Film Festival Schedule
Friday, September 12th
NARRATIVE SHORTS / SESSION 01 (11:00 am – 12:30pm)
I Can Smell a Rat
Director: Antonious George Bassily
Narrative – Student
Egypt
Smoke and Mirrors
Director: Nathan Rivers
Narrative
Canada
Becoming
Director: Joss Joel Robinson
Narrative – Student and Experimental – Student
United States
The Message
Director: Jake Haire
Narrative
United States
Better So
Director: Jaakko Antero Ylitalo
Narrative – Student
Finland
Paris 70
Director: Dani Feixas
Narrative
Spain
Tea Tales: The Peppermint Perils
Director: Lily Andrews
Narrative – Student
United States
EXPERIMENTAL FILMS AND MUSIC VIDEO (1:30pm – 3:00pm)
21 music video and experimental short films from around the world!
Mother’s Milk
Director: Martin Del Carpio
Experimental
United States
The Cormorant’s Shadow
Director: Barbara Peikert
Experimental
Switzerland
un deux trois
Director: Brooke Dooley
Experimental
United States
Baby Sitter
Director: REEHAN S PARK
Experimental – Student & Animation – Student
United States
The Stream XIV
Director: Hiroya Sakurai
Experimental
Japan
Mould – Chunks
Director: Martyn Thomas
Music Video
United Kingdom
Jig Jag
Director: John Dawson
Experimental
United States
In the Rigid Station
Director: Hiroshi Atobe
Experimental
Japan
The Lovers Of Avignon
Director: Manuel Fernández Ferro
Experimental
Spain
Heaven in a Wild Flower
Director: Jesseca Ynez Simmons
Experimental
United States
I Am Neither, I Am All
Director: Alex Oichea
Experimental – Student
Romania
THE SUMMER OF LOVE
Director: Fraser Kershaw
Experimental – Student
United States
Modern Vertigo
Director: Pierre Ajavon
Experimental
France
“Staircase Stomp” by The Clamor
Director: Aaron Louis
Music Video
United States
Mona Lisa
Director: Jan Daniel
Experimental – Student
Czech Republic
Palimpsest
Director: Tova Beck-Friedman
Experimental
United States
The Glass Menagerie
Director: Dmitry Kemell
Experimental
United States
Mould – Wheeze
Director: Martyn Thomas
Music Video
United Kingdom
Fountain of Planet Ⅱ
Director: Hiroshi Atobe
Experimental
Japan
I Had A Strange Dream Last Night
Director: Mira Haley Steuer
Experimental – Student
United States
On the Run
Director: Theo Zgraggen
Music Video
Canada
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE SCREENING (3:30pm – 5:00pm)
Hölderlin’s Echo
Director: Hannes Rall (Germany)
An award-winning work of art about an artist of the German language – and a meticulous cinematic memorial to the poet and philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin, famous all over the world.
Friedrich Hölderlin (1770–1843) touched numerous renowned composers with his word art over the course of time. In the 20th century, his work was arranged musically over 1,800 times. In their experimental documentary film with five individual animation sequences, Susanne Marschall and Hannes Rall approach the work of a lyricist who far outgrew his work during his lifetime and is known throughout the world like an echo of the German language.
(89 minutes)
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION (6:30pm – 7:30pm)
Come out and celebrate the opening of the 2025 fest! Enjoy food, drinks, & music as our attendees arrive on the red carpet for their photo op!
AWARDS CEREMONY AND SPOTLIGHT FEATURE SCREENING (7:30pm – 9:00pm)
2025 Spotlight Award Winner!
Stealing Pulp Fiction
Director: Danny Turkiewicz
Cast: Jon Rudnitsky, Karan Soni, Cazzie David, Jason Alexander, Taylor Hill, Oliver Cooper
Description: A group of enterprising wannabes and their eccentric therapist as they concoct a plot to steal Quentin Tarantino’s personal 35mm print of his famous 1994 film from his movie theater, quickly spirals into a chaotic misadventure filled with unexpected twists and mishaps.
(USA)
(80 minutes)
Saturday, September 13th
ANIMATION SHORTS (11:00 am – 12:45pm)
17 animated short films from around the world!
ANADROMOUS
Director: Ari Grubb
Animation – Student
United States
Like Father, Like Gum
Director: Aidan Harris
Animation – Student
United Kingdom
WHERE’S MY HERO?
Directors: Brycen Sochiratna, Chloe Hogan
Animation – Student
United States
Veils of Landscape
Director: Chihiro Yamanaka
Animation – Student
Japan
BRIDGE – My Little Friends
Director: Kazuyuki Ishihara
Animation
Japan
Chaton – From the Future (Official Music Video)
Director: Marcus CB Soori
Music Video , Animation
United States
DOUBLE OR NOTHING
Director: Tokay
Animation – Student
Switzerland
Cell Buddies
Directors: Melle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jurgen de Smit, Arjen van der Plas
Animation – Student
Netherlands
Ai and Aiko’s Christmas -Genki’s True Tree-
Director: Takuma Aomatsu
Animation
Japan
The Wedding Veil of the Proud Princess
Director: Anna-Ester Volozh
Animation
United Kingdom
Red Snow
Director: Jonathan Dumosch
Animation – Student
Israel
Mr. Passenger #01-Shapes
Director: José Pedro Cavalheiro
Animation
Portugal
You’ve Got This, Allie!
