Director: Tommaso Bolongaro and Alberto Braga

Synopsis: “La Petite Mort” (the little death) refers to an intense state of pleasure following an orgasm, a moment in which the body experiences a sort of temporary death, a loss of self, an abandonment of consciousness, only to rise again, renewed. In this mystical moment, time disappears, the pupils dilate, allowing us to see beyond reality, and we are able to immerse ourselves in what truly makes us human.

Director: Cristian Balint and Béla Baptiste

Synopsis: This music video tells the story of a thug who met a woman that’s more of a gangster than he is.

Director: Lorenzo Follari and Emma Dock

Synopsis: Venus has lost hope in love and decided never to fall in love again. But when a stranger knocks on her door, she immediately forgets her vows and gets caught in a whirlwind of love, sex, and passion… until she is disappointed. Again.

Director: Yana Gukun

Synopsis: In today’s world, where the line between media and real life is often blurred, we face the challenge of not only how society defines us but how we define ourselves. If others can shape our image and qualities through their perspective, can we truly define ourselves? Who are we, really? Why is understanding this so important? And is it even necessary? 

Director: Natalie Peracchio

Synopsis: “The Story of The Cricket Queen” recreates digital media tropes, trends, and aesthetics with analog film techniques.

Director: Dean Moss

Synopsis: A short portrait of disabled dancer and artist’s model Sawami Fukuoka. Referencing a traditional Japanese folk tale, it meditates on the ways one navigates caustic self-doubt. The film’s imagery employs a surrealist tone using collage and animation to illuminate the tension between being and being seen.

Director: Wwenen Lusa

Synopsis: “Mx.” is a title used as a gender-neutral alternative to Mr. or Ms., reflecting inclusivity in gender identity. This film delves into the tension between gender identity and societal expectations, highlighting the quest for selfhood amidst oppression. Through the lens of diverse, non-binary lesbians, it showcases their struggles with physical acceptance, cultural pressures, and homophobia. The narrative emphasizes the symbolic power of costumes and dance as tools for inner awakening and liberation, illustrating the beauty and strength found in diverse identities.

Director: Mija Kembre

Synopsis: A man discovers a mermaid and hides her away in a tank, captivated by her beauty but unaware of her silent pleas. She tries to reach him, but her voice is lost in the language he won’t hear. As the world catches wind of his “discovery” a quiet tension builds.

Director: Eva Wu

Synopsis: Experience this rotating and hypnotic sensory-world, where gyrating nymphs express love beyond your wildest fantasies. Dedicated to parents everywhere who did their very best, this short film is a love letter to the grown children — especially trans, queer, sex working, and otherwise marginalized and criminalized folks — who surpassed their parents, in daring to be bold in pursuit of their best lives.

Director: Nikita Shah

Synopsis: “Sari, Not Sorry” explores the transformative power of the sari through the lens of performance, gender fluidity, and cultural history. The film follows LaWhore Vagistan through a day in New York City, moving between fashion shoots, nightlife gigs, and everyday activities, all while draped in handwoven saris. In a narrative that shifts from day to night, the sari becomes not only a garment but a fluid extension of the body, exploring its potential to empower, disrupt, and transform.