SFFILM

The Bay Area's home for the world's finest films and filmmakers.

Schools at the Festival

2025 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest

SFFILM Education presents the sixteenth annual Schools at the Festival Student Essay Contest at the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival. This contest is made possible by the generous support of the Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Education Fund, endowed by Tim Kochis and SFFILM board member Penelope Wong to honor the memory of her mother, Nellie Wong (1917–2007), who was an avid filmgoer and cinephile. Developed to support the year-round outreach efforts of SFFILM Education, the Fund aims to cultivate students’ imaginations, enhance their critical thinking and creative writing skills and instill a greater appreciation for the magic of movies in young audiences of the Bay Area.

SFFILM Education is pleased to have teachers and their students join us for this year’s Schools at the Festival program. We like to encourage freedom in student essay responses across K-12 classrooms.

Winning essays will be determined based on creativity, depth, enthusiasm, clarity, and grammar. Essays must be written in response to any of the in-person or online Schools at the Festival screenings. Students may choose one film program or submit separate essays for more than one program. Students need to follow the word count guidelines for their respective grades.

*Children in grades 1-12 who attend a public screening of a film included in the Schools at the Festival program are also eligible to participate. Parents: please be sure to fill in all of the required entry information when submitting.

We are excited to read about your students’ experiences in the theaters.

Suggested Word Counts

Grades 1-5: 150-200 words
Grades 6-8: 300-350 words
Grades 9-12: 450-500 words

Essay Prompts

  • What did you learn through this program (either from the film or the guest speaker(s)) that you didn’t know before the screening? How was it different learning about this topic through a film as opposed to a different medium? Did this experience inspire you to explore the topic even further?
  • What questions did this program (either from the film or the guest speaker(s)) leave you with? How do these questions intersect with your class material? Did this experience reshape how you think about your class subjects (i.e. Math, History, Science)? Do you appreciate your class or class subject more? Why/Why not?
  • Reflect on your career trajectory through this program (either from the film or the guest speaker(s)). What do you want to be when you grow up? Does the filmmaker’s journey or the film’s story change how you think about your own career ambitions or what you hope to pursue?
  • Did this film or field trip experience inspire your own creativity or artistry? How do you like to express yourself creatively? How will this film or program impact the ways you will think about the arts or creativity in your everyday life?
  • Select one film you saw in the program (if you saw a shorts program / if you saw multiple features). What did you like about that film? What made it stand out to you from all of the other films in the program? Are there any experiences in your own life that the story reminded you of? Do any of the character’s experiences in the selected film resonate with you? What lessons did you learn from the story and/or a character(s)?
  • Write a critical film review of a program you saw today. What was something the filmmaker did that you think was successful or achieved something special to you? Write in detail why you liked/disliked this film. Consider reading a professional review of your favorite film from this last year to help guide your critical voice.

Deadlines

  • Submissions are due no later than May 7, 2025.
  • Submit essays online here.
  • Required Entry Information
    • To be eligible for consideration, all essays must include the following information:
    • Student name
    • Grade
    • School
    • Teacher name
    • Teacher phone number
    • Teacher email address

Prizes

Contest winners will be announced the week of May 19, 2025. Teachers will be notified directly if their students have won. The following prizes will be awarded:

Elementary School, Grades K-5

  • Grand Prize: $250 cash prize
  • 1st Runner-up: $175 cash prize
  • 2nd Runner-up: $100

Middle School, Grades 6-8

  • Grand Prize: $400 cash prize
  • 1st Runner-up: $250 cash prize
  • 2nd Runner-up: $150 cash prize

High School, Grades 9-12

  • Grand Prize: $600 cash prize
  • 1st Runner-up: $350 cash prize
  • 2nd Runner-up: $200

All winning essays will be published on sffilm.org. For questions, contact Keith Zwölfer at 415-561-5040 or kzwolfer@sffilm.org.

2025 Schools at the Festival Program

Since 1991, SFFILM’s Schools at the Festival outreach program has created a vital connection between the annual San Francisco International Film Festival and the local educational community, providing students of all ages the opportunity to experience stories from around the world.

The Schools at the Festival program introduces students ages 6 to 18 to international film and the art of filmmaking while promoting media literacy, deepening insights into other cultures, enhancing foreign language aptitude, developing critical thinking skills, and inspiring a lifelong appreciation of cinema.

2025 In-Person Program

Please submit all Schools at the Festival ticket orders online here. Act soon, programs fill up quickly!

2025 Schools At The Festival In-Person Programs

The Art & Science of Lucasfilm: James Tooley – ILM Creature Supervisor

Program Runtime: 120 min
WED APR 23 12–2 PM PT | PREMIER
Some of the most iconic creatures in cinema history have been developed by the talented artists at Industrial Light & Magic. The T-Rex from Jurassic Park, Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, and most recently the flying monkeys of Wicked are just a few highlights of their fantastic creations. What is the process for how they come to be? We’ll be joined by James Tooley, the Head of the Creature Department at ILM San Francisco to learn more. James will talk about his career journey that has included a variety of roles spanning over 30 years at ILM that lead up to his current position, where he supervises groups of artists rigging, skinning, and maintaining assets as well as supervising structural dynamic simulations that include hair, cloth, flesh, and rigid body dynamics. This marks the 17th year of our collaborative educational series with Lucasfilm, a program that demonstrates the intersection of art, science, and technology in the entertainment industry, all while making connections to current STEAM curriculum. Guests share their expertise in a behind-the-scenes, interactive multimedia presentation and participate in an in-depth discussion and Q&A.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Career Path Training, Computer Science, English

Language Arts, Math, Science

Recommended Grades: 6–12

The Dating Game

Directed by Violet Du Feng, USA/UK/Norway, 90 min

In Mandarin with English subtitles

FRI APR 18 12:30–2:30 PM PT | MARINA THEATRE

Set in China, where eligible men outnumber women by over 30 million, The Dating Game is the story of Zhou, Li, and Wu, three bachelors embarking on a seven-day dating camp, led by Hao, one of China’s most sought-after dating coaches. In their last-ditch effort to find love, the bachelors chuckle and bond as Hao makes them over, altering how they look and act online- and in real life. As our three bachelors stumble through the camp’s awkward challenges, they try to make sense of their authentic and constructed selves, and find the self-confidence they need to land that date. The Dating Game is, on the surface, a whimsical romp through dating in the digital age, but it also reveals the social challenges that leave us questioning how we seek human connection.

