Note: Some films in this program include some disturbing and mature content and may not be suitable for very young children.

Butterfly – dir. Florence Miaihe, 15 min. France. French with English Subtitles.

A poignant retelling of Olympic swimmer Alfred Nakache’s life, from his rise to fame to surviving Auschwitz, presented as memories flashing back during his final swim.

Éiru* – dir. Giovanna Ferrari, 13 min. Ireland. English.

When the water mysteriously disappears from the well in a warrior clan’s village, an intrepid child descends into the belly of the earth to retrieve it. Éiru is the story of a child in search of a challenge, and a goddess in search of a champion.

Forevergreen – dir. Nathan Englehardt and Jeremy Spears, 13 min. US. English.

A joyful adventure featuring an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly tree turns serious when the cub is tempted by the allure of easy food. Fire and deadly danger ensue as the cub is left bereft of hope and on the verge of a ruinous end, until the sacrificial love of the tree falls into place.

The Girl Who Cried Pearls – dir. Chris Lavis and Maciek Szcerbowski, 17 min. Canada. English and French with English subtitles.

In Montreal, at the dawn of the 20th century, a poor boy falls in love with a girl whose sorrow turns into pearls. He sells them to a ruthless pawnbroker, who hungers for more. Tempted by greed, the boy must choose between love and fortune.

Retirement Plan – dir. John Kelly, 7 min. Ireland. English.

Retirement Plan tells the story of Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) as he fantasizes about everything he’d love to do in retirement, once he finally has the “time.”

The Three Sisters – dir. Konstantin Bronzit, 14 min. Israel/Cyprus. Silent.

Three sisters live a lonely life on an isolated island, each in their own small house. One day, circumstances develop in such a way that they are forced to rent out one of the houses.

*Shortlisted

Also playing at the JBFC – Oscar Shorts 2026: Live Action and Oscar Shorts 2026: Documentary (Opening on 2/27).