Please join us for a special post-screening Q&A with the filmmakers!

THE CARING COLLECTIVE is a shorts block which focuses on radical care. While these stories may differ on the surface, their core messages are one in the same: compassion is a team sport. These three shorts display the positive powers of conversation, innovation, and art. What happens when food insecurity is shown through the lens of an art installation? Do the candid and vulnerable conversations between college students have the power to help others heal? Are there entrepreneurs who use their skills to uplift, mobilize a community rather than serve their own interests?

Short Film Friday is back! Join us for an exciting evening that includes two short film programs, a catered dessert and drinks intermission, Q&A with any attending filmmakers, and a rollercoaster of story telling as we experience a wide range of genres and emotions all in one signature event!

Your ticket includes a drink during our “Mix & Mingle” intermission and admission to both programs.

This year’s Short Film Friday program begins with our “Music, Mischief, Memory Lane” block and resumes after a cocktail and dessert break with the “Where Do We Go From Here?” block.

Please join us for a very special Q&A with GRUFF Director Julian Curi after Block One!

Short Film Friday Block One: Music, Mischief, Memory Lane

Sometimes when we look into the past, we feel a plethora of emotions: anger, nostalgia, joy, grief, or even pain. More often than not, these memories are even accompanied by our own personal soundtracks. This selection of shorts displays a range of what it means to reflect, while not robbing the current day and future of their value.

Short Film Friday Block Two: Where Do We Go From Here?

Life’s challenges can present themselves in interesting ways, and these obstacles may require us to pivot. This curated group of shorts reminds us that whether we’re learning how to bond with our family members, venturing into parenthood, or changing careers, the question “where do we go from here?” presents us all with the choice to confront and overcome.

A curated selection of documentary shorts from Virginia Commonwealth University filmmakers exploring today’s Virginia. How does an emerging creative generation view our ever-changing landscapes and whose stories remain evergreen? Though documentaries reinvent themselves daily, point-of-view, empathy, and storytelling still find a way.

Films:

What It Takes – Directors: Abbey Decandia, Caroline Crain, Producers: Caroline Crain, Luke Headley, Editor: Matthew Mercer, Directors of Photography: Luke Headley, Matthew Mercer, Music: So-Eun Know, Sound Design: Caroline Crain, Abbey Decandia, Writers: Luke Headley, Caroline Crain

Eyes On Me – Director: Spencer Pannill, Producer: Larkin Denton, Writers: Spencer Pannill, Larkin Denton, Editors: Larkin Denton, Spencer Pannill, Cinematographer: Spencer Pannill, Sound: Larkin Denton, Score: Elias Mäntaylä, Storyboarding: Spencer Pannill, VFX: Larkin Denton, BTS: Aedan Weldon, Spencer Pannill, Press: Larkin Denton, Cast: Maeve/Shartchan, featuring Maeve’s Mom

After Class – Directors: Sofia Feliciano, Nellie Suleymanian, Producers: Sofia Feliciano, Nellie Suleymanian, Writers: Sofia Feliciano, Nellie Suleymanian, Director of Cinematography: Ceanne Rennie, Editor: Ceanne Rennie, Sound: Nellie Suleymanian, Original Score: Anthony Johnson, Cast: Suzy Slykin, Aident Dunnet, Julianna Florez, Amaya Robinson

Undercurrent – Director: Bella Thakkar, Producer: Ella Balzano, Writers: Bella Thakkar, Ella Balzano, Editor: Matthew Mercer, Sound: Cate MacKenzie, Composer: Ambrose Li

Film Team – Director: Anastasia Hines, Producer: Azucena Gordus Huizar, Director of Photography: Anastasia Hines, Writer: Anastasia Hines, Sound/Editor: Nicholas Ferrell, BTS/Press: Sam Markwith, Cast: Christopher Okamuro, Valentino Margaritini-Toscano, Nicholas Chin, Shawn Mullins, Zachary Phelps

Best of Film at George Mason is a showcase of recent notable and award-winning student films from George Mason University’s Film and Video Studies. This year’s program captures student work ranging from introductory production, documentary filmmaking, advanced fiction filmmaking, and senior thesis films. A live Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Films:

• Man vs. Machine – Aryaman Kantawala
• RUSALKA – Nat Melnikova
• Adele Marie – Leigh J. Smith
• One Happy Moment – Britton Johnson
• Video Two Five Five – Armando Garcia
• A Viet Story – Kevin Vu
• City Year DC – Marco Duran
• Under the Fig Tree – Iyah Al-Ani
• Equal Access – Riley Ater
• FALLACY – Kaitlyn Brittenham
• The Planners – Zahra Ahmed
• Meli (Honey) – Meghan Colovos
• Misafir – Selma Veli

