2025 Edition

Film Program Everybody is Somebody – Albuquerque Film Festival 2025 Coming Soon

Date

Albuquerque Film Festival March 28 thru 30, 2025

Location

Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Winners 2025:

MONOCHROMIC
Best Experimental

Noodle Therapy
Best Local Short Film

PAINT
Best Short Drama

Happy Birthday, Jamie
Best International Short Film

Best Day Ever
Best Action

Angel’s Tide
Best Local Feature Film

Pocha
Best Local Drama

Liminal
Best Short Film

It Came Out of the Sky
Best Sci-Fi

TOSKA
Best Suspense

Angler
Best Narrative

Notes on a Page
Best Local Short Documentary

A World With No Fences
Best International Short Documentary

Best foreign horror short

TERMINUS

Best horror short

THE CARVENING

Best feature

CATCH A KILLER

Best local short

LITTLE DEATHS

Program 2025:

Friday 28th

5pm-10pm	The UFO’s of Soesterberg	1:17:45	Bram Roza
	Black Fog	0:09:20	Patrick Kelly
	Funny Bunny	0:06:05	Nicolas Stanich
	Howl if You Love Me	0:07:47	john dilworth
	Little Deaths	0:06:15	Derek Bensonhaver
	The Five Stages of…	0:06:00	Glenn Lissner
	How to cook french cousin?	0:02:05	Hritik Rajesh Mehta
	The Carvening	0:02:53	Matthew Incontri
	Briefcase	0:02:19	John FreelyKirk
	Starver	0:07:00	Parsa Zahedi
	Vivir	0:08:52	Gerardo Maravilla
	Terminus	0:10:24	Ashley Butcher
	Into the Reds Tale	0:04:05	Alisdair Zhang
	They Come Home to Die	0:09:59	Zeke Farrow
	Selfie	0:13:30	Aleo Film S.r.l.
	Skin Deep	0:12:00	John Tyler McClain
	Catch A Killer	1:21:09	Teddy Grennan

Saturday 29th

2pm-3pm	Zac Cornfield	Eating History | A Taste Of New Mexico	0:56:24
3pm-4:30pm	Jaime De La Rosa	La Artesana	0:04:00
	Alyssa Dann	ORANGE BLUES 24	0:04:54
	Micah Dudash	A World With No Fences	0:11:53
	Jennifer A. Uihlein	Notes on a Page	0:13:34
	Anna Long	Death in The Desert	0:13:48
	Brandon Carter	Movie Monsters	0:07:50
	Daniel Locicero	Punjabi Protector	0:09:44
	Dominika Laster, Trevor Meier	People on the Move	0:16:48
		Q and A
4:30pm-6pm	Jericho Reid, Isaiah Berra	A Different Path	0:17:01
	Katie Farmin	MONOCHROMIC	0:06:32
	Omar Alejandro Marroquin	Lulu	0:10:57
	Lava G. Khonsuwon	Noodle Therapy	0:04:50
	Camille Carlson	Shellfish Knish	0:15:32
	Mora Carew	PAINT	0:16:22
		Q and A
6pm-8pm	Derek Bensonhaver	The Highwayman	0:11:26
	Ryan Clausen	Happy Birthday, Jamie	0:14:14
	Preston Taylor	Best Day Ever	0:20:00
	Christ – Dovlatyan	The most dangerous creature… Is a furious sheep	0:14:19
	Martín Alberto Gonzalez	Boxnard: Counterstories as Counterpunches	0:05:11
	Brian O’Connor	The Seeds of Change	0:11:03
		Q and A	1:16:13
8-10	Zeph E Daniel	Angel’s Tide	1:29:33
		Q and A
10-12	After-Party

