2025 44th Season of the Thomas Edison Film Festival Program

2025

44 TH Annual

Thomas Edison Film Festival

www.TEFilmFest.org

PRESENTING OVER 100

THEATER AND DANCE

PERFORMANCES,

EXHIBITIONS, READINGS,

FILM SCREENINGS,

CONCERTS AND

LECTURES EACH YEAR,

MOST OF THEM FREE!

arts.princeton.edu/season

2025

AWARDS PROGRAM GUIDE

Cover art & program design: Henry Baker

This program is copyrighted

©2025 The Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, Inc.

www.TEFilmFest.org 3

The Thomas Edison Film Festival

TOUR AND STREAMING MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY:

New Jersey State Council on the Arts

Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University

The Charles Edison Fund

Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development

Hoboken Historical Museum

New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund

Lowenstein Sandler, LLP

The NBA

Big Sky Edit

Individual & Corporate donors

The Thomas Edison Film Festival is a project of the Thomas Edison

Media Arts Consortium, an independent non-profit organization based in

Hudson County. The festival was launched in 1981 with the endorsement

of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, NJ.

To become a sponsor of the Thomas Edison Film Festival please contact

the Consortium office or make a donation via the website:

www.TEFilmFest.org

Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium

PO Box 3426

Hoboken, NJ 07030 USA

Phone: +1 551.999.8225

Email: info@TEFilmFest.org

Website: www.TEFilmFest.org

Facebook: facebook/thomasedisonfilmfestival

Instagram: instagram.com/thomasedisonff/

FilmFreeway: filmfreeway.com/ThomasEdisonFilmFestival



(TEFF) is an international showcase

celebrating innovation in film

making, inspired by the pioneering

vision of Thomas Edison. Since

its inception in 1981, TEFF has

sought to honor Edison’s legacy

by promoting creativity and

artistry in the moving image,

much like how Edison’s films

revolutionized visual storytelling,

and his phonograph changed the

way people experienced sound.

Edison’s contributions include

75 short films created in his

West Orange, NJ, studio, each

lasting about 20 seconds.

These early works showcased a

variety of subjects, from magic

shows and plays to vaudeville

performances, cowboys, and

boxing matches. This spirit of

experimentation and innovation

is central to TEFF’s mission.

As an Academy Awards®

Qualifying Film Festival for

animation and experimental shorts,

TEFF is more than just a traditional

destination event. It is a socially

conscious, traveling showcase that

About

connects diverse audiences to the

compelling works of independent

filmmakers worldwide. By focusing

on underrepresented voices,

TEFF provides a platform for

accomplished and emerging artists

who may lack access to live public

exhibitions. The festival emphasizes

artistic excellence and promotes

empathy and engagement through

films that both teach and entertain.

TEFF celebrates a wide

spectrum of genres, including

narrative, experimental,

animation, documentary, screen

dance, and hybrids. The festival

places particular focus on

films addressing crucial social

issues such as environmental

challenges, race and class

relationships, immigration, LGBTQ+

rights, human rights, disability

advocacy, and social justice.

Through its selection of artistic

and impactful films, TEFF continues

to support a vibrant, global

filmmaking community and uphold

its commitment to innovation and

diversity in the art of cinema.

6

©2025 The Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, Inc., All rights reserved.

THE NBA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE

THOMAS EDISON FILM FESTIVAL

www.TEFilmFest.org

About the Thomas Edison Film Festival.................................................... 6

From the Festival Director, Jane Steuerwald......................................... 10

Experience TEFF film in-person & online................................................. 15

Map of Worldwide Submissions................................................................ 16

Map of U.S. Submissions..............................................................................17

Essay by Steven Vander Meer.................................................................... 18

Advertisers......................................................................................................23

Edison Innovation Award.............................................................................24

AWARD PAGES

Jury’s Stellar Awards........................................................................ 29

Global Insights Award..................................................................... 34

DEAI Award....................................................................................... 35

Jury’s Choice Awards....................................................................... 37

Jury’s Citation Awards..................................................................... 51

Director’s Choice Awards................................................................ 63

Honorable Mention Awards........................................................... 76

Support the Festival......................................................................................34

Apoya el Festival...........................................................................................35

Board of Trustees...........................................................................................36

Pre-screening Jurors 2025..........................................................................84

Lewis Center for the Arts Staff..................................................................84

Thomas Edison Film Festival Jurors 2025...............................................85

Hudson County Movie Tour...................................................................86-87

Individual Donors...........................................................................................89

Stream us on the Web.................................................................................. 91

ADA – The Americans with Disabilities Act .....................................92-93

NEW: Young Filmmakers Category...........................................................94

2026 Call for Entries.....................................................................................95

8

Contents

Staff


Jane Steuerwald, Executive Director

Jon Cole, Technical Director

Elizabeth Kirshtein, Festival Assistant

©2025 The Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, Inc., All rights reserved.

congratulates the filmmakers of the

2025 THOMAS EDISON

FILM FESTIVAL

www.bigskyedit.com

10 East 40th St, Floor 20

New York, NY 10016 | 212 683 4004

Innovation. Creativity. Vision.

These principles defined Thomas

Edison’s legacy, and they have

guided our festival for over four

decades. This year, we’re thrilled to

announce an electrifying milestone:

the Thomas Edison Film Festival

has officially been recognized as an

Academy Award® Qualifying Film

Festival—the only festival in New

Jersey to receive this prestigious

honor. Inclusion on the Qualifying

Festival List is a privilege offered to

organizations that are considered

outstanding by the Academy

not only based on the films they

select but also for their continued

contributions and commitments to

the global filmmaking community.

From the Festival Director

Lighting the Way: Thomas Edison Film Festival Becomes

Academy Award® Qualifying

What does it mean to be Academy

Award® Qualifying? It’s more

than just a badge of distinction.

It’s a testament to the quality,

impact, and influence of the films

we showcase. For filmmakers, it

opens a gateway to the Oscars®,

as their winning shorts in our

qualifying categories, animation

and experimental, are now eligible

for nomination. For audiences, it’s

a guarantee that the stories we

bring to the screen are among

the best in the world – innovative,

heartfelt, and unforgettable.

In years past, many films that

found their way to TEFF were

recognized by the Academy.

The following films were TEFF

award winners that either won

Academy Awards® or were

recognized by the Academy:

“Mona Lisa Descending a

Staircase” by Joan C. Gratz, 1992.

Oscar® winner for Animation.

“Breathing Lessons: The Life and

Work of Mark O’Brien” by Jessica

Yu, 1997. Presented with the Oscar®

for Documentary Short Subject

at the 69th Academy Awards® by

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.

“Ryan” by Chris Landreth, 2005.

Oscar® winner for short Animation.

“Feral” by Danial Sousa, 2014.

Nominated for Best Animated Short.

“BoxBallet” by Anton Dyakov,

2022. Nominated for

Best Animated Short.

10 ©2025 The Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, Inc., All rights reserved.

FERAL

BY DANIEL SOUSA

FILMMAKERS, JURY AND TEFF DIRECTOR

AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

“Between Earth and Sky” by

Andrew Nadkarni. Shortlisted

for Best Documentary Short

2024 Academy Awards®.

“Bienvenidos a Los Angeles”

by Lisa Cole. Shortlisted

for Best Live-Action Short,

2024 Academy Awards®.

We believe this honor is a

reflection of Edison’s enduring

spirit. Much like the Wizard of

Menlo Park revolutionized the

motion picture industry with his

kinetoscope, we aim to shine a

spotlight on groundbreaking films

that challenge convention and

illuminate the human experience.

Our festival has always celebrated

diversity in storytelling, showcasing

voices that might otherwise

remain in the shadows. From

thought-provoking documentaries

to awe-inspiring animations,

we continue to be a beacon

for creativity and excellence.

BOXBALLET

BY ANTON DYAKOV

BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY

BY ANDREW NADKARNI

TEFF is not a conventional

destination film festival, or a singlecity

festival, or a gala-driven event.

We reach out to diverse audiences

with compelling new works by

both accomplished and emerging

filmmakers, and celebrate films that

BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES

BY LISA COLE

address the environment, race and

class, immigration, the LGBTQ+

community, people with disabilities,

and issues of social justice.

(continued next page)


(continued from previous page)

POSTCARD

THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK,

WEST ORANGE, NJ

This achievement is also a win

for New Jersey, a state rich in

film history and innovation. As

the birthplace of modern cinema,

with Edison’s lab as its cradle,

it’s fitting that New Jersey’s own

Thomas Edison Film Festival stands

out on the global stage. It’s a

testament to our community of

filmmakers, audiences, sponsors,

and volunteers who make this

festival a reality year after year.

So, what’s next? We’ll keep

doing what we’ve always done:

championing stories that matter.

This new designation inspires us

to dream even bigger, to reach

even further, and to ensure

our festival remains a platform

where filmmakers from every

corner of the globe can shine.

Thank you for joining us on this

journey. Our mission will always

be to create programs that inspire

community and bring people

together. Our commitment to

excellence embodies Edison’s

words: “What you are will show in

what you do.” Let’s continue to light

up screens and ignite imaginations,

honoring Edison’s vision and

celebrating the boundless creativity

of filmmakers everywhere.

TEFF AT EDISON FORD WINTER ESTATES, FL

JAMES STEWART FILM THEATER

AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

THOMAS EDISON


The Hudson County Office of Cultural

& Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development

is a proud sponsor of the

2025 Thomas Edison

Film Festival

From culinary delights to distinct and

charismatic cultures, each Hudson County

neighborhood has something special.

