12th Annual Event Showcases 24 Short-Form Independent Films
Streaming July 10–21 on All PBS Digital Platforms
Click Here to Watch the Trailer
ARLINGTON, Va. – June 29, 2023 – June 29, 2023 – The Webby Award-winning PBS Short Film Festival returns Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 21, to all PBS and station digital platforms, including PBS.org, YouTube and the PBS App. The 2023 festival, themed “Stories in Bloom,” will feature 24 short-form independent films. These eye opening and uplifting stories centered around growth and creating new perspectives, celebrate identity, culture, family, society, and the environment.
“Every year, the PBS Short Film Festival seeks new ways to celebrate various filmmakers from across the country,” said Taryn Jackson, Director, Audience Engagement at PBS. “This year’s festival theme, ‘Stories in Bloom,’ is intended to plant seeds of inspiration for future filmmakers and champion the growing and changing narratives that blossom from participants each festival.”
The PBS Short Film Festival is part of a multiplatform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent filmmakers from across the country and amplify the voices of diverse content creators. Since its inception in 2012, hundreds of films celebrating love, acceptance, family, strength, equality, friendship, loyalty and more have been presented under the festival’s banner.
Starting on Monday, July 10, audiences can watch and share all films. In addition, a panel of sixjury members will select their favorite film of the festival for the Juried Prize.
Jury members are respected professionals in independent film and public media and wereinvited by PBS to participate. This year’s jury members include Eric Gulliver, producer and editor, WGBH; Simon Kilmurry, executive director, International Documentary Association; Mike Sargent, producer and host, Reelworld/Nightshift; Antonia Thornton, artist programs coordinator, Firelight Media; Adnaan Wassey, digital media executive, formerly of POV; and Judith Vecchione, executive producer, WGBH Educational Foundation.
Films featured in the PBS Short Film Festival have been selected and provided by 16 public media partners and PBS member stations. This year’s lineup includes films from Black Public Media, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Independent Television Service (ITVS), Latino Public Broadcasting, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), POV, Reel South, Vision Maker Media, and WORLD Channel, as well as PBS local member stations, Alabama Public Television (APTV), KLRU-TV Austin PBS, Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB), Maryland Public Television/MPT Digital Studios, WQED (Pittsburgh), WHUT (Howard University) and WPSU-TV (Penn State).
Generating more than 12 million streams over the course of the festival’s history, the PBS Short Film Festival continues to be an engaging annual digital event.
For more information and updates on the PBS Short Film Festival, visit www.pbs.org/filmfestival. Viewers are also encouraged to engage in online conversation by tagging @PBS and using #PBSFilmFest on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Below is the full list of short films featured in the 2023 PBS Short Film Festival, separated into the six presenting categories.
ENVIRONMENT
Independent Television Service (ITVS):“Everything Wrong and Nowhere to Go”
Sindha Agha dives into the field of “climate psychology,” signing herself up for therapy with prominent eco-therapist Leslie Davenport, documenting their sessions together and chronicling her own unfolding exploration of climate change and emotional interiority.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB): “Plum Town”
This film tells the story of a young land developer who returns to his childhood home in the Chinese countryside for the first time in a decade to convince his stubborn father to finally sell the failing plum orchard.
Pacific Islanders in Communications: “IDODO”
Based on a local legend from Papua New Guinea, where the director was born, IDODO retells the story of how reef fish got their beautiful coloring. Long ago the fish transformed into humans and came onto land to celebrate and dance. Once the sun set, they hurried back into the sea, leaving behind a big mess. The villagers of one island seek out who those uninvited visitors were and make a discovery that amazes and mesmerizes them.
Pacific Islanders in Communications: “Kumu Niu”
The island of O'ahu is covered with coconut palms, but for fear of liability the vast majority of these sacred trees have been stripped of coconuts. The grassroots movement "Niu Now" is on a mission to restore the ""niu,"" or coconut, as a fundamental food crop in Hawai'i and spread the Indigenous wisdom of "aloha 'āina:" loving land and serving people.
CULTURE
Independent Television Service (ITVS): “Folk Frontera”
Folk Frontera is a surrealist documentary about life in the borderlands that span the vast, remote Chihuahuan Desert.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB): “The Funeral Band”
On his first day as the newest member of a dysfunctional brass band John, a now teenager displaced by Hurricane Katrina, learns all about the unique community he's been disconnected from and the traditions that follow them to the grave.
Reel South: “Miss Chelove”
Artist Cita Sadeli, also known as MISS CHELOV, shares stories from her life growing up in the punk and graffiti scenes in Washington D.C.
