Shorts With Kids / Shorts With Parents
Shorts With Kids has been a recurring shorts program for some time. These shorts usually involve older children, and may contain objectionable material that differentiates it from Shorts FOR Kids. This year, we noticed some really strong films with parenting themes, so we put these two programs together.
Tickets:
Saturday, March 14 – 11:55am – Room D100
Saturday, March 21 – 12:15pm – Room B204
Siren
On the eve of an important synchronized swimming competition, Mathilde is drowning in glitter and pressure. She must choose between shining for others or blossoming for herself.
Narrative • Drama • Canada • 2025 • 15 Minute
Director: Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier
Writer: Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier
Producers: Raphaelle Brissette
Cinematographer: Émile L. Desroches
Editor: Philippe Lefebvre
Cast: Émilie Savaria-Carrière, Mia Rose Langevin, Dany Placard
Used To Be
Ally struggles daily with her anxiety and panic attacks, fighting to show herself kindness and grace in the midst of her battles.
Narrative • USA • 2025 • 8 Minutes
Director: Matt Webb
Writer: Matt Webb
Producers: Stephanie Hong
Executive Producers: Matt Webb
Cinematographer: Thomson Nguyen
Editor: Jon Linzalone & Seth Young
Composer: Jared Marchman
Cast: Jennings Campbell, Krystyn Sayre, Paige Denton, Susannah Devereux, Ramses McKinstry, Ashley Lauren Thomas
Public Contact: Matt Webb
Email Address: themattwebb@gmail.com
Synthesize Me
Violeta, the young daughter of a widowed electrical maintenance worker, retreats to her mother’s neglected music workshop to play music to remember her. When she causes a widespread power cut tensions rise between father and daughter bringing their grief to boiling point.
Narrative • USA/Mexico/Netherlands • 2025 • 16 Minutes
Director: Bear Damen
Writer: Bear Damen
Producers: Salim El Arja, Po Wei Su, Bear Damen
Executive Producers: Constanza Peréz, Irlanda Tapia, Ana Cardona
Cinematographer: Alfonso Herrera Salcedo
Editor: Bear Damen
Composer: Bear Damen, Rob Kovacs
Cast: Ivanna Plantier & Antonio Trejo Sánchez
Festivals: SXSW, deadCenter, Palm Springs ShortsFest, HollyShorts, Tallgrass
Public Contact: Festival Formula
Email Address: submissions@festivalformula.com
Dryland
Dennie, a swim coach grappling with PTSD and struggling to connect with her team, must overcome her biggest trigger as the team dives into their crucial first meet of the season.
Narrative • Drama • USA • 2025 • 9 Minutes
Director: Marissa Vonn
Writer: Marissa Vonn
Producers: Kalena Clarkson, Aaron Bandy
Cinematographer: Bruce James Bales
Editor: Nick Ford
Cast: Destani Welch, Rebekah Bergthold, Kim Duede, Mikayla Hoult
Still Moving
After her divorce, a mother drives a rented moving truck with her daughter in the passenger seat. The two head into a new future, only to discover the pain and difficulties of leaving the past behind.
Narrative • Drama • Canada • 2025 • 11 Minutes
Director: Rui Ting Ji
Writer: Rui Ting Ji
Cast: Xing Qi, Alice Wu
I’m Sorry (In The Future)
Upon learning he’s to be a father, Brent types a letter to his future child detailing how pain, no matter how insignificant, will be part of life. A kaleidoscope of comedic, and poignant, violence ensues.
Narrative • Canada • 2025 • 11 Minutes
Director: Ben Louis Nicholas
Writer: Ben Louis Nicholas
Producers: Max Walker
Executive Producers: Ben Louis Nicholas
Cinematographer: Antoine Ryan
Editor: Ben Louis Nicholas
Composer: Andrew Orkin
Cast: Brent Skagford, Parmida Vand, Félix Legault, Mike Patterson, Rose Joly, Taylor Edelle, Matthew Philips
Public Contact: Festival Formula
Email Address: submissions@festivalformula.com
Shit For Mum
Shit for Mom is a short story that immerses us into Paula’s new life. She is an actress who has just become a mother. She is shedding her old skin and getting ready for a new role. She takes care of her baby all by herself.
Narrative • Spain • 2025 • 4 Minutes
Director: Rocío Rubio
Writer: Rocío Rubio
Producers: Salva Reina (Producciones La Cochera)
Executive Producers: Salva Reina (Producciones La Cochera)
Cinematographer: Miguel Almanza
Editor: Miguel Almanza
Cast: Rocío Rubio, Hugo Suárez León
Public Contact: Alfonso Díaz
Email Address: info@lineupshorts.com
Fractures
Fractures follows a father as he struggles to balance the needs of his young daughter, Sophie, while navigating the tension between his new partner and his late wife’s mother. Set during Sophie’s 7th birthday, the film explores themes of unresolved grief and family conflict, exposing the emotional cracks that threaten to tear them apart.
Narrative • Canada • 2025 • 9 Minutes
Director: Roman Gubin
Writer: Roman Gubin
Producers: Inna Korobkina & Roman Gubin
Executive Producers: Roman Gubin
Cinematographer: Daniel Zlobin
Editor: Enrico Ferri
Composer: Becca Schack
Cast: Layla Douglas, TJ Cheslea, Inna Korobkina, JoAnn Nordstrom
Public Contact: Roman Gubin
Email Address: Romgubin@gmail.com
Pippa & Leo
Pippa lives in a supervised home for young mothers with adjustment difficulties, the time to demonstrate to the authorities her ability to fulfill her parental role. For one night, and despite the curfew imposed on her, Pippa leaves the shelter with her baby.
Narrative • Drama • USA • 2025 • 19 Minute
Director: Abeille Tard
Writer: Abeille Tard
Producers: François Bonneau, Samuel Caron
Cinematographer: Alexandre Nour Desjardins
Editor: Alexandre Leblanc
Composer: Anthony Cayouette
Cast: Alice Brousse, Clauter Alexandre, Camille Penafier