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Shorts Program

Succinct yet mighty films that demonstrate the virtuosity and craft of the short format.

View the complete list of short films


In-Person

Adventures/Aventuras: Family Friendly Animated Shorts

Various  |   Germany, Mexico, Portugal, United States
English  
Animation, Coming of Age

Audiences of all ages can enjoy these three stories of adventure, all highlights from our Family Friendly Animation program, presented at the Harrison Park Field House in Pilsen.

In-Person
Streaming

The Best of CineYouth 2023

Various  |   Canada, Iran, South Korea, United States

Discover the next generation of great filmmakers with CineYouth’s 2023 award winners! From animated gems to impactful documentaries, experimental genre-benders to heartfelt dramas, this eclectic and impressive group of films are all made by directors 22-years-old or younger!

In-Person

Beyond the Frame: 376 Days (Nick Cave: Keep it Movin’) + Chronicle of a Summer Day

Various  |   United States
English  
Art, Documentary, LGBTQ

This suite of films explores the fusion of the natural world and cultural narratives, as well as the limitless possibilities of creative expression and transcending convention.

In-Person

Generations: Black Perspectives Shorts

Various  |   United States
English  
Comedy, Drama, Sports

Discover stories that resonate, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations in this year’s Community Cinema Shorts Program.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 1: City & State – Revelations

Various  |   United States, Japan
Canronese, English, Khmer, Vietnamese  
Animation, Documentary, Drama, Experimental

The six shorts in this program represent distinct modes of storytelling through film, while reflecting the diversity and creativity of our region.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 2: Animation – Desires

Various  |   Argentina, Belgium, France, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, United States
Arabic, Dutch, English, French, Hungarian, Spanish  
Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Horror, LGBTQ

These animated shorts create an idiosyncratic mosaic of the difficulties, joys, enigmas, and triumphs of the human experience.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 3: After Dark – Twisted Tales & Shadows of Innocence

Various  |   Canada, France, United States
English, French, Tagalog  
Coming of Age, Horror, LGBTQ, Social Commentary, Women Centered

These tense and terrifying shorts reflect how everyday life can turn into horror.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 4: Documentary – In Motion

Various  |   Bhutan, Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
Dzongkha, English, French, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainain  
Documentary, Environmental, Social Commentary, Sports, Women Centered

These short documentaries offer singular looks into lives that have been transformed by pivotal events.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 5: Drama – Breaking Points

Various  |   Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, France, Qatar, Switzerland, Turkey
Arabic, English, Persian, Spanish, Turkish  
Crime, Drama, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Social Commentary

These powerful shorts reflect on life’s twists and turns, exploring what we do in moments of profound impact.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 6: Comedy – Awkward Laughs

Various  |   Canada, Chile, Iran, United States
English, French, Persian, Spanish  
Comedy, Coming of Age, Drama, Family Affairs, LGBTQ, Science Fiction, Sex and Sexuality

The works in this program muck around the dark corners of human experience, bringing forth the darkly comedic, can’t-help-but-laugh moments that arise in difficult times.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 7: Black Perspectives – Resonance

Various  |   Tanzania, United States
English  
Comedy, Documentary, Drama, LGBTQ, Sports

Vibrant cultural legacies come to life, hidden histories are unearthed, everyday life is illuminated, and resonant stories unfold in captivating splendor in this collection of shorts.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 8: Architecture – Versions of Home

Various  |   France, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United States
French, Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian  
Animation, Architecture, Comedy, Documentary

In celebration of this year’s Chicago Architecture Biennial, this program tracks how we establish strong connections to a place, and the complications of staying in it.

In-Person
Streaming

Shorts 9: Family Friendly Animation – Better Together

Various  |   Canada, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United States
Arabic, English, Korean, Mayan, Spanish, Tigrinya, Urdu  
Animation, Coming of Age, Family Affairs

All ages are welcome in this family-friendly program, full of colorful films that celebrate play, encourage curiosity, and emphasize the importance of communal bonds.