company creating narrative, documentary, and branded content. Chris has traveled the world behind a camera lens, working with the likes of Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg. New Jersey born and bred, Chris currently resides in Los Angeles.
Erik Passoja is the son of a female aeronautical engineer during the Space Age and a quantum physicist and majored in theatre/psychology at Yale, doing a psychoanalytic profile of Richard III, then playing the role. A fifth-degree black belt in Shotokan karate, Erik lived in Japan for a year and was brutally beaten by men far smaller than he. A member of the Actors Studio, Erik has worked extensively in film, TV, and theatre. Currently recurring on Season 2 of “The Flight Attendant” and on “NCIS”.
Runtime
4:00
Life Support
Overview
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 is a 10-minute short film that explores the emotional toll of the medical profession, offering a rare glimpse into the world of emergency medicine, where every decision carries profound consequences.
Directed by
Jamon Tolbert (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Jamon Tolbert
Jamon Tolbert is a Director/DP based in Los Angeles, California. Although his commercial work as a cinematographer has seen clients like Meta, Microsoft and Wells Fargo, Jamon takes pride in directing ambitious and visually unique narrative projects. He has screened his films internationally and continues to win awards across the country. A passion for connecting with an audience serves as his driving force to create meaningful and imaginative stories.
Runtime
10:32
A Disturbance in the High Desert
Overview
In the shadow of the 1920s American West, Mare and Gemma – lovers bound by survival – reckon with the aftermath of a violent incident that fractures their fragile existence. Loyalty and justice collide as the women are forced to discover what happens when those we love betray us.
Directed by
Brynn Mitchell
Director Biography – Brynn Mitchell
Brynn Mitchell is a Director and Production Designer with deep roots in theater and film. She is passionate about stories that explore big questions in big worlds. With an undergrad in Theater Arts and her MFA from the American Film Institute, Brynn has years of experience working in theater, film, and the editorial world. Brynn is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and designer, and has worked on productions across genres and tones. Her previous films include Behind Glass, a sci-fi thriller set in space, Hysterical, a period comedy, and Flower Girls, a modern dramedy about sisterhood and grief. Always looking for the next big challenge, Brynn is thrilled to be working on A Disturbance in the High Desert with an extraordinary team, and can’t wait to share this unique story with a curious audience.
Runtime
09:43
Ocean Stories: Wyland
Overview
Wyland is a marine life artist who for 30 years has inspired children to the beauty and importance of the ocean through the power of art. Energetic, charismatic and endlessly creative, Wyland is best known for his unique contribution to public art: 100 life size whale murals found on walls and buildings around the world.
Official artist of the Beijing Green Olympics, painter, sculptor, songwriter and crusader for the ocean, Wyland focuses his many talents towards helping children learn about marine life and ocean conservation. This Wyland documentary submitted for your review is the pilot for a new documentary series, Ocean Stories.
Directed by
Patrick Creadon
Director Biography – Patrick Creadon
Patrick began his career as one of the youngest cameramen in the history of PBS, shooting and producing cinema-verité style stories for the critically acclaimed series The 90s. In 2006, his directorial debut, Wordplay was the breakout hit at the Sundance Film Festival. His follow-up film, I.O.U.S.A., also premiered at Sundance and was shortlisted for the Academy Awards. Patrick has served on several film festival juries including Sundance Film Festival, the LA Film Festival, and the Ashland Film Festival. In 2011, he debuted as a television director on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Runtime
29:42
Ocean Stories: The Halls 2018
Overview
Howard and Michele Hall have made a life of diving into the unknown in search of fascinating marine subjects for their IMAX films. With over four decades of marine cinematography experience, seven Emmy awards, and countless features in the likes of National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, and NOVA, the Halls are the world’s premiere underwater filmmakers. This film takes us beneath the waves and into the alien world of the deep where the Hall’s capture unique animal behaviors seldom seen and rarely recorded. It is the story of how the Hall’s found love beneath the sea, and how they use their films as a call to action to save it.
