
Victoria
Synopsis
We join Victoria during the most hectic week of her year as a helium balloon saleswoman. As we follow her from one children’s birthday party to another, we also get an intimate look at her new beginning in life as a divorced, single mother.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 3: Black Perspectives.
Film Credits
- Mike Paterson, Heidi Fleisher
- Sam Soko
- Sam Soko
- Nyasha Kadandara
- Will Fich
- Jessica Harrop, Patrick Hurley
- LBx Africa
- https://www.lbxafrica.com/film/victoria

Narrated By
Synopsis
A normal day in the recording studio for voice actress Candice takes a sudden turn when a former fling shows up as her scene partner. Past resentment and underlying chemistry threaten to ruin (or heighten?) each take of their erotic audiobook performance.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 3: Black Perspectives.
Film Credits
- Stephen Szmed
- Khaya Fraites
- David Mason III
- Roberto De Cecco
- Khaya Fraites, Nehemiah Markos, Stephen Szmed
- Mario Gutierrez

Shorts 4: City & State
Synopsis
Chicago and Illinois-based filmmakers experiment with genre, topic, and form in this eclectic program by students, upcoming artists, and established directors.
In Bailey’s Blues, a Chicago-born musician turns up the heat in a confrontational interview. An ugly Christmas dinner leaves a young woman with one worthwhile family member in Madrina. The ever-mounting pressure of high school debate brings out the best and worst of its overachieving students and wise-cracking judges in Debaters. Your Tomorrow Will Be My Song is a vulnerable re-telling by Suni and Alondra, a real-life couple contemplating their trip back home to the Andes. In Chasing the Party, teenage exploration takes an unexpected turn when suburban best friends Melissa and Stephanie make their way into a bar with the fakest of IDs. The usual anxieties plague upcoming artist Anisa as she dodges gossip from art scene contemporaries, questions the value of her work, and navigates flaring tensions in It’s Just a Fucking Opening. In Make No Mistake, we witness moments of clarity, belonging, and acceptance as the band HOME IS WHERE tours the U.S. as an openly trans group with an openly trans audience.
Screenings & Events
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Bailey’s Blues
Synopsis
When a French journalist attempts to interview a Chicago-born blues musician, all of the bitter racial resentment of the 1960s bubbles up to the surface. What starts off as a generic interview becomes a chance for actual truth telling about the music business and society at-large.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 4: City & State.
Media
Film Credits
- Shiloh Tumo Washington, Fabiola Auxila
- Shiloh Tumo Washington
- Shiloh Tumo Washington
- Corey Joon Clark
- Namir Smallwood, Pierre Lucas
- Adam Zanolini
- Candice Abioye, Alex Breland, Melissa Canon-Johnson, Amir George, Damon Jones, Hugh McIntyre, Amy McIntyre, Ifeoma Nkemdi, Messejah Washington
- Tumo Works, Blank Gaze Filmworks
- https://tumoworks.com/baileys-blues-2025

Madrina
Synopsis
A conflicted woman returns home for the holidays after two years of no contact. Under the leering eyes of family, she regains her voice in defense of herself and her autonomy. When she gets kicked out of Christmas dinner, she cherishes her one remaining connection with her godmother.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 4: City & State.
Film Credits
- Miguel Silveira
- Miguel Silveira
- Miguel Silveira
- Alejandro Marin
- Magdaliz Rivera, Maria de la Caridad
- Francis Rodriguez
- https://www.missyhernandez.com/madrina-short-film