Toronto Youth Shorts' 16th festival season features 29 short films created by young Ontario-based filmmakers. The films are presented across two program lineups. Both programs are screened on the same day. The festival awards will be announced after the show.
   
*Films not listed in screening order.

PROGRAM #1: WISHFUL MUSINGS
Saturday, November 8, 2:30pm
To celebrate our Sweet 16, Toronto Youth Shorts present a series of work by a younger contingent of local artists that reflect their sensibilities. They include depictions of growing pains, including puberty and all the fuzzy emotions that come with it; fears about the future and a yearning for childhood comforts; and a reflection of families as both a source of joy and chaos. These coming-of-age stories give you a glimpse of aspirations and anxieties faced by the next generation.  

A Journey Through Pages - Animation 
Directed by Iris Wu (she/her)
A child meets their future self. They revisit the wonder of childhood stories.

Xiaochen Wu, also known as Iris, is an emerging animation filmmaker from Beijing, China, currently based in Toronto completing her Bachelor of Animation at Sheridan College.

Anxiety - Animation 
Directed by Gukeshan Sivamohan (they/them)
A young boy dreams about a void that consumes his life and he has to break out. 

Aspiring animator Gukeshan Sivamohan started their animation journey at Northview Heights Secondary School. They aspire to pursue game design to inspire many more.

Before You Go - Animation 
Directed by Nancy Hatoum (she/her)
While Grace waits for a return that will not come, a storm erupts. 

Nancy Hatoum is a Toronto-based animator who graduated from OCADU’s Experimental Animation with a specialty in all 2D animation. 

Butterflies - Documentary 
Directed by Zav Jenabian (he/him)
Quinn and Josh met in their high school special education program. Their prom night turns a mother’s fears into a moment of triumph. 

Zav Jenabian is an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker born in Toronto, and currently studying Film Production at York University. 

Infinite Potential - Fiction 
Directed by Ruby Walker (she/her)
Izzy enters a Job Application Portal and finds herself in a surreal application process.

Ruby Walker is a 20 year-old filmmaker from Toronto, currently enrolled in Sheridan College's Bachelors of Film and Television.

Inside Voice - Fiction 
Directed by Bruce Li (he/him)
Matthew tries to study in the library but his Inside Voice tells him to talk to his crush, Nora. 

Bruce Li is a student at St. Andrew's College. His main focus is drawing and painting but has recently been getting into photography and film. 

Is This the Right Place for Us? - Documentary 
Directed by Grace Eaton (they/them)
A family reflects on how the modernization of parks and playgrounds in Long Branch is contributing to a rise in the area’s cost of living.

Grace Eaton is a queer filmmaker, writer, and visual artist based in Toronto and a recent graduate from UofT's Cinema Studies program as of June 2025. Much of their work touches on themes of queerness, class, family, mental health, and disability. 

Life, Death and Laundry - Animation 
Directed by Daria Rodneva (they/them)
The mundane melancholy of a laundromat reflects different with different people.

Daria Rodneva, more well-known by the name Dasha, is an aspiring animation student based in North York, Ontario. Dasha began their artistic journey at the Creative Centre CyberArts program at Northview Heights Secondary School is now continuing their studies in the craft of animation at Seneca College.

Nana - Documentary 
Directed by Maggie B Kane (she/her)
A young filmmaker's goodbye letter to her grandmother as she deals with the grief of her passing. 

Maggie Kane is a graduate of Etobicoke School of the Arts. Her work often use mixed media and spoken word to explore the vulnerability of memories, identity and perceptions of human relationships. 

Nasaan - Fiction 
Directed by Niko Chu (he/him)
A Filipino immigrant composer attempts to connect with her grandson through her own music. 

Niko Chu founded Filipino Filmmaking group "Crossover Productions" in 2016 and has since directed and produced over 20 short films. He just finished Film Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. 

Part of the Band - Fiction 
Directed by Jacinta Gaspar (they/them)
Charlie stumbles upon a local band’s show in Toronto and becomes obsessed with the lead singer. 

Jacinta Gaspar is a queer, Toronto-based filmmaker and a recent grad of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Film program. Their passion for film comes from a need to see and create impactful narratives that platform queer stories while emotionally resonating with all. 

See You Later Alligator - Documentary 
Directed by Skye Rooney-Pedersen (she/her)
The filmmaker travels to Nova Scotia to piece together fragmented memories of her dad through the stories and places that still hold his presence. 

Skye Rooney-Pedersen is a Toronto-based filmmaker and a fourth-year Film Production student at York University. 

Sounds Good, Adam - Fiction 
Directed by Anita Monteiro (they/them)
Adam is born deaf and faces pushback when he wants to pursue music after high school.

Anita Monteiro is a TIFF Next Wave 2025 Alumni. They completed studies at Cawthra Park Secondary and is attending Concordia University for Film Production.

Terry - Fiction 
Directed by Dylan Duff (he/him)
Ben struggles to make both of his parents happy when he receives an unexpected call from his father. 

Dylan Duff is an award-winning writer, director and producer based in Toronto, Canada. Dylan received an Honourable Mention from TIFF Next Wave for Yellow-Headed, a short that he produced, co-wrote, and co-directed. He is a member of the Canadian Media Producers Association, as well as a voting member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

The Hidden Truth: What They Don’t Want You to Know About the Moon - Fiction 
Directed by Liel! Keinan (she/her)
Popular skincare influencer, Elizabeth, goes viral after claiming the moon has anti-aging powers. 

