OIFF 2025 SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND

In 1991, Navy and Marines set up a life-saving hospital in scorching Desert Storm conditions, treating hundreds of casualties and successfully completing their mission despite numerous hardships. Upon returning to the States, they face a new battle on the home front: grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder alongside their families. United by their wartime experiences, their camaraderie becomes their anchor as they confront PTSD and the haunting memories of war. (80 Min, Featuring Camp Pendleton Veterans, United States)

Director: Roberto Sierra Oregel
Writer: Roberto Sierra Oregel
Producer: Roberto Sierra Oregel, Captain JT Coyne, Andy Ortega, Saraí Maldonado, Rodolfo Lara, Admiral Michael Baker

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2:00PM – MUTUAL TIDES

This film follows the budding friendship between a Sea Creature and a Deep Sea Diver, and explores the question of what happens to companions when the circumstances of life begin to tear them away from each other. (7 Min, Animation, United States)

Director: Christian Gregg
Writer: Christian Gregg, Lavender Birch
Producer: Christian Washington

2:07PM – WILD SEA

“Wild Sea“ is a captivating short documentary that delves into the life of Jeff Allen, a trailblazing figure in the world of Sea Kayaking. The film traces Jeff’s journey from his
formative years to his role as one of the foremost Sea Kayak guides and coaches of our time. As we accompany Jeff on his odyssey, we are immersed in the depths of his past, including his experiences in the military and are granted access to his own personal traumas. The film illuminates the transformative power of the sea as Jeff finds purpose and healing through his connection with the ocean. In particular, his 2004 Japan circumnavigation serves as a poignant testament to the cathartic influence of the ocean environment on his life. “Wild Sea“ is a poignant exploration of resilience, redemption, and the profound bond between humanity and the sea, offering a profound testament to the healing power of nature. (15 Min, Germany)

Director: Tom Vetteri
Cast: Jeff Allen, James Aiken
Producer: Tom Vetteri

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2:22PM – BAHARI BINGWA, THE TURTLE PROTECTOR

Sammy Safari is a ranger with Bahari Hai, a marine conservation nonprofit organization that works to empower coastal communities to manage and protect their own resources in East Africa. Sammy runs an anti-poaching team that protects sea turtles. This is his story. (7 Min, Kenya)

Director: Samuel Wanjohi
Cast: Sammy Safari

2:30PM – SHAPED BY THE SEA

Take a journey through time as surfer and shaper Bill Minard reflects on over 50 years in the surfing industry (33 Min, United States)

Director Jared Jacobsen
Cast: Bill Minard

3:45PM – REBOOT

A boy that’s too addicted to his computer gets a reality check when a file corruption causes him to get sucked into a digital disaster and unknowingly brings his avatar to life. (3 Min, Savannah, GA)

Director: Tyra Pacheco
Writer: Tyra Pacheco, Liv Bullock
Cast: Iman Jones
Producer: Imi Hunter

7:48PM – HOW NOT TO BE A CLIMATE ACTIVIST

Climate collapse is imminent. Perhaps you are wondering what to do. Here’s not what to do. (5 Min, United States)

Director: Gabriel Diamond
Cast: Lars Adams
Producer: Phil Collis

7:52PM – YEAR OF BEES

“A delightful and timeless portrait of two oddball friends trying to keep some bees alive on a 300 year old farm in New York City.” James is a novice bee-keeper and the custodian of New York City’s 1600s farmhouse museum called The Wyckoff House. Joined by his fumbling city friend Jason, the odd couple tends to the bees and works on the farm together over the course of 4 seasons. Exploring the complexities of urban ecology and the millennial quest for self-sufficiency, the short and sweet documentary is at its heart an affectionate ode to friendship. (12 Min, New York, NY)

Director: Tingerine
Writer: Jason Sprung
Cast: James Scales, Jason Sprung
Producer: Jason Sprung, Tingerine

4:05PM – ROLLING FOR RIZZ

A father hopes to connect with his teenage daughter by playing DnD. (8 Min, Oceanside, CA)

