500 Days in the Wild
“500 Days in the Wild” follows filmmaker Dianne Whelan’s six-year journey to complete all 16,000 miles of the land and water trails across North America on the world’s longest trail, the beautiful Trans Canada Trail (TCT), stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast, as well as the Arctic Ocean. This documentary weaves together adventure, personal reflections, stunning wildlife, and human connection along the rigorous trail.
Animated Shorts 2025: Program 1
RiverRun’s Academy Award®-qualifying Animated Shorts Program showcases a vibrant collection of imaginative storytelling and artistic innovation. From hand-drawn wonders to cutting-edge digital creations, these films push the boundaries of animation while delivering heartfelt, humorous, and thought-provoking narratives.
Animated Shorts 2025: Program 2
RiverRun’s Academy Award®-qualifying Animated Shorts Program showcases a vibrant collection of imaginative storytelling and artistic innovation. From hand-drawn wonders to cutting-edge digital creations, these films push the boundaries of animation while delivering heartfelt, humorous, and thought-provoking narratives.
Bonjour Tristesse
“Bonjour Tristesse is a coming-of-age romantic drama film, adapted from the 1954 novel by Françoise Sagan. The film follows Cécile and her widowed father Raymond, who are spending the summer in the south of France with his latest flame, Elsa . However, the equilibrium is disrupted by the arrival of Anne, who is an old friend of Cécile’s parents.
Death of James, The
Based on a true story, “The Death of James” tells the unique journey of two young friends grappling with mortality as they are confronted with the impending loss of a cherished pet ferret. Humorous, awkward, and deeply heartbreaking, the film takes an unflinching look at death, loss, euthanasia, and the uncertainties that may or may not follow.
Documentary Shorts 2025: Program 1
As an Academy Award®-qualifying festival, RiverRun is proud to present a powerful selection of documentary shorts that shine a light on untold stories, diverse perspectives, and impactful moments from around the globe.
Films With Class Shorts Program 2025 – Elementary School
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. Sponsored by Duke Energy and The Lovett Foundation.
Have I Swallowed Your Dreams
A poetic conversation between an immigrant daughter and her mother about sacrifices and dreams.
Little Ancestor, The
On a windswept hill, in a place still young and devoid of life, an ancestral house builds itself. The house comes to life and unveils its long life of 150 years. Brick by brick and beam by beam, each action, big or small, shows life.
Lumen
It has been raining heavily for months, and the sixth wave is depressing humanity. In this prevailing darkness, Claude, 70 years old, compulsively buys lamps online to break his solitude and bring light into his life, at any cost.
Narrative Shorts, Program 1: A Break for Laughter
Considering how many of us are feeling about the state of the world right now, a moment to take a breath to smile and laugh is necessary. These shorts are a welcome respite and opportunity to take that breather.
Snip, The
A group of men examine their own masculinity and belief systems through their experience of vasectomies in this short animated documentary on what makes a man.
Washed Away
As a village disappears due to heavy flooding, memories are revived.
You Are Not Alone
Little does Leo know that a mysterious taxi driver will jeopardize his blossoming romance with Rita, a young woman he’s falling in love with.
