It will feature over 30 international short films from around the world, including locally produced selections, screening April 23-26 at the historic Minor Theatre in Arcata. The event is free for students and $12 for non-students.
This year's curated lineup includes narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental programs, as well as a specially-themed spotlight program of short films—Into the Woods Somewhere. HIFF takes pride in showcasing diverse voices and perspectives through a wide range of films exploring themes such as social justice, environmental activism, cultural identity, and human resilience.
“We made an active effort to promote different voices and groups in the program,” says Danica Frey, one of this year’s co-directors for HIFF. “Being student-run sets us apart from the bigger festivals, as we have a programming group that is extremely tapped into current events and the impact of using your voice. We have brought this into the festival this year to help highlight different stories without censorship.”
Programming also features a panel discussion with our three visiting guest judges, an animation workshop, parties, and more. Guest judges include:
LaTajh Weaver is a screenwriter, director, and producer from Oakland. They have produced commissioned films for The Guardian, the Museum of African Diaspora, and the San Francisco Queer Arts Foundation. In 2025, Weaver’s two films premiered on the festival circuit: Budget Paradise, which debuted at the San Francisco International Film (SFFILM) Festival, and Hold Me Close, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Weaver served as associate producer on Earth Mama (A24). A recipient of the SFFILM Rainin Grant, Weaver is currently developing their debut feature, No One Turned Away for Lack of Funds, a dark comedy exploring identity politics and belonging within the Bay Area’s Queer scene.
Julian Doan is a writer/director preoccupied with the mundane, ironic, and absurd. His short films Raspberry (Sundance 2021) and Long’s Long Lost & Mini Mart (Tribeca 2025) are the first two of his “dead dad trilogy,” to be completed with his first feature, Half Sweet (Gotham Project Market 2021): a Tati-esque satirical tragicomedy about a family keeping a dying father alive against his will. Together, these films explore the commodification of grief. He’s also an editor and assistant editor with credits on The Sympathizer, In Treatment, Mainstream, and Wild Wild Country. He’s a recently converted cat daddy.
Kat Ball is an animator originally from New York City, currently living in Los Angeles. She is a character designer on the Netflix animated series Long Story Short and seasons two and three of Tuca & Bertie. She is the founder and curator of the animation screening series Loose Frames, which aims to uplift independent animators locally and internationally. She is also on the board and the fellowship program director of the 501(c)3 non-profit Silver Lake Shorts.
Tickets
General admission is $12 | Purchase via the Minor Theatre at minortheatre.com
Talks, workshops, and parties are FREE
Tickets are FREE for all Cal Poly Humboldt students and can be reserved at the Minor Theatre with proof of student ID. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the Minor at (707) 822-3456 for more information.
Find the full program, schedule of events, and official film selections at humboldtfilmfest.com
About the Humboldt International Film Festival
The Humboldt International Film Fest has been bringing independent short films to Humboldt County since 1967. As the world’s longest-running student-led film festival, it’s a unique venue for traditional films and alternative digital media that enjoys an international reputation for supporting and celebrating independent filmmakers working in traditional, experimental, and non-traditional modes. The festival promotes the art of film, not only as a means of entertainment but also as a vehicle for self-expression and a stimulus for dialogue about social, political, and cultural issues. HIFF is a space for independent filmmakers to express themselves, free from the censorship of mainstream media, and is particularly aware of the power of short, independent cinema. HIFF directors seek films that inspire social and environmental change.