Art, adventure, local food, and movie

locations abound across our twelve

towns. Scan the code for a listing of the

other movies filmed in Hudson County.

Did you know these movies were filmed in Hudson County?

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

Jersey Avenue,

Jersey City, NJ

JOKER

William J Brennan

Courthouse,

Jersey City, NJ

THE GODFATHER

Liberty State Park,

Morris Pesin Drive,

Jersey City, NJ

Learn about other Hudson County movies at:

visithudson.org

Experience TEFF film programs

in-person and online

TEFF is proud to be a hybrid film festival offering opportunities for

audiences to gather in-person and to view films and film programs on our

website. Every November for 10+ years, the Thomas Edison Film Festival

has presented award-winning programs of short films at Glimmerglass Film

Days, a project of Otsego 2000 in Cooperstown, NY.

GLIMMERGLASS FILM DAYS 2024

A sampling of host venues presenting TEFF programs in person and on-line:

Glimmerglass Film Days, Cooperstown, NY

Hoboken Historical Museum, NJ

Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University, NJ

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Ocean County Artists Guild, Island Heights, NJ

Ramapo College of New Jersey, NJ

Rowan University, NJ

Savanah College of Art & Design, Savannah, GA

Secaucus Public Library, NJ

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

The Crandall Public Library, NY

Towson University, Towson, MD

University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

University of Delaware, Newark, DE


2025

Worldwide Submissions

We are very proud that filmmakers from all over the world choose to

submit work to our festival. For our new season submissions came from

71 nations and Antarctica spanning across all seven continents.

Albania

American Samoa

Antarctica

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Bahamas

Bahrain

Belarus

Brazil

Belgium

Canada

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Chile

China

Colombia

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Egypt

Fiji

France

Germany

Georgia

Greece

Guadeloupe

Guatemala

Honduras

Hungary

Iceland

India

Israel

Iran

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Korea, Republic of

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kuwait

Norway

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Mauritius

Mexico

Nepal

Poland

Netherlands

Pakistan

Palestine

Peru

Portugal

Taiwan

Russian Federation

Serbia

Slovakia

South Africa

Spain

Ukraine

Sweden

United Kingdom

Switzerland

Turkey

UAE

United States

Viet Nam

Western Sahara


2025

USA Submissions

Our 2025 submissions include films from 35 U.S. States and DC.

Alabama

Arizona

California

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Kansas

Louisiana

Massachusetts

Maryland

Maine

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

North Carolina

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin


An Animatin’ Short Film Makin’ Never Grow Up Boy

By Steven Vander Meer

ARCATA BRAIN CLOSET

BY STEVEN VANDER MEER

Where it Began

In art school one day, my teacher

casually mentioned something

about a filmmaker who once did

an animation using index cards,

and my ears perked right up. I had

already possessed an affinity for

the neat little packages, tightly

wrapped in clear cellophane,

stacked on shelves next to

mechanical pencils and steel rulers

at the local stationary store. I

used the “ruled” cards to write

term papers, and I bought plain

ones to doodle on. And then there

were those little metal boxes for

storage which I scavenged at

many a yard sale. It would not be

until a year after graduating that I

commenced to draw my first index

card animation, Arcata Brain Closet.

This alphabetical film whimsically

chronicled my temporary move

from Minnesota to California, which

turned out to be permanent.

But... What if I Did?

In “flip book style” animation, each

drawing is completed on a single

piece of paper. There is no layering,

there are no separate backgrounds,

HUNKY DORY



everything that appears in the

scene has to be drawn on every

frame, and in my world that means

twelve times per second. Working

this way, most people would say

“I can’t use detailed characters or

elaborate backgrounds, it would

be too much work.” But... what if

I did? What if, instead of a thick

outline filled in with a digital

paint bucket, I drew an intricate

pattern in ink and colored it in

with markers? What if, instead of a

plain background, I drew detailed

wallpaper and made it move as if

a camera was panning across it? It

would not be impossible; it would

just take longer. Okay, a lot longer.

But I don’t mind that because it’s

my favorite thing to do. I would

rather sit at my light table than in

front of a computer screen. And

the reward for all this time spent?

On the movie screen when the

film is done, every square inch is

alive and moving. Even elements

that are not moving are moving,

or at least vibrating or wiggling

– nothing is still. To me this just

feels right. I guess it’s because I

take the definition of animation

literally: a series of drawings which,

when viewed in sequence at a

certain speed, appear to move. A

series of drawings – that’s what I

love to create! Each drawing is a

complete work of art, and when

you see them move, it’s pure magic.

NOTICE OF REJECTION


I scan my index cards, I try to get

as much of the card as possible

without any margins, and it

comes out to full HD. It would be

possible to scan them at a higher

resolution, enabling me to zoom in

and pan across drawings, but that

is another limitation that I’m happy

to embrace. If I want a zoom, pan

or dolly shot, I simply draw it.

Morphing

Animation without morphs is

like a cake without the icing. It

is mesmerizing to see a drawing

smoothly melt like warm chocolate

and then coagulate into a

completely different drawing right

in front of your eyes. I once made

a film comprised of nothing but

morphs – 365 of them in a row. It

was called More From Life, which

Limitations

I am a big believer in limitations

when it comes to making art;

that’s why I draw my animations SALMON DEADLY SINS

on 3x5 inch index cards, by hand. BY STEVEN VANDER MEER

Small drawings are a big limitation! – when you say it quickly out loud

I limit my color palette as well, – has the word “morph” in it (pun

often using just the primary colors, intended). By the time I had finished

and I keep my drawing tools to a that smorgasbord of morphs I

minimum using pencil, pen, markers, had progressed from doing simple

crayons and rubber stamps. When




morphs to ones that were much

more elaborate. Sometimes a

character or element would break

into two or more pieces, each

morphing at different speeds and

with different rotations to become

not just the following scene, but

the one after that and beyond.

When animating to music or a prerecorded

sound track, I can add

just the right number of “tweens”

to a morph to make it fit the sound

perfectly. A morph can also add

meaning to a scene. For example,

in my film Salmon Deadly Sins,

seven plastic bottles morph into

skulls and sink to the bottom of the

ocean, making a powerful visual

statement about the environment

– and that’s the icing on the cake.

Index Cards and Dirt

When I first began animating on

index cards, I felt very protective

of my little drawings, they seemed

precious. I kept them as clean and

neat as possible, and when film

went digital, I went so far as to

edit out any flaws using Photoshop.

With the proliferation of computergenerated

animation, I struggled

to keep my... work comparatively

sterile, until finally deciding to go

the other way. My work is handson,

and I now want that to show as

much as possible. When drawing

with pencil I use the softest

graphite available, then take a

cloth and smear it around. I like the

cloudy/foggy effect. Fingerprints?

No problem. They are a reminder to

the viewer that my fingers touched

the paper. When using markers, I do

try and stay inside the lines, but if

it bleeds over a little, I don’t worry

about it. This is not to say I am

careless with my drawings, they are

still precious and I strive get each

one to the point where it gives

me satisfaction. I will still digitally

remove pieces of dirt that were

stuck to the scanner glass because

those don’t move and can therefore

be distracting. About a year ago I

switched from cheap, store-bought

index cards to a high quality

drawing paper, cut down to 3x5

inches at a local print shop. This

was a good move, and I wish I had

done it earlier, because drawing

on good paper is a pleasure!

Numbers

In almost all of my films it’s hard

to miss the little “odometer” in the

lower right corner. It’s a rubber

stamp that I print by hand on each

card, then I write the card number

in the little boxes. Originally it was

HUNKY DORY


NOTICE OF REJECTION


just a way to make sure I kept my

drawings in the correct order in

the event they got dropped on the

floor, and since I scan the whole

card there is no margin to write in,

so I decided to make the number a

part of the drawing. It also serves


HUNKY DORY


as a visual reminder to viewers that

this is “flip book style” animation,

just a simple series of drawings

seen in order. Over the years, the

numbers have become increasingly

more important to me. I am no

mathematician, but I like it when

numbers make a certain sense in

my own thinking. I use numbers

in a very practical way, like when

calculating how many drawings I

need to get from point A to point

B in a set amount of time. I have

spreadsheets that help me plot

the cards in a morph that starts

out slow, speeds up, then slows

down again, all within a specific

time frame. In a less practical way,

I enjoy playing with numbers until

they feel right. It gives me great

pleasure that my film Hunky Dory

has exactly the right number of

drawings for a six-minute film:

twelve per second, 720 per minute,

4320 in total and none of them

repeat. Some of my other films

include “cycles.” A cycle is when a

sequence of drawings is repeated

more than once (walking cycles are

common). There is nothing wrong

with using cycles but it doesn’t

really jibe with the whole “flip book

style” that I’m going for, so now

I try not to use them as much.

Short Films and Music

A feature length film would

probably take me about thirty

years, so it’s technically possible,

but I like to think that my ideas

are more suited to the short film

format. My hope is that they

embody a “slice of life” sensibility

that appeals to art and film lovers.

