Section

Cinema for Students Programs

Free screenings (often with filmmakers in attendance) for St. Louis-area elementary, middle, and high schools.

Sponsored by the Jane M. and Bruce P. Robert Charitable Foundation

Cinema for Students Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

Boy’s things

Film Boy’s things Directed by Raquel Colera Every summer Marta enjoys an idyllic routine of football, swimming, and riding her bike with her all male...

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Brim Broome Boulevard

Film Brim Broome Boulevard Directed by PJ Magerko-Liquorice When a child wanders through a set of mysterious doors, they embark on a journey of self-discovery where...

Cinema for Students Programs, Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Broken Flight

Film Broken Flight Directed by Erika Valenciana, Mitchell Wenkus Hundreds of bird species migrate through Chicago each year, but collisions with glass in skyscrapers pose a major...

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, SLIFF/Kids Family Films, Spanish-Language Focus

Captain Avispa

Film Captain Avispa Directed by Jean Gabriel Guerra, Jonnathan Meléndez In the first ever animated feature film from The Dominican Republic, Capitán Avispa, hero of Avispatrópolis and the...

Cinema for Students Programs, Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Capturing the Carbon

Film Capturing the Carbon Directed by Jack Winch, Janice Overbeck ​​Capturing the Carbon: A Journey to Net Zero follows host Rob Riggle, on a journey to learn about...

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Chain

Film Chain Directed by LING HAN “Chain” is visually stunning and emotionally rich, expressing nature’s survival instincts and prompting viewers to ponder life’s deeper...

Cinema for Students Programs, Environmental Focus, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Chouteau: Scenes from Below

Film Chouteau: Scenes from Below Directed by Nevin Dubinsky “Chouteau: Scenes from Below” delves into the lives of cavers who navigate tight spaces, jump across chasms, and...

Cinema for Students Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema, SLIFF/Kids Family Films

Concrete Jungle Gym

Film Concrete Jungle Gym Directed by Mike Gualdoni, Zach White Artist Bob Cassilly spent years saving and repurposing relics and treasures slated for demolition as cities across the...

Cinema for Students Programs, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema

Forever Endeavor

Film Forever Endeavor Directed by Jonthan Mann, Mary Anne Rothberg Through the eyes of notable individuals and prominent figures, this movie takes a lighthearted look at life’s heavy...

Asian Focus, Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Instruments of a Beating Heart

Film Instruments of a Beating Heart Directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki Ayame is determined to play a major part, the big drum, in herToyko public elementary’s first grade performance...

Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Just Kids

Film Just Kids Directed by Alessandro Riconda Nine-year-old Alisha is tired of being the only girl on the rugby pitch, but after clashing with yet...

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

LUKi and the Lights

Film LUKi and the Lights Directed by Toby Cochran LUKi, a lively and cheerful robot, faces a life-changing ALS diagnosis with remarkable resilience.

Cinema for Students Programs, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Practice Space

Film Practice Space Directed by Dan Perlman Close friends Edwin and Steven advise each other on dating and drama — based on zero experience —...

Cinema for Students Programs, Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Rising Hope

Film Rising Hope Directed by Theo Avgerinos In this cinematic portrait of the forgotten Mississippi Delta, inspired citizens share vibrant testimonies of hope in the...

Cinema for Students Programs, Free Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Women in Film Spotlight

The Debutantes

Film The Debutantes Directed by Contessa Gayles How does one come out into society in a way that honors and fosters a development of one’s...

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

The Song of Flying Leaves

Film The Song of Flying Leaves Directed by Armine Anda A magical journey unfolds as twelve-year-old Suna, who uses leaves as a blanket, meets an old man with...

Cinema for Students Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition

Where Is My Water Bottle

Film Where Is My Water Bottle Directed by Anxin Chen Hengheng can not find his water bottle and refuses to drink.

Cinema for Students Programs, Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, SLIFF/Kids Family Films, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Without Arrows

Film Without Arrows Directed by Elizabeth Day, Jonathan Olshefski Filmed over the course of thirteen years (2011-2023) Without Arros tells the story of Delwin Fiddler Jr.’s return...