Free for All Shorts
Free For All Shorts runs from Sept. 20 through Sept. 27, 2026.
Jump to a film on this page:
There are 30 films in the shorts program.
AN ACT OF KINDNESS
It was out of an act of kindness that Gladys Siegel, matriarch of Durham's Beth El Synagogue, lived out the last days of her life in peace. When those around her reeled with the news that her son had been taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, Gladys was spared the heartbreak.
AN ORDINARY INSANITY
Renowned whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg provides a powerful wakeup call about the global threat posed by nuclear weapons and advocates how we can dramatically reduce the real and present danger of nuclear annihilation.
AT THE MERCY OF HEAVEN
This film tells the story of Lal Bahadur Pariyar, 72, one of the few of his generation who remained in the land of his forefathers. Through intimate first-person testimony, we hear how Lal Bahadur has held firm against the tides of change: depopulation; urbanisation; economic and social marginalisation. For over 50 years, he’s been on the front line of the water crisis, leading his community in the fight to find water. Only now, in his old age, has he found a steadfast ally…
BECOMING WILD ... a meditation on beauty in the natural world
Becoming Wild … a meditation on beauty in the natural world
In a neighborhood transformed by gentrification and loss of green space, a backyard becomes a sanctuary and a teacher – alive with creatures who ask for nothing more than a place to live. Through seasons of change, Becoming Wild explores how beauty survives—when we choose to nurture it—and how ordinary people can help rebuild the natural world right where they live.
BOLD GOLD
Fast-paced, fun, and visually striking, this handmade stop-motion short brickfilm offers a bold call to action. It urges foundations to unlock more -- or even all -- of their $2 trillion in endowments today to tackle the defining challenges of our era, from the climate crisis to the future of healthcare.
CREATIVE RESOLVE
Creative Resolve explores how solidarity and innovation can transform global health, from Rwanda’s fight against HIV and AIDS activism to smallpox eradication, highlighting resilience and the power of cooperation to confront future crises.
DEMENTIA HAS A PR PROBLEM
Challenging the pervasive narrative of loss, this short documentary explores how shifting our focus from memory to the present moment can unlock profound joy for those living with dementia. The film offers a powerful 'reframe' that empowers us all to move beyond fear and find deep, meaningful connection.
E IS FOR EMPATHY
A childhood act reverberates when faced with a brother’s anger, allowing a young boy to finally experience empathy with a goose.
A collaborative film made in the CTXA 470 Documentary Animation Production class at USC by 14 student directors.
FROM A BALCONY, 90KM UP
A reflective gaze from the balcony of my temporary apartment in Tel Aviv toward the films I shot at my home in Kibbutz Reim, before October 7.
FROM VIOLENCE TO VIRTUE: Colombia's Path to Peace
After more than fifty years of internal armed conflict, Colombia faces a question deeper than any treaty can answer: what does it take to actually rebuild trust between people who were once enemies? From Violence to Virtue traces the country's long, uneven path toward peace. The film makes the case that lasting peace isn't secured by institutions or laws alone, but by countless private decisions to recognize the other person's humanity. It closes without resolution: ex-combatants still being killed, illegal economies still fueling violence in parts of the country, and a nation still learning, region by region, what it means to live alongside people it once called enemies.