Still from Spectrum
Directed by: Michael Singh
BIFF SHORTS: NEXT GEN
Scene One Market Arcade 8
Thoughtful and fun, teen and youth made shorts. BIFF partners with Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center and their advance-track students to review submissions, and curate and organize this screening. Total runtime is 73 minutes.
2026 Next Gen shorts block curator Pippi Dougherty-Daly will be in attendance at the screening and Q+A as well.
Please note that this program contains mature content and is recommended for ages 13 and up. Viewer discretion is advised.
“Spectrum”
Michael Singh (Dir), 2 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Casey is one of the few people who can see in color instead of just black and white.
“It Starts at 3”
Liv G. + Jarek R. + Nicole U. (Dir), USA, World Premiere
Filmmakers Liv G. + Jarek R. + Nicole U. in attendance.
A girl playing a game on her computer late at night makes her way into the virtual world of the game.
“For Those That Play Risk”
Alejandro + Celia Rosen-Velasquez (Dir), 5 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Filmmakers Alejandro + Celia Rosen-Velasquez in attendance.
When two people play Risk, things can get out of hand.
“The Support Group”
Squeaky Wheel’s Youth Film Lab (Dir), 11 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Filmmakers from Squeaky Wheel’s Youth Film Lab in attendance.
A day in the life of the colorful characters in Gertrude's youth support group.
“Discovery”
Max Jonczyk + Elli Konstantinidis-Perkins + Zoe Guida + William Baran + Mady Kimmel (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere
A heartfelt and bittersweet story about family and discovering a family secret that puts an entire childhood into a different perspective. It follows Peter Baran, a Canadian immigrant in New York City, as he discovers that his Ukrainian Orthodox Christian upbringing wasn't based on reality but on a family secret from his mother's past.
“birds fly”
Charley Bukata (Dir), 9 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Director Charley Bukata in attendance.
Two people discuss the project they're filming and the nature of their lives while exploring a set of abandoned industrial buildings.
This film contains mature content and discusses self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised.
“The American Plumber”
Marcializ Osorio (Dir), 5 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Director Marcializ Osorio in attendance.
A overworked plumber begins having hallucinations.
“Drain: The Data Center Dilemma”
Callie Deng (Dir), 7 minutes, USA, New York State Premiere
As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in modern life, the data centers it relies on are increasingly impacting communities and ecosystems. Through voices from Northern Virginia and beyond, this documentary reveals the hidden environmental costs of AI and demonstrates the technology and policies crucial for a sustainable digital future.
“Voltage”
Isaiah Firestone + Rosary Javier (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Directors Isaiah Firestone + Rosary Javier in attendance.
An electrician visits the basement of a high school for her first job, only to find that something lurks within the darkness of that basement.
“How We Ended Up Here”
Ruby Harrison (Dir), 13 minutes, Australia, US Premiere
At a house party, four teenagers try to ignore everything they’re avoiding. Ivy is used to pretending she’s fine—about her family, about herself, about everything. But as the night unfolds, it becomes clear she’s not the only one hiding something. What starts as a normal night slowly unravels, forcing each of them to face what they’ve been too scared to say out loud.
This film contains mature content. Viewer discretion is advised.
“Skin”
Alana Costner (Dir), 3 minutes, USA, World Premiere
A college girl deals with feelings of insecurity and a growing pimple.
“Baguetella”
Isaiah Firestone (Dir), 3 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Director Isaiah Firestone in attendance.
A down-to-earth, condensed form of the 1950 film Cinderella told entirely by baguettes. Through stop-motion animation and some wonderful hats, the story can be seen through an entirely new lens - that of bread.
“Browsing for a New Solution”
Brendan Buist-Sohn (Dir), 5 minutes, USA, East Coast Premiere
A new solution to wildfires.
“Who Are You?"
Lillyan Goines (Dir), 1 minute, USA, World Premiere
Director Lillyan Goines in attendance.
A short animation about self affirmation.
Produced at Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (BCAT).
Still from It Starts at 3
Still from For Those That Play Risk
Directed by: Alejandro Rosen-Velasquez
Still from The Support Group
Still from Discovery
Directed by: William Baran, Zoe Guida, Max Jonczyk, Mady Kimmel, and Elli Konstantinidis-Perkins
Still from birds fly
Directed by: Charley Bukata
Still from The American Plumber
Directed by: Marcializ Osorio
Still from Drain: The Data Center Dilemma
Directed by: Callie Deng
Still from Voltage
Directed by: Isaiah Firestone and Rosary Javier
Still from How We Ended Up Here
Directed by: Ruby Harrison
Still from Skin
Directed by: Alana Costner
Still from Baguetella
Directed by: Isaiah Firestone
Still from Browsing for a New Solution
Directed by: Brendan Buist-Sohn
Still from Who Are You?
Directed by: Lillyan Goines
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