2025 STLYFF SHOWCASE SELECTIONS

At STLYFF’s inaugural on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the St. Louis Public Library, we selected six participants to showcase on the main screen and honored two more with Honorable Mentions, displaying their work on smaller screens in the lobby. Each participant had the opportunity to talk about their projects and respond to audience questions. It was a true pleasure to see and hear these young storytellers from St. Louis share their ideas through film. We are deeply thankful to our volunteers and our incredible sponsors, the St. Louis Public Library and Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis. We hope you enjoy their work as much as we did.

Official Selections

STLYFF selects six OFFICIAL SELECTIONS from the festival’s competitive categories. These films have been officially accepted, reviewed, and evaluated based on their artistic quality or subject matter from the submitted entries. All selected films and their creators will be featured and showcased at STLYFF.

THE CARNIVAL KIDNAPPING

Produced and directed by Alona Jenkins, 23 years old

Narrative / Short Film | 2021 | 3:45 minutes

Leaving a carnival alone causes major problems for a young woman who was just out to have fun. The Carnival Kidnapping was filmed for a videography course, using the mirrorless Nikon Z6 II, shot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Actors: Danielle Galante—The Friend, Kayla Powell—The Kidnapped, and Cameron Townsend—The Kidnapper. INSTAGRAM.

TO: MY FUTURE, WHETHER NEAR OR FAR

Produced and directed by Marielle Morrow, 24 years old

Narrative / Short Film | 2024 | 7:07 minutes

Meeting your future self in the present can have a profound effect on you. To: My Future, Whether Near or Far is a short film by student filmmaker Marielle Morrow at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). Inspired by her film history and theory courses, the film was premiered at the WashU Film Club’s inaugural festival in Fall 2024. Featuring Marielle Morrow. INSTAGRAM.

LADY BLUES

Produced and directed by Elise Conley, 23 years old

Narrative | 2024 | 6:30 minutes

Lady Blues is a film about Carmen, a woman who has experienced her fair share of ups and downs. She feels trapped by the idea of life’s “purpose.” She questions what comes next—should she pursue a dream or conform to the expectations of society? Which path will she take? This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Project, St. Louis.

BLACK FILM BOSSES: COMPARING OSCAR MICHEAUX AND TYLER PERRY

Produced and directed by Janiya Wilson, 17 years old

Documentary | 2023 | 9:59 minutes

This documentary explores the careers of Black filmmakers Oscar Micheaux and Tyler Perry, analyzing their achievements and setbacks to gain insight into the challenges faced by people of color in the film industry. It was a Sumner High School (St. Louis, MO) submission for the 2023 National History Day Competition.

DEAR YOU,

Produced and directed by Fahad Albazi, 25 years old

Narrative | 2024 | 6:37 minutes

dear you, explores life after loss, portraying the quiet melancholy that lingers in the background of daily existence. This poignant piece is a reflection of Fahad’s commitment to storytelling that resonates on a deeply personal level. Lead actor: Darnell Tabor (@lovedarnellx). WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM.

CROOKED

Original story by Chanel Nichols, 17 years old

Narrative | 2024 | 8:27 minutes

Although he is very involved with the day-to-day operation of his rehabilitation facility, the owner accidentally discovers his center is taking a twisted turn toward the dark side when a newly admitted patient’s life hangs in the balance.

Honorable Mentions

STLYFF awards HONORABLE MENTION slots to acknowledge films of exceptional quality that impressed the judges but were not chosen as Showcase Selections. Although these films are not designated as OFFICIAL SELECTIONS, this distinction highlights their excellence or distinctive artistic value and offers special recognition for their noteworthy work. These films will be available for public viewing in the lobby.

Silent Night

Written by Allyn Earl and Destiny McGinnist

Short Film | 2023 | 7:40

What happens when you pray? Who do you turn to and how do you ask? What makes life worth living? Sometimes a prayer is all you’ve got and you might not even know it. You’ve got to believe in something.

The Mind of Noremac

Produced and directed by Cameron Arnold

Short Film | 2023 | 9:58

Experience Noremac’s mind firsthand as he navigates life-altering events by concentrating on actions within his control, prioritizing self-care through solitude, reconnecting with nature, and confronting difficult questions and uncertainties about the world to alleviate long-term stress to rediscover himself.

STLYFF Showcase