THE MIRROR, 40 seconds
Directed by Shaghayegh Behzadmehr
Mirror tells the story of a young man who, gazing into his reflection, sees himself as old and weary. In his mind, the wrinkles and gray hair mark the passage of time, yet in reality he is still young. This contrast between inner perception and outward truth reveals how social and psychological pressures can make us feel aged long before life itself has done so. The film reminds us that sometimes the sense of aging exists only in our thoughts, not in reality; raising questions about identity, time, and the ways society shapes our self-image.

BLACK MAGIC, 13min.
Directed by James Torio
This documentary follows the journey of my mother, who worked as a dedicated employee at AUS while running a small side business to support our family. When the pandemic hit, her business collapsed, leaving us in debt and her name blacklisted by authorities, and soon after, her health began to deteriorate—initially believed to be caused by a curse or the “evil eye.” After years of searching for healing through both faith and medicine, a doctor in Dubai finally diagnosed her with a brain tumor. She underwent surgery and treatment, overcame financial hardship, and was eventually allowed to return home after seven years in the UAE. These experiences brought her closer to God, and today she serves actively in the church, grateful for the second life she believes He has given her.

FUTURE OVERRIDE, 8min.
Directed by Shyam Manikandan, ANANYA MANIKANDAN
In a future ruled by AI, humanity lives under machine control. In a last attempt to change the course of history, Maya receives a time-travel watch from her grandfather Daksh—the very man who once created the Neuro core AI. He sends her to meet his younger self, urging her to stop the invention before it begins. Maya must convince him to choose a path where innovation respects human safety and the planet’s well-being.