A Friend of Dorothy – Lee Knight  

2026 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE

Lee Knight (United Kingdom), A Friend of Dorothy, Film Short – Oscar-nominee Knight brings remarkable warmth and insight to A Friend of Dorothy, a deeply affecting and finely realized story about the unexpected connections that can transform a life. Anchored by a richly layered performance from BAFTA-winner Miriam Margolyes, the film follows an elderly widow facing increasing isolation, who forms an unlikely friendship with a teen struggling to find his place in the world. Through their shared love of theatre and self-expression, the two discover the understanding, encouragement and sense of belonging they have each been missing. A chance encounter that evolves into a profound bond of companionship and renewed purpose.  At the heart is Margolyes’ exquisite portrayal of Dorothy, matched by a breakout performance from Alistair Nwachukwu, whose sincerity ground JJ’s journey with quiet power. BAFTA-nominee Stephen Fry adds further dimension bringing wit and nuance that enrich the film’s emotional landscape.

Complementing the story is Award-winning composer Stuart Hancock’s (BAFTA-nominated Kinsuke’s Kingdom, BBC’s Atlantis) truly beautiful and evocative score, which gently underscores the film’s most tender and pivotal moments and enhancing the entire piece with emotional precision.  Heartfelt, poignant and ultimately uplifting celebration of compassion, connection, and the enduring impact one person can have on another’s life. Co-stars Oscar Lloyd (Doctor Who).

She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley – Abby Ginzberg

Abby Ginzberg (USA), She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley, Doc Short – From Peabody Award-winning director and Emmy Silver Circle inductee Abby Ginzberg comes a powerful, intimate look at Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Stepping away from detached political analysis, Ginzberg draws viewers into the deeply personal journey of a leader who has spent her career defying expectations. Through quiet, reflective moments and masterful observational storytelling, the film captures Pressley as both an influential public figure and a private individual—shaped by her past, driven by conviction, and amplified by a voice that challenges who belongs in the halls of power.

With a patient, empathetic directorial eye, Ginzberg and her crew allow Pressley’s natural presence, cadence, and truth to guide the narrative. The result is an immediate, vulnerable film revealing a woman whose life is defined by perseverance, identity, and fierce self-determination. Crafted with the clarity and sensitivity characteristic of Ginzberg’s acclaimed body of work, this short documentary is a potent testament to courage and representation

Reflection – Daniel Robichaud

Daniel Robichaud (USA), Reflection, Animation – An emotionally resonant animated short by renowned animator Robichaud (The Fifth Element, Titanic) follows Faceless Greg, a solitary figure who discovers in his mirror a vibrant world containing everything missing from his life: color, wonder and adventure that call his name. Through expressive, beautiful animation and carefully observed visual metaphor, the film moves from quiet stillness into a threshold moment, as he is drawn across the mirror’s surface into a living dream where beauty blooms and danger takes shape. When he returns, he finds that fragments of that world have begun to seep into his reality, quietly altering the way he sees and experiences his own life.

Robichaud uses movement, light, and subtle shifts in form to externalize an internal transformation that is at once intimate and universal. In the film’s final turn, Greg’s own face begins to bloom, suggesting that identity is not fixed but awakened—shaped by the courage to cross into the unknown and return changed. Wordless yet emotionally articulate, the film relies on rhythm and visual composition rather than dialogue, allowing its emotional impact to build through sensation rather than explanation. The result is a contemplative piece that lingers, inviting that emptiness can become the seed of transformation.

Phillip Large (USA), LOVE DOES NOT ASK, LGBTQ+ Theme – Emmy-winner Large’s beautiful, AI spoken-word short blends poetic narration and cinematic imagery to present love far beyond labels or fear. Shifting visual metaphors explore unconditional romance and raw vulnerability. Highly atmospheric and moving, it delivers a deeply emotional portrait of modern  intimacy, proving truth is felt rather than explained in a fractured world.

Stuart Hancock (United Kingdom), A Friend of Dorothy, Original Score – Renowned award-winning composer Hancock (BAFTA-nominated ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, BBC’s Atlantis) creates a pitch-perfect musical accompaniment – with a score that is tender, deeply emotional and subtly woven into the film, carrying its intimacy through gentle themes, poignant moments and soaring warmth that lingers long after the final frame.

Dariush Rezaei (Iran), A New Day, AI Film – A teen discovers an AI update that turns text into real life objects. Initially fun, an accidental input escalates into something dramatically dark and beyond his control. Ultimately, it is a cautionary tale about humanity, where technology moves faster than understanding, where imagination becomes immediate reality and a moral gap exists between intent, compassion and awareness.

Peter Klomp, UEFA (Switzerland), UEFA Take Care Web Series: Youth Health & Well-being, Web Series – This powerful series harnesses football’s global power to inspire healthier youth lifestyles. Through heartwarming, compelling stories across six themes, it delivers a massive emotional impact, equipping youth with life-changing tools. Masterfully turns sport into a force for well-being. Narration Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh.

