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PBS Short Film Festival 2021
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And the Winner Is....

Congrats to Ms Diva Trucker - winner of the 2021 PBS Short Film Festival Juried Prize. Please continue to enjoy all 25 of our 2021 films!
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Identity
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13m 11s
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About The Film

Ms Diva Trucker

A long-haul trucker turns to YouTube to cope with the strain of driving.
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Society
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9m 18s
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A Call Away

The story of Clorinda Archuleta, a mother of twin boys, who was prosecuted under Oklahoma's “failure to protect” law.
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Culture
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10m 24s
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Atomic Café

A family-owned restaurant in Little Tokyo became a hang-out as LA’s punk rock scene was exploding in the 70s.
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Identity
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8m 2s
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Chef Steven

Baltimore chef helps feed others from the Franciscan center during the pandemic.
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Humanity
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8m 32s
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About The Film

Coup d’Etat Math

This animated short depicts four stories that speak to the complex equation of each immigrant’s journey.
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Society
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13m 28s
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About The Film

Deadly Jails

Oklahoma has no system for handling or treating incarcerated people with mental illness.
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Race
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10m 37s
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About The Film

For Our Girls

This film explores the stigmas Black girls face as they grow up within and outside their community.
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Identity
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4m 52s
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About The Film

Forward Journey

A surreal film following a woman as she unravels the mystery of what happened to her.
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Family
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5m 22s
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About The Film

Grab My Hand

A personal story of grief and a message to all to cherish every moment while we can.
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Family
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12m 4s
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About The Film

Guest of Honor

Hit by tragedy, a married couple has their anniversary party and an unusual guest arrives.
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Society
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9m 37s
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About The Film

Highway Mike

Highway Mike, a volunteer who distributes clean supplies to prevent overdoses, uses his knowledge to help others in need.
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Culture
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8m 35s
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About The Film

Kapaemahu

The hidden history of four healing stones on Waikiki Beach, and the transgender spirits within them.
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Humanity
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10m 17s
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Kids Game

A group of unlikely underserved teenagers in the San Antonio region hunt to harvest wildlife for their families.
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Race
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9m 56s
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About The Film

Learning to Breathe

Black men reflect on their younger selves, sharing how their ideas of racism have changed.
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Family
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10m 3s
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About The Film

Luciela

Luciela is fiercely independent and determined to celebrate the 4th of July with a bang.
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Culture
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9m 57s
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About The Film

Migratruse

Powerful Dance Performance at Alabama Plantation Repurposed for Reconciliation and Art.
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Family
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5m 52s
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Mildred

Twelve-Year-Old Mildred must lead her family through the hardships of Depression-Era America.
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Race
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16m 4s
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About The Film

Mothers for Justice

After her son is shot and killed by police, Maria rallies grieving mothers to demand justice.
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Identity
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8m 38s
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About The Film

PHONY

A simple grocery run with her mother ends in disaster for a woman with anger issues.
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Humanity
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5m 2s
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About The Film

Stacey Holloway

Stacey Holloway transforms yearning for physical touch into interactive kinetic sculptures.
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Identity
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4m 52s
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About The Film

Story of Your Life

What would you do if you only had 15 minutes left on Earth to live?
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Culture
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5m 45s
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Ta Hasso

Members of the Kutturan Chamoru Foundation meet virtually to create an in-language chant.
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Family
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31m 55s
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About The Film

The Love Bugs

Two renowned, married entomologists facing their twilight years seek to pass on their knowledge--with a little help from their 1.25 million insects.
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Society
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26m 48s
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About The Film

Without a Whisper

The untold story of the profound influence of Indigenous women on the beginning of the women’s rights movement in the United States.
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Humanity
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11m 51s
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About The Film

You and the Thing That You Love

A decade ago, Nick Mullins was one of the most promising skateboarders from the Midwest. Then, that changed.
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And the Winner Is....

Congrats to Ms Diva Trucker - winner of the 2021 PBS Short Film Festival Juried Prize.

About the Festival

Now in its 11th year, the PBS Short Film Festival is a celebration of independent films and filmmaking. Join us in exploring an incredible selection of 25 captivating films about identity, society, culture, family, race, and humanity in this annual showcase of powerful and unexpected stories.
About the Festival
Read More Meet the 2021 Jury

Explore the Behind the Lens Blog

PBS Short Film Festival Enters Virtual Reality for 10th Year
PBS Short Film Festival Enters Virtual Reality for 10th Year
by PBS | July 26, 2021
The PBS Short Film Festival offers a virtual reality option to showcase filmmakers' cinematic art to a wider audience and in a more engaging format.
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Ricci and Grammer Speak on Independent Films and 'Mildred'
Ricci and Grammer Speak on Independent Films and 'Mildred'
by Katya Saldana and Nicole Tillberg | July 26, 2021
Director Michael Ricci Director and Cinematographer Cody Grammer discuss how they and other filmmakers in the Southern Illinois area have come together to continue their passion for filmmaking.
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Filmmaker Q&A: Joe Brewster & Michèle Stephenson Remix the Conversation Around Race in America
Filmmaker Q&A: Joe Brewster & Michèle Stephenson Remix the Conversation Around Race in America
by WORLD Channel | July 14, 2021
In fierce recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement, Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson reflect on their commitment to inspire change for a brighter future.
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