Directed by
Greg Goggin, Patrick Creadon
Director Biography – Greg Goggin, Patrick Creadon
Patrick began his career as one of the youngest cameramen in the history of PBS, shooting and producing cinema-verité style stories for the critically acclaimed series The 90s. In 2006, his directorial debut, Wordplay was the breakout hit at the Sundance Film Festival. His follow-up film, I.O.U.S.A., also premiered at Sundance and was shortlisted for the Academy Awards. Patrick has served on several film festival juries including Sundance Film Festival, the LA Film Festival, and the Ashland Film Festival. In 2011, he debuted as a television director on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Gregg Goggin, a California native and UC Berkeley graduate, began his storytelling in editorial television. Directing and producing news segments under the pressure of deadlines was great practice for getting to the heart of the story. Deeply interested in environmental topics, Gregg’s documentary work has screened in festivals across the globe. Gregg currently resides in Santa Barbara, California with his wife and filmmaking partner, Susan Crawford Goggin.
Runtime
20:21
Death is a Favor
Overview
Drew has had it with her 93-year-old mother-in-law, Nai Nai, who seems to have a vendetta against her and dead set on ruining her marriage to her husband Jack. How much more can Drew take before she snaps?
Directed by
Cecilia Kim (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Cecilia Kim
Cecilia Kim is a Korean American writer-director-actress from Snellville, GA. She is a NYU and New School alum with a BFA in Drama and an MFA in Creative Writing. Cecilia has been published in The Washington Post and was a semifinalist in the 2021 ScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition and the 2022 WeScreenplay TV Contest for her pilot, PAL PARK. Most recently, she was a semifinalist in the Spring 2024 Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards and a quarterfinalist in the 2025 Killer Shorts Contest for her short film, DEATH IS A FAVOR, which she also produced and directed.
Runtime
09:59
Dissonance
Overview
A struggling pianist reconciles with his past as a musician.
Directed by
Angelo Spano (first time filmmaker)
Runtime
09:18
Fault Line
Overview
A sweeping drama, FAULT LINE takes us on an odyssey of loss in the far west Texas town of Marfa.
Directed by
Lauren Himmelvo
Director Biography – Lauren Himmelvo
Lauren Himmelvo is an American screenwriter and director. Himmelvo wrote and directed the award-winning films Fault Line (2023), Treading Water (2001) and The Tragedy of Samantha Biggle and the Twins (1998). Himmelvo’s films have screened all over the world, including the prestigious British Film Institute, São Paulo International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, and WorldFest Houston International Film Festival where she won a prestigious “Remi Award” in 2023. She has produced and directed numerous films for the non-profit world, including California: State of the Arts (2001) hosted by Peter Coyote. Her works have received distributed on video through Wolfe Video, the largest exclusive distributor of LGBT films, and aired theatrically and on television in Germany, France, Canada, Italy, and Israel.
In the late 1990s, Himmelvo apprenticed with film editor Tom Bullock at San Francisco’s Fire/Water Films. She was assistant editor on Joan Chen’s debut feature Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl. She holds a Master of Science degree in film from Boston University with a focus on directing. Upon completion of film school, Himmelvo wrote and directed her debut feature, Treading Water (2001), which screened at over fifty gay and lesbian film festivals in fourteen countries, winning the “Emerging Talent Award” at Outfest: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Over the years, Himmelvo has studied extensively with Judith Weston at her workshops for actors and directors in Los Angeles.
Himmelvo has attended South By Southwest Film Conference and the Sundance Institute Producers Conference. She has chaired the Golden Gate Awards selection at the San Francisco International Film Festival and participated on the film selection committee. She has done work with New York’s LIVE OUT LOUD, a non-profit speaker series dedicated to empowering gay youth.
Runtime
38:09
The Knocker
Overview
In 1830s Manchester, a young mother must confront the malevolent presence of ‘The Knocker’ to protect her family, amid the relentless struggles of urban cotton mill workers.
Directed by
Sara Caldwell, Walter Gorey
Director Biography – Sara Caldwell, Walter Gorey
Sara Caldwell s a lecturer in the Film and Media Studies department at UC Santa Barbara and a film/screenwriting instructor at College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita. She’s an award-winning screenwriter and author of Splatter Flicks: How to Make Low Budget Horror Films among other industry books. She received an M.F.A. in screenwriting from California State University, Northridge and is a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
Walter Gorey is a graduate of the UCLA Film School in Los Angeles, where he studied filmmaking and animation. He has worked in the film industry for about thirty years, primarily in the sound department. His credits include Twin Peaks, the People Under the Stairs, Till Death Us Do Part, Reality Bites, and Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead. In addition to House of Gorey, he also works as a Media Services Tech at Sony Pictures.
