Program  

Tennis, Oranges  
A robotic vacuum suffering from burnout quits its job at a hospital and sets out to find community and a greater purpose on a quiet street where two lonely rabbits are stuck in perpetual loops. (Sean Pecknold, USA, animation, 11 minutes)

Art21: Amy Sherald  
In 2018, when former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama selected Amy Sherald to paint the former First Lady’s portrait, she moved from being a virtual unknown to one of the most talked-about artists in the world. Beyond her most well-known work, she has been painting portraits of everyday people with dignity and humanity with the belief that images can change the world. (Ian Forster, USA, documentary, 15 minutes)

Dawn Every Day 
Set in 1956, 8-year-old Nabil navigates through new social norms he cannot fathom that impact his neighbor and best friend in post nationalized Egypt. The story takes place during a complicated and difficult moment in Egypt’s history and is told from the point of view of Nabil who is determined not to lose his friend. (Amir Youssef, Egypt/USA, narrative, 20 minutes)

At First Sight 
A poignant tale of serendipity and heartbreak, At First Sight follows the fateful encounter between a man and a woman whose lives intertwine in a single, life-altering moment. Drawn together by an inexplicable force, they experience love at first sight, only to have their bond tragically severed by a sudden accident moments later. They are granted a brief glimpse into an alternate reality, where they explore the depths of their connection and envision the future they could have shared. (Kate Harpootlian, USA, screen dance, 8 minutes)

Assemblages 
An animation exploring core memories through the objects that trigger them, including digital stop motion, found footage, found objects, collage, image composites, visual effects, and sound effects. (Martin Mulcahy, USA, experimental, 9 minutes)

6 minutes per kilometer  
In rhythm with the footsteps of her Atikamekw ancestors, Catherine, a multidisciplinary Atikamekw Nehirowisiw artist based in Odanak, immerses us in the dreamlike universe of her morning runs. (Catherine Boivin (Abenaki), Canada, experimental, 3 minutes)

Polemos
Highlights the centuries-long battle for freedom and independence in Ukraine. Throughout history, Ukraine has given birth to warriors whose worldview was based on the desire for freedom and the willingness to give up everything for it, even their lives. The generations of warriors depicted in the film are manifestations of the same tradition, in which the fight for freedom is the most important principle. (Evgen Brooks, Ukraine, narrative, 12 minutes)

Jerusalema: From Austria to Zimbabwe 
A loving look back at a viral phenomenon that burst out during the COVID pandemic: The Jerusalema Dance Challenge. (Su Friedrich, USA, documentary, 8 minutes) 

Image caption: Still from Catherine Boivin’s 6 minutes per kilometer, courtesy of the Thomas Edison Film Festival