FILTER FILMS BY GENRE

Dream Carriers

A college-bound Chicana tells the story of the migration of monarch butterflies.

Miss Chelove

Artist MISS CHELOVE shares stories from her life growing up in the D.C. punk scene.

New Beginnings

Sofia bonds with her Italian grandmother by sharing stories and making biscotti.

Cartoon Academy: Welcome to the Ocean Floor

Joe Wos teaches the importance of depth and dimension by drawing ocean animals.

DC's Shoe: The Origin of New Balance in Washington DC

A visual history of the New Balance shoe culture in Washington, DC.

Brother

A filmmaker's intimate phone calls with her brother explore his fragile recovery from opioid addiction.

Lucie and Annie

Lucie and Annie discuss the history of their LGBTQ+ activism in Maine.

Under G-D

Jewish community members challenge the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Be Heard: I Am Who I Say I Am

This documentary series captures three personal stories about navigating gender identity.

Lucky Fish

Two Asian-American teens meet in a Chinese restaurant's bathroom during family dinner.

Folk Frontera

Fronteriza women navigate dual cultures while living in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Everything Wrong and Nowhere to Go

A comedic self-portrait delving into climate psychology and coping with climate anxiety.

Box: The Impossible Puzzle

A simple box with an unusual locking mechanism challenges guests who attempt to solve it.

A Little Off the Top

An animated documentary where three black barbers provide words of wisdom to a teen customer.

WINN

Pamela Winn fights to end the shackling of incarcerated pregnant people in Georgia.

Last Call Baking

Birmingham native Chanah Willis shares delicious works of art through Last Call Baking Co.

Bertie the Brilliant

While raising money for a magic show ticket, a boy faces a tough choice when his grandma loses her job.

Kumu Niu

"Niu Now" revives coconut culture in O'ahu, spreading Indigenous wisdom of "aloha 'āina."

Two Bears

Veteran janitor fights to prove himself as a warrior and a dependable family man.

Stories from St. Metz

An eccentric upbringing shapes brothers' life lessons about hard work, humor and family.

Monograph: Guadelupe Robinson

After 40 years at the potter’s wheel, Guadalupe Lanning Robinson still finds excitement and discovery in her craft. Based in Huntsville, AL since 1985, working with clay has kept her tied to her Me...

Plum Town

A young land developer returns home to the family plum orchard in the Chinese countryside.

The Funeral Band

A new member of a dysfunctional brass band learns all about his unique community.

About the Festival

Now in its 12th year, the PBS Short Film Festival is a celebration of independent films and filmmaking. Join us in exploring an incredible selection from talented filmmakers, showcasing films about family, identity, culture, inspiration, society and more.
About the Festival

Explore the Behind the Lens Blog

Q&A: Gina Basso Speaks With Director, Producer Paula Eiselt About Her Film 'Under G-d'
Q&A: Gina Basso Speaks With Director, Producer Paula Eiselt About Her Film 'Under G-d'
by POV Shorts | July 12, 2023
"Under G-d" Director and Producer Paula Eiselt shares her experience documenting the impact of Roe v. Wade on the Jewish community in her interview with Gina Basso.
'Brother' Filmmaker Joanna Rudnick on How We Feed Our 'Hungry Ghosts' and the Misunderstood Pain Behind Addiction
'Brother' Filmmaker Joanna Rudnick on How We Feed Our 'Hungry Ghosts' and the Misunderstood Pain Behind Addiction
by Ivonne Spinoza | July 07, 2023
"Brother" filmmaker Joanna Rudnick discusses the intimate portrayal of addiction in her interview with Ivonne Spinoza.
Filmmaker of 'Lucie and Annie' Amy Oden Speaks with Cooper Reed on LGBTQ+ Rights in Maine
Filmmaker of 'Lucie and Annie' Amy Oden Speaks with Cooper Reed on LGBTQ+ Rights in Maine
by Amy Oden | July 07, 2023
Amy Oden chats with Cooper Reed about the film “Lucie and Annie” and LGBTQ+ rights in Maine.
Filmmaker Feature: 'WINN' Creators Work as a Team to Create Inspiring, Winning Short Film
Filmmaker Feature: 'WINN' Creators Work as a Team to Create Inspiring, Winning Short Film
by Heather Nunerley | Reel South | July 07, 2023
Before the PBS online streaming premiere, Reel South Digital Producer Heather Nunerley connected with the filmmakers to highlight the behind-the-scenes details of the film's creation.
Filmmaker Q&A with 'Plum Town' Director, Kelly Yu
Filmmaker Q&A with 'Plum Town' Director, Kelly Yu
by Jonathan Nickens | July 07, 2023
Jonathan Nickens interviews director Kelly Yu about her inspiration and experience creating “Plum Town.”
Filmmaker Q&A with Nicholas Manuel Pino, Director of 'The Funeral Band'
Filmmaker Q&A with Nicholas Manuel Pino, Director of 'The Funeral Band'
by Jonathan Nickens | July 07, 2023
Jonathan Nickens interviews Director Nicholas Manuel Pino about his film “The Funeral Band.”
‘BeHEARD! I Am Who I Say I Am,’ Offers Personal Stories of Why Gender Affirmation Matters
‘BeHEARD! I Am Who I Say I Am,’ Offers Personal Stories of Why Gender Affirmation Matters
by Cheryl D. Fields | July 07, 2023
Cheryl D. Fields from Black Public Media talks with "BeHEARD! I Am Who I Say I Am" director, Sophia Clark, about their approach to making a film on the timely topic of gender affirmation.
In ‘A Little Off the Top,’ a Teen Finds Brotherly Love in a Barber’s Chair
In ‘A Little Off the Top,’ a Teen Finds Brotherly Love in a Barber’s Chair
by Cheryl D. Fields | July 07, 2023
Cheryl D. Fields from Black Public Media talks with ‘A Little Off the Top' Director, William D. Caballero, about his journey making the animated short.
Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn on the Artificial Construct of the Border and the Borderlands Culture in 'Folk Frontera'
Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn on the Artificial Construct of the Border and the Borderlands Culture in 'Folk Frontera'
by Ivonne Spinoza | July 07, 2023
Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn chat with Ivonne Spinoza about their film journeys and how "Folk Frontera" came to be.
Filmmaker Interview: Sara T. Gama of 'Miss Chelove' Wants Us to Hear From Diverse Voices
Filmmaker Interview: Sara T. Gama of 'Miss Chelove' Wants Us to Hear From Diverse Voices
by Heather Nunerley | Reel South | July 07, 2023
Reel South Digital Producer Heather Nunerley connected with film director Sara T. Gama to get insight to the creation of the short.

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