So, I will continue to make short

films about my observations of

the world around me, and I will

continue to use music as the glue

that holds them all together. Music

is a huge source of inspiration

for me and, not being a musician

myself, I owe a big debt of

BOOMERANG


gratitude to all of the music makers

in the world. I am especially fond

of bluegrass music and the banjo in

particular. If I may quote the great

bluegrass musician Del McCoury:

“don’t ever let it be said… that

what I do don’t bring me joy.” And

to paraphrase the next line in the

song… “cuz I’m an animatin’, short

film makin’, never grow up boy!”

HUNKY DORY



GLIMMERGL ASS

FILM DAYS

NOVEMBER 13-17, 2025

COOPERSTOWN, NY

SHOWCASING THE BEST IN INDEPENDENT

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COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP WITH THE

NATURAL WORLD, INSPIRING

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND

ACTIVISM THROUGH THE POWER

OF STORYTELLING.

GLIMMERGLASSFILMDAYS.ORG

A PROGRAM OF OTSEGO 2000

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Art Pride NJ.................................................................................................... 91

Big Sky Edit....................................................................................................... 9

Day One Agency............................................................................................33

Digital Film East Brunswick Magnet School...........................................32

Discover Jersey Arts.....................................................................................88

The Edison Foundations...............................................................................96

Fairleigh Dickinson University....................................................................75

Hoboken Historical Museum....................................................................... 61

Hudson County Office of

Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development......................... 14

Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University.................................. 2

Limin’ House....................................................................................................62

Lowenstein Sandler LLP................................................................................. 7

Matthews & Nulty.........................................................................................90

NBA..................................................................................................................... 7

New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund..............................................49

NJ EDA.............................................................................................................28

New Jersey State Council on the Arts....................................................... 4

Nice Shoes.......................................................................................................50

Northern Lights..............................................................................................60

Oscars®............................................................................................................. 13

Otsego 2000 – Glimmerglass Film Days.................................................22

Rowan University...........................................................................................62

Sherman Atlas Sylvester & Stamelman.................................................... 61

Syracuse University....................................................................................... 81


EDISON

INNOVATION

AWARD

2025 Streaming & Touring Collection


EDISON INNOVATION

AWARD

The Edison Innovation Award (EIA) is presented each year to a filmmaker who

has a distinguished body of work that advances the mission and legacy of the Thomas

Edison Film Festival and demonstrates significant recognition, past and present. The

filmmaker recognized is also prominent in the community of independent filmmaker/

artists and is recognized as a pioneer in new forms and innovations in filmmaking.

2025 EIA Recipient: Steven Vander Meer

Steven Vander Meer is a Northern California

based artist who draws on 3x5 inch index cards

to make short animations. His films are whimsical

observations about personal experiences, the

environment and the workings of the universe.

Eight of Vander Meer’s films have received

awards at the Thomas Edison (Black Maria) Film

Festival, including his very first film, “Arcata Brain

Closet”, in 1988. Other festival screenings include

Sundance, Slamdance, Annecy, GLAS, Palm

Springs ShortFest, Cinequest, Ann Arbor, Athens

and many more. Special screenings include The

National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC; the

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), NYC; and the

DeYoung Museum, San Francisco, CA.

STEVEN VANDER MEER

ARTIST/ANIMATOR/FILMMAKER

While working on a film called “Boomerang,”

Vander Meer received the Victor Thomas Jacoby

Award – a grant which enabled him to travel to

the Cork Film Festival in Ireland in 2016, where

“Boomerang” was awarded Best International

Music Video.

“Artists Who Animate,” a 2018 group exhibition

at the Morris Graves Museum in Eureka,

California, featured five local artists including

Vander Meer who made zoetropes and other

innovative animation displays, such as a door

with a peephole through which viewers could

watch a little movie. Throughout his filmmaking

career, he has constantly sought out ways to get

animation in front of viewers, other than film

festivals. Currently he is making “Animated Brain

Closets,” they are small cupboards which, when

opened, automatically show an animation. They


INDEX CARD STORAGE

COURTESY OF STEVEN VANDER MEER

BOOMERANG



EDISON INNOVATION

AWARD

PEEPHOLE ANIMATION


ARTISTS WHO ANIMATE

COURTESY OF STEVEN VANDER MEER

DRAWING A BEE



are installed in various places around the local

community.

Rotoscope techniques feature prominently in

Vander Meer’s 2022 film “Notice of Rejection.”

In order to reference video frames directly

onto index cards, he built a custom rotoscope

table and did all of the live action video

“acting” himself.

STEVEN VANDER MEER ACTING

LIKE A GUY WITH A LEAF BLOWER

From 1992 to 2020 Vander Meer owned

and operated Meer Image Rubber Stamp

Company. He designed, manufactured

and sold art rubber stamps to the crafting

community world-wide. He and his wife Carol

would frequently travel to conventions with

heavy, product-laden suitcases. Most of his

films include the use of some rubber stamps,

including the card counter box in the lower

right corner of each drawing.

STEVEN VANDER MEER AT

HIS ROTOSCOPE TABLE


EDISON INNOVATION

AWARD

MEER IMAGE RUBBER STAMP


NOTICE OF REJECTION


ANIMATED BRAIN CLOSET


STEVEN VANDER MEER, CORK FILM FESTIVAL AWARD RECIPIENT

ROTOSCOPE DEMO


DRAWING A JET


In 2011 Vander Meer purchased the Humboldt

Pulpworkers, a grange style building used for

union meetings, and renovated it into Old Purple

Thumb Works (anagram alert!) which houses his

art and animation studio as well as an Airbnb.

The studio itself is always a work-in-progress art

project, both inside and out.

You can see more of Steven’s work at

https://stevenvandermeer.com


MOUNTAINS

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FARMS

QUAINT MAIN STREETS

TOP TALENT

THE GARDEN STATE

HAS IT ALL!

LEARN HOW THE NEW JERSEY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

CAN SUPPORT YOUR FILM OR

TV PROJECT.

@NEWJERSEYEDA

WWW.NJEDA.GOV

(844) 965-1125

VISIT NJEDA.GOV/FILM

JURY’S

STELLAR

AWARDS



JURY’S STELLAR AWARDS

Tennis, Oranges – Animation

11 min. by Sean Pecknold, LA, CA, USA

A robotic vacuum suffering from burnout quits its job at a hospital and

sets out to find community and a greater purpose on a quiet street where

two lonely rabbits are stuck in perpetual loops.

The Insides of Our Lives – Documentary

45 min. by Misja Pekel, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The “Insides of Our Lives” is a poetic blend combining fiction with found

footage. A selection from thousands of hours of found footage – mostly

8mm material – tells

the coming-of-age

story of two girls

growing up along a

border in Europe, as

the border gradually

drives them apart.



A is for Ant – Experimental

10 min. by Jack Davison, Hadstock, Essex, UK

“A is for Ant” is an

immersive film by British

photographer Jack Davison

that explores the alphabet

through a captivating blend

of live action and animation.

This charming and engaging

film celebrates concepts of

creativity, play, the natural

world, beauty and silliness.

Dawn Every Day – Narrative

20 min. by Amir Youssef, Egypt and Antioch, CA, USA

Set in 1956, 8-year-old Nabil navigates through new social norms he

cannot fathom that impact his next-door best friend in post nationalized

Egypt. The story takes place during a complicated and difficult moment

in Egypt’s history and is told from the point of view of Nabil who is

determined not

to lose his friend.

This sensitive film

illuminates how

today’s political

events and social

movements tend to

separate us rather

than connect us.



At First Sight – Screen Dance

8 min. by Kate Harpootlian, NY, NY, USA

In a poignant tale of serendipity and heartbreak, “At First Sight” follows

the fateful encounter between a man and a woman whose lives intertwine

in a single, life-altering moment. Drawn together by an inexplicable force,

they experience love at first sight,

only to have their bond tragically

severed by a sudden accident

moments later. They are granted

a brief glimpse into an alternate

reality, where they explore the

depths of their connection and

envision the future they could

have shared.

32 ©2025 The Thomas DigitalFilmEBMS.com

A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, Inc., All rights reserved.


JURY’S GLOBAL STELLAR INSIGHTS

AWARDS

GLOBAL INSIGHTS STELLAR AWARD

Jerusalema: From Austria to Zimbabwe

8 min. by Su Friedrich, Brooklyn, NY, USA

“Jerusalema: From Austria to Zimbabwe” is a loving look back at a viral

phenomenon that burst out during the Covid pandemic:

The Jerusalema Dance Challenge.

We need your support!


views hundreds of submissions

yearly to bring you the finest

independent film in the world.

We depend upon viewers like

you to keep the festival going.

Grants from our major contributors

only cover part of our expenses.

The rest is up to you! Please help

us maintain the high quality and

accessibility that is essential for

our film community to thrive.

Contact the Consortium office or

make a donation via the website.


PO Box 3426


Phone: +1 551.999.8225




JURY’S DIVERSITY, STELLAR EQUITY,

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

AWARDS

DEAI STELLAR AWARD

How I Roll – Documentary

13 min. by Brianne Berkson and Miguel Gluckstern, Palisades, NY, USA

Facing unthinkable hardships including murder, loss, and battling

MS (Multiple Sclerosis) for 24 years, Robin Cohen impressively

defies the odds, finding light in spite of darkness.

¡Necesitamos su apoyo!

El Thomas Edison Film Festival

exhibe cientos de presentaciones

cada año para traerte la mejor

película independiente del mundo.

Dependemos de espectadores como

tú para mantener el festival en marcha.

