13th Annual Youth Filmmaker showcase! The films in this special juried program were submitted by young people aged 6-17 from all over the world. We congratulate them on their vision and achievement! There will be two 45-50 minute screenings. The first reel separated by a pause for people to leave before more mature content films are shown. 

FILMS AND FILM LINE-UP ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

ALL IN GOOD TIME – Eve has always been behind— in every aspect. She can’t catch up with her friends, or anyone around her, and feels that time has been constantly against her. But when a new, mysterious figure who embodies Time appears in her life and grants her success at an interview, it leaves her wondering about the role of time in her life itself. After her success, time gives her a watch, and Eve wonders why she has been the selected one. Time teaches Eve a valuable lesson: Time is not to chase, but to savor. (2025 / 5 mins / Korea / dir. Elisa HaEun Min 14 yrs old / in Korean w/English subtitles)

THE BACKSEAT – Barry, a shy and timid senior in high school, crumbles under the pressure of his classmates and teacher the minute before his big solo performance. Amidst the chaos of the evening, Barry has a panic attack and wakes up in the back of his subconscious. From this room, Barry is forced to watch as his body and life are taken over by a more confident and ambitious alter ego who accomplishes what Barry could only dream of. As his life moves away from him, Barry is forced to take back control and accomplish what he’s always wanted to.  (2025 / 13 mins / USA / dir. Ben Shore, Senior H.S.  / in English)

BACON NOG – A promo for Bacon Nog. You don’t need to read the list of ingredients. It’s delicious! Hendricken High School film students create a parody on consuming bacon grease.  (2025 / 1.5 mins / USA / dir. Alex Reinbold, Cast Joseph Gabriele, Max Fogarty, Ed Went  / in English)

BALL GAME – An underdog works his way back to the top in order to beat his rival. Some people need to taste losing to inspire themselves to victory!  (2025 / 1.5 mins / USA / dir. Nathaniel Gomez-Santil, student Roger Williams Middle School / in English)

CHICKADEE OVERCOMES GRAVITY – Stuck on the ground but dreaming of the stars, an audacious chicken sets out to go where no chicken has gone before. Created in collaboration with young artists using everyday tools, smartphones, and imagination, this two-minute epic celebrates the power of persistence. Bok bok! (2025 / 2 mins / USA / dir. Teens With a Movie Camera Collective, Syracuse NY / in English)

CHIRP TALKER – On her city balcony, Audrey delights in the flutter of tiny birds—fluffing their feathers, chattering, and sneaking tangerine bites. Their chirps sound like cheerful hellos and playful spats, inspiring her to invent a bird-language translator that unlocks their secret conversations. (2025 / 4 mins / Taiwan / dir. Audrey He-Qing Cheng 10 yrs. old / in English)

ËMILIE – Learning from bad decisions is what growing up is all about. Negotiating friendships and what they ask of you should not compromise your ethics. (2025 / 3 mins / Malaysia / dir. Daphne Lambert 17 yrs. old / in English)

GOING SOMEWHERE – A misguided teen runs away from home after a fight with her mother, only to meet an unexpected mentor, making her rethink her decision. Sometimes strangers are more familiar with you than you might know.  (2025 / 10.5 mins / USA / dir. Ginger Barbour 16 yrs old, Creative Team Theodore Hartman 15 yrs old, Bear Tyree 16 yrs old, Griffin Shaver 17 yrs old, Riley Dohner 16 yrs old / in English)

HIGH SCHOOL PARODY – High school drama enacted out on stage and on the basketball court. Oh to be young again! (2025 / 3 mins / USA / dir. Jassiel Santana, Key Cast: Genesis Agustin, Jean Corales, Cheyenne Dacosta, Albim Fernandez, Janeth Jimenez, Benjamin McAlpine, Gina Rodriguez, Joreinally Sical, students at Roger Williams Middle School / in English)

HOPE HIGH HITS! – The CTE Film Production and Visual Arts program has created a creative mix of short films throughout the school year. Live action and animations using the Rhode Island made Gif-o-Graf machines! The mix of narratives and emotions are truly inspiring.  (2025 / 15 mins / USA / multiple directors and creators / in English or no dialogue)

HOW IT SHOULD BE – In the short film How It Should Be, Wendy, a determined 17-year-old, dreams of breaking free from her traditional “American housewife” life that is pushed upon her by an omnipotent narrator. Set in a sci-fi 1950s, she must prove to both her father and the narrator that she will not conform to the prevailing social norms, even if that means she must face the narrator’s consequences. (2025 / 13 mins / USA / dir. Natalie Yerelekian H.S. senior / in English)