Runtime
19:18
Corked
Overview
Corked is a dramatic short film set in 1970’s Northern California wine country. It’s based on the true story of one young women’s struggle against the status quo. Jane Dunlap is at the crossroads of asserting her independence in the male dominated industry. Which direction will she choose?
Directed by
Lori Shockley (first narrative film)
Director Biography – Lori Shockley
Lori Shockley is a filmmaker and veteran producer and writer with an accomplished 20-plus year industry history. Lori brought her vast experience and talent to direct “Corked”
“Corked” is a dramatic narrative short based on a true story. She co-wrote the feature length script of the same name.
Lori is an active member of the Producer’s Guild of America and New York Women in Film and Television. In 2018 she was accepted to the Mediterranean Film Institute for screenwriting and has written several screenplays.
She produced “Papal Cab” that premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival and “Inside David Mamet’s Computer” that premiered at London’s Raindance Film Festival. She has won multiple awards for corporate documentary producing. Her additional credits are available on IMDb. “Corked’ is her narrative directing debut.
Lori resides in San Francisco and NYC with her partner, Len.
Runtime
11:44
Spam Risk
Overview
Isolated and grieving, a young widow answers a phone call from an unknown number that just might save her life.
Directed by
Alessandra Carlino (first narrative film)
Director Biography – Alessandra Carlino
Alessandra Carlino is an award-winning neurodivergent filmmaker and multi-hyphenate creative, Alessa got her start producing underground concerts at just 15 years old, and from there her career has spanned several decades, encompassing work in both production and post-production.
She has been involved in the making of more than 25 feature films, as well as numerous commercials and music videos. Her credits include the feature films Straw Dogs, Think Like A Man, Elf, Around The World in 80 Days, Jimmy Neutron, Godzilla, Volcano, Rocky V, and Broken Arrow; music videos for Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Isaac Hayes; and commercial work for Cherry Coke and Burger King.
Moved by the severe homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, Alessa produced, directed and edited the award-winning documentary short, Going Home in cooperation with St. Joseph Center in Venice, CA.
Spam Risk is her first narrative film.
Runtime
20:00
Something Blue
Overview
A bride, struggling with cold feet, finds herself at a crossroads moments before the ceremony.
Directed by
Samantha Nisenboim (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Samantha Nisenboim
Samantha Nisenboim is a critically acclaimed film producer with a career spanning over 20 films. She is best known for her work at Giant Wildcat, the production company she co-founded in 2014 with director Chris McKay.
Under the Giant Wildcat banner, Samantha produced Universal Studios’ RENFIELD (Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina). Her other film credits include co-producing Amazon Studios’ THE TOMORROW WAR (Chris Pratt, J.K. Simmons) and consulting on Universal Studios’ DOLITTLE (Robert Downey Jr.).
Samantha also played a pivotal role in shaping the LEGO cinematic universe, contributing to THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (Dave Franco, Jackie Chan) and THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis), the latter earning her a PGA nomination.
She is currently producing Stephanie Laing’s TOW.
After nearly two decades of deep involvement in the studio system, Samantha is now shifting her focus to her true passion—the passion that originally drew her to the film industry: writing and directing her own films. Her extensive on-set experience working with Hollywood’s best and brightest has uniquely prepared her to bring her creative vision to life. This has always been her dream, ever since her time at USC Film School, where she first became immersed in the craft of cinema.
Runtime
09:58
The Most Beautiful Noise
Overview
A virtuoso violinist turns a London double-decker bus into a mobile music school to provide free music lessons to low-income kids in the UK and tries to keep it running against all odds. Sensing an increasing gap in the access to music education in the UK, virtuoso violinist Petru Cotarcea retrofits a double-decker bus into a mobile music school with the dream to make music education accessible and free for every child in London. Coming from poverty himself, Petru, a Romanian immigrant in the UK and visionary educator, believes in the power of music to enrich and uplift children’s lives. “The Most Beautiful Noise” showcases Cotarcea’s passionate commitment to making high-quality music education accessible to all children, regardless of their race or socio-economic backgrounds.
Directed by
Joe R Pavlo
Director Biography – Joe R Pavlo
Joe is a seasoned visual effects supervisor with almost 20 years in film and two Emmys to his name. He’s worked on such greats as Band of Brothers, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers & Rome. He has also worked on the likes of Star Wars Episode II and the Da Vinci Code (and that’s all he has to say about that). Joe is currently directing his first feature documentary, building on his previous work as 2nd unit director on studio productions as well as directing music videos, producing several award-winning documentaries with David Schendel plus other independent and commercial projects.