Sunday 30th

1:30m-3:30pm	Mathieu Gari	Hike	0:21:13
	Rami Salloum	Sister Marie-Ange	0:18:32
	Marie Gayeski	elemental	0:07:38
	Nolan Arkansas	Gay Marriage in Cherokee, NC	0:10:00
	Nina BARBIER	HEALING OF THE DRAGONFLY	0:13:00
	Eric K Delehoy	Cowboy Boots	0:12:33
	John Beder	How to sue the Klan	0:34:28
		Q and A
3:30pm-5pm	Gustavo Andres Menese	Nerd	0:03:10
	Astra Silver Burke	My Shadow	0:06:41
	Jules van Hulst	Her Eye	0:06:34
	Carol J. Amore	Ancient Lands and Lives-Above the Grand Canyon Rims	0:09:00
	Anna Lisa Padilla	Pocha	0:13:23
	Kimber Leigh	Taking Your Crack at Filmmaking	0:11:49
	Brandon Keeton	Calls	0:20:01
		Q and A
5-6:30	Daryl Ferrara, Adrianne Lovato	Liminal	0:04:00
	William Frankenstein	Angler	0:16:36
	Justin R Romine	It Came Out of the Sky	0:14:21
	Brandon Martinez	This Means Forever	0:15:00
	J’wad Milanes	SAYF	0:07:00
	Hannah Sutter	TOSKA	0:12:44
		Q and A
6:30-7	Award Show

Synopsis:

