Student Shorts Block A

Limited tickets on sale now - In the event of a sell out, additional tickets may become available for in-person purchase in advance or on the day of the show as we account for All Access Pass holders, filmmakers, and sponsors before releasing additional tickets to the public.

See a selection of new shorts from some of Oklahoma’s best student filmmakers! Shorts with this block include best student short film winner “The Thrilling Adventure of Amos Waters” dir. Ella Janes, plus “A Film About Toby” dir. Scott Strout, “Save Face” dir. Maggie Pena, “Breaking Barries: East Central’s Historic Flag Football Victory” dir. Racquelle Verner, “Connection” dir. Ethan Samuel Swartz, “Missing You” dir. Malu Andrade, “Lost and Found” dir. Makinley Paige Montez, and “End of the Summer” dir. Aldair Gutierrez and Khonor Patterson. Includes post-film Q&A with many of the filmmakers in attendance.

1h30min - Shorts - English - Screen 2
"The Thrilling Adventure of Amos Waters" dir. Ella Janes, 11min: The story of a ten-year-old boy, Amos, filled with a childlike curiosity about the world and a craving to understand all aspects of life. The film follows Amos' journey to understand his single, alcoholic father. He travels to a liquor store armed with his father's ID to buy alcohol, but no matter his determination to present himself as his father, everything keeps going wrong. Eventually, on his way home, he passes by a Sunday mass service and attends service to get drunk on the Communion wine. After tasting alcohol, meeting unlikely friends, and going on the journey of a lifetime, Amos has to decide whether or not he can find contempt in the incomprehension of his father's illness.

"A Film About Toby" dir. Scott Strout, 15min: Toby lives a pretty normal life...that is, until he realizes he's trapped inside a film. What's worse? It's a student film.

"Save Face" dir. Maggie Peña, 7min: Since Kid has gotten her new job, she has noticed that the perfect reputation and track record that she has maintained for years is crumbling. Her self-loathing takes on a dangerous personhood in her mind and threatens her to either fix herself or suffer the consequences. She is forced to make a decision: either let her ideal self die or once again abuse herself into submission.

"Breaking Barriers: East Central's Flag Football Historic Victory" dir. Racquelle Verner, 12min: A powerful documentary that celebrates the resilience, determination, and triumph of the East Central High School Girls Flag Football Team—the first-ever champions of Oklahoma’s Interscholastic Girls' Flag Football League. This film captures their groundbreaking journey to victory, highlighting the **impact of sports on young women and the power of community support. Featuring interviews with NFL star Donald Driver, Mayor Monroe Nichols, coaches, parents, and the athletes themselves, Breaking Barriers goes beyond football—it's a story about breaking stereotypes, inspiring the next generation, and proving that women can conquer any field they step onto.

"Connection" dir. Ethan Samuel Swartz, 21min: Aspiring streamer Luna is on the verge of stardom, sharing every moment of her life with an adoring audience. But when an enigmatic, obsessive viewer begins leaving cryptic messages and tracks her every move, Luna discovers they’re not just another fan- they’re an alien studying humanity through her. Now, Luna must confront the dangers of her parasocial world and decide whether to expose the truth, or embrace the unknown.

"Missing You" dir. Malu Andrade, 8min: After losing his college best friend Otto to a car crash, Damien goes through life learning that grief is not linear. As Damien gets older, he uses the depth of their past friendship to cope with his present-day problems, such as anxiety and depression, by updating his late friend of what is going on in his life. Through the ups and downs, Damien learns that the future is bright, though something -- or someone -- will always be missing.

"Lost and Found" dir. Makinley Paige Montez, 15min: This story follows Ivy, a high school student who is homeless. She copes by scavenging items from the lost and found at school. Despite her circumstances, Ivy dreams of a career in music and hopes to keep her secret from her classmates.

"End of The Summer" dir. Aldair Gutierrez & Khonor Patterson, 3min: An unlikely alliance of two opposing roommates comes together to enjoy the last day of summer.

The 2025 Circle Cinema Film Fest is presented by Tulsa Club Hotel and American Heritage Bank. Sponsored by Ranch Acres Wine & Spirits, Cherry Street Jewelers, Mother Road Market, Nevaquaya Fine Arts, Aberson`s, Tulsa FMAC, Oklahoma Film Office, Community Care, The McNellie`s Group, Jenkins & co., Tulsa Artist Fellowship, Indian Territory Film Festival, and Mythic Press.