Dahlia
A nostalgic drama that starts with a dad and her little daughter sharing a dance as time unfolds.
Derby
In Derby, Kansas, summer is coming to an end, and nine-year old Percy is confronted with the harsh reality of his mother’s addiction. Student Film – Columbia University.
Devil is Busy, The
As the director of operations and security of a clinic in Atlanta, Tracy doesn’t take any chances when it comes to the safety of both the patients and the staff. Executive produced by Soledad O’Brien and directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton, this short documentary is an eye-opening portrayal of the shifting landscape for abortion providers in America.
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.
Documentary Shorts 2025: Program 2
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.
Driver
After losing everything, Desiree Wood takes a second lease on life as a long-haul truck driver. Alongside an irreverent group of women truckers, she fights for a life on the road. Using an intimate and observational approach, “Driver” captures the experience of Desiree and her fellow drivers within a system that routinely promises and denies them the safety and autonomy that they desire.
Eastern Western
Set in the 1880s, “Eastern Western” follows Igor, a recent immigrant and widower who struggles to raise his two-year-old son Ivo in the mountains of the American West. The harshness of winter brings new challenges, testing Igor’s parenting and survival skills.
Easy Kind, The
Directed by Katy Chevigny, this hybrid film is a rollicking journey inspired by and starring Nashville singer Elizabeth Cook, as she breaks through the constraints of country music to become the artist that she’s meant to be. Also featuring performances by RiverRun 2023 Master of Cinema Karen Allen, Melissa Jackson, Charles Esten, and David Letterman.
Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting
An allegorical, 1930s-set, coming-of-age fable about mothers, daughters, & the beasts they hunt.
Etherea
Cloud formations converge and transform into shapes of two transient dancers in the sky. The beautifully surreal illusion displays the ephemeral nature of relationships and life.
Familiar Touch
This groundbreaking, coming-of-(old)-age film follows an octogenarian woman’s transition to life in assisted living as she contends with her conflicting relationship with herself and her caregivers amidst her shifting memory, age identity, and desires.
Film & Panel: ‘Safe and Found: A Search and Rescue Documentary’ with Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Join us for a special screening of “Safe and Found: A Search and Rescue Documentary”, an insightful film highlighting the dedicated efforts of the Haywood County Search and Rescue team in Western North Carolina and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Following the screening, a panel featuring the filmmakers, members of the Wake Forest Wilderness Medicine program, and the Appalachian Search & Rescue group will discuss the critical importance of search and rescue work. Don’t
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.
Five Star
“Five Star” tells the story of Soung Kang, a diligent locksmith and first-generation immigrant whose quest for a perfect score from his client Maya leads him into an unexpected adventure. Called on an unusual job—to keep Maya’s closet door shut for good—Soung discovers a dark secret in the house that challenges him to go to extraordinary lengths to secure his five-star review.
For Every Breath
A young girl goes on an illicit scavenger hunt to find medication for her strung-out grandmother.