Suggested Subjects: Asian Studies, Computer Science, Mandarin, Psychology, Sociology, Women and Gender Studies

Recommended Grades: 7–12

Deaf President Now!

Directed by Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, USA, 100 min

In American Sign Language with English subtitles and voiceovers

MON APR 28 12:30–2:30 PM PT | SFMOMA

For eight days in March 1988, students of Washington D.C.’s Gallaudet University protested the appointment of a hearing president. Demanding truly representative leadership, the students broke the cycle of pity and condescension that defined their experience at the world’s first university for deaf and hard of hearing students. Actor Nyle DiMarco, a Gallaudet graduate, makes his directorial debut with this documentary that memorializes a watershed moment not only in American disability rights activism but also in the history of US student movements. Key players in the protest lead the audience through the events of those heady days and relate how they overcame sexism, ableism, and paternalism to ensure an equitable future for the generations of Gallaudet students that followed. Narrated through American Sign Language and voiceovers, Deaf President Now! relates the involving story of an under-reported triumph.

Suggested Subjects: Activism, American Sign Language, Disability Studies, Journalism, Peer/Youth Issues, Political Science, U.S History

Recommended Grades: 7–12

Program Note: This film contains mild profanity.

The Devil Smokes

Directed by Ernesto Bucio, Mexico, 97 min

In Spanish with English subtitles

THU APR 17 12:30–2:30 PM PT| MARINA THEATRE

Telling the story of five siblings fending for themselves in the wake of parental abandonment, this tender, well-crafted film won Berlinale’s inaugural Perspectives Award for fiction debut. It’s 1990 and Mexico eagerly awaits the second visit of Pope John Paul II while the Palacios López family wrangles with a different visitation, real or imagined. When the quintet’s mom disappears and five pairs of shoes appear out of nowhere, imaginative youngster Victor claims, “The Devil brought them.” Their unstable grandmother Romana, left behind as caretaker when the kids’ father goes to find his wife, encourages the thought that something malevolent is at work. In a tale replete with generational mental health issues, superstition, and religious belief, director Martínez Bucio employs an impressively diverse style with home movie footage that fills in important backstory information and tight close-ups that reflect the increasingly claustrophobic tension in the household.

Suggested Subjects: Coming of Age, Drama/Acting, Latin American Studies, Mental Health, Peer/Youth Issues, Religion, Spanish

Recommended Grades: 7–12

Program Note: This film contains profanity and depiction of animal death.

Folktales

Directed by Rachel Grady, Heidi Ewing, USA/Norway, 106 min

In English and Norwegian with English subtitles

MON APR 21 12:15–2:30 PM PT | MARINA THEATRE

Teenagers attend a rural high school in the Norwegian wilderness where the curriculum includes lessons from dogs, dances in the forest, and unexpected friendships. The hope is these students will emerge from a year spent north of the Arctic Circle as self-assured and more self-reliant adults. Lessons include ancient folktales, engaging in leatherwork, and outdoor adventures. Under the watchful eyes of their patient teachers -and far from any form of technology- the students are encouraged to think deeply about their relationship with themselves and the physical world. Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s stunning documentary gorgeously shot amidst vast expanses of snow and tall barren trees, takes an empathetic measure of these students as they undertake a journey toward a spring of sorts. As they embrace their vulnerability and shed their confusion, these young people blossom into the confident humans they were destined to become.

Suggested Subjects: Animals, Art/Media, English Language Arts, European Studies, Mental Health, Outdoor Education, Peer/Youth Issues, Sports/Physical Education

Recommended Grades: 7–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity.

Hola Frida!

Directed by André Kadi, Karine Vézina, Canada/France, 82 min

In Spanish with English subtitles

THU APR 17 10:00 AM–12:00 PM PT | SFMOMA

In dazzling, vibrant animation we follow Frida, a curious young child, in her hometown of Coyoacán, Mexico, where her interest in art and creativity begins. Eagerly, she fills her first notebook with pages of colorful drawings and ideas. She spends her days playing with her sister, befriending a neighborhood dog, climbing trees, and running around the town. When polio leaves her bedridden, her dreams beckon as messages from the underworld and her inner spirit emerge to protect her. During these tough times, she finds solace in her imagination that brims with flowers, animals, and Zapotec and Mexican iconography. Little Frida does not back down from a challenge, once she recovers, she is back on the streets, an empowered young woman. This incredible film brings to vivid life the early childhood of world-renowned painter, artist, and feminist icon Frida Kahlo.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Coming of Age, Disability Studies, English Language Arts, Latin American Studies, Spanish, Women and Gender Studies

Recommended Grades: 2–6

Jane

Directed by J.J Johnson, Canada/Kenya/Costa Rica

Total Running Time: 50 min

TUE APR 22 10:00–11:30 AM | MARINA THEATRE

Created by veteran award-winning children’s television creator J.J. Johnson alongside the Jane Goodall Institute, the third season of this impactful and exciting live-action-animated hybrid series from Apple TV+ dives into even more engaging stories of environmental activism. Based on the impactful work of Dr. Jane Goodall, the series features a 9-year-old girl named Jane Garcia (Ava Louise Murchison), an aspiring environmentalist on a mission to save endangered species. Utilizing a healthy dose of imagination and her good friends, David and Greybeard the chimpanzee, these inspiring youth are out to change the world. Each episode also includes an interview with a real-life zoologist to provide an opportunity to dive even deeper into science topics. This program includes Episodes 4 and 5 of the series, learning about elephants and chimpanzees. We are proud to present this program on Earth Day 2025.

 

Episode 4 – Loxodonta africana

Jane convinces her reluctant Abuela to help the trio get a baby elephant back to his family and uncover why elephant herds follow a matriarch.

 

Episode 5 – Pan troglodytes

Jane and Greybeard lose hope when they see how humans impact chimpanzees in the wild, but David and a special friend help them regain it.