WHUT (Howard University): “DC's Shoe: The Origin of New Balance in Washington D.C.”
“DC's Shoe” is a documentary short by Jacob Garibay and a visual history of New Balance in Washington, D.C. The film interviews D.C. natives to help understand the culture that caused a “running” shoe to make the organic transition into a true lifestyle silhouette for the city in the early 80s.
FAMILY
Independent Television Service (ITVS): “Brother”
A filmmaker talks with her brother during his recovery from opioid use disorder, shedding light on the origins of his addiction and our broken rehabilitation system.
WPSU-TV (Penn State): “Stories from St. Metz”
Fred and Lee Metzger didn’t realize just how unconventional their childhood was. Decades later, the brothers reflect on an upbringing that, while wildly unorthodox, taught them life lessons on hard work, having a sense of humor, and the importance of family.
WQED: “New Beginnings”
Sofia Caloiero, a college Junior, spends an afternoon making biscotti with her grandmother Vittoria, who immigrated to the U.S. from Calabria, Italy. Vittoria shares the story of her arrival in this country, her life as a new bride, and the joy of raising her family.
IDENTITY
Alabama Public Television (APTV): “Last Call Baking”
After launching from Chanah Willis' apartment at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Last Call Baking Co. has opened shop, feeding Birmingham, AL fresh, unusual, and aesthetically delightful baked goods.
Black Public Media: “Be Heard: I Am Who I Say I Am”
“Be Heard: I Am Who I Say I Am” is a digital-first project that captures the stories of three people who span the gender identity spectrum.
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM): “Lucky Fish”
A narrative coming-of-age short film about two Asian American teenagers who meet in the bathroom of a Chinese restaurant while having dinner with their families.
Maryland Public Television (MPT)/MPT Digital Studios:“Lucie and Annie”
Lucie and Annie discuss their struggle to become married and encourage others to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Vision Maker Media:“Two Bears”
Casey TwoBears is a Marine Corps veteran, ex-junkie, and former county inmate. While working as a janitor for a boxing gym, Casey volunteers to be the sparring partner for the local “champ” in order to prove his worth as a warrior in the ring, but also to prove himself as the modern warrior that his daughter and granddaughter can depend on.
SOCIETY
Austin PBS: “Box: The Impossible Puzzle”
A simple box with an unusual locking mechanism challenges guests who attempt to solve it.
Black Public Media: “A Little Off the Top”
An animated documentary, featuring three black barbers providing words of wisdom to a teen customer.
POV: “Under G-D”
The Dobbs U.S. Supreme Court decision sparked a national Jewish response. Inspired by the lived experiences of Jewish women, lawsuits are currently being launched by rabbis, Jewish organizations, and interfaith leaders to challenge the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Reel South: “WINN”
After experiencing neglect and traumatic loss while pregnant in prison, Pamela Winn becomes an activist, leading hundreds of thousands to support the Dignity Bill to end the shackling of pregnant people in prison.
INSPIRATION
Alabama Public Television (APTV): “Monograph: Guadalupe Robinson”
After 40 years at the potter’s wheel, Guadalupe Lanning Robinson still finds excitement and discovery in her craft. Based in Huntsville, Ala., since 1985, working with clay has kept her tied to her Mexican roots.
Austin PBS: “Dream Carriers”
Framed through the migration of monarch butterflies, a college-bound Chicana reflects on the generations of women before her.
Latino Public Broadcasting: “Bertie the Brilliant”
A young boy takes on more chores and odd jobs around his neighborhood to raise money for a ticket to a magic show, but when his grandma loses her job, he is faced with a difficult decision.
WQED: “Cartoon Academy: Welcome to the Ocean Floor”
Dive deep with Joe Wos by drawing an octopus, blobfish, and anglerfish. Learn about the importance of depth and dimension.
About PBS Short Film Festival
Since its inception in 2012, the PBS Short Film Festival, formerly called the PBS Online Film Festival, has showcased independent films of all genres. The festival, now in its twelfth year, features short films created by PBS member stations, ITVS, POV and a wide variety of public television producers. Each year the films highlight topics like social injustice, religion, addiction, public policy, love and other subjects inspiring to the filmmakers. Throughout the festival, viewers can watch, love and share their favorite films on a variety of platforms. At the close of the festival, a prize is awarded to the film chosen by the hand-picked jury. The 2023 PBS Short Film Festival represents a celebration of independent films and filmmaking, and a love for the craft. For more information, visit www.pbs.org/filmfestival.
About PBS
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