Runtime
40:00
Lox
Overview
In the span of time it takes to order bagels & lox, Ruth Gold meets, remembers, and ultimately forgets a young man in a bittersweet story of fading memory.
Directed by
Dan Pavlik
Director Biography – Dan Pavlik
Dan has been working in production for more than 20 years. He wrote and directed the 2010 feature Nominated, which was a Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist.
In 2018 he wrote and directed the short entitled That One-Tenth of Good (a film confronting homelessness). In 2022 he followed that up with the 30-minute award winning film, The Family Planner, which has won 6 film festival awards, including two “Best Short Film” titles. Dan is currently working on two new feature scripts as well as two streaming series scripts.
Runtime
13:30
How The Rose Reaches
Overview
Talulah, pregnant with her first born, wrestles with the reality of motherhood as she is confronted with memories of her own, mentally unstable mother.
Directed by
Belle Adams
Director Biography – Belle Adams
Belle Adams is a director/actor/artist based in Los Angeles, CA. They began their career in film at a young age and began directing in 2018 when they co-created the web series Time Being. She went on to focus on her acting career, making appearances in BLESS THIS MESS, SWAT, PERRY MASON, and SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS. She made her return to directing in 2023 with her short film Mirx and since then has written and directed the short film/feature concept 10-10 along with music videos for Gideon Gable’s COME ALIVE and NEEDLE IN THE HAY. Her art practice consists of collage, assemblage and video art mediums and she regularly has work showing in galleries in and around Los Angeles.
Runtime
17:34
The Nightcap
Overview
Not everyone is a baseball fan and that can result in dire consequences.
Directed by
Scotty Cornfield
Runtime
03:04
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS:
Carma
Overview
Edmond, a desperate husband, drives you through the most thrilling and intense night of his life.
Directed by
Sunhee Na
Director Biography – Sunny Na
Sunhee Na is a Korean producer and director.
She graduated from Cheong-Ju University in Korea with Bachelor of Arts in Film Directing. Currently, she is a graduate student at The Academy of Art University in its Department of Motion Pictures Television focusing on producing. She has six years of professional experience of working in film making and has made over six films working as a producer and director
Runtime
19:29
Claimant
Overview
“Claimant” is about a father who discovers that his teenage daughter was assaulted and raped so decides to confront and punish the rapist, but since the culprit is a very proficient lawyer he uses laws in a way that he not only escapes from justice but also legally make the father the criminal.
Directed by
Nadereh Sadat Serki (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Nadereh Sadat Serki
I was born in 1979. I studied cinema and dramatic literature in art university and I received my PHD in art research. For many years I was mostly active in academic fields and I taught interdisciplinary courses between art and humanities in universities such as the Art university of Tehran. In recent years I have increased my artistic activities such as screenwriting. I had rewritten the script of “Conjugal Visit” (2021) (directed by Omid Shams). Claimant is my first short film as a writer and director.
Runtime
20:00
BEST STUDENT FILMS:
Ecdysis
Overview
Yearning for a specific feeling, a young boy sets out in search of fulfillment and closure, meeting a friendly companion along the way. However, when additional scenarios present themselves, he is left to question what it is he truly is searching for.
Directed by
Adam Angel (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Adam Angel
Adam Angel is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, and filmmaker. He currently has music of his own available on all streaming platforms and is in the process of self-creating an album. “Ecdysis” presents itself as his cinematic debut, having the score, cinematography, editing, writing, and directing done by him. As a passionate filmmaker, he plans on creating many more short films in the upcoming year, following this one.
Runtime
10:00
In Silence
Overview
A girl waits for a boy so they can go home.
Directed by
Jared DeAmaral
Director Biography – Jared DeAmaral
Jared DeAmaral is a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, and film editor. He is also a 5th generation descendant of settlers of Point Lobos, Carmel, and a recent graduate of DePaul University in Chicago.
Runtime
05:08
Songs of the Soul
Overview
A short documentary exploring the journey behind creating music from a singer-songwriter’s perspective.
Directed by
Adam Angel (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Adam Angel
Adam Angel is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, and filmmaker. He currently has music of his own available on all streaming platforms and is in the process of self-creating an album. “Ecdysis” presents itself as his cinematic debut, having the score, cinematography, editing, writing, and directing done by him. As a passionate filmmaker, he plans on creating many more short films in the upcoming year, following this one.