Suggested Subjects: Animals, Environmental Science, Peer/Youth Issues, Science, Women and Gender Studies

Recommended Grades: K–5

The Legend of Ochi

Directed by Isaiah Saxon, USA, 96 min

MON APR 21 10:00 AM–12:00 PM PT | SFMOMA

In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy teenage farm girl named Yuri is raised by her militant father (Willem Dafoe) to fear an elusive animal species known as Ochi. But when Yuri, longing for connection, encounters a baby Ochi wounded and alone, she uncovers an inexplicable bond. Rebelling against the oppressively strict rules of her father and her tiny world, she runs away from home and embarks on a quest to reunite the creature with its family. With the help of hand-crafted practical filmmaking techniques rarely seen in today’s cinema, first-time feature director Isaiah Saxon creates a lush and mystical world tailor-made for the big screen. The resulting visual magic he has brought to life will surely bring up deep nostalgic memories for those who were fortunate enough to experience the early wondrous films of Steven Spielberg and the glory days of Amblin Entertainment in the 1980s.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Coming of Age, Drama/Acting, English Language Arts, European Studies, Women and Gender Studies

Recommended Grades: 4–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity and mild peril.

Pets

Directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, USA, 80 min

In English and Japanese with English subtitles

TUE APR 29 10:00 AM–12:00 PM PT | SFMOMA

This extraordinary documentary explores the unique and heartwarming relationships that exist between animals and their people from all around the world. Through fun-filled interviews, children and youth share their connections and memories about their beloved pets. Highlighting dogs, cats, guinea pigs, horses, and even birds of prey, the film takes us across the United States and to Japan, where people’s homes, rescue centers, and farm sanctuaries give animals the chance at a long and happy life. The film dives into inspirational and meaningful stories from around the world; from a man who travels on kayak with his rescued dog, to a couple whose backyard and home are a safe haven for pigs and goats, and a man who overcomes hardship through his newfound connection with birds and conservation. Pets takes us on a hilarious, heartwarming, and poignant journey that celebrates love, loss, and licks along the way.

Suggested Subjects: Animals, Biology, Career Path Training, Environmental Science, Mental Health

Recommended Grades: 3–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity.

Sally

Directed by Cristina Costantini, USA, 99 min

TUE APR 22 12:00 –2:15 PM PT | MARINA THEATRE

For astronaut Sally Ride, stepping into the space shuttle Challenger for her first flight in 1983 was, to paraphrase Neil Armstrong, one small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind. Becoming the first American woman in space fulfilled not just Ride’s personal ambition but also symbolized limitless possibilities for girls and women. This intimate, exhilarating documentary offers an evocative portrait of this extraordinary trailblazer. Her professional life was a triumph, even if she was beset by silly questions from a condescending media and resentment from male peers who did not believe women “earned” their shot at space flight. Her personal life was more complicated as she remained closeted even in the midst of a 27-year-long relationship with partner Tam O’Shaughnessy. With the voice of Ride (who died in 2012), archival footage, reenactments, and reminiscences from O’Shaughnessy and Ride’s family and NASA associates, this involving film honors the brilliance and humanity of an American hero.

Suggested Subjects: Career Path Training, Engineering, Journalism, LGBTQ+ Studies, Science, U.S History, Women and Gender Studies

Recommended Grades: 5–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity.

See Her Be Her

Directed by Jean Fruth, USA, 110 min

In English, Spanish, Japanese and Korean with English subtitles

WED APR 23 10:00 AM–12:00 PM PT | MARINA THEATRE

In this exhilarating documentary by world-renowned sports photographer Jean Fruth, we follow seven incredible women baseball teams from around the globe — Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Uganda, Japan, and the USA as they train and compete for the Women’s Baseball World Cup Title. From USA pitcher Kelsie Whitmore, the only North American woman playing in an all-male professional league, to Japan’s Ayami Sato, one of the best female baseball players and pitchers in history, we are invited to witness boundaries pushed and stereotypes shattered. This timely film shows these players and teams standing up against gender inequality in sports and fighting to win the gold medal, all while trailblazing for the future generation of female athletes across the world.

Suggested Subjects: Asian Studies, Career Path Training, Journalism, Latin American Studies, Sports/Physical Education, Women and Gender Studies, World Studies

Recommended Grades: 5–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity.

Social Studies

Directed by Lauren Greenfield, USA, 56 min

FRI APR 18 10:00–11:45 AM PT | SFMOMA

From Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, Social Studies is a character-driven documentary series that delves into the complex lives of the first generation raised on social media. Filmed in Los Angeles over a school year, this groundbreaking social experiment features a diverse group of LA teens who open up their lives and phones to offer an intimate and unfiltered glimpse into how social media has reshaped their lives. From battling bullying, grappling with beauty standards, coping with racism, exploring sexuality, navigating the pressures of constant comparison, and making life-altering decisions, their compelling and relatable experiences take us on a raw, visceral and urgent journey through the challenges of growing up in the digital age. This screening features the first episode of the series, providing a comprehensive and intriguing look into the various effects social media has on teen lives.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Journalism, Mental Health, Peer/Youth Issues, Psychology, Sociology

Recommended Grades: 8–12

Program Note: This film contains profanity, underage drinking and marijuana use, and mature themes.

Souleymane’s Story

Directed by Boris Lojkine, France, 92 min

In French, Fulah and Malinke with English subtitles

THU APR 24 11:00 AM–1:00 PM PT | SFMOMA

FRI APR 25 12:15–2:15 PM PT | SFMOMA

Meet Souleymane, an undocumented Guinean immigrant in France striving to build a new life and apply for asylum. To earn money Souleymane’s rents a verified UberEats account from another employee, a frequent option for new arrivals. Weaving through the streets of Paris, Souleymane’s history unfolds in waves, its details revealed between the crushing countdown of the delivery clock, unpredictable weather, and frustrated customers. Despite his circumstances, Souleymane’s innate kindness shines through as he finds moments of levity and connection with his sheltermates, street vendors, and fellow delivery drivers. Boris Lojkine’s moody and propulsive film plays like a thriller, steadily laying out the mountain of obstacles Souleymane confronts as he desperately strives to make the right choices. The film is a stunning digest of a life lived in the shadows with a revelatory central performance from first-time, non-professional actor Abou Sangare (winner of Un Certain Regard Best Actor at Cannes).

