A captivating showcase of short films giving a taste of the variety of films presented at the festival. The evening, begins with lite bites followed by the films. Afterwards, indulge in a sweet finale of chocolate fountains, decadent desserts, and a wine bar while you enjoy live music in the Courtyard.
FILMS INCLUDE
RIGHT HAND MAN
Sarasota / Romantic Comedy / English / 3 minutes
SYNOPSIS: No one likes to be a third wheel on a first date. Right Hand Man pushes the boundaries of this concept with its two main characters, Lucas and Cade, twin brothers who are a human and a hand puppet, respectively. We follow their journey as Lucas tries to navigate his first date with the lovely Cristine at a fine dining restaurant, attempting to hide Cade away to masquerade as an average guy. All Cade wants to do, though, is get in on the excitement and romance of the experience. Will Cade make himself known to Cristine? Will Lucas learn that hiding your true self is the worst foundation for a first date? Watch and find out!
Director: Emma Greenman and Yaumara Carrion
Writer: Emma Greenman and Yaumara Carrion
Producer: Emma Greenman and Yaumara Carrion
Key Cast: Voice actors include – Jeremy Pommier as the voice of Lucas, Daniel Caouette as the voice of Cade, and Ashley Crossman as the voice of Cristine. Score composed by Mike Sowinski and sound design by Bob Pepek
Contact Name: Emma Greenman and Yaumara Carrion
Contact Email: Emma.g.greenman@gmail.com and Carrion.Yaumara@gmail.com
Instagram: @Righthandman.film
DISCO BEATS
USA / Drama / English / 19 minutes
DISCO BEATS is a tender exploration of two men at different stages of life who connect through the shared language of dance. LOU, an 80 year old man who’s never learned to dance enlists the help of BENNY, a middle-aged disgruntled dance instructor, to teach him to dance so that he can surprise his wife, GLORIA on their 60th wedding anniversary. ROSIE, the owner of the dance studio, and Benny have a failing relationship caused by his frustration with his station in life that causes him to fear a long-term commitment. Over the course of two days, the two men mentor each other ending with a poignant lesson that Lou shares with Benny giving him a newfound appreciation of life that strengthens his bond with Rosie.
Director: Ken Arquelio
Writer: Ken Arquelio
Producer: Stephanie Bell
Key Cast: Pepe Serna, Ken Arquelio, Elia Cantu, Shireen Crutchfield
Contact Name: Ken Arquelio
Contact Email: ken@vinceropictures.com
Website: vinceropictures.com
Social Media:
Instagram: @kenaquelio and @discobeatsmovie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoBeatsMovie
GOOD GUY
United States | Rom-Com, Thriller | English | 13 minutes
SYNOPSIS: Zach, the boy next door, begins his day with the daily horoscope. It reads: “You will find your forever soulmate.” Zach leaves his apartment to take out his trash just as his new next door neighbor exits her apartment. For Zach, this is the beginning of a kismet love story, where he assures every day he’s outside his apartment at the same time to run into this girl; he overhears her talk of a beloved mug she’s broken and is at her door later that day to gift her a new mug; and he bravely asks her out on a date and doesn’t give up when she first tells him “no.” For Kaia, who just left her family behind and only wants to get comfortable in this new life of hers, this is a horror story, where the boy next door appears to be stalking her, listening in on private conversations, and not taking “no” for an answer. Encouraged by her friend, Kaia confronts Zach and is clear about how uncomfortable he’s making her, leading Zach to apologize and back off. As Kaia walks away from him, Zach spots another girl exiting her apartment down the hall and goes to greet her.
Director: Kamie Lloyd
Writers: Molly Gross and Kamie Lloyd
Producers: Molly Gross and Suraya Ali
Key Cast: Jessi Burgess and Jonah Walker
Contact Name: Molly Gross
Contact Email: molly@bocasystems.com
Social Media: Instagram: @goodguyshortfilm
LIAR’S DEBT
United States / Thriller / English / 4 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A fixer to the political elite seeks revenge on a corrupt senator who wronged him.
