Section A – 1 pm-2:20 pm

Little Stories, Big Echoes: Beads of Hope

Director/Writer: Dawn Richard

Producers: Chris Hartley and Dawn Richard

Animation, 5 min.

Beads of Hope is a powerful animated short film set in New Orleans, following Dawn, a young Black girl, as she navigates the chaos of a devastating flood that threatens the life of a beloved family member. The story unfolds in a historically Black neighborhood, on the day of Hurricane Katrina—now marking its 20th anniversary.

Facepaint

Director/Writer: Silvana Carranza

Producers: Karsten Otto and Tommy Schutz

Narrative, 15 min.

A party clown with artistic endeavors outside of her day job fights a panic attack during one of her shifts.

The Knife

Director/Writer: Joy Nesbitt

Producers: Grace Odumosu

In The Knife, Ife, a young Black Irish woman, is anxiously awaiting her 20-week pregnancy scan, hoping for good news about her baby’s health. But when the scan reveals unexpected complications, she and her husband, Darragh, are forced to confront a ridiculous reality that will test their trust in the healthcare system.

(G)host Country

Director: Kheyal Roy-Meighoo Writers: Kheyal Roy-Meighoo, Isaac Gazmararian, Koan Roy-Meighoo

Producers: Isaac Gazmararian, Molly Patrick

Animation, 7 min.

Since moving to the UK, international student Kajal has had odd visions. After her concerns are dismissed by her British therapist, Kajal takes matters into her own hands and confronts her haunts.

Missing Rhythms

Director: Regina Hoyles Writer: Aja Houston Producers: Regina Hoyles, Julie Bersani, Toni Adeyemi, Yhá Mourhia Wright

Narrative Short, 15:25 min.

In a mysterious, insane asylum full of missing Black women from all over the country, a woman must use rhythm to remember her true identity and fight being lost forever behind the ominous Blue Door.