Standby (United States) by Robert Gomes

A disheartened, but dedicated middle-aged gay actor, living and working in NYC as a standby for an off-Broadway show, has his love for his art reawakened — with a jolt — in this valentine to the Theater.

Running time: 00:24:17

Light Bunny (United States) by Valerian Zamel

Six months after her son’s death, a grieving mother receives a late night phone call from a voice claiming to be him, speaking from an “in between” place. As the conversation grows darker, she is forced to confront the depths of grief, memory, and the fragile line between reality and deception.

Running time: 00:15:00

Scare City (France) by Jordan Beswick

Seth has been working on himself. He's intent on healing his wounds so it's likelier he'll create a happier healthier life for himself. But every time he believes he's making headway... Butch shows up. And all that hard work goes to hell in a handbag. Life's complicated.

Running time: 00:11:16

The Most Honest Thing In The Room (United States) by Chris Johnson

The Most Honest Thing in the Room is an independent narrative short film about identity, emotional armor, and the human need for real connection. Blending comedy and drama, the film follows Tommy as he adopts a fabricated lisp and turns it into a public-facing identity, forcing both him and Amanda to confront the difference between being seen, being approved of, and being genuinely known.

Running time: 00:14:30

Flavor of the Month (United States) by Nathan Xia

Harrison Huang is a B-list Chinese American actor who is up for the role of “Wushu Warrior,” the world’s first-ever AAPI-led superhero film. Things spiral when Harrison discovers that he has to screen test against a newcomer named Jimmy, who he fears will replace him as “Hollywood’s Asian.” Inspired by a real tragedy.

Running time: 00:13:20

NŪR (Congo, The Democratic Republic of the) by Ryan Youngblood

Tricked by a persuasive recruiter and pressured by his best friend, Nūr leaves his mother and younger siblings to join the Islamic State in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He believes he will be given a job and earn money to support his family, but instead finds himself in a remote jungle camp where the hyper-violent group radicalizes and indoctrinates its combatants. Here, it is truly kill or be killed. While his friend Ibra learns to thrive in this distorted world, Nūr struggles to maintain his identity and his faith. Then, a mysterious flyer dropped from a plane promises a possible path home. Nūr must decide whether saving himself is worth risking his life. The Islamic State in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the deadliest rebel force in a nation torn apart by two decades of war. Hidden deep within the jungle, their secrecy and ruthless control have made it nearly impossible for the outside world to glimpse life inside their camps—until now. This film brings that hidden world to life. Former fighters who surrendered, and survivors who endured the group’s brutality, step into the roles of both victim and perpetrator to recreate the terrifying reality of life inside the jihadists’ strongholds. Filmed at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in Central Africa—where the conflict still rages today—this is a rare, unflinching journey into the heart of the Islamic State in the DRC.

Running time: 00:17:57