Suggested Subjects: African Studies, Current/World Events, French, Immigration, Political Science, Social Studies

Recommended Grades: 8–12

Program Note: This film contains mild profanity and brief violence.

From Fact to Fiction

Total Running Time: 74 min

THU APR 24 10:00–11:45 AM | MARINA THEATRE

Discover resilience, identity, and connection in this compelling collection of short films. This diverse and poignant selection of shorts explores the search for belonging across generations, cultures, and personal journeys. From the unexpected bonds formed through online communities to the legacy of an enduring school, these films highlight the power of memory, perseverance, and self-discovery. Stories range from a young boy’s test of courage to an immigrant mechanic’s quiet reflections, alongside deeply personal narratives of family tension, friction, and healing. Featuring narrative, animated, and documentary works, this program of some of the best that SFFILM Festival has to offer showcases the artistry of storytelling through evocative cinematography, intimate character studies, and striking visual language.

*Titles are listed alphabetically rather than in order of play.

Clara’s Fruit

(Directed by Morgan Mathews, USA, 15 min)

In English and Arabic with English subtitles

A principal lovingly reflects on the 90-year legacy of Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, the first Muslim private school system in the country.

Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles

(Directed by Emily Sheskin, USA, 6 min)

Senior citizen and jigsaw puzzle expert Adele finds a sense of community through an online network of enthusiastic fans and learns you’re never too old to rediscover your passions.

Maputo

(Directed by Lucas Abrahão, Brazil, 15 min)

In Portuguese with English subtitles

Older kids deceive a young boy, Tatu, into believing he can become a supernatural being, MAPUTO, if he completes dangerous challenges, pushing his determination to the limits.

Mud Under My Window

(Directed by Violette Delvoye, France/Belgium, 12 min)

In French with English subtitles

On a gloomy Sunday morning, Emma longs to be with the mother she idealizes, and must come to terms with the frictions she is experiencing with her other mother at home.

Rat Rod

(Directed by Jared Jakins, Carly Jakins, USA, 11 min)

In English and Spanish with English subtitles

A haunted immigrant mechanic in rural America reflects on life, death, and his journey while resurrecting old cars, finding meaning in the machines he brings back to life.

Roots That Reach Toward The Sky

(Directed by Jess X. Snow, USA, 15 min)

In English and Mandarin with English subtitles

After vandals attack her mother’s traditional Chinese medicine shop, Kai contends with her deepest anxieties, until she discovers the power of communal healing.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Asian American Studies, Black Studies, English Language Arts, French, Immigration, Latin American Studies, Mental Health, Muslim Studies, Social Justice, Social Studies

Recommended Grades: 7–12

Program Note: This program contains mild profanity.

Shorts 6: Family Films

Total Running Time: 66 min

MON APR 21 10:00–11:45 AM PT | MARINA THEATRE

FRI APR 25 10:00–11:45 AM PT | SFMOMA

MON APR 28 10:00–11:45 AM PT | SFMOMA

Through genre-defying celebrations of culture, heartfelt stories that amplify resilience, and inventive animations that dramatically push the boundaries of the medium, Family Films celebrates the wonder, whimsy, and wisdom of short films that appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. These films celebrate and explore connection, courage, and the boundless spirit of discovery through a variety of subjects: Indigenous traditions, our seemingly limitless digital world, climate-impacted Arctic landscapes, circus-filled daydreams, and powerful individuals redefining resilience. This year’s collection brims with unwavering and inspiring works from internationally renowned filmmakers, including famed Disney animator and director Aaron Blaise (Brother Bear, Beauty and the Beast) and Sony VFX Supervisor and director Clara Chan (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). Perfect for kids, parents, and anyone who believes in the power of storytelling, these films promise to educate, inspire, uplift, and change the many ways in which we see our world.

*Titles are listed alphabetically rather than in order of play.

The Girl with the Occupied Eyes

(Directed by André Carrilho, Portugal, 8 min)

With her eyes constantly glued to her screen, a little girl misses vibrant landscapes, splashy group of circus animals, a mysterious UFO, and all else that passes before her.

Have I Swallowed Your Dreams

(Directed by Clara Chan, Canada, 6 min)

A Chinese immigrant mother and daughter share an enlightening conversation about lost dreams and sacrifice in this hand-drawn tale where poetic imagery leads to a liberatory discovery.

Hoof on Skates

(Directed by Ignas Meilūnas, Lithuania, 13 min)

While skating together in a colorful winter wonderland, two barnyard friends struggle with preconceived notions when they stumble upon a strange and unfamiliar world.

Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles

(Directed by Emily Sheskin, USA, 6 min)

Senior citizen and jigsaw puzzle expert Adele finds a sense of community through an online network of enthusiastic fans and learns you’re never too old to rediscover your passions.

On a Sunday at Eleven

(Directed by Alicia K. Harris, Canada, 9 min)

A young Black girl navigates exclusion in her white-dominant ballet class, reclaiming her beauty, identity, and power in an ethereal and unapologetic celebration of Blackness.

Snow Bear

(Directed by Aaron Blaise, USA, 11 min)

A lonely polar bear traverses the increasingly harsh environment of the Arctic by land and sea to save a new friend.

Swimming with Butterflies

(Directed by Karl Stelter, USA, 8 min)

After missing the bronze by 1/100ths of a second at the 2016 Paralympics, swimmer Lizzi Smith shares the inspiring story of how changing her self-perception allowed her to reclaim the pool.

Tule

(Directed by Jocelyn Garcia, USA, 4 min)

In Clear Lake, California, a young Pomo girl shares the cultural importance of the Tule plant and the urgency of indigenous stewards to return it to its natural glory.

Suggested Subjects: Animals, Art/Media, Asian American Studies, Black Studies, Dance, Disability Studies, Environmental Science, Immigration, Indigenous Studies, Peer/Youth Issues, Sports/Physical Education

Recommended Grades: K–6

Shorts 7: Youth Works

Total Running Time: 74 min

FRI APR 18 12:30–2:15 PM PT | SFMOMA

THU APR 24 12:30–2:15 PM PT | MARINA THEATRE

Youth Works celebrates and spotlights the next generation of filmmakers from within the Bay Area, and from as far away as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China. Demonstrating the rising talent of these teenagers, these shorts encompass thought-provoking scripts, breathtaking and delightful cinematography, rich stop-motion animation, and genre-pushing meditations. Through the filmmakers’ unique viewpoints, we peek into their communities, adolescence, and the growth and transformation that happens in early adulthood. From perspectives of balancing intersecting identities, artistic resistance and celebration, childhood creativity, and self-acceptance and compassion, these films introduce us to a budding group of fresh cinematic voices carrying us boldly into the next generation of filmmaking.

