• Live & Learn

In and out of the classroom, these stories of devoted teachers and embattled students shine a light on the triumphs and shortcomings of the educational process.

Short Films

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As Michael (Himesh Patel) seeks novel ways to halt his spiralling depression, a moment of hope arrives via an unexpected source.

In competition for Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes.

Learning Tagalog With Kayla

In this lesson, Kayla teaches you conversational phrases, common expressions, and much, much more in Tagalog.

In competition for Best U.S. Short.

Monocacy

A Civil War-obsessed teen struggles to keep a new friend at school.

In competition for Best Student U.S. Short.

The School Bus

Nebahat, a young teacher in a rural village school in Anatolia, works to help her students arrive at school safely and effeciently. When the Ministry of Education finally grants her a shuttle, she is stunned to realize that they haven't assigned a driver for the vehicle! Nebahat decides to take matters into her own hands.

In competition for Best Student International Short.

Therefore, Socrates Is Mortal

Facing the climate crisis, Louise, a philosophy teacher, turns words into action.

In competition for Best International Short.

When We Were Bullies

What begins with a mind-boggling “coincidence” from 25 years ago, leads the filmmaker to track down his 5th-grade class and teacher to see what they remember of a bullying incident from 50 years ago. In a playful and poignant fashion, he begins to understand his complicity in the event... and the bully in all of us.

In competition for Best Documentary Short.

2021 ShortFest Archive