Director: Molly Gazay
Writer: Lizzie Roberts
Producer: Justin Sorvillo
Key Cast: Justin Sorvillo as Charlie, Robert Lunde as The Senator
Contact Name: Justin Sorvillo
Contact Email: Jwsorvillo@gmail.com
Social Media: Instagram / TikTok @JustinSorvillo
SALT!
USA / Comedy / English / 8 minutes
SYNOPSIS: When Vinny asks for some salt in a fine dining establishment, he creates an international incident. The simple request starts to snowball out of control in this hilarious take on fine dining.
Director: Shay Thurmon
Writer Jonathan Schwartz
Producer: Jonathan Schwartz
Key Cast: Wendy Melkonian, Vinny Verelli, Bernard Fieré
Contact Name: Jon Schwartz
Contact Email: jon@bacchusprod.com
BACK IN BABY’S ARMS
USA / Comedy / English / 17 minutes
Synopsis: When struggling actor Jonathan is kicked out by his girlfriend, he finds himself the unlikely housemate of Colleen, an older woman suffering memory loss who constantly mistakes him for her dead husband. Tired of contradicting her, he decides to give in and play the part…could it be the role of a lifetime?
Writer/Director: Jackson Giuricich
Producer: Adrien Hoppenot
Key Cast: Carter Jenkins, Eileen Barnett
Contact name: Jackson Giuricich
Contact email: jgiuricich@afi.edu
PRACTICE SQUAD
USA / Drama / English / 8 minutes
SYNOPSIS: Brandon Barnes battles for a spot on the 53-man roster while grinding on the practice squad, realizing that success isn’t just about personal triumph—it’s his path to reuniting and uplifting his family.
Director: Clark Birchmeier
Writer: NFL Veteran Phillip Buchanon
Inspired by: NFL’s Edward Gant
Starring: NFL Star Bryant McKinnie, Wesley Price, and Sean Freeman
Contact: Phillip Buchanon
Email: Phillip.Buchanon@gmail.com
Social Media: @PBProductions2025
THE BIG TIME
Miami | Drama, Music | English | 15 Minutes
SYNOPSIS: It’s 1968, The Big Time, a Black Family Music Group, is set to take on the stage for a grand showcase that can catapult them into stardom. But before they take their shot, a last-minute decision shakes the foundation of everything they’ve built. High aspirations clash with high emotions as Eddie, the group’s youngest member, questions the dreams they have chased for so long. The Big Time must decide what matters more, the promise of fame or the bond that has gotten
them there in the first place. The pressure is mounting with less than 20 minutes till showtime. A choice must be made. When the curtain rises, will they stand together or fall apart?
DIRECTOR: Tristan Wauchope
WRITER: Keon Gaynor and Tyrese Saint-Cyr
PRODUCER: Luciano Yaya
KEY CAST: Keon Gaynor, Tyrese Saint-Cyr, Frankie Midnight, G.C. Christopher, and Stephen Hedger
CONTACT
Email: TyreseSaintCyr@gmail.com
Social Media (Instagram and Facebook) @TrouvaillePictures
HOWARD
USA / Sci-Fi / English / 15 minutes
SYNOPSIS: In a near-future where automation has made human labor obsolete, HOWARD follows a truck driver—played by Sawyer Spielberg—reduced to a passenger in his own self-driving rig. As his job, marriage, and identity slip away, Howard drifts through life in quiet resignation. But when Ophelia, a sharp-witted teenage stowaway, unexpectedly climbs aboard, her presence jolts him awake. Through their unlikely bond, Howard finds the courage to confront his future and take control of his own destiny—no longer just a passenger. Written and directed by Paulina Keszler, this 15-minute short explores connection, resilience, and the quiet rebellion of reclaiming purpose in a world speeding past.
Director: Paulina Keszler
Writer: Paulina Keszler
Producer: Arielle Haller-Silverstone & S.J. Allocco-St.Germain
Key Cast: Sawyer Spielberg
Contact Paulina Keszler
Email Paulinakeszler@gmail.com
Social Media – @paulinakeszler