Las contribuciones de nuestros

principales contribuyentes solo

cubren una parte de nuestros

gastos. ¡El resto depende de

ustedes! Ayúdenos a mantener la

alta calidad y la accesibilidad que

son esenciales para que prospere

nuestra comunidad cinematográfica.

Póngase en contacto con la

oficina del Consorcio o haga una

donación a través del sitio web.


PO Box 3426


Phone: +1 551.999.8225





Board of Trustees

President – Steven Gorelick

Retired Executive Director, NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission

Vice President – Matt Savare

Partner & Chair, Commercial Contracts, Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Treasurer – Dr. Joanne Bruno

Retired Provost, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA

Secretary – Jonathan Cole

Former Chief Information Officer, DWVD & Co.; High School English

teacher, Barnstable Academy, NJ

David Denenberg

NBA Senior VP, Global Media Distribution & Business Affairs

Clayton Hemmert

Former CEO, CrewCuts, Inc., NY, NY

Theresa Loong

Senior Producer, Potion Design, NYC, and filmmaker

Diane Moss

Counsel, Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Nelson E. Page

former President and Executive Director Barrymore Film Center

Steve Priolo, Sr.

Government Relations & External Partnerships – NJ Education Association

Leah Satlin

General Counsel, dv01, Inc.

Don Jay Smith

LKS Associates, Inc. – Arts Organization Consultant


JURY’S

CHOICE

AWARDS



JURY’S CHOICE AWARDS

Art21: Amy Sherald – Documentary

15 min. by Ian Forster, Brooklyn, NY, USA

In 2018 when Amy Sherald was selected by Barack and Michelle Obama

to paint the former First Lady’s Presidential Portrait, she moved from being

a virtual unknown to one of the most talked-about artists in the world.

Beyond her most well-known work, she has been painting portraits of

everyday people with dignity and humanity with the belief that images

can change the world.

ART21: Linda Goode Bryant – Documentary

14 min. by Chiemi Karasawa, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Artist Linda Goode Bryant builds communities and institutions, most

notably the gallery Just Above Midtown (JAM), which she started in New

York City in the 70s. Following Goode Bryant as she prepares for an

exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, marking 40 years after JAM first

opened, this film looks back at how Goode Bryant brought artists together

and made a space for experimentation in Black and contemporary art.



Assemblages – Experimental

9 min. by Martin Mulcahy, Chicago, IL, USA

An experimental animation exploring core memories through the objects

that trigger them, including digital stop motion, found footage, found

objects, collage, image composites, visual effects, and sound effects.

Children of Light – Narrative

20 min. by Minkyu Kang, LA, CA, USA, and South Korea

In the 1960s, a young Korean boy is kidnapped and assaulted at a juvenile

center on a remote island. He must escape with his rival to survive. The

film is based on true historical events in 1960’s South Korea.



de-composition – Experimental

3 min. by Laura Kraning, Buffalo, NY, USA

A textural macro collage of a rust belt landscape – scratched, splattered,

dripping, cracking, and bursting to the surface. Photographed and

meticulously edited over one year in Buffalo, NY, the reverberant tones

of the New York Central rail line provide the rhythmic pulse to a rapid

cascade of multi-hued material decay and metallic de-composition.

Der Untermensch – Screen Dance

8 min. by Kays Mejri, Tunis and Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Dedicated to the memory of the Second World War’s homosexual

victims, this short contemporary dance film abstractly depicts their

persecution at the hands of the Third Reich.



End of Summer – Narrative

14 min. by Weiqi Cai, Beijing, China and Savannah, GA, USA

“My grandmother passed away last summer, an event that left all

members of the family in a state of intense sadness. It seemed to me that

Grandma never left, and it was as if the people who had passed away

would never really go. They continue to live in our lives in some particular

form as we grow

up. When summer

comes back, we

will see each

other again.”

Five Rooms – Screen Dance

28 min. by Daniel Rakovsky, Claire Pastier, and Catherine Markstein, Bruxelles,

Belgium

What happens to the past once you can no longer cross its threshold?

The installation “Five Rooms” was born of the desire to keep a trace of

choreographer Daniel Rakovsky’s grandparents’ old Norman house, about

to be sold, where he spent part of his childhood. Five short dance solos or

duets, constructed like tableaux, bring five rooms of the house back to life,

preserving their memory

in the infinite details of

everyday life.



Fusion – Experimental

3 min. by Richard Reeves, Creston, British Columbia, Canada

“Fusion” investigates the interplay and love affair between sound and

image as visual music. Both sound and pictures were created by drawing

onto 35mm film. No camera or musical instrument was used. An abstract

experimental animated film experience without words.

High Street Repeat – Animation

4 min. by Osbert Parker and Laurie Hill, London, England, UK

Osbert Parker and Laurie Hill’s collaboration, “High Street Repeat,” is an

experimental collage film commissioned by the Migration Museum for its

Taking Care of Business exhibition. The film uses a range of animation

techniques to explore the story of migration and enterprise. High Street

is a common name for the primary business street of a city, town, or

village in the UK and Commonwealth, where there are more than

7,000 such streets.



Hunky Dory – Animation

6 min. by Steven Vander Meer, Arcata, CA, USA

“Hunky Dory” juxtaposes scenes of animal life with images of human

existence, observing the quirky and unexpected ways in which we are

similar. The meticulously hand-drawn animation is a visual smorgasbord,

moving and morphing in perfect time to the banjo music of Béla Fleck and

his bandmates in My Bluegrass Heart.

If You Believe in Me – Documentary

24 min. by Brandon Bloom, LA, CA, USA

A portrait of bee rescuer Dael, a charming micro celebrity who can’t help

but make his life as difficult and complicated as possible. We watch as he

travels across Southern California, saving bees, educating, and making a

name for himself at Venice Beach, the Hollywood sign, and everywhere in

between. He creates his own rules so he can live life on his own terms – off

the grid – with a flawed altruism aimed at nature.



Juste au Corps – Narrative

17 min. by Romain Forêt, Paris, France

Tom, a 17-year-old classical dancer at the Paris Opera Ballet School,

questions whether he’s seasoned enough to join the ballet corps next year.

On the eve of the competition, his perseverance manages to catch the

eye of his teacher. Inspired, the young student regains confidence in his

abilities to face the judging panel.

Le Charade – Animation

3 min. by Erika Totoro, Dobbs Ferry, NY, USA

A psychological comedy set in a run-down 1950s diner. “Le Charade”

follows the final performance of a lonely mime after a psychotic episode

that ensues after his imaginary friend breaks up with him and he is forced

to re-enter society.



Nothing Special – Documentary

15 min. by Efrat Berger, Paris, France

Two women try to escape the limbo of waiting. Walls are cracked, and

domestic objects come to life, as they discover that magic can be found

even in the tiniest grains from which ‘nothing’ is made.

Piecht – Narrative

30 min. by Luka Lara Steffen, Köln, Germany

For 17-year-old Johanna, a vacation in the idyllic town of Piecht is

anything but relaxing. While her mother dreams of an ecological

alternative life, a real nightmare unfolds for Johanna as she is confronted

with a far-right community and their radical ideas. She bravely tries to get

to the bottom of what

is happening around

her but encounters

brutal resistance.



Polemos – Narrative

12 min. by Evgen Brooks, Kyiv, Ukraine

“Polemos” highlights the centuries-long battle for freedom and

independence in Ukraine. Throughout history, Ukraine has given birth to

warriors whose worldview was based on the desire for freedom and the

willingness to give up everything for it, even their lives. The generations of

warriors depicted

in the film are

manifestations of

the same tradition,

in which the fight for

freedom is the most

important principle.

Rickshaw – Narrative

8 min. by Raphaël Hernandez, London, England, UK

Paul and his parents embark on a fun rickshaw ride to celebrate his

birthday when suddenly, a surprising encounter stops them on their

journey home.



Serious and Lively – Narrative

5 min. by Jieying Song, Shanxi, China

Evoking the “Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain, this delightful film

contrasts the lives of two young Chinese boys. The masterful intercutting of

the boys’ lives is comical, heartbreaking, and profound.

Sürgünlik (Exile) – Animation

2 min. by Jeremiah Dickey, Palisades, NY, USA

This animated excerpt from the feature length documentary “Jamala:

Songs of Freedom,” produced by Voice of America, illustrates the plight of

a single mother and her children during the Soviet purge of Crimean Tatars

at the end of WW2. The story is based on an account passed down three

generations and told by the mother’s great granddaughter, the Ukrainian

singer Jamala.



That Bolex Thing – Experimental

3 min. by Paul Echeverria, Detroit, MI, USA

Amidst our dependence on new technology, the Bolex, a Swiss-made

16mm film camera, maintains a timeless allure and magnetism. This glorious

machine provides a genuine reminder that technological progress is

underscored by nostalgic obsolescence. “That Bolex Thing” contextualizes

the ongoing interplay between innovation and tradition.

The Return – Documentary

25 min. by Jeremy S. Levine, Somerville, MA, USA

After being apprehended at the US border and separated from his

father for six months, 12-year-old Geovanny returns home to Guatemala.

Formerly a star student, he is no longer the same and drops out of

school. Meanwhile, his father finds himself in massive debt incurred from

their journey and fears he may lose his land, and even his life. When

an unexpected call comes in from the US, things could change for the

family. Filmed

over six years,

“The Return” is

a celebration of

the resilience of

a father and son

who dream of

returning home.



