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Film Countries Archives: United States

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A black and white image of a person falling through an endless black abyss.

The Mechanization of Man

  Eion Nunez, Age 17

  Los Angeles, California, United States     15 minutes

Synopsis

Diagnosed with terminal insomnia, Cillian clings to his past, obsessively building a time machine in his final days only for it to fail. With shifting visual styles and a driving pace, The Mechanization of Man is a compelling thriller.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2025 shorts program.

 English 

Content Considerations

Film Credits

  •   Andrea Ramirez Romo
  •   Eion Nunez
  •   Eion Nunez
  •   Eion Nunez
  •   Phoenix Ross, Yong Kim, Daryl Bryant, Billy Ross, Tamara Ross, Sean Kinney
  •   Andrea Ramirez Romo, Phoenix Ross, Julian Chui

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A woman wearing an apron in a dark hallway looks up in awe, her face is lit up.

Perfect Casting

  Autumn English, Age 22

  Chicago, Illinois, United States     5 minutes

Synopsis

Told through dynamic visuals and quirky character designs, this animated tale follows the founding of an unlikely friendship. A skilled costume designer struggles to collaborate with an asocial creature actor who is eerily good at playing the monster.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2025 shorts program.

 English 

Film Credits

  •   Autumn English
  •   Maxine Coltin, Caleb Harbin
  •   Phoenix Moses, Andres Carlos-Tamez

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A metal bucket filled with dark liquid and a cut off nose inside sits beside someone's foot

How to Smell Without a Nose

  Esther Yun Kong, Age 21

  Brooklyn. New York, United States     8 minutes

Synopsis

How to Smell Without a Nose is a dark and impactful short about the Korean war illustrated through the prosecution of a Joseon woman. Striking horror effects and committed performances created a palpable sense of dread.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2025 shorts program.

 Korean with subtitles

Content Considerations

Film Credits

  •   Esther Yun Kong
  •   Esther Yun Kong
  •   Esther Yun Kong
  •   Esther Yun Kong
  •   Hyeyoung Yun
  •   Esther Yun Kong

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A stressed woman wearing a blue jacket looks towards something beyond the camera

Arm and a Leg

  Sam Clayton, Age 22

  Chicago, Illinois, United States     11 minutes

Synopsis

Suffocated by the confines of suburban culture, April finds catharsis in wild, uninhibited physical movement. Her struggle for self-expression is empathetically depicted through claustrophobic visuals that reflect her oppression.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2025 shorts program.

 English 

Film Credits

  •   Tristan Baumeister, Madie Giaconia
  •   Sam Clayton
  •   Eliza Bent, Dennis Grimes

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Two Korean guys fighting with one guy holding a steel plate upward and the other guy using a broom to hit the plate

Check Please

  Shane Chung, Age 22

  Evanston, Illinois, United States     10 minutes

Synopsis

In this action comedy, a Korean and a Korean-American fight over their pride, honor, and who gets to pick up the tab. With stellar fight choreography and sound effects, Check Please is an impressive and playful homage to martial arts films.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2025 shorts program.

 Korean, English with subtitles

Film Credits

  •   Anna Castagnaro, Nick Leahy
  •   Shane Chung
  •   Madie Giaconia
  •   Tristan Baumeister
  •   Richard Yan, Sukwon Jeong
  •   Nathan Pruyne
  •   Lydia Hearst, Hyunyoung Lee