"All you have to do is smile that smile and there go all my defenses." When it comes to relationships (husband/wife, parent/child, former or future lovers), the stories cover a gamut of emotion in these shorts. A husband and wife have an unusual birthday celebration in Hyejim You's Dinner (South Korea 2025, 22m). Director Terry Blade offers an anthem to inner strength in his music video Won't Be Around (US 2024, 2m). In Hannes Rall's animated Dobrina (Germany 2025, 5m), a troubadour pursues his object of affection. A bride prepares for her nuptials in Samantha Hisenbolm's Something Blue (US 2024, 10m). Andy Clay Huey's charming stop-motion animation is the crux of a relationship reverie in & Yet Here We Are... (US 2024, 14m). A little girl in Syria must find a way to collect her contest prize of a soccer ball in Alex Aljouni's Bukra (US 2024, 14m). And finally, a son must come to terms with his mother's dementia in Vitória Fallavena and Thassilo Weber's moving I Don't Know if I'll Have to Say Everything Again (Brazil 2024, 14m). It's a roller coaster ride of the heart in this vibrant collection of stories. —Sterling Hedgpeth

Total run time: 81 min