*Titles are listed alphabetically rather than in order of play.

As You Are

(Directed by Daria Strachan, USA, 7 min)

After she is confronted at church and misunderstood by her dad, a queer Black teen searches for self-acceptance and belonging in community.

The Brave Ones

(Directed by Mahdiyeh Abbaszadeh, Iran, 4 min)

A caring forester puts his own life in danger when he saves a Persian leopard after a poacher wounds the endangered cat in this culturally rich stop-motion short.

Coop

(Directed by Mujtaba Alhejji, Saudi Arabia, 12 min)

In Arabic with English subtitles

After accidentally popping a soccer ball, young Adam sparks a creative solution at the market to get enough money to buy a new ball and win over his teammates.

Echoes of Sunlit Koi

(Directed by Ying Zhao, China, 5 min)

In Mandarin with English subtitles

Caught between family secrets and a desire to get the last rare fish before his classmate, a young boy discovers a surprise at the pet store.

Junebug

(Directed by Amiko Muscat, USA, 6 min)

A youthful, sensory-driven collage of drifting sounds, shimmering textures, and meditative reflections weave together during a sweltering summer day at a Los Angeles public pool.

little dreamer

(Directed by Astrid Nymo-Young, USA, 5 min)

As she struggles with a creative block, young artist Lizzy transports back to her playful childhood aspirations where her imagination then might be just what she needs now.

Painting Resistance

(Directed by Dylan Clarke, Aesha Gluck, Liam Renaud, USA, 9 min)

San Francisco muralist Chris Gazeleh shares his family’s story and his vibrant art that promotes awareness of the history and struggle of Palestinian people.

Reach for Me

(Directed by Hazel Baileh Klein Wolff, USA, 5 min)

A daughter reconciles the kaleidoscopic layers of complex emotions passed down from her mom, healing the past and present.

Thunderbird and Killer Whale: S-hwuhwa’us & Qul-lhanumutsun

(Directed by Jason Cheng, Canada, 8 min)

Stz’uminus First Nation Master Carver John Marston embarks on a personal journey to continue the legacy of the traditional and intricate art of canoe carving.

Umbral Cloak

(Directed by Cade Savage Schwartz, USA, 5 min)

In a striking otherworldly terrain, a rock climber undergoes a poetic transformation when a mythological winged creature descends.

Why Can’t We Just Be Ghosts?

(Directed by Patrick Jang, USA, 9 min)

After a teen ghost confesses his depression to his human best friend, the two search for a path toward acceptance and happiness in this thought-provoking satire.

Suggested Subjects: Arabic, Art/Media, Coming of Age, Indigenous Studies, Journalism, LGBTQ+ Studies, Mandarin, Mental Health, Middle Eastern Studies, Peer/Youth Issues, Social Justice

Recommended Grades: 7–12


Program Note: This program contains profanity and mention of suicide.

2025 Schools At The Festival Online Programs

Sally

Directed by Cristina Costantini, USA, 99 min

Pre-recorded Q&A with registration

For astronaut Sally Ride, stepping into the space shuttle Challenger for her first flight in 1983 was, to paraphrase Neil Armstrong, one small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind. Becoming the first American woman in space fulfilled not just Ride’s personal ambition but also symbolized limitless possibilities for girls and women. This intimate, exhilarating documentary offers an evocative portrait of this extraordinary trailblazer. Her professional life was a triumph, even if she was beset by silly questions from a condescending media and resentment from male peers who did not believe women “earned” their shot at space flight. Her personal life was more complicated as she remained closeted even in the midst of a 27-year-long relationship with partner Tam O’Shaughnessy. With the voice of Ride (who died in 2012), archival footage, reenactments, and reminiscences from O’Shaughnessy and Ride’s family and NASA associates, this involving film honors the brilliance and humanity of an American hero.

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the film at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28.

Suggested Subjects: Career Path Training, Engineering, Journalism, LGBTQ+ Studies, Science, U.S History, Women and Gender Studies

Recommended Grades: 5–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity.

See Her Be Her

Directed by Jean Fruth, USA, 110 min

In English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean in English subtitles

Pre-recorded Q&A with registration

In this exhilarating documentary by world-renowned sports photographer Jean Fruth, we follow seven incredible women baseball teams from around the globe — Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Uganda, Japan, and the USA as they train and compete for the Women’s Baseball World Cup Title. From USA pitcher Kelsie Whitmore, the only North American woman playing in an all-male professional league, to Japan’s Ayami Sato, one of the best female baseball players and pitchers in history, we are invited to witness boundaries pushed and stereotypes shattered. This timely film shows these players and teams standing up against gender inequality in sports and fighting to win the gold medal, all while trailblazing for the future generation of female athletes across the world.

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the film at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28.

Suggested Subjects: Asian Studies, Career Path Training, Journalism, Latin American Studies, Sports/Physical Education, Women and Gender Studies, World Studies

Recommended Grades: 5–12

Program Note: This film contains brief profanity.

Social Studies

Directed by Lauren Greenfield, USA

Total Running Time: 112 min

Pre-recorded Q&A with registration

Social Studies is a character-driven documentary series made by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, that delves into the lives of the first generation raised on social media. Filmed in Los Angeles over a school year, this groundbreaking social experiment features a diverse group of LA teens who open up their lives and phones to offer an intimate and unfiltered glimpse into how social media has reshaped their lives. This online screening features Episodes 1 and 2 of the series, and displays teens battling bullying, grappling with beauty standards, coping with racial and class divisions, exploring sexuality, navigating the pressures of constant comparison, and making life-altering decisions. Given how social media shapes identity, self-worth, and relationships, this docu-series is an eye-opening look at the psychological and social impact of growing up online.

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the film at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Journalism, Mental Health, Peer/Youth Issues, Psychology, Sociology

Recommended Grades: 8–12

Program Note: This program contains profanity, underage drinking and marijuana use, and mature themes.

