Second Chance, Murder Gum And Fly Fishing, How We Ended Up Here, The Parts We Keep, No Small Matter, The Staring Contest, Us and Them, Keeping the Fire, Since Forever, Sunday's Paper, Livvy, Are You There?, The Quiet Goal, Stupid People - Run time 1:30:55
Discover the next generation of filmmakers at the SIMI Youth Film Fest! This special screening showcases short films created by talented young directors ages 20 and under, bringing fresh perspectives, creativity, and emerging voices to the big screen.
Second Chance - dir. India Anne Mitchell - 8:39
An inspired young filmmaker who witnessed a disturbing incident at school looks inside Juvenile Hall and Court, through the moving account of a juvenile offender and his parents, as well as the insights of the judge, attorneys and probation officer. Second Chance takes a step towards better understanding, compassion and ultimately, hope for juveniles who are some of the most vulnerable in our society, and who are also part of its future.
Murder Gum And Fly Fishing - dir. Charlie McGeehan - 13:14
The Tell-Tale Kaschmack.
How We Ended Up Here - dir. Ruby Haraldson - 13:00
Four teenagers. Four secrets. One reckless night. When tragedy strikes, Ivy comes face to face with the darkness that has whispered to her all along, forcing her to choose between surrendering to loneliness or finding the courage to live.
The Parts We Keep - dir. Hana Marie Kim, Liliana Patell - 8:45
The Parts We Keep follows 16-year-old June in her last summer with childhood friends Zoe (15) and Max (17). As June grapples with the fear of being left behind, unspoken feelings, and making every moment count, she is forced to confront the realities of growing up. It explores themes of growing up, memory, nostalgia, and begs the question: what is worth holding on to?
No Small Matter - dir. India Anne Mitchell - 5:37
In the shadows of a worsening mental health crisis, thousands of lives are lost to a revolving door of shelters and institutions. Through the lens of a 15-year-old filmmaker, No Small Matter pulls back the curtain on a radical shift: a court designed not to punish, but to provide a final, desperate lifeline. The film explores whether a courtroom can truly offer the dignity of a home and the hope of recovery to those the world has forgotten.
The Staring Contest - dir. Andrew Stevens - 3:41
A lifeless box must decide to continue a rigged judgement system or take hold of his fate for the better.
Us and Them - dir. India Anne Mitchell - 8:00
When a 15-year-old filmmaker conducts the first youth-led in-depth interview with Ameca, the most expressive humanoid robot on Earth, the Q&A blossoms into an unexpected friendship that dissolves the boundary between silicon and soul.
Keeping the Fire - dir. Julia Iris Thomas - 5:58
A small glimpse into the world of maple syrup production, family ties and creative inspiration.
Since Forever - dir. Lila Kia-Keating - 3:09
Since Forever is a short, silent film that captures the nostalgia of a teen remembering her childhood, her relationship with her country star father, and finding herself.
Sunday's Paper - dir. Katty Garcia - 3:14
A depressed housewife who suffers from schizophrenia becomes delusional and blurs the lines of fantasy and reality in her daily home routine with her husband.
Livvy, Are You There? - dir. Synnove June - 7:18
When Gia is left with only the memory of her childhood best friend Livvy, in hopes of resolving her pain, heartache, and guilt, she decides to try and conjure her back.
The Quiet Goal - dir. Kane Keenan Pilapil - 2:00
The Quiet Goal is a 2D animated short that follows a lonely soccer player who is trying to fit in with other players on the field. Belonging isn’t just about wearing the same uniform, it’s about being connected through a shared purpose.
Stupid People - dir. Andrew Stevens - 8:20
An outcasted cowboy gang member is forced to team up with the bounty hunter hired to kill him to seek revenge on own crew. But after the dust settles, only one man can claim their bounties.
Screenings are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
About SIMI Film Fest
Now in its fourth year, SIMI Film Fest returns for nine extraordinary days with its most ambitious program yet: 103 films, 69 music videos, youth filmmaking, industry events, and live orchestral film music, all brought together in one festival built to celebrate every craft of filmmaking.
At its heart, SIMI Film Fest is about putting great movies on the big screen and giving the public the opportunity to discover original work from filmmakers around the world. From features and shorts to documentaries, animation, genre films, youth projects, and music videos, the festival offers audiences stories and creative voices they may not encounter anywhere else.
But screening exceptional work is only part of our mission. SIMI Film Fest is equally committed to helping filmmakers propel their careers. This year’s expanded program includes meaningful industry connections, filmmaker field trips, panels, networking opportunities, more than 25 awards, and the new SIMIFF Jury Prize: a three-month mentorship with CAA agent Matt Smith for one standout filmmaker.
The 2026 festival also introduces the SIMIFF Film Music Competition, culminating in a live concert with the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra. Selected composers will hear their original scores performed before a live audience, highlighting the essential role music plays in bringing stories to life.
SIMI Film Fest is where audiences discover remarkable films, where every filmmaking discipline is valued, and where talented artists gain recognition, relationships, and real opportunities to move forward.
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