2026 SCREENING PROGRAM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
12:00–1:15 PM: SCREENING THEME: NOT JUST FOR TEENS
Rainbow Road · 2:47
An abused boy escapes into his favorite TV show through his computer, only to discover that its characters are manifestations of his subconscious helping him confront the painful reality he has been running from.
Director & Writer: Rose Zofia Satchell
Producers: Rose Zofia Satchell and Daniel Zha
Sorry I’m Late… I Was an Elf · 6:04
Trevor has to choose whether to take an acting gig or make it home for Christmas.
Director: Oliver Zimmerman
The Search for the Perfect Flower · 3:01
Director, Writer & Producer: Nathan Lim
I Know They Had the Answer · 3:20
Margo Lee Williams discusses the importance of genealogy and takes us along on her personal journey of discovery, sharing what she uncovered about her own ancestors.
Director: Andrew Luse
Enjoy Right Now Today · 3:37
Created as part of Wide Angle Youth Media’s 2026 spring filmmaking class, where students created a “Moving Postcard” using static shots from their own lives, inspired by observational documentary.
High School Producer: Tyler Roane
The Phone Call · 2:14
Created as part of Wide Angle Youth Media’s 2026 spring filmmaking class, where students created a “Moving Postcard” using static shots from their own lives, inspired by observational documentary.
High School Producer: Theo Kaiser
The Key to Keychains · 1:30
Director: Adeline Brock
Home Sweet Home · 1:32
Created as part of Wide Angle Youth Media’s 2026 spring filmmaking class, where students created a “Moving Postcard” using static shots from their own lives, inspired by observational documentary.
High School Producer: Jasir Ebron
Boombaslak · 7:00
A mysterious deity calls students of a school to start a cult.
Director: Fiona McCarthy
Hunting Season · 2:12
A short film about a suspicious young man.
Director: Sebastian Roncoroni
Butter Be Careful · 4:54
Detective Skippy investigates who ate their sandwich, only to discover that the unlikely culprit is closer than expected.
Produced by: Wide Angle Youth Media Spring 2026 Filmmaking and Screenwriting Classes
Memoria · 3:00
Michael struggles with his grandfather’s illness.
Director: William Wadsworth
Computer Hacks Part 3: How to Open Email Attachments · 5:34
An educational tutorial that teaches beginner computer users how to open and view email attachments through simple, step-by-step instructions.
Creator: Alex, age 15
Financial Advice for High School Seniors · 1:30
Directors: Ana Inskeep and Madison Jackson
4:00–5:30 PM: SCREENING THEME: THE TEEN EXPERIENCE
These Hellish Songs · 8:13
When the Forever Killers, a punk rock band, struggles to hold itself together, Tori Blades, the lead singer, takes drastic measures to prevent the seemingly inevitable breakup of the band.
Directors: Joy Marie Brown
Writers: Joy Marie Brown, Aaliyah Idrissa, Hendrix Hill
Spare · 5:04
When a desperate sister goes to extreme lengths to support her sickly brother, severe consequences arise.
Director: Aaliyah Idrissa
Maya Bonbon · 4:00
Stop-motion animation.
Director & Writer: Taj Pearson
I Hate School · 2:09
Created as part of Wide Angle Youth Media’s 2026 spring filmmaking class, where students created a “Moving Postcard” using static shots from their own lives, inspired by observational documentary.
High School Producer: Sophia Lee
DCI DP Film Mini Doc · 7:07
An inside look at DCI’s film class and filmmakers from the Class of 2026.
Present · 4:42
On her 17th birthday, while struggling to remain in the present moment, a teen struggles with the uncertainties of the future.
Director & Writer: Nathan Lim
Additional Writer: Oliver Zimmerman
Retrospective · 7:42
Director: Adam
Submitted by: Jose Reyes
Star Material · 3:47
Submitted by: Sabrina Butler
Nervosa · 3:25
A teen finds control in watering her plant.
Director & Writer: Oliver Zimmerman
404 DC · 2:56
Directors: Maya Vogt and Ana Inskeep
The Time Within a Friendship · 1:20
An observational “Moving Postcard” capturing moments from everyday life and friendship through a series of static shots.
High School Producer: Jeremiah Smith
Created as part of: Wide Angle Youth Media’s Spring 2026 Filmmaking Class
Mental Timeline · 2:52
When Natalie visits Mary in Washington, D.C., tension arises as they navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
Director & Writer: Agustin Lundry
Wish You Were Here · 1:59
Created as part of Wide Angle Youth Media’s 2026 spring filmmaking class, where students created a “Moving Postcard” using static shots from their own lives, inspired by observational documentary.