Sudan, Remember Us

Directed by Hind Meddeb, France/Qatar/Tunisia, 76 min

In Arabic and English with English subtitles

Pre-recorded Q&A with registration

At the outset of Sudan, Remember Us, documentarian Hind Meddeb, travels to Khartoum, Sudan’s capital city, to record the jubilation following the overthrow of genocidal leader Omar Al-Bashir that ended his 30-year regime of terror. It is a transitory moment in which Meddeb captures joy and possibility before the country devolves into civil war. Amidst the ensuing violence, the filmmaker finds a spark of hope in the activism of four Sudanese youths who employ poetry, sit-ins, music, and art to demand democracy. The film serves as a portrait of their courage, joy, and unwavering belief in the promise of a better, more equitable future, as well as a depiction of not only the country’s political reality, but also of its formidable and brave citizenry.

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the film at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28.

Suggested Subjects: Activism, African Studies, Art/Media, Current/World Events, Journalism, Music, Peer/Youth Issues, Political Science, Religion

Recommended Grades: 9–12

Program Note: This film contains brief military brutality.

Windcatcher

Directed by Tanith Glynn-Maloney, Australia, 80 min

Pre-recorded Q&A with registration

Set in the charming town of Herbertson, Australia, 10-year-old Percy Boy, a fast-running Aboriginal boy, has big dreams of becoming the fastest runner his school has ever seen. To win the big athletics carnival and reclaim the title from the notorious fifth grade bullies, Percy forms an unexpected alliance with two school friends, and embarks on various misadventures to try and pull together enough money for a new pair of running shoes. As Percy trains for the race, he uncovers his unique gift of seeing Lost Souls, a gift inherited from his grandfather. A threatening bushfire ensues and Percy along with his friends, family, and community’s support are pushed to find his strength and face the past. Windcatcher is an exciting journey of the love of family and friendship, unexpected courage, and discoveries into the unknown.

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the film at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28.

Suggested Subjects: Coming of Age, Drama/Acting, English Language Arts, Indigenous Studies, Sports/Physical Education

Recommended Grades: 3–8

Program Note: This film contains topics of grief.

From Fact to Fiction

Total Running Time: 74 min

Pre-recorded Q&A with registration

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the program at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28.

*Titles are listed alphabetically rather than in order of play.

Discover resilience, identity, and connection in this compelling collection of short films. This diverse and poignant selection of shorts explores the search for belonging across generations, cultures, and personal journeys. From the unexpected bonds formed through online communities to the legacy of an enduring school, these films highlight the power of memory, perseverance, and self-discovery. Stories range from a young boy’s test of courage to an immigrant mechanic’s quiet reflections, alongside deeply personal narratives of family tension, friction, and healing. Featuring narrative, animated, and documentary works, this program of some of the best that SFFILM Festival has to offer showcases the artistry of storytelling through evocative cinematography, intimate character studies, and striking visual language.

Clara’s Fruit

(Directed by Morgan Mathews, USA, 15 min)

In English and Arabic with English subtitles

A principal lovingly reflects on the 90-year legacy of Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, the first Muslim private school system in the country.

Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles

(Directed by Emily Sheskin, USA, 6 min)

Senior citizen and jigsaw puzzle expert Adele finds a sense of community through an online network of enthusiastic fans and learns you’re never too old to rediscover your passions.

Maputo

(Directed by Lucas Abrahão, Brazil, 15 min)

In Portuguese with English subtitles

Older kids deceive a young boy, Tatu, into believing he can become a supernatural being, MAPUTO, if he completes dangerous challenges, pushing his determination to the limits.

Mud Under My Window

(Directed by Violette Delvoye, France/Belgium, 12 min)

In French with English subtitles

On a gloomy Sunday morning, Emma longs to be with the mother she idealizes, and must come to terms with the frictions she is experiencing with her other mother at home.

Rat Rod

(Directed by Jared Jakins, Carly Jakins, USA, 11 min)

In English and Spanish with English subtitles

A haunted immigrant mechanic in rural America reflects on life, death, and his journey while resurrecting old cars, finding meaning in the machines he brings back to life.

Roots That Reach Toward The Sky

(Directed by Jess X. Snow, USA, 15 min)

In English and Mandarin with English subtitles

After vandals attack her mother’s traditional Chinese medicine shop, Kai contends with her deepest anxieties, until she discovers the power of communal healing.

Suggested Subjects: Art/Media, Asian American Studies, Black Studies, English Language Arts, French, Immigration, Latin American Studies, Mental Health, Muslim Studies, Social Justice, Social Studies

Recommended Grades: 7–12

Program Note: This program contains mild profanity.

Shorts 6: Family Films

Total Running Time: 66 min

WED APR 30 10:00–10:45 AM PT | FOR ONLINE Q&A

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the program at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28. Recording of Q&A will also be sent to registered teachers.

Through genre-defying celebrations of culture, heartfelt stories that amplify resilience, and inventive animations that dramatically push the boundaries of the medium, Family Films celebrates the wonder, whimsy, and wisdom of short films that appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. These films celebrate and explore connection, courage, and the boundless spirit of discovery through a variety of subjects: Indigenous traditions, our seemingly limitless digital world, climate-impacted Arctic landscapes, circus-filled daydreams, and powerful individuals redefining resilience. This year’s collection brims with unwavering and inspiring works from internationally renowned filmmakers, including famed Disney animator and director Aaron Blaise (Brother Bear, Beauty and the Beast) and Sony VFX Supervisor and director Clara Chan (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). Perfect for kids, parents, and anyone who believes in the power of storytelling, these films promise to educate, inspire, uplift, and change the many ways in which we see our world.

*Titles are listed alphabetically rather than in order of play.

The Girl with the Occupied Eyes

(Directed by André Carrilho, Portugal, 8 min)

With her eyes constantly glued to her screen, a little girl misses vibrant landscapes, splashy group of circus animals, a mysterious UFO, and all else that passes before her.

Have I Swallowed Your Dreams

(Directed by Clara Chan, Canada, 6 min)

A Chinese immigrant mother and daughter share an enlightening conversation about lost dreams and sacrifice in this hand-drawn tale where poetic imagery leads to a liberatory discovery.

