2025 Awarded & Selected Films
We extend our appreciation to all filmmakers who have submitted their films. Completing a film and submitting it to film festivals represents a significant achievement. Our curated program showcases films that excel in storytelling and cinematography. We are pleased to acknowledge the filmmakers whose works have been selected for our program, and they were present to discuss their artistic endeavors.
NARRATIVE SHORTS
Death by King Cake
Awarded for Narrative
Running Time: 15:24
United States
Directed by Janssen Swent, David Luck
Daisy Moreau’s dream is to become an actress and her goal is to get into a Performing Arts School. She must present her family background to the admissions director which may be a challenge - considering Daisy’s family history which includes professional wrestling, blackmail, and a deadly plastic baby.
Who's Chico?
Running Time: 12:24
Kaneohe, HI
Directed by John Salanoa
After one of his collections comes in short, crime boss Maka Kupa‘a thinks a lesson in torture is just what his crew needs to fall in line. But the crew has other plans. Will the strongest survive, or the most cunning?
The Culprit
Running Time: 10:00
Spain
Directed by María Guerra
Virginia Lopez-Medina, a woman who has dedicated her whole life to the world of cinema, talks about her work in a very eventful interview in which she will finally have the opportunity to show what her profession, one of the most unknown in cinema, is all about.
A Stand for Damaged Fame
Running Time: 11:25
United States
Directed by Kent J Arceneaux and David Luck
Brittany Bancroft is a burned out therapist to the rich and famous. She sees an opportunity to leave the business but things don't quite go as planned.
Brunch Before Baptism
Running Time: 18:49
Fleming Island, FL
Directed by David C. Luck, Kent J. Arceneaux
A comedy about a toxic family situation with a splash of Holy water and a twist of lime!!!
Miscellaneous Thom
Running Time: 18:00
Austin, TX
Directed by Kaleb Rimer
When Perry receives $5,000 to babysit famous TikTok star Thom, she doesn't realize that she's about to embark on a wild night being handcuffed to a strange, spontaneous character.
STUDENT SHORTS
Wick
Awarded for Student
Running Time: 5:30
United States
Directed by Kayling Iris Taylor
In this suspenseful drama-thriller 'Wick,' a young girl's life is inexplicably bound to a mysterious candle that, if extinguished, spells her doom- a deadly secret revealed when a disbelieving friend snuffs it out at a slumber party, inadvertently cursing herself to protect her own flickering flame or face the same fate.
Lulu
Running Time: 10:57
Austin, TX
Directed by Omar Alejandro Marroquin
Lulu, an unassuming sweet girl in a light pink dress, finds herself in the clutches of an up and coming serial killer, but not all is as it seems.
HORROR SHORTS
Incandescently Beautiful
Awarded for Horror
Running Time: 9:32
United States
Directed: Tyler Dey Ortiz
In the 1920's, a young gentleman becomes victim to local vamps.
Y'ALL TEXANS SHORTS
3:00am The Graveyard Shift
Awarded for Y'All Texans
Running Time: 15:00
Laredo, TX
Directed by Armando Ramirez Cardenas
A gas station clerk humorously navigates through the night shift by interacting with sleepless customers from around the neighborhood.
Three More Days
Running Time: 11:04
Bellville, TX
Directed by Kailey Stark
A lesbian couple gets outed to their small rural town three days before moving to college. When one of their mothers doesn't handle it well, it's unclear if the mother daughter relationship will ever recover.
WOMEN VOICES SHORTS
Birthday Blues
Awarded for Women Voices
Running Time: 9:24
Luxembourg
Directed by Elisabet Johannesdottir
A couple on the rocks struggles with honesty, leading the woman to make a fateful decision.
Belly
Running Time: 9:38
Chicago, IL, United States
Directed by Tommy Sigmon
A pregnant woman gets stuck on the couch and questions her capabilities as a soon-to-be mother.
Open House
Running Time: 9:56
United States
Directed by Julie Fergus
A real estate agent, desperate to make a sale and save herself from financial ruin, must confront a force beyond her control.
Prove It
Running Time: 20:00
United States
Directed by Mariana Duncan
Prove It is the story of a woman obsessed with true crime who is convinced she could get away with murder and is forced to put her obsession to the test after her best friend accidentally kills her boyfriend.
The Drowning Pool
Running Time: 12:15
Spain
Directed by Enrique Novials
Ariadna, a former police officer, is now a detective shocked by the recent death of her mother due to Covid. In the midst of this, she must find a child who has been kidnapped after school.