2025 FILM SHOWCASES
TRAVELING FILM SHOWCASE PROGRAMRIVERBOAT SHOWCASE
*=denotes adult content or images
“tête-à-tête”
By Soyeon Kim
Film Synopsis:Tete-a-Tete is a lyrical exploration of human connection, where the language of movement and abstract visuals replace words, inviting viewers into a dance of emotions that unfolds across a 360-degree canvas.
Artist Bio: Soyeon Kim is a Korean born filmmaker, illustrator, and educator. While studying painting at college she developed an interest in moving images, which led her to the world of animation and media arts. She moved to the United States to pursue further studies in filmmaking and received an M.F.A in Animation from the California Institute of the Arts in 2001. She combines her backgrounds in both painting and filmmaking to explore themes, breaking down realism into minimal abstract shapes, patterns, textures, and colors to build unique visual worlds filled with metaphor and symbolism.
“the wild cow” *
By Tom Schroeder
Synopsis: A journey through water, land, sky, and space guided by the wild cow. This animation is set on the St. Croix River.
Artist Bio: https://www.einausanimation.com/
“Dance How You Feel”
Made by Bialis Margaret. 
“Boots”
By Lily Berg
Artist Bio: Lily Berg is a 2D animator with a BFA in Animation from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. They create short films that draw from personal experiences, but are relatable to many people.
“Introducing”
Made by Kelly Dan. 
“The Night with the Bear”
By Adam Geiger
Synopsis:A young girl gets into trouble after meddling with her grandmother’s potion and setting off an explosion. When an angry mob discovers their secluded house in the woods, she must use what she’s learned to save them.
Artist Bio:Sabrina was born in Great Falls, Montana into a military family. This meant continually moving around the country and seeing new sights all throughout her life. Latching on to the magic of those childhood experiences, Sabrina’s work has always been about narrative and a lighthearted, inquisitive outlook in life.
“Babushka”
By Sabrina Brady
Artist Bio: ADAM GEIGER is an award-winning producer, editor, and animator for non-fiction film and television.
“Sympathizer”
Made by Jonny Will. 
“Whiteness at Work”
By Peter Bonde Becker Nelson
As a Minnesota educator and filmmaker, this project — with the first screenplay drafted in early 2020 — took on new meaning after the tragic murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the national racial reckoning that followed. The legacy of white silence and anti-Black violence came into clear relief for me and many other white Minnesotans. Initially, there was great energy focused on listening, learning, protesting, and working towards social change. Predictably, however, that energy diminished over time, leaving many white people wondering what to do with a newfound understanding of race, privilege, and power. https://www.beckernelson.com/whitenessatwork
Artist Bio: Peter Bonde Becker Nelson (he/him) is an interdisciplinary artist who works in animation, video, performance, photography, and installation. Drawing from the personal narratives of friends and family, his work critically examines the nuances of race, gender roles, relationships, memory, aging, and loss.Nelson lives and works on occupied land of the Wapekute Band of the Dakota Nation, now known as Northfield, Minnesota. He teaches digital, time-based, and performance art at St. Olaf College. Nelson was awarded a 2019 McKnight Media Arts Fellowship, a 2020 Jerome Foundation Film, Video and Digital Production Grant, and multiple Minnesota State Arts Board Grants (2005, 2015, 2021). His work has been screened, exhibited, and performed nationally and internationally, most recently at The Walker Art Center (MN), San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (CA), Austin Film Festival (TX), D.C. Shorts Film Festival (Washington D.C.), Currents International New Media Festival (NM), and the Sioux City Art Center (IA).
“Let’s Count to 6”
By John Akre
Artist Bio:John Akre is an animator and educator who lives in Louisville, KY, USA.
“Underworld”
Made by Kelly Dan. 
“Memphis Blues” *
By Khalid Ali
Artist Bio: Khalid Ali is a Minneapolis-based filmmaker and educator. Originally trained as a commercial filmmaker in Los Angeles, Khalid developed an interest in documentary film when he began traveling to China with his older brother. Intrigued by the ability of his camera to bridge cultural differences, his experiences there evolved into a series of documentaries about Chinese urban culture, particularly on the margins of society. Since returning home Khalid has applied the same approach to filmmaking in his native Baltimore. Whether in China or the US, his films follow people toiling in humble jobs but who aspire to greatness. Together, their stories show how work can define or defy one’s identity.
“Circus”
By Soyeon Kim
Artist Bio: Soyeon Kim is a Korean born filmmaker, illustrator, and educator. While studying painting at college she developed an interest in moving images, which led her to the world of animation and media arts. She moved to the United States to pursue further studies in filmmaking and received an M.F.A in Animation from the California Institute of the Arts in 2001. She combines her backgrounds in both painting and filmmaking to explore themes, breaking down realism into minimal abstract shapes, patterns, textures, and colors to build unique visual worlds filled with metaphor and symbolism.
“Breathe Support”
Synopsis:
Artist Bio:
“Grin & Bear It”
By Shelby Pearson & Anna Fraught. 
“Bear in the Shower” *
By Tom Schroeder
Artist Bio: https://www.mcad.edu/academic-programs/graduate/master-fine-arts/people/recent-mentors/michelle-brost
“Hunky Dory”
By Steven Vander Meer
Artist Bio: Northern California based artist Steven Vander Meer (b. 1963) creates animated films by drawing on 3×5 inch index cards. He has a BA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, but is primarily self-taught as an animator. His award winning films have screened at Sundance, Ann Arbor, Slamdance, Annecy, Raindance, Cinequest and many other festivals, as well as the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.
“To Be A Bird”
By Sabrina Brady
Artist Bio: Northern California based artist Steven Vander Meer (b. 1963) creates animated films by drawing on 3×5 inch index cards. He has a BA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, but is primarily self-taught as an animator. His award winning films have screened at Sundance, Ann Arbor, Slamdance, Annecy, Raindance, Cinequest and many other festivals, as well as the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.
“The Sun & The Wind”
By Soyeon Kim
Synopsis: Two cosmic rivals battle it out, only to realize that even the fiercest power can’t beat a small spark of warmth.
Artist Bio: Soyeon Kim is a Korean born filmmaker, illustrator, and educator. While studying painting at college she developed an interest in moving images, which led her to the world of animation and media arts. She moved to the United States to pursue further studies in filmmaking and received an M.F.A in Animation from the California Institute of the Arts in 2001. She combines her backgrounds in both painting and filmmaking to explore themes, breaking down realism into minimal abstract shapes, patterns, textures, and colors to build unique visual worlds filled with metaphor and symbolism.
“Kitten Choke”