Hoof on Skates

(Directed by Ignas Meilūnas, Lithuania, 13 min)

While skating together in a colorful winter wonderland, two barnyard friends struggle with preconceived notions when they stumble upon a strange and unfamiliar world.

Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles

(Directed by Emily Sheskin, USA, 6 min)

Senior citizen and jigsaw puzzle expert Adele finds a sense of community through an online network of enthusiastic fans and learns you’re never too old to rediscover your passions.

On a Sunday at Eleven

(Directed by Alicia K. Harris, Canada, 9 min)

A young Black girl navigates exclusion in her white-dominant ballet class, reclaiming her beauty, identity, and power in an ethereal and unapologetic celebration of Blackness.

Snow Bear

(Directed by Aaron Blaise, USA, 11 min)

A lonely polar bear traverses the increasingly harsh environment of the Arctic by land and sea to save a new friend.

Swimming with Butterflies

(Directed by Karl Stelter, USA, 8 min)

After missing the bronze by 1/100ths of a second at the 2016 Paralympics, swimmer Lizzi Smith shares the inspiring story of how changing her self-perception allowed her to reclaim the pool.

Tule

(Directed by Jocelyn Garcia, USA, 4 min)

In Clear Lake, California, a young Pomo girl shares the cultural importance of the Tule plant and the urgency of indigenous stewards to return it to its natural glory.

Suggested Subjects: Animals, Art/Media, Asian American Studies, Black Studies, Dance, Disability Studies, Environmental Science, Immigration, Indigenous Studies, Peer/Youth Issues, Sports/Physical Education

Recommended Grades: K–6

Shorts 7: Youth Works

Total Running Time: 74 min

WED APR 30 12:30–1:15 PM PT | FOR ONLINE Q&A

Youth Works celebrates and spotlights the next generation of filmmakers from within the Bay Area, and from as far away as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China. Demonstrating the rising talent of these teenagers, these shorts encompass thought-provoking scripts, breathtaking and delightful cinematography, rich stop-motion animation, and genre-pushing meditations. Through the filmmakers’ unique viewpoints, we peek into their communities, adolescence, and the growth and transformation that happens in early adulthood. From perspectives of balancing intersecting identities, artistic resistance and celebration, childhood creativity, and self-acceptance and compassion, these films introduce us to a budding group of fresh cinematic voices carrying us boldly into the next generation of filmmaking.

Screening link(s) will be sent to view the program at your convenience. Viewing window April 21-28. Recording of Q&A will also be sent to registered teachers.

*Titles are listed alphabetically rather than in order of play.

Youth Works celebrates and spotlights the next generation of filmmakers from within the Bay Area, and from as far away as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China. Demonstrating the rising talent of these teenagers, these shorts encompass thought-provoking scripts, breathtaking and delightful cinematography, rich stop-motion animation, and genre-pushing meditations. Through the filmmakers’ unique viewpoints, we peek into their communities, adolescence, and the growth and transformation that happens in early adulthood. From perspectives of balancing intersecting identities, artistic resistance and celebration, childhood creativity, and self-acceptance and compassion, these films introduce us to a budding group of fresh cinematic voices carrying us boldly into the next generation of filmmaking.

As You Are

(Directed by Daria Strachan, USA, 7 min)

After she is confronted at church and misunderstood by her dad, a queer Black teen searches for self-acceptance and belonging in community.

The Brave Ones

(Directed by Mahdiyeh Abbaszadeh, Iran, 4 min)

A caring forester puts his own life in danger when he saves a Persian leopard after a poacher wounds the endangered cat in this culturally rich stop-motion short.

Coop

(Directed by Mujtaba Alhejji, Saudi Arabia, 12 min)

In Arabic with English subtitles

After accidentally popping a soccer ball, young Adam sparks a creative solution at the market to get enough money to buy a new ball and win over his teammates.

Echoes of Sunlit Koi

(Directed by Ying Zhao, China, 5 min)

In Mandarin with English subtitles

Caught between family secrets and a desire to get the last rare fish before his classmate, a young boy discovers a surprise at the pet store.

Junebug

(Directed by Amiko Muscat, USA, 6 min)

A youthful, sensory-driven collage of drifting sounds, shimmering textures, and meditative reflections weave together during a sweltering summer day at a Los Angeles public pool.

little dreamer

(Directed by Astrid Nymo-Young, USA, 5 min)

As she struggles with a creative block, young artist Lizzy transports back to her playful childhood aspirations where her imagination then might be just what she needs now.

Painting Resistance

(Directed by Dylan Clarke, Aesha Gluck, Liam Renaud, USA, 9 min)

San Francisco muralist Chris Gazeleh shares his family’s story and his vibrant art that promotes awareness of the history and struggle of Palestinian people.

Reach for Me

(Directed by Hazel Baileh Klein Wolff, USA, 5 min)

A daughter reconciles the kaleidoscopic layers of complex emotions passed down from her mom, healing the past and present.

Thunderbird and Killer Whale: S-hwuhwa’us & Qul-lhanumutsun

(Directed by Jason Cheng, Canada, 8 min)

Stz’uminus First Nation Master Carver John Marston embarks on a personal journey to continue the legacy of the traditional and intricate art of canoe carving.

Umbral Cloak

(Directed by Cade Savage Schwartz, USA, 5 min)

In a striking otherworldly terrain, a rock climber undergoes a poetic transformation when a mythological winged creature descends.

Why Can’t We Just Be Ghosts?

(Directed by Patrick Jang, USA, 9 min)

After a teen ghost confesses his depression to his human best friend, the two search for a path toward acceptance and happiness in this thought-provoking satire.

Suggested Subjects: Arabic, Art/Media, Coming of Age, Indigenous Studies, Journalism, LGBTQ+ Studies, Mandarin, Mental Health, Middle Eastern Studies, Peer/Youth Issues, Social Justice

Recommended Grades: 7–12


Program Note: This program contains profanity and mention of suicide.

High School: 2nd Runner-Up – Arson Bacon-Bratton

(2024 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest)

Many of the films I watched inspired me in various ways. There was incredible creativity in all the films, and the effect of the movies is evident in my recent writings. I express myself mainly through poetry and monologues, as well as through my current book, which is in the planning stages. In this essay, I will explore the film “Choices” and how the message had an effect on me.