Project Title	Synopsis
Nerd	Nerd is a conceptual animation about realizing what we truly are. It tells the story of Gus, a kid following his path to understanding reality through science. In his journey, he has to leave his demons behind to find the truth: we are all part of the same thing, and the fact that you are you and I am me is just random.  Each frame of this animation has been painted digitally, totaling 2213 individual paintings created over 3 years.
How to Sue the Klan	From Producer Ben Crump. America’s first hate group, the Ku Klux Klan, dealt out hatred and violence for over a century without penalty – until five Black women and a young Black civil rights lawyer finally forced them to pay for their crimes. The strength of these women and the groundbreaking 1982 civil case set forth by their attorney established a legal precedent that paved the road for today’s fight against organized hate.
Angel’s Tide	30 Years ago, Hollywood screenwriter, Woody Keith made his directorial debut with Angel’s Tide.  Woody eventually left Hollywood and became Zeph E. Daniel.  The movie was forgotten and never released.  While working on the documentary “The Darkside of Society”, a work print of  ‘Angel’s Tide’  was discovered. After a viewing and the urging of his partners at Crazed House.  Zeph E Daniel was able to go back some 30 years later and finish the movie the way he had originally envisioned. Synopsis: Diane Collier, a woman of the 90’s who has achieved almost everything a career woman could want, is stricken with a terminal illness that even her good credit cards cannot protect her from.  As she balances denial and acceptance, she tries to “hold on” to her world through indulgence in sex and chocolate and consumption of material goods while trying to make peace with her father after years of self-imposed exile.  Her father, a painter who never forgave Diane for going into the commercial art field, tries to welcome her back, but their personalities are on a crash collision course, and he is unable to be the willing ear for her secret, that she will soon die. The image of time slipping by is accentuated for Diane when she meets a wise clock-shop owner who rents her an apartment near her parents’ house, while a mysterious angel, a cherubic little girl appears to Diane alone, calling her, inspiring her to paint a portrait of the angel and to face her destiny.  Friends and family are not enough to lead Diane to acceptance of her fate, and she becomes kleptomanic in an effort to hold onto it all, culminating in a bank hostage crisis.  Once her father realizes that he has held onto his own dreams for Diane instead of letting her explore her dreams, he relents and tries to assist her in “stealing” her life back.  But it is the little angel who finally leads her to the tides and the realm beyond.
HEALING OF THE DRAGONFLY	Joe Pulliam, an Oglala Lakota Sioux artist living in Rapid City in the state of South Dakota. Father of 4, Joe Pulliam opened an art gallery exclusively with his work, painting on ledgers inspired by his culture and traditional life. This documentary tells his story and his artistic journey from Pine Ridge reservation to hi last exhibition in Rapid City ( SD)
Calls	A 911 call leads a new Police Chief to a cold case with a paranormal twist.
Angler	Following the recent death of her sister Ivy, Violet attempts to clean out Ivy’s apartment in hopes of finding some peace. She gets more than she bargained for when a mysterious camera reveals to Violet that Ivy’s troubles were more complicated than they initially appeared, suggesting that someone…or something… may have been behind her untimely end.
Her Eye	‘Her Eye’ presents itself as a shimmering vision: Crystal clear yet fragmented. In this film, this ambiguous identity is embodied by a mystical being. Driven by a poem and different types of light, we wonder: What can you see and what can you not see? Like the sun that is too bright to look into, while her reflection on the water can be soft. A light source and its reflection are the same but different.  The text of the poem is visually embedded in de film. There are three versions: Dutch (original), English and Spanish.
Ancient Lands and Lives-Above the Grand Canyon Rims	Ancient Lands & Lives- Above The Grand Canyon Rims is a high impact and fast-paced short Docu-music video that embraces Arizona’s Grand Canyon wildlife experience through versatile animal habitats and its resilient pinyon-juniper evergreen trees on the Canyon’s Rims.  Its vast colorful canyon rock formations reveal layers in geological time, dramatic thunderstorms with rising cloud formations, dark night skies (Milky Way Galaxy visible) and sacred tribal lands. The emmy-award-winning composer-electric violin performer for this music video, Mark Wood, original member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, played his unique seven-stringed viper electric violin like a series of high-powered symphonic movements interpreting the Grand Canyon, portraying wildlife behaviors and reaching up into its ever-changing skies. His music inspires one’s spirit. Elusive Grand Canyon predator families includes mountain lions, bobcats, wolves, coyotes, gray foxes and even birds of prey ( American eagle, Golden eagles, Red-tailed hawks, Peregrine falcons).  Resident desert Bighorn sheep, mule deer and other wildlife are also part of the Canyon’s eco-system. These wildlife are often portrayed in Hopi stone wall petroglyphs thousands of years old. In the Hopi culture, the animal Kachinas (Ka means “respect”, china means “spirit”) have been used as the introduction to Film Chapters within this Docu-music video to create an interpretative window into their world.   The Hopi craftsman carves each animal to represent its unique physical characteristics.  