The Song of Flying Leaves – Animation

12 min. by Armine Anda, Yerevan, Armenia

“The Song of Flying Leaves” is a journey within a dream through an

encounter between Suna, a young girl who uses leaves as a blanket,

and an old man who possesses secret knowledge. The film reflects on

friendship between a father and a daughter, a teacher and a student, an

adult and a child, and

the path that can turn

the impossible into the

possible. The invented

letters in the film are

inspired by old

Armenian symbols.


Congratulations

to all the nominees

and winners of

The Thomas Edison

Film Festival 2025

niceshoes.com

JURY’S

CITATION

AWARDS



JURY’S CITATION AWARDS

6 minutes per kilometer – Experimental

3 min. by Catherine Boivin, Abenaki community of Odanak, Canada

In rhythm with the footsteps of her Atikamekw ancestors, Catherine, a

multidisciplinary Atikamekw Nehirowisiw artist based in Odanak, immerses

us in the dreamlike universe of her morning runs.

A Better Place – Narrative

17 min. by Shih-Chun Hsiao, Taiwan, and LA, CA, USA

When Henry, a young entrepreneur, learns that a local oil company wants

to offer a substantial payment for his family’s farm, he comes home to try

to convince his aging, immigrant parents to sell their peach farm and move

to a new home. Will his parents accept or reject the offer? Their decision is

ultimately based on wanting to leave their son a better future.



A Garden House – Animation

3 min. by Blake Douglas Young, LA, CA, USA

“A Garden House,” pays tribute to the filmmaker’s great uncle – the late

Benjamin Baldwin, an acclaimed interior designer and architect. Despite

never having met him, Young dialogues with his ancestor Benjamin Baldwin,

based on mutual queerness and a love of design, sanctuary, and nature. “A

Garden House” explores queer homemaking, the need for a refuge away

from prejudiced society, and the relationships between architecture and

the natural world.

Check – Animation

2 min. by Anita Gill, London, England, UK

A short film about OCD checking and the anxious inner struggle that is

often invisible to others. “Check” aims to convey this feeling of anxiety,

urgency and frustration through beautiful, abstract visuals and looping,

chaotic sounds.



Earthly Beings – Screen Dance

5 min. by Jody Oberfelder, NY, NY, USA

“Earthly Beings” was devised with young people from the theater

company, “Our Fabulous Variety Show.” In this poetic cinematic work,

Oberfelder asks: how can our presence as humans yield a gentle impact

on the future? How do we collaborate with each other and the earth?

Entity – Screen Dance

8 min. by George Steffens, Berlin, Germany

“Entity” is a striking exploration of the human experience. Against the

backdrop of Iceland’s landscapes, the film invites the audience to witness

the evocative journey of two isolated souls, as they discover the boundless

energy within and ultimately evolve into a unified, expressive whole.



I used to play bass – Animation

2 min. by Tyler Benson, San Francisco, CA, USA

An exploration of a shift in hobbies, results in a questioning of identity.

Animated frames are drawn and cut from paper using stop motion.

Mother of Chooks – Documentary

19 min. by Jesse Samos Leaman and Maite Martin Samos, Geelong, Australia

After caring for her sister until her passing, Elaine Janes was left with no

family. She unexpectedly found companionship in a chicken named Flapper.

Over the years, Elaine continued to foster countless lost chooks (chickens)

and developed a passion for teaching them tricks, transforming how

people view these remarkable birds today.



Old Girl in a Tutu: Susan Rennie Disrupts

Art History – Documentary

8 min. by Cheri Gaulke, LA, CA, USA

A retired feminist scholar takes up iPhone photography and creates a new

body of work – placing her queer, often naked, octogenarian body into

master works of art.

Potter’s Mirror – Animation

8 min. by Katherine O’Connor, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Based on themes of loss and grief through dementia, “Potter’s Mirror”

symbolically represents the internal structures of the mind. We follow the

daily activities of the Watchman as he tends to his memories and nurtures

new emerging ideas. All is well until a deterioration of the environment

forces him to escape through the window.



Ruins Within Ruins – Screen Dance

9 min. by Lefteris Parasyris, Greece, and London, England, UK

A group of dancers position themselves between the ancient and modern

ruins of the island of Crete in Greece. Drawing inspiration from Crete’s

rich heritage, they craft a series of kinetic forms and patterns influenced

by folk dances, offering reflections on historical memory and the Cretan

identity.

Stampfer Dreams – Animation

13 min. by Thomas Renoldner, Wien, Austria

An homage to the scientist Simon von Stampfer, who presented his

invention of Stroboscopic Discs in Vienna in 1833. These discs show all

kinds of animated loops from abstract to figurative and from experimental

to documentary. In this way von Stampfer’s discs foresee the variety of

genres in animated film. All the characters and animated sequences in

“Stampfer Dreams” are taken from and based on these “optical

magic discs.”



The Bridges We Cross – Narrative

8 min. by Iris van Dongen, Ambjornarp,Vastra Gotaland, Sweden

“The Bridges We Cross” follows Henry and Bertie, two elderly gentlemen

who are going into their town for a concert. Bertie has middle to late

Alzheimer’s disease, and Henry serves as his caretaker. As the couple

walks through town, they suddenly come across a bridge that evokes

some unexpected memories.

The Taste of Pork Belly – Narrative

20 min. by Sophie Shui, New Taipei City, Taiwan

This film is based on three elements within a young boy’s childhood

experiences: hunger, his father’s imprisonment on false charges, and his

sometimes-carefree youth. When he discovers that his mother is secretly

trading “flesh for flesh” to feed her family, he refuses to eat the pork belly

she cooks. The film takes place in the 1960s against the grim political

backdrop of the “white terror” a time of political repression of Taiwanese

civilians and dissenters and widespread poverty.



Torii – Experimental

12 min. by Martin Gerigk, Krefeld, Germany

Torii 鳥居 is a short film in the form of an audiovisual composition about

the traditional Shinto gates of the same name in Japan. The film uses these

gates which symbolically mark the transition from the mundane to the

sacred as representatives of a personal synaesthetic and spiritual journey

through five levels of consciousness.

Walk with Me – Narrative

11 min. by Adrien Boublil, Colombia, South America, and NY, NY, USA

A young man delves deep into his past, uncovering the profound

influence of his father, a pivotal figure in his life, as he seeks strength and

reassurance on the day of his wedding.


www.TEFilmFest.org

ROWAN UNIVERSITY

RADIO, TV

& FILM DEPARTMENT

TOP 10

OVERALL PROGRAM

BROADCAST EDUCATION

ASSOCIATION SCHOOL RANKINGS

B.A. IN RADIO, TV & FILM

M.A. IN TV STUDIES

B.F.A. IN BIOMEDICAL ART

& VISUALIZATION

MINOR IN PHOTOGRAPHY

MINOR IN NEW MEDIA

MINOR IN FILM & TV STUDIES

MINOR IN GAME MEDIA DESIGN

SINCE 1923

CCCA.ROWAN.EDU

62

DIRECTOR’S

CHOICE

AWARDS



DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARDS

376 Days: Nick Cave – Documentary

36 min. by Claude-Aline Miller, Chicago, IL, USA

Internationally celebrated African American artist Nick Cave, inspired

by the trauma of racial and social injustice, began creating as a means

to cope with the struggles around him. “376 Days” documents Cave

as he simultaneously prepares for a career spanning survey show at

Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and his 80-piece, couture fashion

performance “The Color Is,” inspired by the 1978 film “The Wiz.”

Bells – Narrative

18 min. by Christine Jezior, Bremen, Germany and Piotr Gromek, Warsaw,

Poland

In a small European village, timid Maria is continuously haunted by

nightmares from her childhood. One night she discovers that her neighbor

is plotting something sinister. Determined to fight this injustice, she has to

take a stand against brutal traditions that still prevail in many parts of

the world.



Bless the Child – Narrative

5 min. by Cole Johnson, New Market, AL, USA

After observing sound’s impact on those around him, a child with “sensory

processing sensitivity” attempts to overcome the chaos

of New York City streets.

Chain – Animation

5 min. by Ling Han, New Taipei City, Taiwan

“Chain,” is a 3D animated short featuring the story of a mantis catching

a cicada, unaware of the menacing spider behind her. The film expresses

nature’s survival instincts and prompts viewers to ponder the circle of life.



Champions – Narrative

22 min. by Asher and Aaron Goldenberg, Irvine, CA, USA

Brothers, Adrian and Sebastian, have qualified to race in The National

Track Competition, whose stakes are not just gold medals. They stand

to win a contract for the National Training Facility – an honor that would

mark a legendary win for the boys and provide unprecedented economic

opportunity for their poverty-stricken island. When the terms of winning

suddenly change, the boys’ unbreakable bond becomes a contest for the

greater good.

Edson’s Gravy – Animation

2 min. by Ryan George Kittleman, Richmond, CA, USA

Based on Russell Edson’s classic poem, “Edson’s Gravy,” this film is a

whimsical ode to a timeless condiment. Widely considered the godfather

of prose poetry in America, Russell Edson (1935-2014) published nearly

two dozen books and received fellowships from the Guggenheim

Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.



Gina Kamentsky’s Pinocchio – Animation

3 min. by Gina Kamentsky, Providence, RI, USA

Pinocchio felt a longing deep within him. Someday, he wished to become

a real girl and live a life beyond the confines of make-believe.