Juliana Kova (Spain), Gloria, AI Film – During routine police questioning, an elderly, colorful Barcelona woman reveals a handbag of impossible objects tied to city legends. Her vivid tales pull officers into a world where humor, fantasy, and memory blur. This brilliant, utterly delightful and charming film turns the ordinary into extraordinary, offering a playful, heartwarming ode to a city where identity is as fluid as storytelling.

George Vatistas and David M. Night Maire (USA), The Hobbyist, Film Short – A stylish neo-noir thriller follows a man seeking poison from a mysterious druggist where a calculated request transforms into a tense psychological cat-and-mouse game. Striking lighting and magnetic performances build sharp suspense, twisting a simple choice into a shocking outcome. Robert W. Smith (Rehab Cabin) and Daniel Mitura (Launch at Paradise).

Alba Enid Garcia (USA), Dangerously Ever After, Animation – This charming stop-motion breaks stereotypes with a creative concept and utterly engaging characters. Beyond its plot of a danger-loving princess, the film shines through meticulous craft, featuring whimsical sets and a rich aesthetic. Delightfully imaginative, this short delivers a memorable impact that celebrates unexpected friendship in a fierce, funny world.

Lulu Oparanozie (USA), Desperately Seeking Commitment, Film Short – This quirky romantic comedy follows Sophie, whose wild schemes to force destiny with a subway crush land her in mediation court. The film blends hilarious, playful twists with a compelling emotional impact as her fantasy crumbles into a reality about letting go. Highly engaging and delightful. Stars: Margherita Barbieri, Tyler Ham Pong.

Samaritan’s Purse (USA), Hear Our Cry: Rebuilding the Churches of South Sudan, Doc Short – This emotionally sweet documentary captures war-torn communities overcoming trauma to rebuild destroyed churches. A moving story of hope and resilience, it highlights the massive emotional impact of restoring faith, broken lives and community after the horrors of a civil war. Visually powerful, uplifting, and inspiring.

Hayden Wallace (United Kingdom), A Case Full of Dreams, Young Filmmaker 17 years and younger – This surreal arthouse short from a 17-year old filmmaker – follows a young man questioning his routine as reality blurs with dreamlike visions of freedom. Exploring lost ambition and the search for meaning, the narrative delivers emotional interest and psychological depth. It showcases a talented young filmmaker with a maturity far beyond his years.

Abby Ginzberg (USA), She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley, African American Theme, Women Theme

Ali Sabokbar and Erfan Hosseini (Iran), Gladiator Baby, Script / Writer

Arnau Argemi Gonzalez (Spain), Waves of Tomorrow: The Bogue Run, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Daniel Robichaud (USA), Reflection, Sound: Overall Impact, Special Effects: Animation

Ethan Sinconis (USA), Past Present Futura, Documentary Short (Student)

George Vatistas and David M. Night Maire (USA), The Hobbyist, Actor: Leading (Robert W. Smith as The Druggist)

Hayden Wallace (United Kingdom), A Case Full Of Dreams, Cinematography (Student)

Ilie Stepan (Romania), The Guardian Angels, AI Film, Experimental

 

Jennifer DiMarco, Blue Forge Films (USA), Good Bones, Original Song (Green (Nathan’s Song)  by The Helena Troy Project)

Jesse Edwards (USA), Robbery at the Rockvale Theatre, Movie Trailer

Juliana Kova (Spain), Gloria, Creativity / Originality, Humor / Humorist

Kelly Joe Richardson (USA), Annabel Lee, Original Score

Law Jones (USA), The Battle of Red / Blue, AI Film

Leonard Alecu (Romania), Ice Breath, Cinematography, Experimental, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Lulu Oparanozie (USA), Desperately Seeking Commitment, Cinematography, Editing, Women Filmmakers

Lynn Elliott (USA), Kochma Kote!  Nightmare Place! EPISODE 5: THE BOY WHO EARNED HIS MAGIC., Television – Program Series

 

Paul Crowder (USA), Mississippi Rising, Music Video, Film Short, Original Score

Peter Klomp, UEFA (Switzerland), UEFA Take Care Web Series: Youth Health & Well-being, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Philippe Verichoux (France), LUMEN SILENTII – THE LIGHT OF SILENCE, Cinematography, Experimental, Film Short, Original Score

Phillip Large (USA), LOVE DOES NOT ASK, LGBTQ+ Filmmaker, Music Video

Rik Zak (Canada), FIRE WATER AIR BLOOD, Music Video, Post-Production Overall, Direction

Ross Raventos (USA), A Sleeper’s Silence, Film Short

Steve Horswill Johnston (USA), Sarah, Christian Theme

Yata Chusakultanachai and Dr.Alongkot Chookaew, KIS International School Bangkok (Thailand), The Vanishing One, Story of Silence, Scales and Survival, Documentary Short (Student)

Yuriy Ermyakov (Russia), The Dream That Stayed, AI Film, Children / Family Programming

 

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