Liel! Keinan is a 17-year-old filmmaker based in Toronto, currently studying film in the Claude Watson Film Arts program at Earl Haig Secondary School. 

The Last Supper - Fiction 
Directed by Trudy Flashford (she/her)
Hell breaks loose when Betty’s narcissistic grandmother and obnoxious older sister come home for a family dinner. 

Trudy Flashford is an 18 year old filmmaker and screenwriter from Toronto. She completed her studies at Etobicoke School of the Arts and is now studying Film Production at York University.

Wet Noodle - Fiction 
Directed by Julia Lalonde (she/her)
Evelyn longs for the attention of her class crush, Justin. But after seeing his fascination with their teacher's chest, she determines that boobs are the key to his heart.

Julia Lalonde is a writer, director and actor from Toronto who holds a BFA in Film Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University and has worked in the Canadian film industry for over 15 years. 

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PROGRAM #2: ABSURD CROSSROADS
​Saturday, November 8, 5:30pm
In this collection of thrilling and funny shorts, we see those caught in wacky and surreal situations. Tensions come to the forefront and some will get a chance to evaluate their worth while others spiral deeper into chaos that will forever change their paths. Please note this program contains films with graphic imagery that may not be suitable for many audiences.
Awards ceremony to follow this screening.

Cool Orange - Fiction 
Directed by Reed Hodgkinson (he/him)
The lights go out and a young girl investigates a mysterious phenomenon. 

Reed Hodgkinson is a 17 year high school student studying at Etobicoke School of the Arts, with a focus on film.

Flight 487 - Fiction 
Directed by Brianna Russell (she/her)
Jenna Lorde rises to fame as a social media influencer for being the sole survivor of a devastating plane crash.

Brianna Russell is a queer filmmaker and playwright from Clarke’s Beach, NL. Her short, POSTER CHILD, was a finalist in the 18th season of the CBC Short Film Face Off 2025. Brianna is the 2022 recipient of the RBC Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award. She is currently a member of the 2025 CFC’s Norman Jewison Writers’ Lab.

Fly Catching - Animation 
Directed by Nettle James (they/them)
Two frogs battle over a fly. 

Nettle James graduated from Etobicoke School of the Arts and is currently studying at OCAD University.

Fried Fish & Plantain - Fiction 
Directed by Paul Daniel Torres (he/him)
After an extended period, Willie & Marisol have their "first date." Through grief and secrets, they discover more about each other. 

Paul-Daniel Torres is a director, writer, actor and community worker, born in the heart of Toronto. 
His thesis film, Do Turtles Swim in Maple Syrup (2019) won best screenplay (awarded by Meridian Artists) and screened at TIFF Next Wave (2019). He was awarded the “Young Trailblazer” award from Danny Hastings at Official Latino Film Festival sponsored by HBO.

Giant Horse - Fiction 
Directed by Harrison Monte (he/him)
An estranged father shows up on his son's doorstep unannounced leading to a bizarre event. 

Harrison Monte is a graduate of Toronto Film School.

Hemorrhage - Fiction 
Directed by Esteban Powell (he/him)
A young couple's romantic evening is disturbed by a worsening affliction.

Esteban Powell is a Toronto-based filmmaker and graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University.

Lavenza - Fiction 
Directed by Lauren Eden (she/her)
19th-century noblewoman, Lavenza, overhears her husband complaining about her looks and sets out to become his ideal wife. 

Lauren Eden is a director, writer, and producer working in Toronto. Her filmmaking style can be described as absurdist feminist fairytales. Her most recent comedic short, My Digital Boyfriend (2024), was a finalist in Season 17 of the CBC Short Film Face Off and is available to stream on CBC Gem.

Let Him Eat Ketchup - Fiction 
Directed by Jack Steinhart (he/him)
Sir Mapleton sets out on a treacherous journey to fulfill his friend's dying wish - to find him a tomato. 

Jack Steinhart is a student at Earl Haig's Claude Watson Arts Program.

Oignon Rouge - Fiction 
Directed by Reese Yue (she/her)
Mallory slices an onion while the radio warns of “Aggressivolution.”

Reese Yue is an Ontario-based filmmaker who just completed her studies at the College for Arts and Technology in Kelowna, BC.

Rolling By - Fiction 
Directed by Nicholas Facchini (he/him)
As the world goes on, an elderly man spends his days online watching livestreams.

Nicholas Facchini is a Writer, Director and Editor based in Toronto. Since graduating in 2020 with a BFA in Film Studies, he has been awarded several grants from the Canadian Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and Panavision to create short films.

Sidekicks - Fiction 
Directed by John Daniel (he/him)
Two best friends debate what should be done with their newly acquired superpowers. 

John Daniel is an actor based out of Toronto, Canada. He is an alumni of Second City Toronto’s Conservatory program. His credits include Warward (Netflix, 2025), The Hardy Boys (Hulu, 2022–2023), Overcompensating (Amazon/A24), Bad Influence (Tubi), True Dating Stories (CBC Gem)

Sparks - Animation 
Directed by Kaden Tyte (he/him)
The power goes out and a young girl wanders the building hallways knocking door to door.

Kaden Tyte is a student at Queen's University.

NOTE: Though the festival is aimed at promoting work by a younger generation, not all content may be suitable for all audiences. Films may contain violence, course language, and other mature themes. Viewer discretion is advised. All ticket sales are final and the festival does not offer refunds.