Best of the Fests

2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour

Directed by Various

Various, 2025, 1h 40min, DCP, In Various Languages with English Subtitles

Best of the Fests

AFS Cinema

6406 N I-35 Suite 3100 Austin, TX 78752

Showtimes

Sat, Jun 14

Pricing

$13.50 evening / $11 matinee (available M-F for shows before 6 PM)

$4 discounts for all AFS members.

Discounts for AISD educators and local high school & college students are available at the box office with a valid school ID.

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour, presented by Vimeo, is a dynamic showcase of seven standout short films from this year’s Festival, including two Festival Award–winning titles. Curated for theatrical audiences nationwide, the 100-minute program offers an eclectic mix of storytelling that highlights bold voices and fresh perspectives.

Program

AZI / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Montana Mann, Producer: Steven Snyder) — During a weekend vacation with her best friend’s family, 17-year-old Azi gets caught up in an unexpected game with another guest. Cast: Dior Negeen Goodjohn, Breeda Wool, Emma Filley, Dan Thiel. U.S. Fiction.

DEBATERS / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Alex Heller, Producers: Angie Gaffney, Brittani Ward, Amy E. Powell) — In a debate chamber, affluent high schoolers argue a bill on minimum wage in an effort to impress two working-class adult judges. Cast: Sripadh Puligilla, J. Smith-Cameron, Kenneth Lonergan, Bernadette Santos Schwegel. U.S. Fiction.

GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES / Cambodia, France (Director and Screenwriter: Chheangkea, Producers: Daniel Mattes, Karen Madar) — During her chaotic family’s Qingming visit, dead Grandma Nai sneaks away from her peaceful afterlife after overhearing that her Queer grandson is about to get engaged to a woman. Cast: Bonrotanak Rith, Saroeun Nay, Sokun Theary Ty, Phalla Im, Chansophorn Buth, Ponleu Chab. International Fiction. 2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction.

HURIKÁN / Czech Republic (Director and Screenwriter: Jan Saska, Screenwriter: Václav Hašek, Producers: Kamila Dohnalová, Martin Vandas, Alena Vandasová) — Hurikán rushes to save his favorite beer stand from closure by fetching a new keg to impress the bartender he has a crush on. In a wild Prague district, he faces robbers, cops, and his own thirst. Cast: Johana Matoušková, Patrik Velek. Animation.

SUCH GOOD FRIENDS / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Bri Klaproth, Screenwriter and Producer: Jon Walkup, Producer: Rachel Rambaldi) After ending a toxic friendship, a people pleaser finds herself falling into old patterns with her former best friend’s family. Cast: Mindy Sterling, Niamh O’Neill Culhane, Jared Lo Nigro, Rachel Rambaldi. U.S. Fiction.

SUSANA / Mexico, U.S.A. (Directors, Screenwriters, and Producers: Gerardo Coello Escalante, Amandine Thomas, Producers: Mariana Tames, Fernanda Preciado, Hannah Swayze) — A middle-aged American tourist finds herself alone in Mexico City. When she encounters a group of young Americans, she jumps at the opportunity for a little adventure. Cast: Bonnie Hellman Brown, Christine Spang, Parth Shah, Keenan MacWilliam, Andrea Raggio, Richard Laite. U.S. Fiction.

WE WERE THE SCENERY / U.S.A. (Director: Christopher Radcliff, Producers: Cathy Linh Che, Jess X. Snow) In 1975, Hoa Thi Le and Hue Nguyen Che fled from Vietnam by boat and docked in the Philippines, where they were utilized as background extras during the filming of Apocalypse Now. U.S. Nonfiction. Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction.

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