SA Film Festival | Day 4

Dad’s Last Beach Trip

Directed by Matt Webb

After finding out his dad has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, Matt and his mom plan one last family trip to the beach.

Second Wind

Directed by Arhaan Hirani

With her sister's terminal illness looming, Cora must face her fears and embrace for an inevitable goodbye, finding comfort in laughter, tears, and cherished moments.

The Good Boy

Directed by Esmeralda Hernandez

When learning that an innocent dog will be entered into a dog fighting ring to win prize money for his ailing mother, 8-year-old Isaac realizes he doesn’t want to hurt the animal but will betray his family if he sets it free.

Escape from Myrtle Broadway

Directed by Sam Radutzky

Two different brothers in New York City.

Burning the Old Man

Directed by Robert Kelly McAllister, Timothy McCracken

Two estranged brothers take their father's ashes to Burning Man per his dying request, and things go horribly wrong.

In Between

Directed by Catlin Adams

A working class family in the high desert of California struggles to stay whole as they fight to keep their land from greedy developers.

Slurpee Trail

Directed by Missy Greenberg

Two kids. One unexpected adventure.

Cena de Rosas

Directed by Victoria Leal 

A student film created by a local artist Victoria Leal, a part of the arts community as a muralist for San Anto Cultural Arts and colleague Emily Dunlap a photographer and film major. Creating a film executing the adherence of acts of love by creating series of prints on rice paper with photographs taken by the local community receiving roses as acts of kindness.

The Key

Directed by Jeremy Flores

Allan, a military veteran struggling with alcoholism, faces a pivotal moment when his wife Erica reaches her breaking point. In a heart-wrenching departure, she leaves Allan the house key and a deeply personal letter that exposes the devastating impact of his drinking on their relationship and his life. Her note serves as both a goodbye and a final challenge—a chance for Allan to confront his demons.

Freight

Directed by Parker Parent

An original horror short film showcasing a character being haunted by an unknown source they later realize is gender dysphoria. Rylie has long been ignoring a looming Figure that plagues her, until she finds kinship in Sam, who seems to be going through the same struggles.

The Postcard

Directed by Yinghui Li

A waitress and frequent patron of a dive bar drift through life hoping to reconcile their past lives in order to move on.

Our Last Scar

Directed by Justin Wang Powell

A jaded acupuncturist confronts lingering regrets as she helps a patient with a traumatic brain injury uncover fragmented memories of his lost love, leading them both on a journey toward healing and redemption

Sunny Afternoon

Directed by John Field Brown

In this suspenseful and twisted crime/thriller, a young mobster faces a life-altering confrontation with his menacing associate in a New York City jazz club when a seemingly routine payday meeting takes an unexpected turn.

Bald

Directed by Monique Straw 

After receiving life-altering news, a woman embarks on a transformative journey, daring to embrace life outside her comfort zone

Where Do Butterflies Go When They Die?

Directed by Steven Loya Montoya

This is a short drama about Sofia, a woman who must take on the role as caretaker for her ill father, Manny. She faces the challenge of grieving her father as she watches him fade from reality while also reflecting on past memories of her father from her childhood.

Lulu & Lou

Directed by Judas Tanguma

In a perpendicular universe Lou becomes lost on a plane of infinite possibilities, searching for the world in which he and Lulu grow old together.

TIMELESSNESS

Directed by Sasha Timan

After seeking political asylum at the US border with Tijuana, a gifted Russian pianist's journey takes a tragic turn when she is detained in a U.S. processing center for immigrants. A hand injury during detention shatters her musical career, leading her to confront not only her physical pain but also the political forces that have upended her life.

Where We Went Wrong

Directed by Wallace Weatherspoon, Dream Kasestatad 

This is a short drama about Sofia, a woman who must take on the role as caretaker for her ill father, Manny. She faces the challenge of grieving her father as she watches him fade from reality while also reflecting on past memories of her father from her childhood.

A Nature Odyssey

Directed by Jacek Szymanski

FILM IS DESIGNED WITH INSPIRATION FROM MOTHER EARTH AND OUR CULINARY TRADITIONS.

Trumpet Gumbo

Directed by Brad Courtemanche

Hot off of a win of the country's largest television cooking show, Chef Buddy Bontemps finds himself under the tutelage of one of the greatest chefs in modern time. Having never been in a perfectionist's kitchen, he gets devoured.

Anniversary Dinner

Directed by Sarah Liz Bell

A husband rushes to make a nice dinner at home for his anniversary, only to realize he misinterpreted his wife's text about their plans.

The Non-Biological Mexican

Directed by Joseph Balderas 

In the heart of Seoul, South Korea, a man named Jung-Su Lee has dedicated his life to mastering the art of Mexican cuisine. The Non-Biological Mexican explores his journey—how an unexpected connection to a distant culture reshaped his identity, and in turn, challenges what it truly means to belong. Through his story, filmmaker Joseph Balderas reflects on his own relationship with heritage, identity, and the blurred lines between culture and personal meaning.