Heartlands: Earth and Bones – Screen Dance

5 min. by Darren and Suzanne James-Teale, West Midlands, UK

“Heartlands: Earth and Bones” explores the excavation of the land

beneath our feet, how this relates to our bodies, and whether we can

feel the weight of industry in our bones. Inspired by the post-industrial

landscapes of l’Estrie, the Eastern Townships in south-eastern Québec,

and her hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, Clare Reynolds created this solo in

collaboration with dancer Patsy Browne-Hope.



Inter-Library Loan – Screen Dance

8 min. by Marta Renzi, Nyack, NY, USA

From quiet reading to rambunctious display, 15 members of the Rhode

Island College Dance Company inhabit elegant spaces in the

Providence Public Library.

Niebościan – Freedom Lives in a Head – Screen Dance

5 min. by Jagoda Turlik, Warsaw, Poland

“Niebościan” is about actual imprisonment and a mental sense of freedom

– daily routine and the courage to decide to escape from it. The boundless

sky lives in our head. You just have to allow yourself to see it.



Our Blood Bleeds Red – Narrative

14 min. by Max Rogoff, LA, CA, USA

“Our Blood Bleeds Red” opens during Hollywood’s red scare, following

Samuel Ornitz – a Jewish screenwriter – who has been placed on the

Blacklist and must decide whether to name his fellow communists or stay

silent and be sent to prison, away from his family.

Promised – Narrative

23 min. by Christian Elliot, Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK

“Promised” was made to raise awareness about human trafficking through

the story of Seila and Chantrea, two Cambodian girls ensnared in sexual

exploitation. Flashbacks reveal their journey from a Cambodian village into

the hands of traffickers, promising easy work abroad but delivering only

separation and suffering. Seila eventually escapes with assistance from

A21, a global non-profit that works to fight human trafficking, and the

Cambodian government.



R.E.S.C.U.E. – Documentary

25 min. by Keenan Ferguson and Martha McGuinness, NY, NY, USA

and Northern Kenya, Africa.

“R.E.S.C.U.E.” is a film about resilience, hope, and triumph in the fight to

protect a species and to empower women and their communities. The film

gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the groundbreaking work of the

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and The Sarara Foundation in Northern Kenya.

It is an inspiring example of what is possible in the realm of community-led

conservation.

Rebellion of Letters – Animation

4 min. by Alfred Andrea, Wolfsbach, Austria

An anagram puts language up for discourse. Language is in motion and

finds new forms. Images fall to pieces, words become signs, and figures

change into letters.



Remembrance – Animation

3 min. by Isaac Gazmararian, Decatur, GA, USA

An old woman with Alzheimer’s disease goes on a journey through her

childhood memories to find something she once lost.

Revealing the Invisible – Screen Dance

28 min. by Marlene Millar and Tony Ming Chong, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Chinese Canadian dance artist Tony Chong dives into his family’s history

to find his place in the world. A heartwarming and sometimes absurd

hybrid of memoir, documentary and screen dance that blissfully and

cautiously surrenders to the great adventure of life.



Roach – Narrative

13 min. by Angelica E. Gayle, London, England, UK

A suburban horror film that follows Bonnie, a 17-year-old girl who shows

up at the eerie house of Mr. Roach to answer a cleaning job she found in

the paper. Bonnie has forged her resume in hopes of getting the job and

is surprised when Mr. Roach asks “…when can you start?” As time passes,

Bonnie realizes she is in way over her head as new horrors begin to be

unearthed in the house.

Rodent – Narrative

7 min. by Joe Fereday, Bristol, England, UK

A rat transports us through the last vestiges of humanity as it forages

for food for its family. “Rodent” hopes to show what could usurp us in an

alternate future if we keep making bad decisions for ourselves and for

the planet.



Sins of a Father – Narrative

14 min. by Nuekellar Hardy, Atlanta, GA, USA

Amidst echoes of his past, Bryan embarks on a heartfelt quest to rewrite

his future, confronting his father to break the chains of generational

trauma and carve out his own legacy of love and growth.

Spun Out – Animation

2 min. by Tommy Adzema, Tallahassee, FL, USA

After chasing a yarn ball to the center of the earth, a cat accidentally

disrupts the clockwork gears that keep our planet stable.



Strut – Animation

3 min. by Lynn Tomlinson, Owings Mills, MD, and students from Casa da Animação,

Porto, Portugal

In July 2023, award-winning animator Lynn Tomlinson led an animation

workshop with 12 participants in the Casa da Animação, in Porto, Portugal.

Workshop participants animated loops of a rooster – the symbol of

Portugal. The jazz score is by the Baltimore band, Bedlam Brass.

The Callback – Narrative

13 min. by Kara Herold, Syracuse, NY, USA

“The Callback” is a comedy short about a struggling artist in an out-oftouch

film industry. The film blends fiction, animation, humor, and poetry

to call out an industry and profession where women are underrepresented

and underwritten.



You Don’t Mess with James – Animation

4 min. by Weston Auburn and Myles Hi, Flossmoor, IL, USA

A young production assistant has a confusing day while on set.


HONORABLE

MENTION



HONORABLE MENTION

40° 24.2983’N 79° 58.251’W – Documentary

6 min. by Tony Buba, Braddock, PA, USA

A four-channel experimental documentary that immerses the viewer on

the effects of corporate decisions on front line communities.

A Night at the Rest Area – Animation

11 min. by Saki Muramoto, Shizuoka, Japan

At a midnight highway rest area, weary travelers quietly relax their minds.

A brief moment spent with complete strangers is lonely yet somehow

comforting.

Allure – Animation

4 min. by Jerry van de Beek and Betsy De Fries, Mill Valley, CA, USA

A junior astronaut fulfills a dream of going to the moon. Once there,

exhilaration gives way to reality. But what has been left behind? Created

in a colorful, prismatic, 2D graphic style with a haunting soundtrack that

echoes with loneliness.

Allégresse (Joy) – Narrative

19 min. by Gillie Cinneri, Brussels, Belgium

Serge, a funeral agent, finds himself entrusted with the custody of his

daughter, Inès, as well as the ashes of a stranger. Together, they seek to

pay tribute to this unknown person, and during this journey, Serge and

Inès end up weaving unexpected bonds.

August – Narrative

14 min. by Perit Jan Aydeemir, Ankara, Turkey

Serhat is an eleven-year-old boy with a speech impediment, living with

his mother in a rural village in Anatolia, Turkey. One day, Serhat goes for a

bike ride with Hatice, a lively and imaginative girl his age. Through Hatice’s

willingness to communicate, despite Serhat’s condition, Serhat discovers a

world more colorful and engaging.



HONORABLE MENTION


Blue and White – Narrative

27 min. by Hiroyuki Nishiyama, Tokyo, Japan

Ryusuke, a craftsman who has lost his beloved wife, continues making salt

even on the day of her funeral. His granddaughter Midori, who sees him

devote himself to salt making even at such a time, asks him about his true

intentions. He believes that his mission is to continue to make salt that can

only be made in this land and to preserve its history for future generations.

Elegy – Screen Dance

9 min. by Kitty McNamee, LA, CA, USA

In the beauty of the Taos mesa, movement, nature, philosophy, and

documentary converge, forcing Zak to question life and the way he is living

it. “Elegy” embraces a return to nature and to one’s true nature. Shot in the

natural beauty of Taos, New Mexico, in and around a sustainably built home,

the film explores the idea that only by staying true to one’s own voice can

true creativity be sustained.

Happy New Year – Animation

3 min. by Saki Muramoto, Shizuoka, Japan

The twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac are celebrating and welcoming

the Year of the Rabbit. They try to take a photo together, but things become

complicated.

I Found a Place – Narrative

8 min. by Zoë Gibney, Dublin, Ireland, UK

Seán has recently moved to Dublin from a small rural town, not wanting to

inherit his family’s collapsing family farm and all its debt. He wants to show

his parents he can make something of himself, but as rents spiral out of

control, he just needs to catch a break.

Koi – Narrative

18 min. by Taige Shi, LA, CA, USA

A newly divorced Chinese immigrant and his son move to the Great Lakes

area in the US. Father, Lee Huan, starts a fishing business that catches only

Asian carp in the local river. His son, Lee Long, doesn’t fit into their new

environment and doesn’t understand his dad’s motives. With help from a

close family friend, a biologist, the father and son confront their differences.


HONORABLE MENTION

Lola, Lolita, Lolaza – Animation

9 min. by Mabel Lozano, Villaluenga de la Sagra, Spain

With humor, love and sarcasm, Mabel Lozano tells us in first person about

her journey with a cancer-chickpea in her left breast. This is not just Mabel’s

story, it is also a story endured by millions of women.

Meko – Documentary

20 min. by Harrison Buck, Newington, New Hampshire, USA

“Meko” is an in-depth look into the macro-effects of climate change on

delicate coastal communities like the Bahamas Outer Islands through the

lens of legacy fly-fishing guide and angler Omeko “Meko” Glinton. It is a

testament to the strength of the human spirit and how fly fishing might be

the key to a sustainable future in the Bahamas Outer Islands.

MEVO: From Farm to Feast – Documentary

9 min. by Bryan Huth, Mahwah, NJ, USA

The youth-led farmers of MEVO, located at Campgaw Reservation in

Mahwah, NJ, take us on a tour of the land and the importance of reaching

their local community by hosting an annual farm-to-table gala.

