Content warning: TBD A collection of documentary short films in contention for official selection, nomination as Quarterfinalist for both genre and technical categories. One will win the Quarter Final and be named BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM of the 1st Quarter of 2026! Audience Choice balloting is open. Your vote counts!

In the heart of society’s mental health crisis, a groundbreaking new court system offers a lifeline to those suffering from untreated illness, providing a compassionate path from the streets to stable housing and recovery.

No Small Matter

A groundbreaking new court system offers a lifeline to those suffering from untreated illness.

A defense of American democracy against worldwide fascism &amp; domestic racism on words by Carlos Bulosan as hybrid dramatic music video &amp; documentary.

BULOSAN: ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, Part 3

A defense of American democracy against worldwide fascism & domestic racism on words by Carlos Bulosan as hybrid dramatic music video & documentary.

Between white coat and black kimono, Lina Grosset lives a life defined by duality.A neurologist by profession and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion by passion, she navigates two worlds that demand absolute precision, resilience, and control.Filmed over the course of a year, Combative offers an intimate look into the daily life of an athlete who refuses to choose between intellect and instinct. Through night hospital shifts, relentless training sessions, and global competitions, Lina pushes the boundaries of both body and mind.Beyond the medals, the film explores what it truly means to fight, not only on the mat, but also against fatigue, choices, and life expectations.In a sport still largely dominated by men, Lina’s journey raises essential questions about discipline, femininity, and identity.With a minimalist and immersive approach, no narration, only the voices of Lina, and her peers, Combative reveals the unseen world of women who fight, and the fragile balance between control and chaos that defines their strength.

English

Combative | Lina Grosset – Neurologist and BJJ champion: between medicine and combat

Between white coat and black kimono, the unseen world of women who fight, and the fragile balance between control and chaos that defines their strength.

26 Miles, 5 Meals, 1 Wild Tradition. Learn about Seattle's wackiest marathon and it's mission to honor a friend, and give back to the outdoors.

Dick's-A-Thon

26 Miles, 5 Meals, 1 Wild Tradition. Learn about Seattle's wackiest marathon and it's mission to honor a friend, and give back to the outdoors.

Out on the Northern California coast, a halibut fisherman struggles to keep his head above water as the ocean, the bills, and new closures threaten to shut him down. What starts as another season turns into a battle to hold onto his boat, his living, and his family. This is a story about hard work, bad luck, and the stubborn passion that keeps a man going when everything else says quit.

Doormat Harvest

Out on the Northern California coast, a halibut fisherman struggles to keep his head above water as the ocean, the bills, and new closures threaten to shut him down. What starts as another season turns into a battle to hold onto his boat, his living, and his family. This is a story about hard work, bad luck, and the stubborn passion that keeps a man going when everything else says quit.

Our stories are never fully written, and within these pages are stories of healing. In exploring the raw and real depths of the human experience, we uncover a chapter of the heart where redemption and healing meet. In the Shadow of Grace follows three individuals who share honest testimonies of mental health struggles, addiction, and family trauma. Their journeys reveal how faith carries them from brokenness into restoration, and a closing message from a local pastor reminds us that hope and renewal remain possible even in our darkest seasons.

In the Shadow of Grace

Enemy Heroes is a multi-level WWII version of ‘All Quiet on The Western Front’ in which the audience agonizes over the heart-wrenching choices the protagonists are forced to make – and in so doing clarifies their own values.It’s not a film about War. It is a film about Humanity.

Enemy Heroes

Enemy Heroes “Because... sometimes it is not easy to tell... Who is the Enemy?.. Who are the Heroes?”

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL explores the challenges facing a small rural community waging a fierce battle against a massive development project threatening to engulf a wildlife sanctuary and a community’s way of life.Set against the backdrop of California’s increasing wildfire risks, the documentary highlights the precarious balance between urban expansion and environmental preservation. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, this rural community finds itself not only fighting to protect its natural heritage but also grappling with the potential catastrophic consequences of introducing large-scale development into a fire-prone landscape.

Small is Beautiful

The challenges facing a small rural community waging a fierce battle against a massive development project

SDSFF Documentary Short Films

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Celebrating the art of storytelling through short films, showcasing the work of talented filmmakers from around the world. From thought-provoking dramas to captivating animations, the festival presents a rich tapestry of storytelling, offering a platform for emerging and established filmmakers.

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