Piowa: A Piece of America

Directed by Beth M. Howard

The cultural importance and unifying power of pie within the state of Iowa and all who make it.

Victoria

Directed by Arsenio Salvante 

Victoria calls her mom.

Nobody Likes Themselves

Directed by Joseph Santa Cruz

When Jake's ex-girlfriend suddenly passes in a car accident, he is faced with the guilt of ending the relationship and struggles to allow himself to mourn her passing.

Dad’s Weekend

Directed by Victoria Nichole Lawson 

When Isabella visits her divorced father's house for the first time, she encounters a life-changing milestone: her first period.

Life Support

Directed by Jamon Tolbert

Inspired by true stories, an emergency doctor struggling under the weight of life-and-death decisions must confront his own hidden traumas as he teaches a young medical student what it truly means to save a life. Told with raw intensity and emotional depth, Life Support is a 10-minute short film that explores the emotional toll of the medical profession, offering a rare glimpse into the world of emergency medicine, where every decision carries profound consequences.

Hub City

Directed by Robby Robinson

Singer/songwriter Billy Dan Hanson is faced with what to do after his older brother is mysteriously killed in prison. Should he go home to Lubbock for the first time in 10 years to investigate? And why has his old flame suddenly returned to urge him to do so?

Coop

Directed by Moriah Doepken 

After sustaining a bad injury, a stubborn retired sheriff must learn to talk with his estranged son as they build a fence together, or risk losing the relationship.

San Antonio: Who We Are

Directed by Saige Thomas

A documentary shining a light on the culturally diverse community of San Antonio, Texas.

Represent presents: Bad Bad Bitches' Night Out

Directed by Miguel Contreras IV

An exhausted young woman needs a night out with friends away from her daughter, responsibilities, and soon-to-be ex-boyfriend. As she’s about to go, he wants to reconcile but she doesn’t.

Maple Syrup

Directed by Dan Bael

Sad Christmas

Directed by Maico Jimenez

Sad Christmas is a cinematic music video that pays homage to the legendary Bruce Lee and his iconic role in Fist of Fury. Kris Cari takes fans on an action-packed journey as he battles his way through a series of challenging bosses in order to rescue Santa Claus and save Christmas.

A Turtle in Times Square

Directed by Daniel Florio

Fired from yet another ice cream store, Toby faces pressure from his fed-up girlfriend who demands he find a stable career to contribute to rent. Toby interprets this as a chance to realize his secret dream career: to become a Times Square mascot!!

The Space Between

Directed by Joseph Santa Cruz

After the sudden and tragic death of her younger sister, Laura is consumed by grief and guilt. She struggles to cope with her loss, retreating into isolation. One day, while walking home, Laura stumbles upon an old, strange pair of glasses. Unbeknownst to her, these glasses possess a dark power.

Dormant 

Directed by Niels Bourgonje 

A man cares for his comatose wife at home. After a transgression, he fears something sinister has awakened in her.

The Apocalypse of Johnny Dupree

Directed by Don Vanderslice

Johnny's tumultuous relationship with his mother began as the doctor's knife cleaved the umbilical cord - a cut that severed their fragile bond. When Johnny mysteriously vanishes, his mother's frantic search leads to a brutal discovery that reveals their ancestral terror.

A Thousand Paper Cuts

Directed by Sam Quinn 

After killing her husband, a suburban housewife’s emotional shock manifests through mundane household chores, troubling reflections on her marriage, and absurd sexual fantasies.

Prowl 

Directed by Rohit Menon

A young man, driven by vengeance for his girlfriend’s murder, is enlisted by a covert intelligence agency to infiltrate an opulent aristocratic society. As he delves deeper into his mission, he uncovers a series of dark and disturbing secrets that threaten to shatter his sanity.

Slay Bells Ring 

On Christmas eve night, a young couple must fend for their lives when a ruthless killer dressed as Santa clause invades their home.

WIRED

Directed by Daniel Salas

After undergoing an experimental corpus-brain procedure, a psychiatric patient finds himself struggling to maintain control as his mind becomes entwined with the consciousness of a former subject.

Glow

Directed by Justin Betancourt 

Quinn, an eccentric junk collector, stumbles across a mysterious object that sparks curiosity. With intrigue, he manages to take a closer look and unknowingly brings his wife into a scenario that holds more than they both could have ever expected.

VIDA

Directed by Louis Schwartz

A servant robot must overcome its feelings of imperfection and adapt to free will after being bestowed consciousness by its loving creators.

What if We Could Stay 

Directed by Stephen Steelman

A loveless entity, forced to body-hop between people experiencing alcoholic blackouts, meets a fellow wanderer who embraces the chaos. As the night fades and sobriety threatens to separate them forever, will our protagonist learn to accept their own existence?

Battle of LA 

Directed by Patrick Pizzolorusso

During one of Los Angeles' most bizarre evenings in 1942, a 'something' was spotted over the skies. A 'something' that the anti-aircraft batteries opened fire on. A 'something' that two young scientists find and race against the clock to figure out what it is and how to keep it safe.

