We are thrilled to be screening the following 7 short films

at FilmFest 2025!

GRATUITY

Synopsis: When Tammy, a single mother and waitress, receives a winning lottery ticket and her ex-husband returns to reap the rewards, she is forced to fight for her winnings.

Director: Fiona Huxley

Screenwriters: Lily Lerner & Noa Godrich

Producer: Isabella Spagnoli

Runtime: 12 minutes

HASTA LA RAÍZ

Synopsis: Set in 1856 in the greater Los Angeles basin, a Gabrieleno (Tongva) woman working at a Mexican rancho must protect herself against a squatter when the ranchero’s wife leaves to defend her own land grant.

Director: Nuria Schettino González

Screenwriters: Nuria Schettino González, Isaac Michael Ybarra

Producer: Terese Chiara

Runtime: 15 minutes

IN THE GARDEN OF TULIPS

Synopsis: At the height of the Iran-Iraq war, Caroline takes a final car ride with her father to the Iranian countryside.

Director: Julia Elihu

Screenwriter: Ava Lalezarzadeh

Producer: Aaron Lemle

Runtime: 14 minutes

LAS MARIACHIS

Synopsis: In the male-dominated world of mariachi, the lead of an all-female mariachi band in Los Angeles battles for recognition and seeks to empower future generations of women in mariachi, hoping to forge her own legacy as a musician and a mother. 

Director: Francesca Hill

Runtime: 15 minutes

SURRENDER TO THE SOUND 

Synopsis: Surrender to the Sound is about Angel City FC’s unrivaled women’s soccer supporter groups, dubbed ‘La Fortaleza,’ as they devotedly take on their second season. Through this primarily vérité film, the supporters stay loyal through loss, and not only redefine what it means to be a women’s soccer fan, but to represent LA. 

Director: Madee Sabatier

Runtime: 15 minutes

URSA MINOR 

Synopsis: After struggling to be vulnerable with her overextended mother, Hazel's drawings help her express what she isn't able to say out loud. 

Director: Sophie Schmid

Producer: Camille Rovero

Art Director: Ella Landino

Editor: Chloe Mangiafico

Runtime: 4 minutes

WHERE THE HEART LIES

Synopsis: Based on a true story. When Hunter was little, his father prepared a magical treasure hunt for him in his rural Northern California hometown. Now that he is older, he is doing the same for his girlfriend, Kinsley.  

Director: Brianna Chapman

Screenwriter: Brianna Chapman

Producer: Ally Nalibotsky

Runtime: 15 minutes