2026 Official Selection: Screenplay – Screenplay – Short Film

Ceremony date & tickets — to be announced

Driven to the desert by her mother, a woman is forced to confront a terrifying legacy passed down through generations.

• Director(s): Kyle Hatley
• Writer(s): Kyle Hatley
• Producer(s): Kyle Hatley

Language: English

Country: Not Specified

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A drive through Death Valley becomes a brutal rite of passage when a woman learns her mother has brought her there to show her that motherhood is not juts a gift, but a curse, a covenant, and a test of survival.

Source: SOFF

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – SciFi

A romantic night in isn’t all it seems when a man discovers his lovestruck date has a peculiar room full of male mannequins.

Screening date & tickets — to be announced

• Director(s): Monisha Dadlani
• Writer(s): Monisha Dadlani
• Producer(s): Monisha Dadlani, Sofia Snyder
• Key Cast: Monisha Dadlani, Alexander Chard
• Editor(s): Will Mason
• Cinematographer(s): Brian M Tang
• Production Designer(s): Elli Kypriadis
• Sound Designer(s): Brianna Tang
• Composer(s): Xander Rodzinski

Language: English

Runtime: 15m

Country: United States

Synopsis: A romantic night in isn’t all it seems when a man discovers his lovestruck date has a peculiar room full of male mannequins.

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Source: SOFF

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – Drama

New to the city, Marci battles a crippling fear while searching for answers from barista Kurt. As time runs out, she must find the courage to reveal the truth.

Screening date & tickets — to be announced

• Director(s): JOHN SCHWERT
• Writer(s): JOHN SCHWERT, CAMERAN BELLAMY
• Producer(s): JOHN SCHWERT, CAMERAN BELLAMY, ERIK MURPHY
• Key Cast: CAMERAN BELLAMY, KYLE RIGGS
• Editor(s): John Schwert
• Cinematographer(s): Erik Murphy
• Sound Designer(s): Ross Wissbaum
• Composer(s): Jason Hausman

Language: English

Runtime: 14m

Country: United States

Los Angeles Premiere

Synopsis: Marci’s arrival to a new city finds her facing a crippling fear that conflicts with her determination to fulfill a promise.  She follows a handsome local barista named Kurt to his home and work in search of an answer to her pressing question.  Marci’s opportunities, days, and courage dwindle as she holds out for the right moment, the right place, and the right sign.  As time runs out, she must confront what brought her to Kurt and reveal the truth to him.

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Source: SOFF

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – Animation

Stranded on a distant world, a small, worn-out robot named Helen wanders through strange, beautiful landscapes, guided only by a song and the quiet weight of an unfinished mission.

Screening date & tickets — to be announced

• Director(s): Carlos Fernandez Puertolas
• Writer(s): Anthony Hodgson, Carlos Fernandez Puertolas
• Producer(s): Paige Johnstone

Language: English

Runtime: 9m

Country: Spain

Synopsis: Stranded on a distant world, a small, worn-out robot named Helen wanders through strange, beautiful landscapes, guided only by a song and the quiet weight of an unfinished mission.

The short film was created by a single artist, whose creative journey at times mirrored the lonely travels of the robot in the story.

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Source: SOFF