BIFF Shorts: Next Gen

Thoughtful and fun, teen and youth made shorts. BIFF partners with Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center and their advanced track Teen Council students to review submissions, and curate and organize this screening. 71 minutes.

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“Affirming Ourselves”

Aurora Sikelianos (Dir), 7 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

A short film about Black joy expressed through movement and dance. It is an exuberant investigation of all aspects of Black Jubilation, demonstrating the charm and strength of Black women/femmes.

Produced by Youth FX. Add'l crew: Alicia Clemente, Gregory Marsh, Maya Suchak, Aurora Sikelianos, Camille Dobbs, Charlie Dubois. Featuring: Roiyel Babb, Makayla Shallow, Shaqirah Wood, Asahni May, Klarisse Torriente, Cailyn Youngman, Kim Marsh, Towana Harris. Voiceovers: Aurora Sikelianos, Alisa Sikelianos-Carter, Roiyel Babb, Denise Scantlebury-Figaro.

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“Love Don't Bully"

Yoselin Anchondo, Alina Luna, Ryan Oakley Hunter, Dr. Lisa Spencer (Dirs), 8 minutes, USA, East Coast Premiere

Students research and interview each other, and act out scenes about bullying – they investigate race, gender, sexuality, and legislation; and encourage the audience to think more deeply about mental health and bullying at school and in society.

Produced by Dr. Lisa Spencer's Turquoise Trail Charter/ MESA students. Add'l Crew: Yoselin Anchondo, Scott Mohan, Monique Johnson, Tamyrn Smoth, Jess Crespi, Kimora Vollmar, Nicole Begay, Jody Dimas-Haley, Logan Donelan, Isaac Boss, Alina Luna, Dan Evans, Ella Marquez-Benavidez, Ryan Perez, April Ortega, Claudia Hernandez, Jason Quinonex, Christopher Chavez, Rosey Hayette, Jayla Salazar, Allen Cote, Paul Mattox, David Vartinian, Christopher Miche Hernandez, Dr. Lisa Spencer. Cast: Elsa Gomezm Jireh Arroyo Cano, Danna Gonzalez Dominguez, Viviana Garcia. Interview Participants: Navi Kaigziabiher, Kate Swift, Cari Griffo, Max Gonzales, Alina Luna, Genesis Quintana, Yoselin Anchondo, Salvador Gallegos, Laureen Peppersack.

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“Kuineraqq”

Magnus Shipe (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, East Coast Premiere

A 12-year-old Santa Fe student explores his Yu'pik heritage in this drama with real documentary style stock and home footage. The student, born in Alaska, creates this short film to bring awareness and a call for action for the homeland of his maternal ancestors with the help of two other Native and part-Native students, his teacher, and grandparents.

Produced by Dr. Lisa Spencer's Turquoise Trail Charter/ MESA students. Add'l Crew: Ella Marquez-Benavidez, April Ortega, Jayla Salazar, Warren Jones, Ann Hermes, Kwinhagak Singers, BJ Shipe, Martha Henderson, Isaac Boss, Karvari, Dr. Lisa Spencer.

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“Symptoms of Incarceration”

Owen Miller (Dir), 5 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

A man is imprisoned for 20 years. He has difficulty re-entering society and is met with rejection at every turn.

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"Stress Ball"

Ryan Kretz, Will Mcneal, Owen Miller (Dir), 9 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

A high school student picks up an unusual extracurricular activity to help him deal with his stress, but it leads him down a dark path.

Produced at Ithaca Senior High School. Add'l Cast + Crew: Dallin Peterson, Aliou Cisse, James Ofori, Samuel Innes, Marlin Hamm, Kein Bedell, Gabe Panepucci, Allen Simms, Alessandro Cempbell, Max Owens, Maxwell Sheehan, Jack Stone, Harper Makepeace, Isaiah Bishop, Andrew Mousaw, Morgan Austin-Cooch, Stephen Yang, Felipe Poelling, Andrew Brown, Dobbs Conrad, Gunther Rios, Owen Mimno, Isaiah Milton, Tommy Lashkoff, Jesse Rinzelton, Ryan Kretz, Will Mcneal, Owen Miller.

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“The Target”

West Side Studios (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, World Premiere

In this murder mystery, improvised and created through the actors' words and actions – a Teaching Assistant's strange interactions arouse suspicion in his pupils.

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“Treachery”

West Side Studios (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Two young people go through adversity after receiving mysterious, threatening messages...

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“Rhinestone Cowboy”

Yabisi Asili (Dir), 12 minutes, USA, World Premiere

The rhinestone cowboy is an avid gambler that always has an ace up his sleeve in this contemporary take on the Western genre film.

Produced by Youth FX. Add'l Crew: Jamieson Caywood, Lyric Vanderlaan, Chad Hughes, Michael Mejia. Cast: Leavion Van Alstyne, Emet Vitale-Penniman, Asad Benbow, Bhawin Suchak, Jamieson Caywood, Mavis Pierre, Rashid Howell.

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“Daylight Star”

Laviba Akther (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, World Premiere

The star comes in a variety of shapes and hues, and they are all unique. This short invites its audience to be to rest and in the moment; using intricate natural imagery and sound of nature rain, including thunderstorms, to bring you there.

Produced as part of Squeaky Wheel's Saturday Cafe production program.

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“Potassium and Blood: The Bananaverse”

Tech Arts for Youth (Dir), 2 minutes, USA, World Premiere

In this stop motion animation the banana is both slaughtered and celebrated. A mysterious portal appears out of nowhere, threatening all in its path.

Produced as part of Squeaky Wheel's Tech Arts for Youth production program.

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“Twilight”

Tech Arts for Youth (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, World Premiere

A satirical celebration of the Twilight films that uses DIY special effects, props and a pronounced li-fi aesthetic to tell the tale of Bella and Edward like you've never seen it before!

Produced as part of Squeaky Wheel's Tech Arts for Youth production program.

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“Thunder and Shadow”

Roja Khanam (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, World Premiere

In this experimental documentary, the world is shown through a series of perspectives. Employing practical special effects and clips to connect the dots and digital and compel the audience to think deeply and feel.

Produced as part of Squeaky Wheel's Saturday Cafe production program.