HOW TO CUPCAKE – The title says it all. You want to learn how to make a cupcake? Watch this stop motion animation for some inspiration. (2025 / .5 mins / USA / dir. Naya Lam 8 yrs old / non-dialogue)

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID – Two students go on a killing spree at the same time, one not knowing about the other, until they accidentally cross paths. (2025 / 8.5 mins / USA / dirs. Madelyn Morrissey, Khani Poindexter of Jaqueline M. Walsh senior film class / in English)

THE LAST TEST (La Prueba Final) – In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of teenagers has fun killing zombies. What could possibly go wrong?  (2024 / 12 mins / Argentina / dirs. Sharik Pintor, Thiago Smieth both 16 yrs old / in Spanish w/English subtitles)

NOW OR NEVER – High school has never been more dangerous, or awkward, when a top agent goes undercover in this James Bond-inspired comedy spoof. (2025 / 11 mins / Malaysia / dir. Xinti Lim 10th grade / in English)

PICTURING OUR GOODBYE – Two dating friends try to deal with the physical distance between them after one moves away. (2025 / 5 mins / USA / dir. Lola Lamensdorf, H.S. senior / in English)

SEA BUCKTHORNS AND OTHER GOOSEBERIES (Astelpajud ja muud tikrid) – A person can sometimes be like a gooseberry- sharp on the outside, yet unexpectedly sweet within. This is the story of a 19-year-old gooseberry named Gustav. (2025 / 5 mins / Estonia / dir. Mathilda Mänd, H.S. senior / in Estonian w/English subtitles)

SISTERHOOD IN MALICE (Õelus) – Emma visits her older sister Robin, who has recently moved out to live on her own. Time spent together reveals the nuances of sisterhood as well as the sisters’ contrasting feelings: Robin struggles to let go of childhood, while Emma races toward independence. When Robin unveils her life-changing news, Emma’s reaction is unexpected. Accusations and stubborn stances ignite conflict, pushing the sisters to face their outlooks and fears. Only by truly listening to one another can they uncover what binds them… or what might tear them apart. (2025 / 9 mins / Estonia / dir. Kamilla Hein, H.S. senior / in Estonian w/English subtitles)

SLUDGE SHROOM – A Mushroom finds some sludge in the woods destroying plant life. The Mushroom sets off to find a magic flower that can purify the sludge back into water! (2025 / 1 mins / USA / dir. Jay Crawley 11 yrs old / non-dialogue)

SUMMER BEFORE PRAGUE – Leesha is the very first Cree female goalie to be invited to play in the Premier Ice Prospect U15 in Prague. This is a snapshot of her summer training before the big leap. (2024 / 6 mins / Canada / dir. Leesha Grant 14 yrs old / non-dialogue)

sunflower (päevalill) – “When you hear the sound, then it’s all over, then everything will be o.k.” This mantra is repeated again and again as a young girl grows up from a world of endless summer days to war planes screaming overhead. (2024 / 9 mins / Estonia / dir. Ketlin Kõiv, H.S. senior / in Estonian w/English subtitles)

SUPERCOMPUTER – A Cold War era spy caper happening in…. Pawtucket?! A very unique creation using repurposed electronics from many years ago. Eastern European accents abound as top secrets are attempted to be sold to the highest bidder. (2025 / 6 mins / USA / Creative team: Liam Boyle 12, Rhys Hewitt 13, Nolan Hewitt 10, Noah O’Day 12, Otey Ward 12, Lukas Balcetis 11, Molly Weigand 11 yrs old / in English)

TIMUN MAS – The story of a child born from a golden cucumber and a lonely widow’s deal with a magical ogre. A quirky retelling of a Javanese folktale by the 4th and 5th grade students of Crestwood Elementary in Madison, WI. (2025 / 10.5 mins / USA / Creative team: Crestwood 4th & 5th Graders / in English) 

TO CATCH THE BUTTON MAN – A detective story about a wannabe detective searching for a high school prankster. Will Hendricken High School film students get their man? (2025 / 5.5 mins / USA / dir. Alex Reinbold, Cast Joseph Gabriele, Max Fogarty / in English)

UPS AND DOWNS – Life is full of ups and downs, and the journey of a tennis ball mirrors that of the 17-year-old filmmaker leaving school behind. Bouncing through airports, roads, and garbage, it collides with walls, oranges, colorful balls, people, and cultures, each encounter shaping its story. As she trades childhood games for college and adulthood, both journeys tumble into the unknown, trusting that these twists and turns will lead to the most extraordinary chapter yet. (2025 / 2 mins / Greece / dir. Theodora Papageorgiou / non-dialogue)