Runtime
09:01
Bukra
Overview
Bukra follows 11-year-old Amal in a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey, where her greatest dream is to play soccer with a real ball rather than the makeshift one she and her best friend, Fouad, crafted from cloth and twine. When she discovers a message on a cola bottle cap promising a chance to win an official World Cup soccer ball, her dream seems within reach. But time is running out; Fouad is preparing for a dangerous journey to Germany, and Amal fears this might be their last opportunity to share the game together. This simple dream transforms into a desperate race against time to make it a reality before Fouad leaves.
Amal’s hope is quickly dashed when her father refuses to take her to the city to get the ball, claiming he’s too busy with work, just as he always is. This distance between them weighs heavily on Amal, but without adult support, she decides to take matters into her own hands. As Amal faces the mounting challenges of crossing the camp’s borders and navigating language barriers, she unknowingly begins to mirror her father’s behavior, pushing Fouad away as she becomes consumed by her mission. Each failed attempt not only drives her further from her dream but also widens the rift between her and Fouad during his final days in the camp. Through perseverance and heartache, Amal realizes that chasing a dream may require more sacrifices than she ever bargained for.
Directed by
Alex Aljouni (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Alex Aljouni
Alex Aljouni is a Syrian writer and director based in Los Angeles, California.
Growing up in Syria during the war, Alex turned to storytelling as a means of processing and articulating experiences that later shaped her cinematic vision. She recently graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television from UCLA, where she was a Regents Scholar and received notable accolades, including the UFVA Carole Fielding Grant and the Antonio Blanco Award. This fall, she will be pursuing her MFA in Film at NYU.
Alex’s portfolio features a collection of short films exploring themes of identity, resilience, and societal dynamics. She is particularly drawn to creating social dramas that reflect complex interpersonal relationships and social issues. Alongside her creative pursuits as a director, Alex works as a photographer, collaborating with notable clients such as AFI, UCLA Athletics, and the Ballet Company at UCLA.
With a unique perspective shaped by her heritage and personal journey, Alex is dedicated to leveraging the visual medium to unearth once-buried stories and give voice to those often left unheard.
Runtime
14:28
Letter from a Stranger
Overview
“Letter from a Strange” is a short 2D animation that explores the delicate interplay between two colleagues working in a large library. Despite the absence of an apparent connection, the story highlights how their actions impact each other’s mental health, subtly revealing the concept of “hidden violence” in contemporary society.
Directed by
Shima Markazi Omidvar (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Shima Markazi Omidvar
Shima Omidvar, born in Iran in 1993, is a passionate artist who has completed her master’s degree in animation at the esteemed University of Tehran. With a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of animation, she considers it to be the purest form of art, enabling seamless communication with the audience without any limitations.
Throughout her academic journey, Shima has developed a deep interest in exploring ethical issues, particularly those centered around mental health. This focus comes from his attention to social issues and his desire to shed light on experiences and challenges in various fields of human relations. Through her work, she aims to provoke thought, inspire empathy, and start meaningful conversations about these important issues.
Runtime
05:49
Man In Headlights
Overview
A solitary driver is forced to make an uncomfortable decision after a chance encounter on a backroad.
Directed by
David Fernandes (first time filmmaker)
Runtime
07:30
When You Hear Hoofbeats
Overview
An experimental linear montage that tells the story of a young patient’s experience with a rare form of cancer.
Directed by
Jasmyn Raylene Ramirez (first time filmmaker)
Runtime
07:51
Que fue de Lalo?
Overview
Lalo, a 22-year-old Chicano, son of an immigrant single mother. Faces the challenges of being the older son and leading by example for his younger brother in an environment where gang culture is a lifestyle not far from home.
Directed by
Lilia Arlen (LiliArlen) Gomez (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Lilia Arlen (LiliArlen) Gomez
A first-generation Chicana filmmaker. Raised in Oaxaca, Mexico and spent my teenage years through college (present) in Monterey, California. A good mixture of oaxaqueño traditions with the Chicano culture is what represents my art and my passions. I see film as a tool to communicate to and to understand the world outside of my eyes; a tool that shares an insight and perspectives to the stories, people, places, traditions and the cultures as well as all the things that make our world what it is and continues to be.