Just like a compass each animal is viewed as a guardian to the North, South, East and West. Mountain Lions- Guardians of the North (intuitive, resourcefulness, fearless protector)  American Badgers- Guardians of the South  (fierce, tenacious, tough to fight off larger predators)  Wolves- Guardians of the East  (cunning protectors and alpha leaders in a social pack) Black Bears-Guardians of the West (strength, power and wisdom). Sky Bird Kachinas of the American Eagle and Great-Horned Owl are also present. Filming the Grand Canyon from space, high resolution drones, 4K video cameras, special time-lapse dramatic night sky filming over the Canyon Rims and even advanced earth-penetrating Lidar technologies were used to create original high resolution images within this Docu-music video. New James Webb telescope discoveries were also integrated within this production.  These inspiring views add significant visual excitement and intrigue for audiences.  The collaborative work of many talented professional experts in this Docu-music-video gave tremendous innovative efforts to inspire visitors in the current and future preservation of the Grand Canyon area.
Mercy of Others	In the haunting shadow of a recent tragedy, “Mercy of Others” unfolds as a close-knit group of six friends reunite to mourn the loss of a friend. This gathering, meant for solace and reminiscence, swiftly uncovers buried tensions and unresolved conflicts within their circle, revealing a complex web of emotions and relationships. However, the true depth of their shared history comes to light when the night spirals into unforeseen darkness. A mysterious and sinister force confronts them, holding them collectively accountable for a long-forgotten deed from their past. As the night progresses, they are thrust into a harrowing game of survival, where the only way out is to confront and atone for their past actions. Set against a backdrop of suspense and psychological intrigue, “Mercy of Others” is a compelling narrative that delves into the psyche of its characters. It’s a story that weaves together the threads of friendship, guilt, and the haunting power of past actions. This thriller masterfully illustrates the immutable law of cause and effect, proving that every action has its own set of consequences, often far-reaching and inescapable. As the night unfolds, each character is forced to face their own shortcomings and seek redemption, not just to survive but to find a semblance of peace in the chaos that surrounds them. “Mercy of Others” is more than a story of survival; it’s a journey into the heart of human frailty and the quest for forgiveness in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Highwayman	As a killer indiscriminately stalks the highways of America, he could be any face, any look, anybody, anywhere and you wont know him until it is too late.     This film explores concepts of murder, road rage and perception in a society where violence is a quick reaction and human life is an afterthought, whether it be from a psychopath, or the average person driving next to you on the road.
Happy Birthday, Jamie	An anxious office employee struggles to get anyone to sign a birthday card for a co-worker
Cowboy Boots	Jack, a gay cowboy from Nebraska, finds anything but the promised land he envisioned when he visits a San Francisco gay club for the first time.
Movie Monsters	The stars of a monster movie let their behind-the-scenes feud bring down the entire production as their on set argument turns into an all out brawl.
Punjabi Protector	In the bustling city of Los Angeles, Keeran (or Agent 1), a resourceful and determined British Indian secret agent, embarks on a mission of revenge. After her ex-partner is killed by a ruthless crime lord, Agent 1 goes undercover to infiltrate his empire. Balancing her deep sense of justice with personal vendetta, she navigates a web of danger and intrigue. “Punjabi Protector” is a gripping story of resilience and redemption, where cultural heritage meets the high stakes of espionage.
People on the Move	This film documents the dire humanitarian crisis of non-white refugees stranded on the Poland-Belarus border and explores the local activist interventions to address the situation. The film aims to draw international attention and spark the political will to redress this crisis, which is both acute and chronic, and requires urgent and strategic intervention. The film further amplifies the work of local activists engaged in developing varied interventions from the very outset of this humanitarian crisis.
Notes on a Page	A middle-aged mother navigates life’s challenges, coming to a powerful realization: the noise that told her she wasn’t good enough was wrong, fueling her through an exercise in finding her voice – a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of self-belief.
Death in The Desert	A wayward soul strikes an unlikely friendship with a divine entity
It Came Out of the Sky	It Came Out of the Sky A screenplay by Justin R. Romine One night, DETECTIVE JENSEN receives a call, informing him that BARNEY, who had been missing for six days, has finally been found. He drives to the man’s house to investigate. Jensen learns that BARNEY had been driving home from bowling when he woke up six weeks later in Dulce, two and a half hours away, wearing only his underwear. When Jensen asks Barney about his last memory before waking up, Barney says he saw a bright light and that…it came from out of the sky! Meanwhile, LUNA, a pretty young woman working as a rideshare driver, is apparently giving partygoers rides home…but these same people mysteriously go missing that same night. Jensen’s inquiries lead him to Luna as a possible source of information on the case. Is she innocent, or somehow implicated in these disappearances? Set out on an exciting tour through New Mexico’s enigmatic landscape, where UFO sightings abound! Follow Detective Jensen as he explores the mysterious world of extraterrestrial encounters. Prepare yourself for a revelation that will blow your mind and have you on the edge of your seat. Are you ready to discover this sci-fi thriller’s terrible truth?
