Fiction & Documentary Feature Films + Web Series Selected for DCIFF 2026 Forum: Feb 11-16

We are pleased to announce the following exceptional films in competition at the DCIFF Forum, with filmmakers attending to talk about their work after the screening.

Feature Films: Documentary

Aria: On the Edge directed by Karen Day (USA/2025/90mins) A backstage understanding of opera through the personal stories of four singers  —  soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez, mezzo soprano Tahanee Aluwihare, baritone Brian Major and tenor Ben Gulley — as they strive to snag leading roles in premiere operas around the globe. 

Child of Dust directed by Weronika Mliczewska. (Poland/2025/90mins) 

Sang is one of hundreds of thousands unwanted and discriminated children left behind by the American soldiers after the Vietnam War. Sang’s only mission is to meet his ailing dad and break the cycle of war trauma that has plagued generations.

Forever Free and the Illiteracy Playbook directed by Dion Johnson (USA/2026/96mins)Millions of Americans—especially in marginalized communities—struggle with basic literacy, a crisis rooted in generations of educational inequity: literacy as a gateway to civic participation, economic mobility, and personal dignity.

Mercy at the Gates directed by Dan Tarrant (USA?2025/46.27mins). Nick’s harrowing journey from addiction to mercy on the streets of the world’s largest open-air drug market in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

The Magic Lantern directed by Eli Brown (USA/2025/76mins) Marijke Brown learns about her rescue as an infant by the Dutch Underground. This sparks a 30-year odyssey for her and her son, a filmmaker, as they connect to family lost in the Holocaust– and each other.

Velvet Vision – The Story of James Bidgood (and the Making of Pink Narcissus) directed by Bart Everly (USA/2026/98mins) 

Photographer/director James Bidgood’s  1960’s beefcake photographs depicted elaborate fantasy scenarios drenched in lush color that transcended the genre. Falsely attributed to Kenneth Anger and Andy Warhol, among others, it wasn’t until almost twenty years later that Pink Narcissus was revealed to be Jim’s work.

Feature Films: Fiction

Easy Digging  directed by Marissa Macy (USA/2025/99mins). Key Cast: Phillip Andrew Johnson, Mollie Kirby, Adrian Prado, Courtney Hopkin,Ace Manning, Stephanie Vasquez Fonseca, Jennifer Banister, Paul Normandin

A documentary crew follows Ed Brown, a middle-aged building inspector, as he returns to his childhood dream of digging a hole to China. When Ed’s plans go viral and a billionaire investor gets involved, the whole world tunes in. Ed must face why he’s digging this hole, the loss of a childhood friend, his strained relationship with his father, and what it means to attempt the impossible.

The Immigrant’s Wife. directed by Jon Lutz (USA/2026/52mins) Key Cast: Erik Harrison, Ariana Almajan, Kathryn Rheault

1959. Pyotr admires the intelligent, creative television personalities on his favorite science fiction shows. He’s got a few ideas of his own, so why not him, too? Well, for starters, his recently acquired mail-order-bride may have some unexpected opinions of her own!

DARA (A Port Harcourt Love Story?) directed by Kingsley Bobby Okey-Ejiowhor (Nigeria/2025/120mins) Key Cast: Emmanuel Bless Smile Edidiong, Tomi Ojo, Raymond Kage Umenze, Tina Mba, Prince Ren

TikTok sensation Dara gains admission into school but campus life is nothing like what he expected. Trapped in a web of toxic love, cultism, and campus violence, his only escape is dance. But one dangerous moment threatens everything. His freedom, his girl, even his life..

Halmeoni directed by Lenny Maréchal (France/2025/45mins)  Key Cast: Didier Gaudé, Victor Chérasse, Sylvie Caudrelier, Joséphine Poulengeard, Alain Crombe, Harold Lumès, Liliane Cohen-Solal,Anne Gensac,Mickaël Savchenko

As a heat wave devastates the country, a residence for elderly people finds itself cut off from the world, subjected to brutal water rationing. The director, Phil, imposes an authoritarian regime where water distribution becomes an instrument of power. 