Runtime
5:33
Wacky Thing Called Life
Overview
Trinity the Cat is a bit of a debbie downer who tries to leave home to run away from her issues and decides to temporarily stay in the ambiguity inn. The manager however, Jumpetty Jipps, suggests that she should instead face her problems head on because they won’t go away if they don’t and that these troubles are just one part of the overall picture of life. What ensues is Jumpetty singing a catchy, yet meaningful tune about the importance of not letting your struggles to get the best of you no matter what in this “Wacky Thing Called Life.”
Directed by
Solomon Amore Sloan
Runtime
5:16
Son-Mat (손맛)
Overview
A son tries to commemorate his late mother by making a nostalgic Korean dish.
Directed by
Haaram Kim (first time filmmaker)
Director Biography – Haaram Kim
Haaram Kim’s passion for film began during middle school when he and his friends created short skits on YouTube. He now hopes to create films that entertain, inspire, and educate from a Korean-American perspective. Haaram is attending UC Santa Barbara and expects to graduate with a Film and Media Studies BA.
Runtime
08:44
BEST HISTORICAL LEGACY FILMS:
Bill Bates
Overview
A profile of Bill Bates the Carmel cartoonist.
Directed by
Robert R. Franco
Director Biography – Robert R. Franco
Bob started out in media doing radio interviews during the Crosby ProAm golf tournament before it was the AT&T. He interviewed Jack Nicholaus, Bob Newhart, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Former President Gerald Ford, among others. Since then Bob has produced business and entertainment projects for more than thirty years. His local and national camera and editing work has played on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and cable networks such as the Speed Channel, National Geographic, The Travel Channel, TV Land, and the Learning Channel. Over eighty primetime CBS Candid Camera shows were edited and online by Bob Franco including four one-hour specials. The original Airborne ads with TV stars were shot and edited by Bob. Apple Computer used some of Bob’s broadcast quality videos as examples of high-end video converted for the web and was the only small company featured on their MPEG4 roll out campaign. He’s shot stars from actor Mickey Rooney, to rapper Waka Flocka Flame, Peyton Manning, Wayne Gretzky, Martha Stewart, Howie Mandel, Carol Burnett, Mario Andretti, and Clint Eastwood. In addition, Bob has directed two indie feature films and a WWII documentary on PBS that aired nationally for three years. “We’ve produced work for clients ranging in size from one-man businesses, to giant global companies such as HID, the largest access control company in the world.” Bob has also served as a post-production and color correction supervisor on national commercial projects, documentaries, dramatic films, as well as editor and colorist. Currently, Bob distributes the documentary Big Sur The Way It Was and is producing short documentaries about artists in Big Sur.
Runtime
07:40
Wah Chang
Overview
A profile of Wah Chang’s career.
Directed by
Robert R. Franco
Director Biography – Robert R. Franco
Bob started out in media doing radio interviews during the Crosby ProAm golf tournament before it was the AT&T. He interviewed Jack Nicholaus, Bob Newhart, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Former President Gerald Ford, among others. Since then Bob has produced business and entertainment projects for more than thirty years. His local and national camera and editing work has played on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and cable networks such as the Speed Channel, National Geographic, The Travel Channel, TV Land, and the Learning Channel. Over eighty primetime CBS Candid Camera shows were edited and online by Bob Franco including four one-hour specials. The original Airborne ads with TV stars were shot and edited by Bob. Apple Computer used some of Bob’s broadcast quality videos as examples of high-end video converted for the web and was the only small company featured on their MPEG4 roll out campaign. He’s shot stars from actor Mickey Rooney, to rapper Waka Flocka Flame, Peyton Manning, Wayne Gretzky, Martha Stewart, Howie Mandel, Carol Burnett, Mario Andretti, and Clint Eastwood. In addition, Bob has directed two indie feature films and a WWII documentary on PBS that aired nationally for three years. “We’ve produced work for clients ranging in size from one-man businesses, to giant global companies such as HID, the largest access control company in the world.” Bob has also served as a post-production and color correction supervisor on national commercial projects, documentaries, dramatic films, as well as editor and colorist. Currently, Bob distributes the documentary Big Sur The Way It Was and is producing short documentaries about artists in Big Sur.