Directors: Wren Petkov, Michelle Saal
Animation – Student
Ireland
A pleasure
Director: Sonia Estevez
Animation
Spain
Persona
Director: Mana Inoue
Animation – Student
United States
Ghariba & Ajeeb
Director: Boubaker Boukhari
Animation
United Arab Emirates
Two One Two
Director: Shira Avni
Animation
Canada
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS (1:30pm – 3:00pm)
7 short documentary films from US and World filmmakers!
Weight Of Stone
Director: Rakhi Jain
Documentary – Student
India
SU
Director: Haisu Mu
Documentary – Student
China
Voices of Tomorrow
Director: Lena Popilieva
Documentary
United States
Be-Living in The Ocean
Director: Craig Sim Webb
Documentary
Canada
Three Vendors of Ipanema
Director: Jonathan S. Lee
Documentary
United States
4:30
Director: Vasilii Ovchinnikov
Documentary
Russian Federation
Tango in Twilight
Director: Teresa Herminia Mular MD
Documentary
Argentina
NARRATIVE SHORTS / SESSION 02 (3:30pm – 5:00pm)
A special session of 8 narrative short films!
The Before
Director: T. Marie King
Narrative
United States
Catching Claus
Director: Ian Blom
Narrative – Student
United States
Ya Hanouni
Directors: Lyna Tadount, Sofian Chouaib
Narrative
France
Mother
Director: Sebastian Kwidziński
Narrative – Student
Poland
Hike
Director: Mathieu Gari
Narrative
France
Attention!
Director: Semyon Shomin
Narrative
Russian Federation
Shepherd Moon
Director: Michaela Wadzinski
Narrative
United States
And That’s for This Christmas
Director: Peter Vulchev
Narrative
Bulgaria
REGIONAL FILMMAKERS RECEPTION (6:00pm – 7:00pm)
Come and meet our 2025 MWFF filmmakers as we hold a reception just for them and our attendees. Enjoy complimentary food, coffee, soft drinks, music, and a photo op on the red carpet!
REGIONAL FILMMAKERS SCREENING (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
A special session of 8 regionally made films!
Light Shines in the Darkness
Directors: TJ Hill, Travis Agnew
Music Video
United States
Rolling Towards Perfection
Director: Devin Titus
Documentary – Student
United States
Return to Sender
Director: Seth Salkin-Weiss
in Animation – Student
United States
The Tensile Strength of Air
Director: Shayna Connelly
Narrative
United States
You Know
Director: Seth Caiola
Documentary – Student
United States
Mindframe
Director: Kiersten Hoff
Narrative – Student, Narrative
United States
Anhedonia
Director: Aaron Hill
Narrative
United States
Come Out, Wherever You Are
Director: Caitlin Presberg
Narrative
United States
Sunday, September 14th
NARRATIVE FEATURE SCREENING (11:00 am – 1:00pm)
Water Lilies
Director: Chanho Lee (South Korea)
Description: The water lilies blooms, even in the filthiest waters.
Amid the mire of selfish desires and the indifference to others’ suffering,
hope begins to bloom anew in the fleeting moment when we recognize the humanity within one another.
(118 minutes)
DOCUMENTARY SHORT AND FEATURE SCREENING (1:30 pm – 3:15 pm)
Play Ball Series! A 2-film screening of all things baseball.
The Final Out
Director: Caydon Smith (USA)
Doug Livingston is the pinnacle of Harlem Baseball. He holds the record for most career wins at Harlem and is considered the best baseball coach Harlem’s ever had. This documentary provides a deep-dive into his history with baseball, his teaching career, and the relationships he connected with all his students and players.
(24 minutes)
The Last Game
Director: Matt Dooley
57 years of fan memories tell the story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, from their first game in 1968 until their last game in the Bay Area in 2024.
(58 minutes)
NARRATIVE FEATURE SCREENING (5:00 pm – 6:15 pm)
Leech
Director: David Dawson (USA)
The trials, tribulations, and trolls of a Youtuber who calls himself The Dark Lord of Loves Park. A micro budget, screen life, Mumblegore movie. This screening is 18+.
Theatrical Premiere at Unnamed Footage Festival 8 in San Francisco, CA.
Official Selection at Cinema Wasteland in Cleveland, OH.
(77 minutes)
Film Highlights
Explore the most anticipated films of the festival, showcasing a diverse range of genres and styles that cater to all cinema lovers.
Screening Times
Check out the detailed schedule for each film screening, ensuring you don’t miss your favorites during the festival.
Special Events
Join us for our filmmaker receptions, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, coffee, and soft drinks to enhance your festival experience.
Red Carpet
Participate in our red carpet photo op at any time during the fest. Share the photo and let others know to check us out!
What is the schedule for the film festival?
The film festival schedule includes various screenings, and events spread across three days. You can find the complete schedule on our website, detailing the timings and locations for each film screening and event.
How can I purchase tickets for the screenings?
Tickets for the screenings can be purchased online through our official website or at the venue on the day of the event. We recommend buying tickets in advance to secure your spot, as some screenings may sell out quickly.
Are there any age restrictions for the films?
Most films at the festival are suitable for audiences aged 18 and above, but some may have specific age restrictions based on their content. Please check the film ratings and descriptions for more details before attending.
What should I bring to the festival?
We recommend bringing your ticket confirmation, a valid ID, and any personal items you may need for the day. Comfortable clothing and shoes are also advisable.
Is there parking available at the venue?
Yes, there is parking available downtown, but it may be limited during peak hours. We suggest arriving early or using public transportation to avoid any parking issues during the festival.
Can I volunteer at the film festival?
Yes, we welcome volunteers to help with various aspects of the festival. If you’re interested, please visit our website for more information on how to apply and the roles available.