A World With No Fences	C. Michael Dudash is one of the world’s foremost western oil painters. His past work illustrating some of the most notable movie posters, book covers and magazine work influenced his unique approach to his work today. We follow Michael on a journey looking back, then in to a fantastic, imaginative western world full of characters and inspiration. All along the way reflecting of the importance and meaning of the paintings he is creating today.
Maoussi	Babette unexpectedly finds herself sharing her small Parisian apartment with Edo, a Congolese refugee. When Maoussi, an escaped lab mouse makes an appearance, their lives are turned upside down as they try to navigate cultural misunderstandings and conflicting expectations about what love is supposed to look like.
A Different Path	A night watchman becomes convinced that his current unhappiness is the cause of some missed childhood rites of passage and sets out to take action.
And Knowledge to Keep Us	And Knowledge to Keep Us is a documentary about a community reconnecting with its deep, rich culture and using that knowledge to try to heal from what had been taken over many generations. It’s also the story of a people charting a way forward for their children in a place of abundance—their home—that’s significance is often misunderstood by people who are not familiar with life in the northern reaches of the globe.
MONOCHROMIC	In a bleak waiting room, a weary woman seeks passage out of purgatory but is instead forced to relive her dismal existence.
Lulu	Lulu, an unassuming sweet girl in a light pink dress, finds herself in the clutches of an up and coming serial killer, but not all is as it seems.
Noodle Therapy	Caught between two worlds, Rose and Jacob, mixed Isaan-Thai teens, distance themselves from their Isaan-Thai heritage. However, attending a traditional ceremony forces them to embrace their cultural identity. As they witness the beauty and significance of the rituals, they discover a sense of belonging they never knew they craved.
Shellfish Knish	Young, Jewish and misunderstood Simon Markowitz gets himself into hot water with his Rabbi when he creates his own recipe for a knish that no one in his family seems intent on eating.
PAINT	A brilliant but disturbed artist struggles to connect with his audience.
ORANGE BLUES 24	One man seeks refuge from the world’s crazy in the arms of his muse — the love of his life!  Alyssa Dann has taken this tongue-in-cheek Blues piece and brought it to life in a charming manner. “Almost everyone around the world deals daily with the insanity of Trumpocracy,” says composer and lead vocalist Chris Oledude. “As an artist, my job is to acknowledge the oppressive and depressing nature of the former President’s behavior and policies, but I have to do it through the lens of the Blues writers and performers who have done this for years.” Oledude highlights the human condition when discussing “Orange Blues”: “When we’re upset, we need to be comforted. Hugs work really well! Kisses can be extremely effective! I am channeling that crisis-grounded need for physical love that we are all experiencing right now.” “I need desire’s fire to burn through those orange blues!” ” ‘Orange Blues’ is a tribute to every man and woman who feels overwhelmed these days. Between COVID-19 and Trumpocracy, there was plenty of stress for all. As we have learned in the most dramatic manner, however, our message must be clear: Trumpocracy must go; but whether it disappears or not, WE will endure, survive and prove victorious.”
Eating History | A Taste Of New Mexico	This documentary tells the story of New Mexico’s complicated past, and the cultural impact food has had on its people throughout time. For centuries, New Mexico has been shaped by its unique heritage and rich connection to food. The film presents a mosaic of cultures, languages, history, and evolution.   Some places have dishes they’re known for, like New Orleans gumbo, beignets po’ boys; Philly Cheese Stakes; Chicago Style Steak House and San Francisco’s China Town, but New Mexican food is so unique the state and its food are synonymous.  And today, New Mexican Chefs are taking it to another level, much like jazz, the melody is familiar, but the variations are endless – and still evolving.
elemental	elemental, a silent film, addresses the transitioning of the body in form and matter. After experiencing lifelong genetic illnesses and a Category 5 hurricane that destroyed my family’s home and business, I searched to find peace, acceptance, beauty and connectedness in life, death, the forces of nature and the Cosmos. My work emerged from trauma, the recognition of reorientation and survival. I asked myself: How do you cultivate a sense of belonging and re-association with nature in the face of natural disaster and death? How do you go back to what is primordial, the elements and forces that create and destroy everything in the Cosmos? How do you move past your physical body and accept yourself as a being in transition? I believe all is not destroyed by nature but continually enveloped and recreated by it.  The film includes universal natural patterning found in the coastal landscape of North Florida superimposed with fleeting images of my medical symptoms and hurricane damage that impacted my family. Seeing the relationship between our bodies and the Cosmos has been a healing force in my life.
Gay Marriage in Cherokee, NC	A short creative documentary about restrictive gay marriage laws in Cherokee, NC (2024).
