SHORTS 1 at NYICFF 2026

This collection is one of the great one of this nears NYICFF. If you want to see a sure fire collection of great films pick this one.

DUET
Two guys delivering a piano end up playing a duet on a piano on a staircase. This is one of the great joys of the festival. Its glorious and lets the audience know how high this collection is shootin.

WE’RE KIND OF DIFFERENT
A wickedly evil and funny song about a gur with his but where his chest should be. It’s wrong in all the right ways. This will make you roar with laughter.

EXPERIENCES AND LEARNING
An okay examination of how kids and parents interact. I ask to be allowed to see this film again outside of this collection because it doesn’t fit.

FULL NEST
One of the LENA’s FARM series playing the festival. It’s a lovely story of a squirrel helping those in need. We need more of these shorts.

THE BIG BAD WOLF
Aardman related film  about the relationship between pigs and wolves, and how they see they don’t need to be enemies. It played before HOPPERS and was a delight both times I saw it.

BATS AND BUGS
What happens when a bat baby makes friends with bugs. Its sweet.

SHANLEY
Beau McCombs wickedly funny short film is about a little boy and the trouble he causes for his parents. You will roar with laughter and get the only line of dialog stuck in your head. I spent two days with Beau and he is a wonderful fellow destined for great things (I should have gotten his autograph when I had a chance). I will have an interview with him posted soon. You need to see this collection for this film.

CARDBOARD
A dad and this kids move into a trailer after the death of their mom. One of the truly great films about the power of imagination making it so a carboard box can take you places. This is a must see. One of the best of 2026.

PROUT
Creatures on a far off world deal with the garbage dumped on them from space. A pointed tale about waste and the people who have to clean it up. It’s funny and thoughtful.

AHOY!
Julian Alvarez  tells the post apocalyptic tale of world with no land, a ship full of seniors and the boy they rescued named Ahoy.  A magical fairy tale, that may end up as a feature the film is a calling card for writer director Alvarez who creates a world you want to disappear into. I want more with these characters and if all goes well we will. (Also coming is an interview with Alvarez.)