TIMEWRITER

Directed by Ryan Luevano

A noir mystery thriller about a girl who attempts to prevent a murder in 1944 using a typewriter that’s also a time machine.

Real Thing

Directed by Iris Emily Underwood

Real Thing is about two best friends, Jade and Sloane, finally coming to terms with their feelings for each other. But, more than that, it’s about love - anxious, giddy first love, a love so real and so full that it seeps from every pore - yet a love you’ve been taught to hate.

Hold My Hand

Directed by Iris Emily Underwood

Leave A Message

Directed by Mason Silva

A young man listens to voice mails from his father.

Impressions

Directed by Dominic Salazar

A young boy on his skateboard inadvertently makes an impression on an older girl.

Picturesque

Directed by Aidan Rutman

A poor, unhappy and unfulfilled young adult artist finds their inspiration when they discover a young girl drawing with chalk outside her apartment.

POM

Directed by Charlie Martin

A person is given a pomegranate to keep safe. They do this until they see another person eating a pomegranate, and feels inspired to fight against what they have been told to do.

Starting from Scratch

Directed by Levi Walker Marsh

Baking a pie for the first time, a lonely widower with quiet determination, rediscovers hope and the sweetness of starting over.

Chemtrails

Directed by Kat Dubrow 

Untitled Artist

Directed by Lilly Goba

What is art and what does it mean to you? For this young teen, it's everything but the thought of a blank canvas it ALMOST too daunting to start.

I’m Home

Directed by Sawyer Beach

A Freshman at a prestigious college returns to her small town home after a tragedy occurred, only to be bombarded by questions and attacks from her family.

Click

Directed by Jonathan Aspin 

A struggling High School student has to come terms with the recent passing of her father and find purpose.

Echoes of Silk and Tides: An Ethnic Introspection

Directed by Cynthia Cai

This summer, as a 16-year-old, I ventured to Quanzhou, my mother's seaside hometown in southern China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What began as a casual family visit evolved into a profound exploration of a place brimming with cultural riches.

Dark Horse

Directed by John Taylor

When his uncle Mike defeats him in a primary race, political underdog Steven McKenzie takes drastic measures - without thinking things through. A political dark-comedy.

Decomposers

Directed by Maddie Abdalla 

Black Cowboys: An American Story

Directed by Corderro McMurry

Spurred by the San Antonio's Witte Museum exhibition, Corderro McMurry finds himself learning about the powerful stories of the black cowboys and their impact on our culture.

The Marionette

Directed by Terang Bae

The Marionette is a surreal, experimental dive into a day in the life of a man with OCD. Through distorted visuals, the film immerses viewers in his fragmented thoughts, compulsions, and the creeping edge of delusion, blurring reality as his mind spirals out of control.

Keeper of the Cascades

Directed by Maddie Pellman, Grace Calligan

A documentary about legacy and bold passion, Keeper of the Cascades, filmed in North Cascades National Park, highlights those who have made a career out of what they love.

Common Ground

Directed by ASH YIP 

Classroom 4

Directed by Eden Wurmfeld

CLASSROOM 4 is the story of an award-winning history professor leading a group of students, half incarcerated and half free, in a class titled THE HISTORY OF CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. Through exploring concepts in the course including masculinity, prison abolition and mercy, the work challenges the invisibility of incarcerated people, reveals the consequences of mass imprisonment for everyone and emphasizes the importance of these programs to bring together the incarcerated and free to meet and know one another.

Her Turn

Directed by Melissa Skirboll

A mature woman’s coming-of-age story, HER TURN follows the day of a devoted but embattled wife/mother as she packs up her family home of 25+ years for the inevitable downsize - she finds herself in a full-on face-off with her past, abandoned dreams, and her bearing with her beloved family, and makes an unexpected turn. Charged with humor, this poignant drama delves into themes of family, marriage, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+, and getting older.

The Big Picture

Directed by Pam Matew 

Reunion

Directed by Eros Guillermo Molina

An anxious alcoholic returns home from rehab and must make amends with his traumatized brother.

Cowboy Boots

Directed by Eric K Delehoy

Jack, a gay cowboy from Nebraska, finds anything but the promised land he envisioned when he visits a San Francisco gay club for the first time.

KOI

Directed by Taige Shi 

A newly-divorced Chinese immigrant and his son move to the Great Lakes area. The father, Lee Huan, starts a fishing business that catches only Asian Carp in the local river. However, the son, Lee Long, can't fit into the new environment and doesn't understand his dad's motives. With help from Uncle Kuan, a family friend and biologist, the father and son must confront their differences once and for all.

My Dead Mom

Directed by Chandler Levack, Wendy Litner

MY DEAD MOM explores the complicated and overwhelming nature of grief and the everlasting hold our mothers have on us. With dark wit and aching honesty, the series shows us that we all must learn to become ourselves because of, or perhaps in spite of, our mother’s love. May Emmy’s mom rest in peace. Please.