Posted by Alongside the top honor of the season awarded to Zimbabwean drama Rise, written and directed by Jessica J. Rowlands, the February 2026 round of Independent Shorts Awards also highlighted two additional projects that impressed the jury with their originality, strong performances, and distinctive storytelling voices. From thought-provoking science fiction to intimate character-driven drama, these films reflect the diversity and artistic ambition that continue to define independent filmmaking.
Two films receiving the Award of Excellence this month are Edgar: Enhanced Data Gathering Analysis Robot, written and directed by Virginia de Witt (USA), and Five Things to Love, written and directed by Makenna Perkal (USA). Both works explore deeply personal themes while offering unique cinematic perspectives, standing out among the February selections for their emotional resonance and compelling narratives.
Edgar: Enhanced Data Gathering Analysis Robot) by Virginia de Witt (USA)
Set in a near-future desert landscape, Edgar: Enhanced Data Gathering Analysis Robot follows a suicidal woman who finds herself in conversation with an AI android designed to resemble her estranged father. As they discuss life, love, and loss, the world around them unfolds in quietly surreal ways—including a neighbor absorbed in his passion for tap dancing. Through this unusual premise, the film blends science fiction with deeply human themes, using technology not as spectacle but as a mirror for unresolved relationships and emotional longing.
Written and directed by Virginia de Witt, the film approaches its story with a distinctive sensibility inspired by classic 1960s science fiction while engaging with contemporary conversations surrounding artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing on technological spectacle, the narrative explores memory, grief, and the fragile connections that define human identity.
The production was shot on analog film in collaboration with cinematographer Marcin Szocinski, embracing the tactile qualities of celluloid to contrast with the futuristic subject matter. The project was also selected by the Academy Award–winning team behind Anora, together with NEON and Kodak, as part of an initiative supporting filmmakers who continue working with traditional film formats.
Produced on a $17,000 budget and running 14 minutes, the film features de Witt herself alongside veteran actor Robert Morgan. The project reflects the filmmaker’s ongoing interest in stories that explore the intersection between technology and human relationships, delivered through a visually distinctive and emotionally reflective approach.
Five Things to Love by Makenna Perkal (USA)
Five Things to Love tells the story of Maggie, a young woman struggling with alcoholism who must confront her grief and the consequences of her addiction in order to rebuild her life. After a particularly difficult night that lands her in jail, Maggie finally begins to acknowledge the truth she has long avoided—that she needs help. The film follows her difficult path toward recovery as she searches for strength through friendship, loss, and the possibility of rediscovering her voice.
Written and directed by Makenna Perkal, the film is part of Sitting With It, a research-based anthology project exploring mental health through narrative storytelling. Each installment in the series examines different psychological struggles with the goal of encouraging empathy and understanding for those navigating mental illness. In this chapter, the focus is on substance use disorder and the emotional distortions that can emerge from addiction.
Perkal, a filmmaker originally from Austin, Texas and now based in Los Angeles, approaches storytelling with a strong focus on empathy and social awareness. Through her production company, Anamorphosis Productions, she develops independent films and series that explore complex human experiences and amplify voices that are often unheard.
Filmed in Los Angeles and Orange County, California, Five Things to Love was produced as a no-budget independent project and runs 40 minutes. Perkal also leads the cast as Maggie, bringing an intimate and vulnerable performance to a story grounded in emotional authenticity.
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