Midsummer – Experimental

3 min. by Masha Vlasova, Atlanta, GA, USA

“Midsummer” is a cyanotype, sun-printed film. The film was conceived

during Juhannus, the celebration of the longest day of the year in Finland,

when the sun doesn’t set for 24 hours. The light of the sun is both material

and collaborator in creating this film-poem.

More Than Brothers – Documentary

23 min. by Andrea von Siebenthal, Switzerland and USA

Since the retreat of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021 and the

subsequent power takeover by the Taliban, the Afghans who helped the

Allies are being hunted down and killed. “More Than Brothers” portrays

the personal sacrifices and political engagement of two Green Berets in

a race against time to save the Afghans who kept them safe during their

deployments.



HONORABLE MENTION


Olga’s Eyes – Narrative

22 min. by Sarah Carlot Jaber, Brussels, Belgium

Olga, a music-loving octogenarian, is tired of killing humans. Could it be

the vampire blues? Her daughter Simone feels she’s just being picky! Olga is

placed in a care home where she can deal with those “who have one foot in

the grave…”

Pegasus – Narrative

12 min. by Jean-Erasme Giudicelli, Paris, France

“Pegasus” (Pégase) is a narrative short exploring themes of freedom and the

connection between man and nature, starring a magnificent horse.

Plastico – Documentary

5 min. by David Harriman, London, England, UK and James Bettney, Barcelona,

Spain

In Almeria Province in Spain there is a sea of plastic sheeting covering

the largest collection of greenhouses in the world. These “invernaderos”

(greenhouses) cover upwards of 150 square miles and are visible by the

naked eye from space. Staffed by an army of African migrants, a large

proportion of Europe’s vegetables and fruit are farmed here. More than

30,000 tons of plastic waste is created each year.

Rain – Experimental

6 min. by Vasilios Papaioannu, Washington, DC, USA

Rain, as circular shapes of memory imprinted on the fast-paced celluloid or

as liquid moving sculptures of the present in digital form, documents a verbal

interaction between two people.

Reclaim My Summer – Narrative

29 min. by Hao-wei Chen, Taiwan

“Reclaim My Summer” tells of a 17-year-old girl in a single-parent family

making a living in a recycling yard. She lives in a small bungalow built inside

the yard with her mother and younger sister, surrounded by all kinds of junk.

Aside from having to help out in the recycling yard, she is also tasked with

taking care of her pampered sister. She disdains the stress originating from

her family, but her defiance is but a means of seeking attention and care.


HONORABLE MENTION

Taylor’s Version – Narrative

6 min. by Pranav Bhasin, Mumbai, India

Two men realize they’re grappling with their love lives by pretending to

understand Taylor Swift. An ode to changing times, the film is a lighthearted

portrait of two young men awkwardly trying to understand

feminist issues.

Testimony – Animation

7 min. by Su Min Ha, Valencia, CA, USA

“Testimony” opens with a nun, Sister Angela, checking in on Emile, an

orphan found alone in an abandoned castle, who believes he is friends with

a vampire, currently called Charlie. Charlie has had many names because,

as Emile excitedly explains, vampires live a long time and need to reinvent

themselves constantly.


DEPARTMENT OF

FILM AND MEDIA ARTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

THOMAS EDISON FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:

“The Callback,” Kara Herold (faculty)

“Rain,” Vasilios Papaioannu (alumnus)

vpa.syr.edu/film-media-arts


HONORABLE MENTION


The Candy Factory – Documentary

20 min. by Cory Jacobs and Jason Schmidt, Brooklyn, NY, USA

A turn-of-the-century former candy factory in Brooklyn is more than just

a space for artists to create – it’s a tender ecosystem held together by the

particular, magnetic force of the building’s owner.

The Professional Parent – Narrative

14 min. by Erik Jasaň, Košice, Slovakia

Ingrid, a Caucasian woman, lives in a small village in eastern Slovakia,

where the Roma population is stigmatized. Despite this, Ingrid decides to

become the legal representative, a foster parent, of a young Roma girl. Does

it benefit the well-being of the child she brings into her home or does Ingrid

cross her moral boundaries for financial gain?

The Treachery of Images (of dogs) – Documentary

10 min. by David Boffa, Madison, WI, USA

A short documentary about our relationship to the photographic image,

told entirely through images of dogs.

Things We Swallow – Experimental

4 min. by Carleen Maur, Columbia, SC, USA

A film that evokes curiosity through use of hand processed footage and

the purposeful rejection of conventional narrative structure. The swallow

metaphor is both effective and ironic.

This is Ira Richer – Documentary

6 min. by Rick Knief, Scarsdale, NY, USA

“This is Ira Richer” explores the mind, life, and influences of a visionary artist

who landed in SOHO, NY in the 1980’s amongst notable figures in the art

world. The film reveals how a critical early event inspired the breakthrough

that shaped Richer’s foundational art works.

Wrestle Off – Narrative

19 min. by Sabatino Ciatti Jr. Warren, NJ, USA

Tenacious high school wrestler Alex, battles with the grief of her father’s

passing and the hostility of her teammates as she fiercely competes for a

varsity spot on an all-male wrestling team.



Advisors

Henry Baker

Creative Director, Filmmaker

John Columbus

TEFF Founder Emeritus

Boris Gavrilovic

Professor of Film Production, Centenary University

Joel Katz

Professor of Media Arts, NJCU, Filmmaker

Louis Libitz

Teacher of film and media arts, Digital Film East Brunswick Magnet School

Cali Macchia

Teacher of cinematography, Arts High School, Newark, NJ Magnet School

Jonathan Mason

Associate Chair and Professor, Rowan University, Filmmaker

Margaret Parsons

Juror, Curator Emerita National Gallery of Art,

Founder and curator Glimmerglass Film Days

Nicole Pometti

Video Editor, Podcaster and Professor of Post Production,

Montclair State University.

Stephanie Roberts

Teacher of English and media arts, Passaic Valley HS


Pre-Screening Jurors

Henry Baker

Jon Cole

Edith “Didi” Goldenhar

Steve Gorelick

John Hawk

Clayton Hemmert

Amy Hicks

Joel Katz

Elizabeth Kirshtein

Ann LePore

Cali Macchia

Jane Steuerwald

Film & Media Arts students

Princeton University


Ramapo College of NJ


Towson University


University of Delaware

Lewis Center for the Arts


Judith Hamera – Chair

Marion Friedman Young – Executive Director

Jeff Whetstone – Director, Program in Visual Arts

Pam Lins – Associate Director, Program in Visual Arts

Christopher Harris – Professor of Visual Arts

Moon Molson – Assistant Professor of Visual Arts

Medhin Paolos – Professional Specialist

Nicolás Pereda – Associate Professor of Visual Arts

Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt – Lecturer in Visual Arts

Tim Szetela – Lecturer in Visual Arts

Marjorie Carhart – Visual Arts Program Manager

Steve Runk – Director of Communications

Kristy Seymour – Visual Arts Program Associate


Jurors

Margaret Parsons, Curator

Emerita, founded the film program

at the National Gallery of Art in

Washington DC. She served as

curator of film for the Gallery

for decades and organized

screenings related to film history,

film art, and the role of timebased

media in society. She

has curated media exhibitions

and programs at embassies and

cultural organizations including the

Corcoran Gallery of Art, American

University, the National Archives,

the Smithsonian Museum of

American History, and Smithsonian

Museum of American Art. She

has served on the boards of film

organizations ranging from the

Robert Flaherty Film Seminar to

the Environmental Film Festival

in the Nation’s Capital, and has

been on the editorial boards

for The Moving Image and the

Getty Trust’s experimental Art

on Film in association with the

Metropolitan Museum of Art. She

has been an international festival

juror and in 2012 she founded

Glimmerglass Film Days in central

New York State. For her work in film

preservation Parsons has received

awards from the governments of

France, Georgia, Italy, and the

Czech Republic, and in the U.S. has

been the recipient of life

achievement awards from the

Thomas Edison Black Maria

Film Festival, DC Independent

Festival, and Women in Film

and Video. Her scholarship is in

the field of outsider art and her

articles have appeared in Raw

Vision, Folk Art, The Folk Art

Messenger, New York Folklore,

Curator, and The Moving Image.

Henry Baker, Director, Producer,

Creative Director, former Executive

Director at the ground-breaking

arts facility: Synapse Video Center.

His work as educator, curator and

director helped launch video as

an art form in America. He cocreated

the NYS Media Alliance.

As one of the first Quantel Video

Paintbox artists, he collaborated

on The Cars “You Might Think”

music video – winner of the firstever

MTV Music Video Award. His

company, BXB, produced projects

with Menudo, Celeste Holm, HBO,

SONY, Panasonic and others. You’ll

find his works in the permanent

collections of the NY Public Library

and Everson Museum of Art. He

served as a dedicated juror for

the National Endowment for the

Arts, WNET‐TV Lab, Corporation

for Public Broadcasting and

Thomas Edison Film Festival. His

award-winning documentaries

“DADDYLOVE,” “Own Your fetish,”

“Piss Off X” and “Pup Perfect”

have toured film festivals around

the world. He resides with his

husband in Washington DC.


Hudson County Movie Tour


(TEFF) and our partners at the

Hoboken Historical Museum are

grateful for generous support

from the Hudson County Office

of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/

Tourism Development for their

long-running sponsorship of our

Hudson County Movie Tour.