UNSEEN, UNFORGETTEN presents two compelling longer short-form documentaries that illuminate contrasting yet interconnected facets of society often overlooked. NO PLACE TO GROW OLD delves into a silent crisis sweeping across America—the rising number of seniors experiencing homelessness. THE POWER OF SMALL, directed by Washington West alum T.C. Johnstone, offers a hopeful counterpoint by chronicling the transformative journeys of six individuals from a larger group of fifty, each empowered with significant financial resources to foster generosity and kindness. Through their acts of giving, these individuals embark on unexpected paths of self-discovery and creative impact. Together, these films remind us of the profound importance of recognizing both the hardships faced by the unseen in our communities and the incredible ripple effect that even small acts of kindness can create.

Best of Film at George Mason is a showcase of recent notable and award-winning student films from George Mason University’s Film and Video Studies. This year’s program captures student work ranging from introductory production, documentary filmmaking, advanced fiction filmmaking, and senior thesis films. A live Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Kaju Katli – Sujay Khona
Ghosted – Chole Salaman
Anonymous Voices – Marco Duran
When the Rain Stopped – Meghan Colovos
Grit – Chrys Salman
Scarecrow – Jax Azad
The Lovely Inconvenience of Having Too Many Pants Pockets – Kai Morales
A Mourning In Chinatown – Ali Ali
Dust Bunny – Natalia Melnikova
The Lick – James Bah
Breakfast for Dinner – Dominique Dargan
Pas de Deux – Madison Koren

I BELONG is a powerful shorts block that explores themes of human rights, compassion, and the resilience of survivors of sexual trauma, assault, and grief. At its core is a simple but urgent truth: we all belong. There is no excuse for injustice—and we must make space for healing.

This deeply moving collection includes stories of courage and connection: an Indigenous women’s motorcycle group riding to raise awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women; an intimate look at a weekend gathering of widows creating community through shared loss; a young woman finding the strength to share her past with her mother; and the inspiring journey of a boy who rises above abandonment and homelessness through boxing.

While these stories tackle difficult and emotional topics, they are also rich with nuance—tender, human, and at times, unexpectedly funny.

The block will be moderated by Dr. Shekila S. Melchior, Professor of Counseling at George Mason University. Dr. Melchior will also be available to provide support for any audience members who may be affected after viewing these films.

Short Film Friday is back! Join us for an evening of captivating shorts in two carefully curated programs, plus a cocktail and dessert intermission.

Your ticket includes a drink during our “Mix & Mingle” intermission and admission to both programs.

This year’s Short Film Friday program begins with our “With A Little Help (From My Friends)” block and resumes after a cocktail and dessert break with our “More Than Meets The Eye” block.

SHORT FILM FRIDAY BLOCK ONE: With A Little Help (From My Friends)

The Beatles sang, “I get by with a little help from my friends,” reminding us that we cannot truly thrive alone. Community—whether it’s the support of loved ones, mentors, neighbors, or even strangers—can be the spark that helps us dream bigger, stand taller, and keep going.

Humans are wired for connection—and these shorts, fresh from festivals like Tribeca, SXSW, and Aspen Shortsfest, are a testament to just how powerful we can be when we lift each other up.

• Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles, Discount Doug, In the Jungle, Shanti Rides Shotgun, Daron, Al Fresco, Undrown, Polar Bear Country, and Saving Superman will all screen in the “With A Little Help (From My Friends)” Block.

SHORT FILM FRIDAY BLOCK TWO: More Than Meets The Eye

Things aren’t always what they seem—and relying on first impressions or preconceived expectations will often lead you astray! The “More Than Meets the Eye” block explores this idea through mind-bending genres like sci-fi and fantasy, as well as through characters who forge their own paths, challenge societal expectations, and defy easy categorization. These stories remind us that life has a way of surprising us—and often, the people and places we least expect turn out to mean the most.

• In the Fold, Analog, Death Pays Flora a Visit, Ovary-Acting, Party People, and Doc Albany will all screen in the “More Than Meets The Eye” Block.

These captivating selections from our Executive Board will take you on a journey through the intricate tapestry of the human experience, weaving together themes of grief, identity, magic, and beauty.

One filmmaker’s exploration of natural light in California and its influence on the lives of those touched by this light.