Eugene O’Neill – The First Man directed by Hardeep Giani (UK/2025/120mins) Key Cast: Vincent Andriano, Charlotte Asprey, Alan Turkington, Rebecca Lee

The first-ever film adaptation of The First Man – an early and rare story from the pen of Nobel laureate and Pulitzer prize winner, Eugene O’Neill. This psychological romantic drama set in 1920s Connecticut, delves into themes of obsession, grief and betrayal.

Web Series:

Unbreakable Soul directed by Alexander Kwanje (USA/2026/ 38.25mins/documentary) Episode One of a docuseries chronicling the journey of Shirin Behzadi, who fled Iran during the 1979 revolution. Through unwavering determination and hard work, she rose to become the CEO of a billion-dollar US company.

Jam Boy directed by Sriram Emani (USA/2025/22:16 /fiction)  Sriram discovers that the system is designed to keep people like him trapped, feeding workers flavorless “lunch cakes” that erase memory and resistance. When Sriram smuggles in his mother’s recipe for tamarind rice, something inside him wakes up. Taste becomes rebellion, and food becomes freedom.

City Don’t Sleep directed by Nich Esposito(USA/2025/30mins/animation/pilot) An aging lounge singer, a narcoleptic sage, a hardboiled lady detective, a sentient ball of rats, a corrupt mayor, and a giant talking penis alien must join forces to save the world’s greatest City from a shadowy tech corporation.

Selected Short Animated Fiction and Documentary Films for the DCIFF 2026 Forum, Feb 11-16

We are delighted to be presenting the following short form films in association with the participating filmmakers at the DC Independent Film Festival’s Annual Forum of screenings, discussion, celebration and learning.

ANIMATION SHORTS

Dobrina directed by Hannes Rall (Germany/2025/5mins) Lotte Reiniger meets Sergio Leone as desire burns as bright as the desert sun.

A Guest from Elsewhere directed by Ethan Anderson (USA/2025/8.40mins) A monster that yearns to be a part of civilized human society. After an unfortunate mishap, the monster’s hopes of being one with the humans is put on trial.

Cast Out directed by Kayla Wimer (USA/2025/19.32mins) Young Rita Stargrove, abandoned by humanity in a deserted city, builds a robot to keep herself company.

Dubious Garden: On The Beauty of Things directed by Noée Butz, Léonie Minh Xuân Codet, Manoa Tetuanui, Candice Bègue, Manon Aprin. (France/2025/5.09mins). Strange gardens are being grown in a strange space; and their gardener will have to fight for their beauty.

A Grieving Heart directed by Wendy Cong Zhao (USA/2025/12.17mins) An immigrant woman examines her past in the wake of her American ex-boyfriend’s death.

Jaderabbit directed by Lily Xie (USA/2025/4.30mins) Jade Rabbit, symbol of immortality, discovered a past version of herself. A time-warping chase ensues.

Reset  directed by Sara Caldwell (USA/2025/4.10mins)  When a tech-obsessed woman’s world goes dark during a blackout, she’s forced to face the silence… and discovers the warmth she’s been scrolling past all along.

April Departing directed by (Turkey/2025/7.18mins) An artificially intelligent tour guide leads passengers on what should have been  a routine journey above the oceanic world of Mesonia.

Theft in the Shadows directed by Anna Oleksandrivn (Poland/2025/ 3.17mins) The mysterious disappearance of the “Mona Lisa” paintings, from an exhibition four hours before its opening.

Misophonia directed by Michelle Gruppetta (Malta / 2025 / 2.50mins) Even the most innocuous sounds can have an effect on people, more than we might ever realize.

Where Love Lied directed by Chalmet Giselle, Guinet–Elmi Evan, Hatef Sizi, Saksham Saksham, Leriche Olivia, Maestracci, Việt Hà Nguyễn, Marcel Vanderweyen (France/ 2025/8.07mins) Following the murder of his spouse, Don Sorrentino hosts a dinner with his henchman Alberto and his wife Mirabella.

Double Or Nothing directed by Tokay (Switzerland/2025/ 9.40mins)  The glamorous story of the real estate shark Akio Kashiwagi who’s great passion is illegal gambling in the underworld. 

