VS ONLINE – Venezia Shorts Italy

VIRTUAL EVENT

September 11th – 14th, 2025

PROGRAM 1 – THE PULSE OF ILLUSION

Step into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Celebrate the artistry of animation, ranging from hand-drawn wonders to cutting-edge digital creations. Find yourself facing the blurred line between reality and fantasy, become shocked by the boundless creativity of this unique storytelling medium. Be prepared to be transported to realms only possible through the magic of illusion.

How We Hamsters Die by Phoebe Burdick, Mio Gribskov | United States
Clay Bird by Kiran Bhakta Joshi | Nepal
UNWRITTEN PLAY. One day in the life of a playwright by Irina Litmanovich | United States
Echo by Vladyslav Kalenskyy | Ukraine
Forevergreen by Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy Spears | United States
Whatever Works by Dasha Fedorova | United Kingdom
Tang Hua Sheng by Yuqin Zhu | China
THE BLACK SMOKE OF PREDICTION… by Damir dado Šuša | Croatia
This Darling Miserable Life by J. Yin | Canada
Meevil the Weevil: Breakfast of Champions by Kyle Arneson | United States
Portrait Not Landscape by Erik Howell | United States

PROGRAM 2 – BEYOND THE LENS

Through the lens of truth, these films uncover untold stories, raw emotions, and powerful perspectives. Each piece captures the essence of real-life experiences with authenticity and purpose. Join us for a journey that challenges, informs, and inspires, showcasing the transformative power of documentary storytelling.

The Missing Post Office by Clement Lefer | France
Red-Shaded Green by Johannes Vang | Norway
AER by Josue Vergara Blanco, Vicente Porfilio | Spain
Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer: Ana Borrero, PhD by Jeff Siebert | United States
Simulating Space by Dave Croyle | United States
Before Us by Andrea Taylor | United States
Agapè by Clement Lefer | France
OFFSIDE – AN UNEQUAL GAME by Katja Stirnemann | Switzerland
What Belongs to You by Harrison Garret | France
Renegade – Born to Be Wild by Adam Ben Cohen | United States
MulJil: Diving by Youngeun Yoo | Republic of Korea
Aguasal by Camila Pardo Cerezo | Mexico
Look First; Seek Later by Pedro Fernandes Nogueira, Pedro Furtado | Brazil

PROGRAM 3 – ECHOES IN MOTION

Venture into the uncharted territory of creativity with this daring block that defies convention and embraces the avant-garde. Challenging perception, blurring boundaries, and pushing the limits of cinematic expression, each film possesses bold innovation, offering a visceral and thought-provoking experience.

PROGRAM 4 – GRIPS OF SHADOWS

Hold someone’s hand and dare to step into the dark, where every shadow hides a new terror in this spine-chilling block. These haunting tales tap into our deepest fears, drawing you into twisted worlds where reality and nightmare collide. With every eerie sound and unsettling image, these films explore the darkest corners of the human psyche, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Prepare to meet the unknown.

Gibbous by Ang Yi Benet | United States
Blood of Anger by Loïc Da Silva | France
Light by Alexander Kachiroubas | Not Specified
Évangéline by Cory St. Ewart | United States
Feed by Diana Kentell | United States
Jokers Wild by Aaron William Bennett | United States
Flying Monkey by Samuel Lawrence | United Kingdom
Na hora de pôr a mesa, éramos cinco by Paulo A. M. Oliveira | Portugal
Enchantment by Luke Lam | Hong Kong
Frayed by Ben Silver, Nadine Iskandar | United Kingdom
Emotional Imprint by Igor Hnes | Ukraine
SANITORIUM by Bruno Martínez | Spain

PROGRAM 5 – UNLEASHED SYMPHONY

Get ready to laugh until it hurts. From clever to outrageous, these films are packed with humor that will lift your spirits and keep you grinning long after the credits roll. Join us for a showcase where laughter is the ultimate punchline, and joy is always just around the corner.

Janete by Rebecca Cerqueira | Brazil
The King of Forks by Raphaël Lopez | France
The Main Trilogy by Abigail Bruley | United States
And Now I Lay Me Down by Rani DeMuth | United States
Stroke of Genius by Karel Van Bellingen | United Kingdom
Wurst by Valentina Schütz | Germany
Lift by Alan Brooks | United States
Sneezeception by Petr Hostas | Czech Republic
Quick Stop by Matthew Sgrizzi | United States
VOYAJAZZ by Alessandro Zaffanella | Italy
Gaslight Therapy by Emma Massalone | United States
The Henchman by Elko Weaver | United States
Rock N’ Rolled by John Fahy | United States
Empty Jars by Guillermo Ribbeck | Chile
Cohousing by Leah Gouin | United States
Grandpa’s Got a Brand New Pill by Jacob McCaslin | United States

PROGRAM 6 – BRAND NEW EYES

Celebrate fresh voices in this dynamic block that bursts with originality, passion, and unique perspectives. These films offer a glimpse into the future of filmmaking. From experimental narratives to heartfelt stories, each piece reflects the energy and ambition of creators pushing boundaries and honing their craft. An inspiring journey where creativity takes center stage.