“Choices” shared a message that really spoke to me. The message of how pregnancy, sex, and abortion are treated as taboo or dirty (especially around black and people of color) is an incredibly pressing topic in our current society. The film showed three black high school girls: one who had an abortion, one who was pregnant, and one who was waiting for the result of a pregnancy test. I’ve heard many conversations in the past few years about the choices when it comes to pregnancy: giving birth or having an abortion, keeping the baby or giving it away. I was thirteen, and I didn’t exactly understand all the adults talking about how if a person has a uterus, then their body must be controlled in a stricter way than the United States controls guns.

When Roe v. Wade was overturned, I was living in Texas, where I was born and raised. Quickly, mine and countless others’ lives were turned upside down. My mother stocked up on Plan B pills for me, my brother, and our friends. Rumors spread around school about who was anti-abortion and who was pro-abortion. My mom taught me about how this would affect everyone, not just people who were having sex. She told me how it would cause countless deaths and that black women would be more vulnerable than others. When I moved to California, I realized how differently some people thought. Not everyone had been convinced that abortion is murder, that a period is manslaughter, and that people’s bodies belonged to whatever was inside them. The film presented the message that every person should have a choice, without constant restrictions and restraints on what they decide to do with their body and their life.

The film “Choices” captured my attention from the beginning, with a father speaking to his daughter about how she is not a little girl anymore. The next part that truly made me feel engulfed in the message was the scene after she takes a pregnancy test—those few minutes of not knowing where your life would go. It turns a few minutes into an eternity. The last scene I found was an extremely courageous choice from the writer; the decision to not let the audience know if the character who may have been pregnant really was. Interpretive endings are complex and a delicate thing to work with in film and media. However, I think that the ending provided added more to the story and message.

High School: 1st Runner-Up – Morgan Eakin

(2024 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest)

Make Art, Morgan!

I struggled to choose one film. I told myself that I needed to choose the most abstract film so that I could write a sophisticated and complicated essay. Ironically, I chose the film about feeling pressured to fit a mold as an artist. Like the main character Reese’s friend, Venus, I used to draw every single day, mapping out ideas in my mind and then drawing, painting, or sculpting them without hesitation. But my subconscious had already realized others only saw value in my ability to entertain. I became competitive; my passion for art turned into jealousy and self-criticism. I felt a volatile urge to replicate or ‘improve’ any visual, literary, or musical piece. I held myself to standards that could only be reached with the patience Venus had, unlike me. Then, the pandemic began. The longer my already struggling eleven-year-old self was isolated, the more erratic and depressed I became. I lost the ability to function and create without becoming angry, panicking, and shutting down.

Make Art, Reese! captures a process that has taken me five or six years in under ten minutes. I saw myself in Reese, the main character; seeing magnificent, powerful art, feeling so much, seeing myself, questioning my own abilities, and feeling pressured to create a “masterpiece.” Reese receives encouragement and ideas from their friends. I loved the montage of responses when characters were asked what they want to see, and what they think others want to see, in art. Every answer was different, but all indirectly proved that people want to see themselves reflected in art. We are all blind to our connection with each other. Throughout my life, I have seen injustice and erasure, and so I have been a mirror for others, helping them to feel understood and appreciated. But art isn’t really about serving others, is it?

While Reese overcame the frustration that stopped them from painting, I have yet to. I still have rare bursts of motivation that miraculously bring me to create. Maybe I’ve left visual art out of hopelessness. But I’ve found poetry; my words flow with ease and create visuals as detailed as the paintings I’ve longed to create. I’ve sang all my life, but now I’ve found my voice and it is powerful. And I’ve found photography. Being disabled, I’ve needed to find accessible forms of expression which don’t bring such frustration that I burn out and leave my work indefinitely untouched. Watching this film has reminded me that I don’t need to be anything, my self-expression is mine to define. I am fifteen years old, and as long as I am alive, I have time. If I take care of and express myself as I am, and that encourages others to do the same, I have been all I need to be, and I have been an artist.

High School: Grand Prize – Joey Carlson

(2024 Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Essay Contest)

I tried to write down everything I loved about Dídi the second the credits rolled, even before the lights had turned back on. I’d listed a lot of things. the cinematography, the attention to detail to make it a 2008 time capsule, the realistic dialogue, how relatable it was, the characters and their relationships, everything. It took me three pages of scribbled notes before I properly realized what made me adore it so much: the insane amount of love in the film.

Dídi as a film centers on the isolation that comes with being a teenager, how you’re so often pushing others away in hopes somehow of being able to grow closer to people. Watching it in the theater with countless other teenagers I’d never met, there was this beautiful closeness I felt. We’d all cringe at something that’s happened to everyone, sit completely still with bated breath as Chris was deciding whether or not he should add a heart emoticon to the end of a message, and laugh at all the jokes teenagers have been repeating since the beginning of time. We’d react to other things, too. I’d hear people next to me cry when Chris argued with his mom, when his sister left her hoodie for him after leaving for college, and when he slept in the park at night. Everyone had been brought together due to a love for film, the same feeling of loneliness that we assumed nobody else could understand, and therefore, love for each other as complex human beings. Dídi’s themes of isolation are intentionally portrayed in a manner just as relatable as its quintessential teenage experiences. They’re so carefully shot, scored, and acted so you can relate to it, relate to feeling alone, and then it will remind you that you are surrounded by people who feel the exact way you do.

Dídi so easily achieves immersion–one of the most challenging aspects of filmmaking–through how authentic it is. You’re able to see everything Chris loves through his eyes before he realizes how much he loves it. The film is steeped in nostalgia, where watching it elicits the same reaction as looking back on your life with more experience as a person. You can recognize things you miss, things you could have done better, and reminisce on everything that made you happy, and everything you love. The sense of nostalgia carries a dull melancholy that you can only feel because you were happy before, which serves as a reminder that you will be happy again. Every scene with such a raw portrayal of sadness, loss, or seclusion still implies that not only will things get better, but they will be better than before. It’s done with the same amount of love and care that comes with giving advice to a friend, and it’s executed perfectly.

Dídi is a film about connecting with others, it’s a film about love, and that message is so easily communicated because its reason for existence and message are exactly the same.