After Ark directed by Chih Hao Shen (Taiwan/2025/4mins) Life awakens after the flood. Creatures wander through ruins, searching, discovering, and sometimes, simply surviving

Mein Fuhrer Blues directed by Jim Hall (USA/2025/3.40mins) Canary Canard Studios has the Blues…

The Mill directed by Mike Stuttman (USA/2026/11.50mins) On a river. Processed trees, rocks, earth and sweat into other stuff.

Turbulence directed by Christopher Rutledge, Magnus Igland Møller (Denmark and USA/2025/3.52mins) First flight. No parents. Total panic. A terrified boy just wants to survive takeoff, but the plane—and its deranged passengers—have other plans.

The Ottoman  directed by Mike Stamm  (USA/2025/12mins)A hotshot mechanic and amateur robot gladiator, is looking forward to proving himself in the arena but must face some harsh lessons about what victory truly requires.

The Synthetic Age  directed byDimitris Armenakis (Greece/2025/7.39mins)  In a city where people consume cartoons, a dog reconciles with its old friends, and together, they try to escape from humans.

35 Days directed by Heidi Kumao (USA/ 6.49mins) What happens when a coalition of strangers answers the call to locate a missing cat during the pandemic lockdown of 2020.

Viscous directed by Bradford Andrew Pattullo (USA/2025/7.34mins) Small, soft alien creatures live their lives.

Whereabouts directed bySuejee Lee (USA/ 2025/2mins). A riso-printed animated short following a woman’s journey through NYC—unfolding through small, intimate moments. 

The Pangs of Mu directed by Elena Kuznetsova (Portugal and Singapore/2025/2.25mins) A young musician  dreams of climbing the mountain of fame but falls victim to a side effect of his work.

SHORT FICTION FILMS

The Celebration directed by Jacek Wladyslaw Kudas (USA?2026/19.28mins) When a college babysitter takes a last-minute job in a quiet Maine town, she discovers the house is haunted by an unholy pair bound by blood, ritualistic games, and relentless pursuit.

Shedding directed by Ethan Chu (USA/2025/10.45mins) Over a long winter stay at his reclusive uncle’s remote home, a 17-year-old boy begins to uncover chilling secrets about the man and his intentions.

Goin’ The Distance directed by Bailey Oliver, Nathan Henry (USA/2025/7.39mins) A disgruntled office worker struggles to avoid the nightmarish hellscape of social interaction on his quest for serenity and solitude while vacationing in the great outdoors.

Stay In  directed by Michael Buran (USA/2025/11.34mins) A recluse is forced to confront a dark secret from years past that has kept him from going outside after midnight.   

Stop Taking Pictures directed by Arlin Godwin (USA?2025/14.33mins) A photographer becomes increasingly alarmed when his dead wife begins showing up in photos shot at the subway station where she died.

Something Else Tonight directed by Tyler Brooks (USA/2025/14.40 mins) It’s a typical night of work for lonesome, by-the-book triggerman, Cade. Until he meets the lovely Billie. Then it’s not.

Domestic Animals directed by Sandy Siquier, Alex Mendez Giner (USA/2025/19.16mins) Through the intimate story of a couple trapped in a cycle of pain, the film explores the emotional complexity and nuances of domestic partner abuse. A silent cat watches from the sidelines.

Way Back Home directed by Chad Hamilton (USA/2025/20mins) Siblings Jared and Van  Siblings have opposing views on what to do with their  grandmother’s dilapidated brownstone. 

Back Then directed by Junhyeok Kim (South Korea/2025/13.15mins) While in a taxi to New York as Haneul heads to college, a diminishing past memory is brought up — through one old, crumbled Leche Frita wrapper.

Yummy Cuisine directed by Wenhwa Tsao (USA/2025/15mins) As an undocumented immigrant, Wei’s livelihood depends on delivering food, his car being his most crucial possession. When carjacked, he fights to retain his job.

The Companions directed by José María Flores (Spain/2025/12mins) A young couple walks down the street, they have left the children at home and are going out to dinner. A crowd gathers around something.