Runtime
07:30
BEST SURFING FILM:
Daydreaming
Overview
Daydreaming is a 26-minute short film born from the fellowship between writer and surfer Vovô Balian and filmmaker Cesinha Feliciano. The film portrays the life of Vovô and his longtime friend João Maria Lima along the cozy west coast of Portugal.
With a narrative that intertwines poetic daydreams and intimate testimonies, Daydreaming reminds us how special our connection to the art of riding waves truly is and how this salty love inspires, nourishes, and challenges us, not only as surfers but as thoughtful beings.
After all, would we be who we are and where we are if we didn’t have such a love guiding us?
Directed by
Cesinha Feliciano
Director Biography – Cesinha Feliciano
Have you ever watched a film that gave you more chills than a cold winter morning or brought a tear to your eye alongside a deep sigh of emotion?
That’s the magic I live for!
I am Cesinha Feliciano. With over five years of experience as a director, I have worked on projects for renowned brands such as Land Rover, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Reserva, Corona, O’Neill, Lost Mayhem, Harper’s Bazaar, Visit Portugal, Billabong Women, World Surf League, as well as Brazilian and Portuguese television programs, among other global brands.
My short film “Restart” has received international recognition, winning Best Sports Film at the Oniros Film Awards (New York), Best Editing at the Portuguese Surf Film Festival, and an Honorable Mention at the Surf City Film Festival (Huntington Beach). Additionally, it has been officially selected in over 12 film festivals worldwide, solidifying its impact on the global film circuit.
I live to tell stories that challenge, inspire, and resonate. My approach blends rhythm, emotion, and a deeply immersive and sensory aesthetic, always striving to leave a lasting impact.
Currently, I am the CEO of Off-World Creative Company, where I craft visual narratives that go beyond the ordinary, balancing art and strategy to transform each project into an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Runtime
26:29
Haagua
Overview
An Indigenous surf film that celebrates the timeless bond between humanity and the ocean, “Haagua” follows a group of Native American surfers as they revive ancestral traditions, blending cultural resilience with the cultural art of surfing to honor the past and inspire the future.
“Haagua” explores the profound bond personified by Great Great Grandmother Ocean (played by Jacinda Townsend). Through voices from the past and prayers for the future, the film traces the enduring memory of survival that connects generations. Surfing emerges not merely as a sport but as a rediscovery of cultural practices and a revival of an original way of life.
This cultural regeneration comes to life through the journeys of featured Indigenous surfers, including Andy Nieblas (Acjachemen), David Flores Ramos (Nahua), Kaliko Kahoonei (Hawaiian), Shuuluk Leo-Retz (Kumeyaay), Amon B. Chavez (Nahua-Carib), Reg Macarro (Payomkawichum-Ojibwe), and Marc Chavez (Nahua-Xicano). Together, they embody a modern resurgence of ancestral wisdom, blending tradition with the rhythm of the waves in a story of resilience, identity, and connection.
Directed by
Marc Antony Chavez, Octavio Aceves Coutiño
Director Biography – Marc Antony Chavez, Octavio Aceves Coutiño
Marc Chavez was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California and of Mexican-American Indian, (Nahua, Michoacán and New Mexican-Spanish descent). Chavez graduated from the University of California, San Diego with degrees in Communication, “Third World” Studies and post-graduate research in Community Educational Linkages. Chavez Founded programs aimed to “indigenize education” and is nationally and internationally recognized as an “holistic approach to education”. Youth and mentors from across North America, Hawaii, Panama, Jamaica attend various national and international programs. Chavez creates healthy learning environments to enhance knowledge of self-sustainability, culture, technology, health, environmental science. Chavez initiated “Native Like Water” to focus on both youth and adult cultural exchange between ocean and fresh water land environments and to enhance the narrative of Native Peoples.
Octavio Coutiño is a visual artist who defines himself as a photographer, videographer, and musician, he has created photographic work, music, and other pieces that have been awarded locally, nationally, and internationally. His constant search and curiosity make his vision exemplary, preserving the territorial and biological diversity of the Pacific coasts through memory and visuals. He explores customs and cultural dynamics, as recently presented in “Euforia,” “Omorfia,” and “El Gordo.” His eye builds what will likely be visited by others, and through his records, we are able to revalue the territory, which is either being destroyed or preserved. His work enables the dissemination of biodiversity; through his lens, he makes us participants in the experiences of an athlete, some albatrosses, or a still-preserved deserted island. He is a conscious artist who raises awareness.
Runtime
15:22
