Program

In partnership with Amnesty International, this showcase brings together films that explore critical human rights issues from around the world. The films in this section shine a light on the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of individuals and communities facing injustice. A discussion with representatives from local advocacy organizations will follow the screening, providing insight into the real-world impact and importance of these stories.

Ana is a nurse whose days are dedicated to care for Luis, a whimsy writer who's passing through his final days of living, but with whom she has forged a special friendship that offers comfort and consolation against their respective hardships in life. However, Ana needs to care for her children too; Little Elena in particular, who's suffering from a growing and strange condition that begins overescalating and turning dangerous not only for herself but for others.

Renato, Abel, and Gabriela are a family divided by emotional borders; for them, thedesire to be happy and break free from their current situation seems unattainable.The decisions they make independently will have an impact on each other's lives,demonstrating how fragile and delicate the way they are connected is.

Cosmographies is a hybrid film that draws from speculative fiction, observational and poetic documentary, Indigenous futurism and Indigiqueer perspectives. It interweaves stories of resistance and environmental justice against extractivism in the Atacama Desert, Chile, as an allegory for contemporary plans to colonise the Moon and Mars. Set across 2023 and 2051, it weaves parallel stories of Lickan Antay land and water defenders, engaged scientists and fishing communities in Atacama, with the story of Māori astrobiologist Xuě Noon who finds solace in Mars and slipstreams across spacetime with an urgent message.

This category brings together powerful and thought-provoking documentary short films that explore a range of real-world stories. The festival grants a Jury Award ($500 USD) for Best Documentary Short, honoring the film that most impresses the jury with its emotional depth, investigative rigor, and artistic merit. These films are an impactful testament to the power of short-form non-fiction storytelling.

Frida Kahlo is a little girl who is different. Sparkling and vibrant, everything interests her. When life's trials and tribulations come her way, she faces them with her overflowing imagination.

Mariluz Canaquiri says her river is a more than a body of water, it’s a living being. Beneath the surface lies a world of spirits led by the Karuara, the ‘people of the river.’ The film’s stunning hand painted animations take viewers into this magical universe. Behind their playfulness, the Karuara are metaphysical ecologists who maintain the delicate balance of life. But contamination from oil spills threaten the spirits and their river. Mariluz files a lawsuit demanding her river be recognized as a legal person, with rights. In a world that puts a price tag on nature, this film reminds us of our sacred connection to water.

While the renowned actress Norma Reyes rehearses a very bad and mediocre commercial play where she must play an old woman with Alzheimer's, her daughter Celeste, always overshadowed by her mother's star, decides to move out of the house. Despite the stress of rehearsals and the pain of her daughter's absence, Norma continues to push forward, but an unfortunate event will put both of their plans on hold. Her daughter Celeste will take this opportunity to mold from scratch the mother she always dreamed of having.

Las Muertes Más Bellas del Mundo/The Most Beautiful Deaths in the World tells the story of five artists whose families fled El Salvador’s civil war in the 1980’s, landed in the nation’s capital, and created art out of war.

A celebration of the art of short-form storytelling, the Narrative Shorts Competition brings together exceptional short films that showcase a wide range of themes, genres, and techniques. These films highlight the power of concise storytelling, with each offering a unique and memorable experience. The Jury Award recognizes the best narrative short, honoring outstanding creativity, storytelling, and technical achievement.

¡Videos Musicales! A music video showcase + party. Artists, directors, and producers have the opportunity to screen their music videos for a festival audience. Videos in competition are eligibile for a Jury and Audience award which includes a cash prize! This program is a unique opportunity to see the latest and best of Latinx, Latin America, Spanish, Portuguese, and Indigenous of the Americas creativity, style, and sound.