2025 FESTIVALApril 2-12, 2025Lansing, MI

American Film Institute Shorts [FREE]

The American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) is a hands-on film training program that educates and mentors its participants. Increasing the number of women working professionally in screen directing is the primary goal of this tuition-free program. All of the dynamic short films in this block are directed by women who are DWW alumnae. This event is free of charge at the 2019 Capital City Film Festival.

    ?>
  • War Paint
  • On Killer Robots
  • I Want to Marry a Creative Jewish Girl
  • Dark Wolf Gang
  • You Win USA Vacation

Control Option Escape

A reclusive internet addicted young woman is forced to cope with the harsh reality beyond her apartment walls when she discovers the internet has shut down worldwide.

Control Option Escape Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Gandja Monteiro
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    18 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English
  • COUNTRY
    USA

Unspeakable

UNSPEAKABLE follows a young female imposter in a desperate situation who averts authorities by claiming to be a girl who went missing years ago as a child. But when that missing girl’s family welcomes the imposter home, she’s forced to keep the deception alive or face the consequences.

Unspeakable Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Milena Govich
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    15 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English
  • COUNTRY
    USA

War Paint

A bright yet reserved teenager experiences the complexities of being both black and female on the eve of a 4th of July celebration in South Los Angeles.

War Paint Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Katrelle Kindred
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    17 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English
  • COUNTRY
    USA

On Killer Robots

A real time dramatization of Dallas 7.7.16: US Law Enforcement uses robotic technology to kill an American citizen for the first time in history.

On Killer Robots Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Lorraine Nicholson
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    15 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English
  • COUNTRY
    USA

Marabou

A legendary Drag Queen with a legendary secret. Facing the final curtain, Marabou reflects on her legacy, revealing more than just a man beneath the makeup.

Marabou Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Tiffany Johnson
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    20 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English
  • COUNTRY
    USA

I Want to Marry a Creative Jewish Girl

I WANT TO MARRY A CREATIVE JEWISH GIRL is a dark comedy about an Asian American woman who looks for love in superficial and external ways. It’s bittersweet because she doesn’t end up getting what she wants, but finds a very intimate connection with her overweight neighbor, a man she would never consider dating.

I Want to Marry a Creative Jewish Girl Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Beth de Araujo
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    16 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English
  • COUNTRY
    USA

Dark Wolf Gang

When a demonically possessed little girl escapes an impromptu exorcism, a Latino teen becomes a target, and his dysfunctional family is forced to reveal the truth about the “family business”… Annihilating evil supernatural forces.

Dark Wolf Gang Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Nancy Mejia
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    11 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English, Spanish
  • COUNTRY
    USA

You Win USA Vacation

Mei is a young pregnant 19 year old Chinese girl in love with being American. She is staying at a Chinese maternity hotel in Los Angeles to have an American baby and hopefully live one day in the U.S. When her maternity hotel gets raided by the federal immigration authorities, she escapes to the streets of L.A., forcing her to fend for herself and find her way back home.

You Win USA Vacation Resort Trailer from AFI DWW on Vimeo.

  • DIRECTOR
    Georgia Fu
  • YEAR
    2018
  • RUNTIME
    20 Minutes
  • LANGUAGE
    English, Chinese
  • COUNTRY
    USA

AJJ

AJJ, formerly known as Andrew Jackson Jihad, is a folk punk band originating from Phoenix, Arizona that is comprised of Sean Bonnette, vocals and guitarist, and Ben Gallaty, bassist. Incorporating macabre themes to folk tunes, AJJ knows their sound and continues to introduce new directions in every album release. Their latest album, The Bible 2, came out in 2016 to much acclaim. Consequence of Sound has described the “lyrics and themes” as “always the most compelling aspect of their work.”

Check out other upcoming events
  • Sat, April 20 12:00 PM
  • The Avenue
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 10:00 PM
  • The Wing
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 10:00 AM
  • Impression 5 Science Center
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 10:00 AM
  • Impression 5 Science Center
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 1:00 PM
  • The Robin Theatre
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 10:00 PM
  • The Fledge Lansing
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 2:30 PM
  • The Fledge Lansing
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 5:00 PM
  • The Fledge Lansing
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 5:00 PM
  • REACH Studio Art Center
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 2:30 PM
  • REACH Studio Art Center
More Info
  • Sat, April 20 12:00 PM
  • REACH Studio Art Center
More Info