The Auteur
An aspiring actress, desperate to land a film role so she may avoid deportation back to her Russian village, needs
Celestial
After being promised freedom for a search mission, Tara awakens on a planet that disturbingly mirrors Earth. As her perception
My Friend Sam
Singer-songwriter Regina Spektor’s life changed forever when, as a child, she was taken under the wings of musicians Sonia Vargas
Secret Garden
Within each of us there is a secret space where violent battles take place, that houses the most secret confrontations
Atlantic Shadows
Atlantic Shadows is the second chapter in the cinematic journey connecting New York City and Valencia — but this time,
The Three Of Us
Three friends reunite for what is meant to be the last night of their lives. They plan a painless death,
Still Here
A young girl reflects on the changes in her life after her brother moved to college. Directed by Sofia Peypoch
Unseen
Elina goes on a blind date, only to realize that it might not be the date she imagined. Directed by
A Descent into the Maelstrom
When a seasoned Norwegian fisherman and his two brothers venture out for what should be a routine expedition, they find
Bayla
Bayla follows a dancer through the ups and downs of her career: the successes, but also the frustrations and uncertainty.
Trayizon
Infamous Drug Lord Dawn Douroux takes over her father’s legacy. Soon, Dawn will have to face many hardships in her
Digging for Dignity: Chinese Dark Comedy “How to Rebury Your Friend” Named Best Short of January 2026
A striking and darkly funny short, “How to Rebury Your Friend” follows two men on a simple reburial mission in rural China, only to find grief turning into a negotiation, and loyalty tested by forces far bigger than themselves.
Other Standout Winners of January 2026
January 2026’s Award of Excellence winners—“Breaking the Tide,” “Dog’s Life,” and “Kukuk: A Romani Soul Unbroken”—showcase three distinct cinematic voices, united by craft, ambition, and emotional impact.
Short Script Competition of January 2026
Five standout short scripts explore the modern anxieties of love, power, survival, and identity: from AI-driven confession traps and corporate extraction to post-war trauma, predatory cycles, and dark domestic obsession.