Hike	A woman in her thirties does everything she can to avoid being alone on her birthday, even trying to intrude upon a coworker and then a couple of hikers. By the end of the day, finding herself lost on a high alpine plateau, she ultimately befriends a chamois enthusiast.
My Shadow	An introspective meeting with puppet Pierrot motivates a sleeping girl …
The Seeds of Change	A mute musician embraces their true self with the help of a magical pumpkin and talking squirrel.
This Means Forever	The aftermath of loss causes a toxic fallout between aunt and nephew, and a turbulent grieving process soon follows. This Means Forever follows Lloyd, a young man who has lost both of his parents in such a short amount of time. Being their only child, the stress of handling everything following their passing is solely on him. Lloyd finds himself all alone to deal with his grief surrounding the recent passing of his father. His grieving process is interrupted when his aunt begins to spiral out of control. Bothered by not being “next of kin”, Lloyd’s aunt takes matters into her own hands by taking control of an estate that does not belong to her. Lloyd must navigate the aftermath of losing his father alone, balancing a funeral and a spiteful family member trying to take all that he has left.
SAYF	A Muslim ex-firefighter, grappling with tragedy, is divinely chosen to save the city of Albuquerque from a robot uprising.
TOSKA	Caught in the sweet orbit of weed, Rosco drifts aimlessly until an ethereal Gatekeeper leads him through surreal memories and wasted potential, forcing him to confront the reality of his burnout fate.
Best Day Ever	When a hitman is tasked by a mob boss to poison a competing gangster, the day takes a turn when his annoying brother-in-law finagles his way into Avon’s dangerous workspace.
The most dangerous creature… Is a furious sheep	Most dangerous creature… Is the furious sheep (SYNOPSIS) The film’s plot goes as follows: Representatives of the criminal world, Tuz, Borov, and Likhach, have taken a guy named Petya out of town to shoot him on their boss’s orders. Tuz and Borov are the main task executors in this story, Likhach is the driver, and Petya is the boss’s personal chef. However, at the crucial moment when they need to pull the trigger, Tuz and Borov can’t do it. It’s all because they believe Petya is innocent. The reason the boss wants to get rid of Petya is that he spilled soup on the boss’s pants. Tuz and Borov try to find a way to complete the task, but each time they hesitate, while Petya sits with his hands tied in front of a dug-up pit, begging for mercy. Periodically, Tuz and Borov go to the car where Likhach is waiting, and they have conversations about morals and ethics. Likhach pushes them toward dirty work, trying to stay out of it, not dirtying his hands, displaying cynicism and indifference towards Petya and the conscience of Tuz and Borov. Tuz and Borov dislike Likhach. Several attempts to shoot Petya fail until Tuz finally decides on another option: to persuade Petya to shoot himself so that they don’t have blood on their hands. During the conversation, Tuz places his gun in front of Petya. An argument ensues between them, and Borov joins in. Tuz and Borov yell at Petya, and Petya yells back at them. In the heat of the moment, Borov can’t take it anymore and pulls out his gun to shoot Petya. At that moment, Likhach calls Tuz over to talk to the boss on the phone. The argument stops. Tuz speaks to the Boss and learns that the boss’s relatives are coming, and Petya is still needed as a chef. Borov also finds out about this situation. Tuz and Borov calm down. As they return to Petya to deliver the news, they find that Petya is not there. They are surprised and puzzled. In the end, Petya appears behind both of them and kills them with the gun that Tuz left behind. Likhach thinks that two shots were fired at Petya and decides to go and see. On his way, he sees that it’s Petya and runs back to the car, but Petya catches up with him. Petya aimed a gun at Likhach. The viewer does not see whether Petya kills Likhach or not. The end.
Boxnard: Counterstories as Counterpunches	Oxnard, California is known for boxing and has earned its nickname “Boxnard” because it has produced many professional boxers and multiple world champions. Despite its success in boxing, Boxnard has a negative reputation and is often referred to as a “bad” city. Boxing can change this. Boxing teaches us lessons that go beyond the ring. Boxing teaches us that we can fight negative stories with positive ones. We can tell counterstories as counterpunches to “knock out” false, negative portrayals about us. These counterstories as counterpunches can empower us and our communities.
Sister Marie-Ange	Infiltrating a convent disguised as a nun, Dominique confronts his abandoned sick mother Najat about the past traumas that have defined his life, in a powerful exploration of the delicate balance of power between them.
La Artesana	In the heart of Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Patricia Gaytan carries on a centuries-old tradition of shaping clay into art. La Artesana offers an intimate glimpse into her world, where hands meet earth, and heritage intersects artistry.
Liminal	LIMINAL is a 4-minute short film that pulls you into the space between reality and illusion. Follow Lia as she drifts through a haze of pills, avoidance, acceptance, and sorrow – facing the haunting realization that some journeys can’t be undone.
Pocha	A young woman struggles to learn Spanish in order to reconnect with her immigrant grandfather, but when life gets in the way, she learns that love transcends language.
Taking Your Crack at Filmmaking	Award Winning Indie Director Kimber Leigh shares how you can film on a low to no budget film.