Clay Bird
Mocked for her potter grandfather’s simplicity, a nine-year-old girl turns away from him, until heartbreak and memory gently guide her back to the hands that molded her heart.
Come With Me
After trouble at his job and a traumatic home invasion, a working-class man finds catharsis in his right to bear arms. Influenced by a rhetoric-spewing radio host, he finds himself caught between following the status quo or doing what’s right, even if the “right” thing isn’t…
Creede U.S.A.
Welcome to Creede: a remote mining town with no stoplight, a theater company, and 300+ folks at 9,000 feet. This unlikely setting—with its miners, ranchers, and theater people—offers an unexpected lens on divisions felt by Americans everywhere.
Crystal Cross
A quirky Christian singer and a suicidal dad drive cross-country, forging an unlikely bond through bad decisions and bizarre roadside attractions. Crystal Cross is a hilarious, bittersweet road trip about two lost souls finding comfort (but not salvation) in each other’s messes.
Daily Worker
Digitizing union newspapers in the quiet of a dark room, a filmmaker reflects on their relationship to labor.
December, Day Zero
A recovering alcoholic comes face-to-face with his bartender ex-girlfriend when he attempts to drop off a Christmas gift at her bar.
Densho
Electronic artist Shigeto explores his family’s history and the lasting effects of WWII internment, weaving together personal reflections, archival footage, and music. Through conversations with his mother and grandmother, he uncovers how their shared past and cultural heritage have shaped his identity, resilience, and artistry.
Disposable Humanity
A family investigates the history and memory of the Nazi Aktion T4 program that targeted over 300,000 disabled people and catalyzed the Holocaust. Through poignant discussions with memorial directors, advocates, and relatives of T4 victims, this film uncovers the haunting truth of a history that has long been obscured.
Documentary Shorts 2026: Program 1
RiverRun is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the category of Documentary Shorts. This is one of two shorts blocks in competition, of which the winner may submit for Academy Awards consideration.
Documentary Shorts 2026: Program 2
RiverRun is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the category of Documentary Shorts. This is one of two shorts blocks in competition, of which the winner may submit for Academy Awards consideration.
Documentary Shorts 2026: Program 3: Artist Portraits
This shorts block features films highlighting talented artists in a wide variety of disciplines.
Dogs of Bishkek
On a journey home from the market, a young boy is being stalked and chased by the ruthless monster dog of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan during a cold, foggy, winter night. Student Film – Ringling College of Art and Design.
Films With Class Shorts Program – Elementary School 2026
Teaching through film. RiverRun recognizes the unique and critical role arts education plays in reaching students both inside and outside the classroom. Through our free education program, Films With Class, we present free screenings of carefully curated films for area students at the Festival each spring.
Films With Class Shorts Program – Middle/High School 2026
Teaching through film. RiverRun recognizes the unique and critical role arts education plays in reaching students both inside and outside the classroom. Through our free education program, Films With Class, we present free screenings of carefully curated films for area students at the Festival each spring.