A Thousand Years  

Directed by Bryce Ferendo  RT 30:20, United States

When Wilbur and Orville Wright's second summer of glider testing goes horribly wrong, they must decide if risking their livelihood in Dayton is really worth the dream of flight.        

Suppressus                                                    

Directed by Grant Jones RT 18:43, United States

Two neuroscientists work to develop a device that regenerates memories blocked out by dissociative amnesia.

Inspired by Shane Carruth's film Primer.

The Seed of Truth                                            

Directed by Annie Geng RT16:45, United States

A prominent Soviet-era scientist is arrested for treason and pressured to sign a confession to save his family. The Soviet regime executes him for openly criticizing disinformation and standing up for scientific truth. At a science award ceremony in 2020 America, his daughter shares their intertwined story--one underscored by unconditional love and the lifelong pursuit of truth. 

It shows the dangers of political interference in science. Through its compelling narrative, the film powerfully communicates the story of how scientists were sacrificed in the name of truth and serves as a warning about the consequences of misinformation and the distortion of scientific facts.

At Present

Directed by Justin Dormitzer RT 4:41, United States, School of Visual Arts

At Present is a motion graphics film about the science of time and the localization of the present. The piece begins with physics, before delving into the mechanics of time perception in the brain, and then finally concluding with an exploration of how time influences our social relationships. Drawing from the teachings of scientists like Carlo Rovelli and Dean Buonomano, the film takes you on a chromatic journey, zooming in from the expansive universe to individual neurons. With audio reactive, retro inspired graphics, it explores how we're all connected in time with no one universal present and no one way to experience time.

The Lights Above

Directed by Luke J Salewski RT 16: 51 United States, USC School of Cinematic Arts

Inspired by historical events. In April 1942, months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, coastal Californians are rife with mounting fears of another attack. Following a string of bizarre sightings of unidentified planes over Los Angeles, a journalist reluctantly teams up with a Japanese-American photographer, determined to uncover the mystery behind the sightings. The film  is a fictionalized story inspired by the "Great LA Air Raid" that occurred on February 25, 1942.

The Undertakers

Directed by Zac Lazarou RT 19:14, United Kingdom, National Film & Television School

African Vultures are the harbingers of death, but they are in crisis. Kerri Wolter's lifelong mission to save them reveals how these villainized creatures are, in fact, the anti-heroes of the natural world.

The Migration Web

Directed by Andre Leo RT 10:04, United Kingdom

With the introduction of a spider from East Asia, the American people are frantically trying to figure out what to make of its arrival. For the spider, it is just trying to build a new future for itself and live the American dream. The Migration Web offers a unique and thought-provoking analogy by exploring the migration of a spider species to America, paralleling human efforts to build new futures and pursue the American dream. The film raises important questions about how humanity views immigration and migration by examining the ecological consequences of invasive species and their impact on native ones.

Mysteries of the Twilight Zone

Directed by Leo Richards RT 21:58 Unites States

The worlds of the deep sea could not be more different, and yet their stories are fundamentally intertwined. The film delves into the Twilight Zone, with poetic tone, while communicating a vast amount of science information, with  great use of varying music to evoke curiosity, intrigue, and even a bit of spookiness.

1001cuts                                                         

Directed by Sarah M Temkin RT 24:15, United States

1001cuts explores the careers of the daughters of Title IX through the experiences of surgeons. Social and cultural change in the 1970's allowed for the opportunity to train and be included into this high-stakes professional environment. This film documents the pervasive stereotypes and gender-based discrimination that persist within workplaces designed for, and still controlled by men. Within medicine and surgery, the failure to apply culture change has had wide ranging impacts on the careers of women, the healthcare system, and the patient care experience. 

The Ecstasy of Microscopy

Directed by Matthew Ellenbogen RT 9:00, United States

This captivating short documentary takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey into the hidden universe within the human body. Guided by a passionate microscopist, we explore the intricate tapestry of life beneath our skin using stunning visuals captured by cutting-edge microscopes. 

We Flow Into the World                                   

Directed by Barnaby Steel & Bianka Hofman RT 6:44, United Kingdom

This film rediscovers the human body as a landscape regardless of gender, age & race. The partners present a behind-the-scenes documentary on the series of audio-immersive and VR installations created in collaboration and driven by their shared amazement about the human body. The works explore interconnectivity between humans, the environment, and digital technology by following the journey of oxygen through the body.

Human Footprint: The Urban Jungle                                          

Directed by Nathan Dappen & Neil Losin RT 54:00, United States  

The modern city might just be our ultimate invention: a whole ecosystem built by us, for us. In The Urban Jungle, Shane meets three species thriving in the city, reckons with our complex history in cities, and envisions a new and wilder urban future. This is beautifully shot and edited film offers a series of fascinating looks at urban wildlife and the symbiosis of humans and other species in the urban environment.

ANORI, Inuit Windsled

Directed by Carlos Pitarco  RT 1:09:23, Spain

With an attentive look and an exciting narrative, the film  immerses audiences in the journey of the "SOS Arctic 2022" expedition, led by the renowned polarist Ramón Larramendi. This documentary shows the bravery of the explorers and scientists embarked on this adventure through Greenland. 

Afghan Dreamers

Directed by David Greenwald RT 1:12:00 (clips only) United States

Afghan Dreamers tells the incredible story of the Afghan Dreamers Girls’ Robotics Team, an unlikely group of Afghan schoolgirls who—led and inspired by Afghan tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob--defied conservative gender roles to compete in robotics… and, in doing so, helped transform a people and nation! 

Photo Credit: Main Image - Wikimedia