This August, the Denizen Theatre in partnership with THROUGHLINE ARTISTS will present the fourth annual SUMMER SHORTS FILM FEST, over 50 short movies will be screened in six separate short film blocks, during the August 7 – August 9 run, including the FOR WORK’S SAKE block for those who love what they do, the impactful FOR TEACHERS’ SAKE block and the NY only FOR LOCALS’ SAKE block, featuring filmmakers from New York state. The highest quality shorts ranging from animation and documentaries to drama and comedy.
2026 FEST PASS NOW ON SALE! Three days of programming for $50.00! Only (40) fest passes are available, get yours today. Each pass includes: Priority access for (1) to all short film blocks, panel discussions and any special events, FRI, AUG 7 – SUN, AUG 9. Priority access will be granted up to 15 minutes before scheduled start times. Pass holders will also receive additional offers at participating Water Street Market shops. Individual tickets to all screenings and events are $10, and can purchased HERE
Denizen Theatre partners with local businesses to provide five dollar student tickets to all screenings and events. Student tickets will be available for purchase at the box office, 15 minutes prior to start times, with a valid student ID, available on a stand by basis, and are subject to availability.
FESTIVAL HAPPY HOUR, Enjoy 20% off all beer, wine and cider on FRI and SAT from 5:30 – 7:30PM and SUN from 4:30 – 6:30PM. Happy hour drinks can be enjoyed outside in the Filmmaker Lounge, Theatre or patio area overlooking the Shawangunk Mountains before festival screenings.
“The beauty of SUMMER SHORTS is that the festival can make good on the promise of something for everyone. I have reviewed over 2,500 American and international short films to select the very best for anyone who comes to the DENIZEN. So, whether you want to watch something local or something blue,something provocative or something playful, something romantic or something uproarious, you’ll be delighted. We’ll screen over 9 hours of shorts over the course of three days.” said Warren Etheredge, Lead Festival Programmer.
For more information visit the FESTIVAL SITE
SUMMER SHORTS FILM FEST SCHEDULE
FRI, AUG 7
- 3:30PM – 5:00PM – FOR FATHER’S SAKE shorts (90 MIN)
Fathers and sons aren’t always playing proverbial catch in a field of dreams. Indeed, some days/years/lifetimes, dads can be right bastards. But if you build it — it being a loving resolve — he will come around?
A VERY NORMAL-SEEMING MAN (10:54) dir Allamaprahu Pattanashetty (USA, documentary); MOTHS (11:00) dir Pema Yeshe Baldwin (Tibet, narrative); LIKE FATHER (7:26) dir Jared Callahan (USA, documentary); RECONCILIATION (16:19) dir Ian Phillips (USA, documentary); 1981 (7:47) dir Andy & Carolyn London (USA, animation) TOSHITO (24:46) dir Calvin Scibilia (USA, documentary); KILORAN BAY (13:13) dir Michael Bruce (Ireland, Animation).
- 5:30PM – 7:30PM – Happy Hour at DENIZEN (20% off beer, wine, cider)
- 7:30PM – 9:00PM – FOR LOCALS’ SAKE shorts (Opening Night, 87 MIN)
The Hudson Valley is brimming with skilled storytellers ready for their prime-time slot on The Denizen’s silver screen. From Albany to Yonkers there’s more talent than there are day-tripping city-slickers in the Water Street Market.
CAHILL’S LANES (10:40) dir Marco Jo Clate (USA, narrative); CROW LOVE (12:20) dir Ilona Tuominen (USA, documentary); THE TREE(S) OF AMERICA (5:42) dir Tona Wilson (USA, animation); THE WAY THINGS USED 2 B (16:43) dir Ciara Naughton & Kurstin Moser (USA, narrative); EXISTENTIALISM (9:52) dir Michael Jacoby & Joseph Jacoby (USA, experimental); SICK ENOUGH (14:57) dir Allegra Venturi (USA, narrative); INTO THE DARK (18:00) dir Fiona Otway (USA, narrative).
SAT, AUG 8
- 12:00PM – 1:30PM – FOR GRIEF’S SAKE shorts (89 MIN)
When tragedy strikes, like it or not, we must discover how we’re built to respond. Will we languish in anguish or come to radiate a certain mourning glow?
GOING HOME (14:57) dir Alyssa Limperis & Emily Murnane (USA, narrative); HOLY HEAVINESS (8:57) dir Farnoosh Abedi, Negah Khezre Fardyardad & Mohammad Ghaffari (IRAN, animation); TEARS TEARS ONLY TEARS (10:19) dir Yuval Shapira (USA, narrative); BALLOON ANIMALS (6:45) dir Anna Baumgarten (USA, narrative); BLESS THE TELEPHONE (9:46) dir KD Chalk (USA, narrative); UNE FUGUE (TO THE WOODS) (15:05) dir Agnès Patron (FRANCE, animation); CAFÉ (24:56) dir Bamar Kane (FRANCE, narrative).