Director: David Sean Dawson, Jordan Jacobo
Writer: Jordan Jacobo, Joseph Ravago, Elizabeth “Eliee” Connolly
Cast: David S Dawson, Jordan Jacobo, Joseph
Ravago, Topa Black Calf, Trinity Gomez Connolly, Bryan Ketih Davis, Randy Davison, Whitney Wegman-Wood, Sean Davis
Producer: David Sean Dawson, Anne Ziesmer, Jen McCleary Allen, Kamaile Elderts

4:15PM – EAT HOT CHIP & LIE

After a woman gets manipulated into becoming a hot sauce influencer by her TikTok-obsessed frenemy, she must find a way to exact revenge before the spice kills her. (15 Min, United States)

Director: Anders Kapur
Writer: Anders Kapur
Cast: Pepper-Alise Morales, Bubbles-Lizzy Kircher

4:30PM – BEETHOVEN’S GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILD

The last living descendant of Beethoven tries to capitalize on their heritage, but they have no musical talent whatsoever. (12 Min, Pasadena, CA)

Director: Daniel Maggio
Writer: Daniel Maggio
Cast: Hunter Hawkins, Jason Nicholls
Producer: Daniel Maggio

5:20PM – JASMINE

Jasmine, a young Syrian artist was preparing for a meal with her mother when a bomb went off destroying their home and all that they had. After a panicked escape they make it safely outside only to find the destruction that remains in their war torn city. An aid worker recovers
Jasmine’s sketchbook leading us on a journey of hope and resolve for their future. (2 Min, Los Angeles, CA)

Director: Tom Caulfield
Writer: Charles Solomon
Cast: Rahaf Seahdh
Producer: Aubry Mintz, Frank Gladstone(EP), Mark Jones(EP)

5:22PM – SEVEN JEWISH CHILDREN

Based on the play by Caryl Churchill, this film shows the Jewish journey from Russia in 1903 to Palestine in 2009. It humanizes and visualizes the progression from oppressed to oppressors whilst imploring it’s audience for open conversation and empathy. Raising money for
the Medical Aid for Palestinians organization. (15 Min, United Kingdom)

Director: Omri Dayan
Writer: Omri Dayan, Caryl Churchill
Cast: Alice Wallis, Sam Ebner-Landy, Clara Francis, Ami Dayan, Rivka Michaeli, Cameron Wright
Producer: Omri Dayan, Tripti Rai, Brian Cox(EP)

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5:37PM – DAMMI

Returning to Paris, his birthplace, a man (Riz Ahmed) moves through the memories of his past and surreal fragments of the present, searching to connect with his estranged father. On his journey, he meets a French Algerian woman (Souheila Yacoub) who welcomes him into her world. As intimacy grows, he is confronted with his shames and fears while exploring his lost Arab identity… Behind Paris is Algiers. (16 Min, United Kingdom/France)

Screening Out of Competition

Director: Yann Mounir Demange
Writer: Yann Mounir Demange & Rosa Attab
Cast: Riz Ahmed, Souheila Yacoub

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5:55PM – KEEP

Gordon, the former keeper of a lighthouse now turned into a museum, is desperate for someone to help him maintain the site. When Musa, an Afghan refugee, comes knocking on his door, Gordon finally finds the helper he has been waiting for. The two men become friends, confronting their respective cultures and pasts with humor and kindness. But when Gordon discovers the true intentions of Musa’s visit, he is faced with a moral dilemma that upsets all his certainties. (20 Min, United Kingdom)

Director: Lewis Rose
Writer: Lewis Rose
Cast: Gordon-Phil Davies, Musa-Weyal Bariz
Producer: Laura Jumel, Chris Hees

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6:15PM – LAST CALL

Last Call tells the story of Kate(Lindsay Duncan), a desperate mother who is trying to reconnect with her son(Tom Holland). Navigating an obvious void, Kate will finally have the chance to ask the questions that have haunted her past, and will decide her future. A meditative perspective on the complexity of depression and grief and search for understanding and absolution. (19 Min, United Kingdom)

Director: Harry Holland
Writer: Harry Holland, Will South
Cast: Lindsay Duncan, Tom Holland, Trevor Murphy
Producer: Marie-Elena Dyche, Benjamin Perkins