And the Trees Danced Below by Alternativa Teen Lab | Uzbekistan
Caesar’s Cache by Ralph C. Schulz | Switzerland
Eram by Lucien Liebecke, Ole Christian Dreihaupt | Germany
Agape by Mykola Boiko | Ukraine
Onward by Sun Yuchen | China
You Are My Favorite Dad by Suparak Sangkarit | Thailand
I Have Not Considered the Lilies by Mia Saines, Blake Hunter | United States
The Importance of Being Ernest by Emily Pillemer, Juliette Monaco | United States
Dual Agency by Frank Blake | United States
Sabrina’s Dream by Brent Steen | United States
Details (About the End of the World) by Elli Aspasia Papadiamanti | Greece
Under the Shelter of Rain by Zihao Chen | China
Abuelo, ¿Te Acuerdas Cuando Mozuelo? by Mario Eneas Salguero | Spain
Eyes Behind the Window by Golriz Abbaspour | Canada
Embers by Alexis Orosa | Australia
All That’s Left. by Fae Hartt | United States
Homephone by Alex Naydenov Nikolov | Bulgaria
Exam by Ljudmila Aleksandrovna Korobova | Serbia
Venus Sucks by Sivan Eyal | Israel
Death to the Hunchbacks! by Matteo Friberg | Switzerland
Fish Skin by Marie Meltvedt Lyseggen | Canada
Dinner with the Zhangs by Zachariah Wee | Singapore
Living with Grandma by Finise Avery | United States

Stay Me by Zhivorad Milich | Germany

PROGRAM 7 – THE UNRAVELING THREAD

Dive into the heart of storytelling in this captivating block where each film weaves a unique tale, drawing you into worlds where characters, emotions, and plots take center stage. From intimate dramas to thrilling adventures, these stories unfold with depth and purpose, offering powerful glimpses into the human experience.

Émigré/Americana by Usman Ally | United States
All I Need is a Little Bit of Light by Seungyeop Lee | United States
Lola by Tamara Ayrapetyan | Russian Federation
L i OVE by Sergey Hamilton | Russian Federation
Melody Across Time by Risa Kanda | China, Japan
Between Left and Right by Simone Terranova | United States
Charlie by Nicole Field | Canada
KKUME [In Dreams] by Joonsung Lim | Korea, Republic of
How Long by Louise Wildish | United Kingdom
Performance Review by Emma Josephson | United States
The Garden of Holland by Sander Timans | Netherlands
White Crow by Ruslan Khromin | United States
Metamorphosis by Olivia Hodson | United States
Everyone Has Flaws, You Just Happen to Know Mine by Paulo Sloboda | United Arab Emirates
The Act by Lance Parkin | United States
Stick Bug by Wylie Anderson | United States
Atlas by Freddie Green | United Kingdom
The Trial by Kirsty McKenzie | Australia
I Love You, I Believe by Félix-Antoine Bénard | Canada
Dogbone by Austen Taylor Pease | United Kingdom
Gentle by Alex Naghavi | United States
Model Rocketry by Zlatko Kalenikov | North Macedonia
Our Long Goodbye by Dave Beamish | Canada
POTOF by Sigma Sudo | Japan
Nadine by Tash Ann | United States
RIP in Peace by Debbie Su | United States
Gulls Above Golgotha by Lia Karapetyan | Armenia

PROGRAM 8 – KNITTED CROSSROADS

Immerse yourself in a world of raw, powerful emotions with these films that will transport you to diverse corners of the globe, capturing the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of human experiences. From poignant personal stories to societal struggles, each film offers a deep dive into the universal themes that connect us all. Join us for an exploration of profound narratives that transcend borders, where every emotion resonates with truth, authenticity, and heart.

Au delà de l’Hygiène by Pierre Descamps | France
Fiori d’Aurora by Simona Volpe | Switzerland
Life Goes On by Paula Echenique | Mexico
Color of Threads by Richard L. Ramsey | United States
NABI by Joonsung Lim | Korea, Republic of
Oli (Light) by Richa Khandelwal Bhat | Canada
Kareem by Abdul Majid Abbasi | Pakistan
Seeking by Yifan Cui | China
Remnant by Amir Mir Karimi | United States
Sleeping with Gus by Antony Raymond | United States
Nowhere Man by Omar Bradosti | Not Specified
Concrete Valhalla by James Haddad | United States
New Horizons by Jared Fassbender, Easton Tabin | United States
Silent Girl by Catherine Israel | Belgium
Skin Deep by Hector Bell | United Kingdom
Voiceless by Thomas Schubert | United Kingdom
Cypress Blue by Laura Gönczy | Switzerland
The Camcorder by Mark Visser | United States
Quicksand by Rebecca Coley | Jersey

PROGRAM 9 – THE JOURNEYS BEYOND

Embark on a cinematic journey of diverse narratives that offer unique glimpses into different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, highlighting the universal threads that connect us all. From intimate portrayals to grand tales, each film reflects the richness and complexity of the human condition. Join us as we celebrate the power of storytelling beyond language, where every film pulses with the rhythm of a distant world waiting to be explored.