- 3:30PM – 5:00PM – WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE (with WARREN ETHEREDGE, 90 MIN)
When a movie works, it’s magic. When a movie fails, there are many reasons. In this beloved presentation for aspiring filmmakers, Warren publicly scrutinizes shorts rejected by SUMMER SHORTS. As a veteran festival curator, he’s seen over 40,000 short films thus can identify the flaws within moments. Brave volunteers screen the first five minutes or so of their works, then Warren offers his wickedly honest and spot-on judgment, delivered with quick wit and good will toward the dedicated artists in the mix. It’s the perfect way to way to improve your film/s to the delight of your audience and the approval of festival programmers.
- 5:30PM – 7:30PM – Happy Hour at DENIZEN (20% off beer, wine, cider)
- 7:30PM – 9:00PM – FOR TEACHERS’ SAKE shorts (81 MIN)
Whether teaching is a noble profession or not is debatable, but no one should deny is incredible impact on generation after generation. Here, a handful of educators prove their worth and their mettle.
STALIN BOYS (21:24) dir Ora deKornfeld & Bianca Giaever (USA, documentary); THE BOY WITH THE DINOSAUR HEAD (9:57) dir Imran J Khan (USA, narrative); TEACHING AMERICA (21:22) dir Anurima Bhargava (USA, documentary); BIG BASS (13:45) dir Drew Dickler (USA, documentary); ADO (15:53) dir Sam Henderson (USA, narrative).
SUN, AUG 9
- 12:30PM – 2:00PM – FILMMAKER PANEL: A RIVER RUNS THROUGH THEM (90 MIN)
Some of the Hudson Valley’s finest filmmakers join Warren Etheredge in conversation about the pleasures and perils of making movies outside the city. FILMMAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED.
- 3:30PM – 5:00PM – FOR LOVE’S SAKE shorts (89 MIN)
Marilyn Monroe famously said: “…if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” Love can be challenging, but put in the effort and its rewards can resonate as heaven-sent.
YOU TRYNA SAY YOU LOVE ME? (11:52) dir Ty Molbak (USA, narrative); TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE (8:54) dir Baz Sells (UK, animation); AN ACT OF LOVE (13:58) dir Stephen Stelman (USA, narrative); FORCEFIELD OF LOVE (12:22) dir Liz Moskowitz & Riley Engemoen (USA, documentary); NORHEIMSUND (12:17) dir Ana A Alpizar (CUBA, narrative); BUCKETS (10:44) dir Drew van Steenbergen (USA, narrative); TWO SHIPS (6:50) dir McKinley Benson (USA, animation); MARY THE WIDOW (14:12) dir Ryan Noufer (USA, narrative).
- 4:30PM – 6:30PM – Happy Hour at DENIZEN (20% off beer, wine, cider)
- 6:30PM – 8:30PM – FOR WORK’S SAKE shorts (Closing Night, 92 MIN)
They work hard for the money, but that doesn’t mean they always like it nor do the dwindling dollars necessarily justify the investment of sweat equity. That said, some laborers are lucky enough to simply love what they do.
SHANTI RIDES SHOTGUN (8:18) dir Charles Frank (USA, documentary); THE NOCTURNES (25:36) dir Siham Bel (FRANCE, narrative); SOLE (얼) (12:31) dir Haneol Lee (USA, documentary); THE ALL-KNOWING LIE DETECTOR (8:58) dir Jack De Sena & Chris Smith (USA, narrative); THEIR EYES (22:34) dir Nicolas Gourault (FRANCE, documentary); GOODBYE TIMONE (7:48) dir Andrew Leeds (USA, narrative); DIENA (8:12) dir Jesse Kreitzer (USA, documentary).
- 8:30PM – 9:00PM – Awards Ceremony (6 awards provided courtesy of local sculptor Craig Shankles) FREE EVENT.
The only European style Cinema Arts Venue in New York, Denizen Theatre has positioned itself as the most unique venue in the Hudson Valley, focusing on high caliber independent movies that are not readily available to public. Our carefully curated programming separates our venue from all other mainstream Hollywood and Independent movie houses.
Denizen offers a new movie every week on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30PM. Filmmakers, documentary subjects, film historians, and other luminaries are frequently invited to New Paltz to accompany film screenings. These special events may include, stand-up comedy, live musical performances and director or commentator question and answer sessions.
Denizen Theatre is located about 80 miles north of New York City in the heart of downtown New Paltz, a thriving village at the foot of the Shawangunk Mountains. The village boasts fantastic restaurants, quaint boutiques, and access to a plethora of walking, hiking and biking trails. New Paltz is accessible by car and public transit via the TRAILWAYS bus to Main Street, New Paltz or the METRO-NORTH train to Poughkeepsie. For more information, visit denizentheatre.org, add Google Calander: HERE, FB: @DenizenTheatre, and Instagram: @DenizenTheatre.
Denizen Theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization, located at Water Street Market in the heart of historic New Paltz, NY. Denizen is committed to making cinema and arts experiences accessible to everyone in the Hudson Valley.
Tickets for all screenings, performances and events can be purchased HERE
