Seattle Black Film Festival 2026

When the Young Call the Rhythm Youth Shorts Block - Virtual Screening

Available in 50d 07h 46m 44s
Available May 4, 2026 7:00 AM UTC
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8 films in package
WHAT I MISS
Residents at Echo Glen Children’s Center reflect on what they miss about being “out.” Created through the SHARE screenwriting program at the juvenile detention facility in Snoqualmie, Washington, this short combines images and poetry from students at Echo Glen High School with voiceover performances by students from Renton High School - a collaboration designed both to protect Echo students’ identities and to build an emotional bridge between youth who might otherwise never connect.
SPLIT SECOND
At Echo Glen High School, a juvenile detention facility in King County, WA, students examine the fragile moment between good and bad decisions while building community, as the voiceover traces one student’s early struggles with incarceration. Voiceover performed by a student at Shoreline College.
Closed captions available
Stero
A Kung Fu prodigy navigates school with his imaginary Sensei following one simple rule: What would Bruce Lee do?
"Blessed"
Khaiya, a teen black girl, just wants to have a normal body and fit in like everyone else her age, but she has an overdeveloped body and struggles to deal with it. Some people her age wished they had her body, but she hates it, and she dreams of being normal.
FLOAT
A teenage competitive swimmer's passion for the water turns to fear as relentless comments about her weight from her male coach erode her confidence — until an unexpected friendship with an older woman learning to float helps her to remember what makes her body great
Who I'm Trying To Be
When Derrick Coney learns in childhood that the man raising him is not his biological father, it sets him on a journey of identity, belonging, and gratitude. Through candid conversations with his mother, grandparents, and stepfather, Derrick reflects on what it means to be a son, to inherit culture, and to search for roots. While questions about his Puerto Rican heritage and absent father linger, the film celebrates the love and resilience of the family who chose to stay, revealing that fatherhood is defined not by blood, but by commitment.
Ways to Fly
When her barrettes mess up her pirouettes, an excitable, hyper-focused Black girl must power through the distractions — and her mother’s expectations — to fly like the ballerinas do.
Closed captions available
LIMITLESS
A shy, but spirited middle school singer-songwriter must conquer her fear of “last time” and push past her classmates’ criticism in order to create a new song and audition for her school’s variety show with confidence
Closed captions available
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Nia wants to fly like a ballerina. Her mom, Renee, has one condition: Nia must focus in class. No distractions, no excuses. But Nia’s barrettes distract her immediately. She tries to change her hair, but breaks down when she can’t get it right. Ballet assistant Missy helps Nia. With Missy’s support, Nia defends her frequent changes to Renee. Many people, with ADHD like Missy, think and do things differently. Together, they find the perfect way to fly for Nia.

  • Year
    2024
  • Runtime
    15 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Genre
    Comedy, Drama
  • Social Media
  • Director
    Kirby Marshall-Collins
  • Screenwriter
    Kirby Marshall-Collins
  • Producer
    Musau Onwubiko, Efa Akutekha
  • Executive Producer
    Kirby Marshall-Collins
  • Cast
    Kyrie McAlpin, Fadhia Carmelle Marcelin, Zaire Davis, Ashley Chatman
  • Cinematographer
    Briana Monet
  • Editor
    Jill Sarao
  • Sound Design
    Marco Cordova
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