TEFF is proud to present unique

and thought-provoking programs

either in-person or virtually at the

Hoboken Historical Museum, in

the beautiful Rotunda at Justice

Brennan Courthouse in Jersey

City, at the Secaucus Public

Library, and at the A. Harry

Moore School in Jersey City.

Our TEFF programs are announced

regularly via MailChimp, so email us

at: info@tefilmfest.org to sign up for

personal notifications. Look for our

film program announcements on the

Hoboken Museum website:

www.hobokenmuseum.org, and from

the Hudson County Cultural Affairs

Office at www.visithudson.org.

Here is a sampling of programs

we are planning from March

through December 2025…

HIGH STREET REPEAT

BY OSBERT PARKER AND LAURIE HILL

HUNKY DORY


POLEMOS

BY EVGEN BROOKS

To kick off our screenings in

Hudson County, don’t miss the

Thomas Edison Film Festival’s

Gala Premiere at the Hoboken

Historical Museum on Saturday

March 8th, featuring top awardwinning

films from the 2025

collection. Doors open at 6:30 pm,

program starts at 7:00 pm.

SERIOUS AND LIVELY

BY JIEYING SONG


Hudson County Movie Tour

Films celebrating Women’s

HERstory Month may be seen

throughout the month of March.

Environmentally focused films

honoring Earth Day will be

featured in April. May is Asian

American Heritage Month and

June ushers in our annual Pride

Month Celebration – an event you

won’t want to miss! Animation

in August, Hispanic Heritage

Month in September/October,

Screen Dance in November, and

Universal Human Rights Month in

December round out our unique

film programs in collaboration with

the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Special events including filmmaker

talks will be announced throughout

2025. Our film nights await!

THE RETURN

BY JEREMY S. LEVINE

THE BRIDGES WE CROSS

BY IRIS VAN DONGEN

THE SONG OF FLYING LEAVES

BY ARMINE ANDA

THE TASTE OF PORK BELLY

BY SOPHIE SHUI

R.E.S.C.U.E .

BY KEENAN FERGUSON AND MARTHA MCGUINNESS

HOW I ROLL

BY BRIANNE BERKSON AND MIGUEL GLUCKSTERN


connect with us

Subscribe today to keep up

on New Jersey’s arts and

entertainment scene through

weekly feature stories, videos,

and podcasts along with the

latest on upcoming shows.

JerseyArts.com

Individual Donors

Platinum Supporters

Jon Cole

Clayton and Geri Hemmert

Diane Moss

Gold Supporters

David Denenberg

Don Drelich

Matt Savare

Silver Supporters

Mary-Jo and Mike Dervos

Margaret “Peggy” Parsons

Bronze Supporters

Frank Barszcz

Sally Berger

Joanne Bruno

Robert and Jane Cassidy

Jim and Kathleen Di Orio

Debby Grey and Dave Schipul

Joel Katz

Leah Satlin

Essential Supporters

Steve Agnello and Marcie Riger

Randy Cole

Doreen DeCarolis

Cheri Gaulke

Didi Goldenhar

Steve and Joanne Gorelick

John Hawk

Ingrid Katz

Candy Kugel

Theresa Loong

Steve Priolo

David and Stephanie Roberts

Lisa Swain and Ron Bienstock

Ryoya Terao


Special Thanks

Henry Baker, Festival Associate and TEFF Advisory Board

Jon Cole, Technical Director, TEFF

Chris Franklin, Supervising Editor, Big Sky Edit

Lawrence “Chip” Heptig, Voiceover Talent

Gina Hulings, Director of Hudson County Cultural & Heritage Affairs /

Tourism Development

John P. Keegan, Chairman and President, Charles Edison Fund,

Edison Innovation Foundation

Diane Moss, Executive Producer, TEFF Black History Month at


Margaret Parsons, Curator of Film Emerita,

National Gallery of Art and TEFF Advisory Board

Ellen Pope, Executive Director, Otsego 2000

Kennisa Ragland, Editor, Big Sky Edit

Vera Sirota, Communications Associate, Hoboken Historical Museum

Stream us on the Web

Visitors can stream new and

archived programs curated by

festival director, Jane Steuerwald.

We invite you to search the TEFF

Archive to view films, read essays, and

more. Stream past and present individual

films, and access information about

our projects and our commitment to

Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion.

We are deeply grateful for the

generous support from NJ State

Council on the Arts for supporting

our efforts to create a website that

is accessible and welcoming to all.

www.TEFilmFest.org


Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium supports

ADA – The Americans with Disabilities Act


(TEFF) is a touring festival

visiting venues across the US

and presenting 50+ programs a

year – in-person and virtually. We

carefully vet, collaborate with, and

coordinate the resources of our

host institutions to accomplish the

highest level of ADA compliance

possible. For decades, the festival

has partnered with institutions

that prioritize accessibility. Each

host must confirm its adherence

to the Consortium’s strict

ADA requirements to qualify

as a TEFF program venue.

TEFF is proud to announce that

since 2024, all films included

in the TEFF tour have provided

closed captioning upon request.

The festival staff works with each

winning filmmaker to ensure that

captions are included for any film

with dialog regardless of original

language. Additionally, the TEFF

website provides synopses of

all films in its annual collection

and archive, enabling patrons

to preview descriptive content

ahead of program presentations.

The Consortium also enhances

accessibility for individuals with

visual impairments. Digital TEFF

program booklets from 2014

onward can be viewed on the

festival’s website and enlarged

for ease of reading. Large-print

programs are made available to

host venues upon request for

in-person screenings, ensuring

that patrons with vision loss

can engage more fully with

the festival’s offerings.




Interactive engagement is another

hallmark of TEFF’s accessibility

efforts. Programs presented inperson

by the Executive Director

include personalized description

and real-time audience Q&A’s,

offering an enriched experience for

individuals seeking an additional

visual or auditory context. This

practice reflects the festival’s

dedication to inclusivity.

To further its ADA compliance

goals, the Consortium has

developed a “Host Organization

Americans With Disabilities Act

(ADA Compliance) Rider and

Survey.” This tool ensures that

venues that cannot be visited

by the director personally, meet

full ADA compliance standards.

The Consortium exercises best

practices to recruit persons with

disabilities as volunteers and

employees. Through the efforts of

the Consortium’s ADA Compliance

Committee, policies and procedures

are regularly reviewed, and the

Consortium reinforces its identity

as an inclusive arts organization.

Our unwavering commitment to

accessibility ensures that TEFF

programs, whether virtual or

in-person, are designed to be

welcoming and inclusive for all

audiences. Patrons are welcome

to contact the festival director:

Jane Steuerwald

Email: Jane@TEFilmFest.org

Office: +1 551.999.8225


Celebrating 45 Years of

Inspiring Film Art

Now Showcasing 6 Genre Categories!

We are thrilled to announce a new addition to our awards lineup:

Young Filmmakers Category

Open to student filmmakers

currently attending a U.S. college

or high school.

Eligible Genres: Animation,

Documentary, Experimental,

Narrative, Screen Dance, and

Hybrids.

Submission Requirements: Films

must be 10 minutes or less,

accompanied by a valid student

ID or proof of attendance at a U.S.

educational institution.

Entry Fee: Greatly discounted at

just $10!

This exciting category joins our

established genres:

Documentary

Creative explorations of real events,

people, or places, presenting

Young Filmmakers Category

(Students Only)

compelling truths through a lens of

originality.

Narrative

Innovative fictional storytelling

that captivates and draws us into

authentic-seeming worlds.

Animation

From stop-motion to computergenerated

visuals, breathing life

into fresh, imaginative ideas.

Experimental

Non-narrative personal visions

or hybrid forms that push the

boundaries of conventional film

genres.

Screen Dance

Choreographed works where film

and dance intertwine, creating

a dance of both movement and

camera.

Student Early Bird (with ID) May 1 through June 31, 2025

Student Regular Deadline (with ID) July 1 – September 8, 2025

Under 10 min.

$10 Early

$15 Regular

Questions? Contact us at:

Phone: +1 551.999.8225



Facebook: facebook/

thomasedisonfilmfestival

IG: instagram.com/thomasedisonff/


Call for Entries for 2026

Early Bird Entry

Date: May 1, 2025

2026 marks the 45th Season of the

Thomas Edison Film Festival (TEFF)

Our Festival seeks spirited short films that explore, enrich, and

expand the expressive possibilities of film as art.

TEFF is an international, open genre, touring festival. We are seeking

short films in these categories, all of which can include hybrid films.

Animation

Documentary

Experimental

Narrative

Screen Dance

Submissions open for 2026 on these dates:

Early Bird May 1 through June 31, 2025

Regular Deadline July 1 – September 8, 2025

Under 15 min.

$25 Early

$30 Regular

16-30 min.

$30 Early

$35 Regular

31-45 min.

$35 Early

$45 Regular

Submit your film on FilmFreeway at:

https://filmfreeway.com/ThomasEdisonFilmFestival


THE EDISON FOUNDATIONS

To learn more about Thomas Edison and his Legacy go to: ThomasEdison.org

Edison Innovation Foundation

Charles Edison Fund

One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 340

Newark, New Jersey 07102

Phone: 973-648-0500

Email: info@thomasedison.org

Facebook/ThomasEdison

Instagram.com/ThomasEdison1847

2025 44th Season of the Thomas Edison Film Festival Program

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