With touches of suspense and surprise throughout, Ben Is Back traces the 24 hours of a teenage prodigal son’s return to his family’s home from his sober living community for Christmas.

Superhero dreams are the same in every language: rise, fly, vanquish, triumph! In this utterly charming and beautifully crafted family drama—which won awards at both the Berlin and Edinburgh International Film Festivals—these dreams color the days with joy and hope for a terminally ill girl in coastal Kenya.

This baker’s dozen of short films from all corners of the globe showcases the incredible imagination and inspiration of today’s talented animators. 

This exquisitely animated coming-of-age tale, based on the graphic novel memoir by Colombian-Ecuadorian artist Power Paola, follows Paola from her conception to the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.

Banned in Kenya for “legitimizing lesbianism,” this sweet, coming-of-age love story—the first Kenyan film to ever play at Cannes—is a revelation and an inspiration for all ages and genders.

In the spirit of MVFF’s Mind the Gap gender equity initiative, these short stories all feature fun, fascinating, and feisty young female characters—both real and fictional. 

The Big Bad Fox delivers a trio of winning comedic tales set on an idyllic country farm. 

Banned in Kenya for “legitimizing lesbianism,” this sweet, coming-of-age love story—the first Kenyan film to ever play at Cannes—is a revelation and an inspiration for all ages and genders.

This exquisitely animated coming-of-age tale, based on the graphic novel memoir by Colombian-Ecuadorian artist Power Paola, follows Paola from her conception to the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.

With touches of suspense and surprise throughout, Ben Is Back traces the 24 hours of a teenage prodigal son’s return to his family’s home from his sober living community for Christmas.

On the cusp of her blooming sexuality, 16-year-old Sofía (Demian Hernández in an arresting screen debut) relies upon on her younger peers for youthful exploration and companionship. 

In this peer-reviewed collection of youth-made films, today’s teen filmmakers show us just how much they know about cinema, storytelling, and the world as they see it. 

This baker’s dozen of short films from all corners of the globe showcases the incredible imagination and inspiration of today’s talented animators. 

Superhero dreams are the same in every language: rise, fly, vanquish, triumph! In this utterly charming and beautifully crafted family drama—which won awards at both the Berlin and Edinburgh International Film Festivals—these dreams color the days with joy and hope for a terminally ill girl in coastal Kenya.

A powerful drama addresses not just police brutality but the root causes of the racial inequity and injustice that permeates American society.

Two teenage boys sneak into a West German movie theater hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite pin-up, but come away bowled over by a newsreel depiction of Hungarian students taking to the streets in an effort to drive out the Soviet forces occupying their country. 

In the spirit of MVFF’s Mind the Gap gender equity initiative, these short stories all feature fun, fascinating, and feisty young female characters—both real and fictional. 

Angst is the timely and powerful resource we need to spark important conversations about what we can do about it. 

On the cusp of her blooming sexuality, 16-year-old Sofía (Demian Hernández in an arresting screen debut) relies upon on her younger peers for youthful exploration and companionship. 

A devoted Baptist family whose lives are turned upside down after a malicious phone call outs their teenage son, prompting them to send him to a church-sponsored gay conversion camp.

Two teenage boys sneak into a West German movie theater hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite pin-up, but come away bowled over by a newsreel depiction of Hungarian students taking to the streets in an effort to drive out the Soviet forces occupying their country. 

The Big Bad Fox delivers a trio of winning comedic tales set on an idyllic country farm. 

Inspiring and unflinching look as a family begins the long cycle of rehab and relapse, hope and dread.

A devoted Baptist family whose lives are turned upside down after a malicious phone call outs their teenage son, prompting them to send him to a church-sponsored gay conversion camp.

A powerful drama addresses not just police brutality but the root causes of the racial inequity and injustice that permeates American society.

Join us for a lively medley of animation and live action, curated for audiences of all ages—and for both Spanish and English speakers alike—to enjoy.

On the cusp of her blooming sexuality, 16-year-old Sofía (Demian Hernández in an arresting screen debut) relies upon on her younger peers for youthful exploration and companionship. 

Come early for Day of the Dead face painting, fresh churros and chocolate, and live mariachi music.

In this peer-reviewed collection of youth-made films, today’s teen filmmakers show us just how much they know about cinema, storytelling, and the world as they see it. 

Inspiring and unflinching look as a family begins the long cycle of rehab and relapse, hope and dread.