High School Producer: Ayana Powell
Sticks · 0:59
Directors: Ada O’Connor, Adeline Brock, Elise Stratton Treadway, and Jane Alexander Fettus
The Value of Change · 7:00
Different lives intertwine through a quarter.
Director: Marina Ruschel
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
4:00–5:30 PM: SCREENING THEME: DC YOUTH SPEAKS
Through the Eyes of the City · 6:00
D.C. residents share the impact of the federal takeover in Washington, D.C.
Director: Marina Ruschell
Heed the School Bell… The Dismantling of the Department of Education · 6:12
Directors: Isabel Alazar Woldeab and Chloe Yang
Writer: Isabel Alazar Woldeab
Drain: The Data City Dilemma · 7:09
Explores the hidden environmental impact of AI data centers and the technologies and policies needed to build a more sustainable digital future.
Director: Callie Deng
Drag for Thought · 2:46
Directors: Axl Moonsammy-Gray and Madison Jackson
The Story of Byron Mejia · 6:00
The story of Byron Mejia, detained by ICE in August 2025 after the federal takeover of Washington, D.C.
Directors: Kelvin Mejia and Adam Bernal
Writers: Agustin Lundry and Adam Bernal
Cooking with Senora Vivar · 2:26
Directors: Axl Moonsammy-Gray and Madison Jackson
Creating Better Food Futures · 3:13
Directors: Ada O’Connor and Jane Alexander Fettus
Knight Watch: Ms. Gunn’s Story · 3:37
Wheaton High School security guard Ms. Gunn shares her experiences and why she is considered a friend and mentor to the students.
Submitted by: Barbara Valentino
Joy · 6:36
Director: Kristopher Smith
Freedom Fighters · 7:19
A documentary exploring the experiences and impact of the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War and their fight to push America closer to its ideals of freedom and equality.
Director, Writer & Producer: Maya Hendricks
Key Cast: Frank Smith and Marquette Milton
Surratt Museum · 1:21
Video documentary.
Writer, Director & Producer: Jaylen Barnett
My Cuz The Judge · 5:12
Exploring the history and impact of Constance Baker Motley, the first African American female federal judge.
Director, Writer, Producer & Key Cast: Ernest Williams IV
NO CAP MONTAGE
Podcast montage.
Whittier Elementary Montage
Montage featuring Whittier Elementary.
GALLERY EXHIBITS
Youth Photography & GAME DESIGN
Explore a gallery of youth-created photography and visual work throughout the festival. The exhibit celebrates the creativity, perspective, and storytelling of young artists from across the DMV.
Featured Photography
Pretty Trash
Submitter: Jacob Lawrence
Sideline
Submitter: Omari Howard
Love Gone Lost
Submitter: Kanna Squriewell
Sunset on the Water
Submitter: Angela Terry
Car Collection
Submitter: Angela Terry
Where Everyone Left 1
Submitter: Kodi Manne
The Gallery Exhibit offers festivalgoers an opportunity to experience youth storytelling beyond the screen and to see how young artists use photography and visual media to document their worlds, communities, relationships, and experiences.
GAME ARCADE (IN GALLERY)
Presented by IDEA Public Charter School’s Game Program
Step into the AYMF Game Arcade and play games created by young people!
Students from IDEA Public Charter School will showcase their game-design work and invite festival attendees to experience interactive games created through their school’s game and computer science programming.
IDEA Public Charter School, located in Deanwood, offers career and technical education pathways including computer science, and its extracurricular programming has included video game design.
IDEA’s game-design instruction connects students with professional practices in the field. Computer science teacher Che Rose, a game designer and founder of Cookout Games, has worked with IDEA students on game-development projects and brings professional game-development experience into the classroom.
Come Play. Create. Imagine.
The Game Arcade gives festival attendees a chance to:
🎮 Play games created by youth
🕹️ Experience interactive storytelling
💻 See how coding and game design become creative expression
🎨 Explore games as a form of youth media
👾 Meet and learn from young game designers
The AYMF Game Arcade is part of our commitment to expanding the definition of youth media. Film is only one way young people tell stories. Games, photography, podcasts, music, animation, and interactive media all give young creators new ways to share their ideas and perspectives.
Come play a game. Then imagine what you could create.