Seeing Each Other directed by Ben Tamin (USA/2025/11.23mins) Billy, an anxious and dedicated late twenty-something, awakens to just another day with his not-so-trusty companion–a bird chained to his shoulder. Thrown for a loop by a diner server, he begins to wonder what’s real and what’s not.

Archie Banks directed by Max Swanson (USA/2025/16.45mins) A delusional real estate agent reinvents himself in order to boost his sales.

The Gun Machine directed by Ryan McDowell (USA/2025/6.29mins)  When a young man comes across an odd gas station he encounters a vending machine full of guns but in order to purchase one he has to wait his turn in a line full of children.

Bollard City directed by Jeffrey N. Johnson (USA/2025/12.28mins) Stay in your lane. A mockumentary.

MAGAS (Fly) directed by Ashkan Nasseri (USA/2025/12.39mins) In a surreal and satirical world, a refugee family from Absurdistan accidentally sets their new home in the United States of Fabrica on fire. 

Opting In directed by Susan Dynner (USA/2026/13.45mins) Burned out on dating apps, a hopeful romantic woman gives love one last shot—only to find her latest match might be perfect in all the wrong ways. A darkly comedic tale of modern love and digital obsession.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

Right to Die directed by Wren Rene (USA/2025/15.52mins) Barbara Mancini’s story shines a light on how the American medical system is dedicated to keeping patients alive, even when their final wish is to pass peacefully. She was arrested and prosecuted by the state of Pennsylvania for assisted suicide.

The Flowers That Bloomed Through Concrete directed by AJ Cabbagestalk (USA/2026/29mins) The transactional bond between incarcerated men and Special Olympics athletes and the road to rehabilitation.

She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley  directed by Abby Ginzberg (USA/2025/28mins) Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) has broken through quintessential barriers for women of color. An activist politician, who believes “those closest to the pain, should be closest to the power”, her own path reflects the lessons learned as a Black woman and a committed representative in Congress. 

Never Stand Down: The Quraishi Family directed by Elena Chang(USA/2026/14.46mins)  For Indian Pakistani American Khalid Quraishi, his daughter Zunaira’s announcement that she was ready to marry the woman of her dreams was a joyous, even miraculous, occasion. 

The Fig Trees of Washington, DC directed by Stretch Green. (USA/2025/4.26mins). A montaged contemplation about urban fig trees shot on Super 8. 

Meet Me in Silence directed by Lucy Mathews Heegaard (USA/2026/13.56mins) A year-long experiment sitting in complete silence and darkness with strangers leads to an intimate contemplation on connection to self and others through silence.

In Her Court directed by Abby Cannon (USA/2025/16.01mins/out of competition).  Jaylah King, a 14-year-old basketball player began drawing Division I attention before entering high school. Jaylah navigates the mounting pressures to succeed, not only for herself, but for her family, while making sacrifices far beyond her years.

Underground Sounds: The New Thousand Story directed by Emma Keatley. (USA/2025/28mins) The life and artistry of Adrian Jusdanis, a mesmerizing violinist and street performer, and his collaboration with drummer Alan Zavodsky (aka Go Alan Go) in their musical project “New Thousand.” 

All 2026 DCIFF Annual Forum Passes On Sale Now—Holiday Discount!

All 2026 DCIFF Annual Forum Passes On Sale Now—Holiday Discount!

All passes for the 2026 DCIFF Annual Forum are now available! Plus, if you purchase a pass before December 31 at 11:59 PM, you’ll get a 10% off Holiday discount! We’ve even got more kinds of VIP pass perks this year, plus young adult and student passes to fit everyone’s budget! Click here for more information on the specific pass perks and types, and to purchase through Eventbrite.  Make sure to use the presale code below at checkout to get your Holiday Discount of 10% off!

CHEER10DCIFF

The DCIFF Annual Forum will take place from February 11 to 16, 2026, and will include panels, filmmaker Q&As, seminars, workshops, happy hours, parties, and more! More details about specific programming will be made available beginning January 22, 2026.

Join us for the longest-running celebration of independent film in the DC area, championing truly independent work from filmmakers near and far!

Please see the event sales page on Eventbrite here for full details. Pass prices will return increase on January 1, 2026. Pass purchase direct link is https://bit.ly/3XqJ2Ow.