Documentary Shorts

Experience stories from urgent, powerful and moving true-life stories at the Documentary Shorts Program!

Approximate Runtime: 98 mins

A NEW INFERNO
Filmed during the hottest days of Phoenix, Arizona’s summer heatwave, A New Inferno follows paramedics as they race to save the lives of heatstroke victims using a radical new treatment: ice immersion therapy. Directed by Nita Blum-Reddick & Jonathan Pickett, 2026, USA, 16 mins.

LA TIERRA DEL VALOR (THE HOME OF THE BRAVE)
In the summer of 2025, ICE agents conducted sweeping immigration raids across Los Angeles. As migrant communities were pushed into hiding, singer Vanessa Hernandez, professionally known as Nezza, stepped into the light. Invited to perform the national anthem for a Dodgers baseball game, she makes a courageous decision to sing the anthem in Spanish, honoring a community that has been told to make itself unseen. Directed by Cristina Costantini, 2026, USA, 23 mins.

ERUCTATION
Winner! Special Jury Award SXSW
Kaylee, a young woman with extraordinary burping abilities aims to break the female world record of 107.3 decibels, having already hit 110db in practice. Her journey to official recognition unfolds in this unique documentary.  Directed by Victoria Trow, 2026, USA, 6 mins.

RAMÓN WHO SPEAKS TO GHOSTS
After a volcanic eruption, Ramón walks the island of La Palma with his microphone, looking for ghosts. Directed by Shervin Kermani, 2025, Spain/Canada/Mexico, In Spanish with English subtitles, 8 mins.

BORROWED FROM THE EARTH
Throughout their histories, both horse and Indigenous people have been corralled. Fences put horses in pens and the Blackfeet on reservations, attempts to subdue both were also successful in strengthening connection between horse and man. Directed by Zach Johaneson, 2025, USA, 15 mins.

WATER COOLER
Winner! Best Short Documentary, Palm Springs Short Film Festival
The Trump administration has turned immigration courts into deportation traps. As ICE agents wait to arrest their targets outside of courtrooms, their banal conversations clash with the severity of their actions. Directed by Emma V.F., 2026, USA, 12 mins.

A WOLF IN THE SUBURBS
Welcome to Mississauga, where lawns are clipped, neighbors are watchful and no blade of grass dares misbehave. Except at Wolf Ruck’s place.  His lawn grows wild and so does trouble. Directed by Amélie Hardy, 2026, Canada, 18 mins.