Water's Edge

Everyone Gets What They Don't Need

January 1966 •Polish

Fragmented and chaotic. Reality in Królikiewicz's works is usually incoherent, in a state of disintegration, permanently damaged, painfully marked by history. The moral and cultural crisis is clearly visible. You can even see it… by the swimming pool.

El medallón de La Llorona

September 2021 •Spanish

The lives of two young families who lived in the same house, starts turning upside down when they find the amulet that La Llorona uses to try to pull her children from the waters and bring them to life. While the authorities investigate what appears to be abused children, the spirit of La Llorona intensifies her attacks on those families.

When Big People Lie

August 2024 •English

Eight-year-old Elvis’ world begins to sink when his mother marries an immigrant stranger for money.

The Beads

February 2023 •Portuguese

Two young women retreat to a remote holiday home. While one of them undertakes a medical abortion, the other quietly cares for her. A snake slithers around them, unnoticed.

Meek's Cutoff

April 2011 •English

A group of settlers traveling through the Oregon High Desert in 1845 find themselves stranded in harsh conditions.

Woman at Sea

January 2023 •French

Lili has left everything behind to travel to the edge of the earth and accomplish her dream, fishing the Northern seas. She persuades Ian, the captain of a trawler by the name of Rebel, to give her a chance and let her join the crew. The only woman on board, they call her Sparrow. Hidden behind a frail appearance is a will of steel, and her courage and determination ultimately win over their respect. Adopted into this world of often unfortunate individuals, Lili will conquer her right to live differently, free.

Tussen ons

December 2025 •Dutch

How We Became Friends

September 2022 •English

two people decide who will save a dog inside their pool.

Dolphin Blue: Soar Again, Fuji

July 2007 •Japanese

Kazuya Uemura is an American veterinarian who has just arrived at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Uemura was busy working as a keeper, even though he was a veterinarian, based on the director's policy of learning about dolphins while doing work as a zookeeper, such as feeding and cleaning the pool. At the end of his busy summer vacation and his work was over, something unusual happened to Fuji, the mother dolphin who gave birth to three children. Her tail was damaged from necrosis. Medicine couldn't help her condition, otherwise, Fuji would die. Uemura decided to amputate Fuji's tail fins. Fuji managed to survive the amputation but was unable to swim. The granddaughter of the director, Michiru, sees Fuji could no longer swim and says to Uemura, "A dolphin that can't swim is not a dolphin." Uemura stood up: "I want Fuji to swim again, I want Fuji to soar in the air." The world's first dolphin tail recovery project has begun.

Instinct

September 2022 •

After a diving excursion in the middle of the ocean, Lindsey is viciously sexually assaulted by Bruce, her instructor. She fends him of and they fall overboard into the water. Bruce grabs her and sinks her to the depths of the ocean. In this spiral of violence, she has no way to breathe.

Heartless Disappearance Into Labrador Seas

September 2008 •English

When a marriage is threatened by a long excursion for work, domestic trouble is buffeted by family and friends.

Luthière

Invalid date •Dutch

Elara, a young violinist, is madly in love with Lucio, a Sicilian student. Their love blossoms, but suddenly Lucio must return to Italy to care for his sick niece. Elara struggles with loneliness and sadness, until she finds new inspiration in a dream.

Beyond Space

October 2023 •English

Luca, a young man starting his adult life, is struggling with an inner battle after losing his mother. "Beyond Space" evokes strong and delicate emotions that are felt by every person throughout its lifetime.

Tempus

November 2018 •Italian

Be A Fish

September 2019 •English

An African-American girl, obsessed with her hair, seeks guidance in a small fish when her mother forces her to go underwater.

To Dudes & Ett Glass Vann

June 2023 •Norwegian Bokmål

A conflict breaks out when one friend misunderstands the other.

Las Cosas Que Brillan

August 2025 •English

When a trans Latinx mermaid defies her mother’s warnings, she is forced to confront the violent legacies of colonialism, environmental destruction and the danger of being desired in the human world. The BlackStar Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab is presented with support from Independence Public Media Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and Wyncote Foundation. This project has been supported by The Philadelphia Independent Media Fund administered by Scribe Video Center with funds provided by the Independence Public Media Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.

codec.34 PAIN

November 2023 •English

Amidst cityscapes, an experimental short film unravels a woman's exploration of inner pain.

The Water Bottle

February 2025 •English

A harrowing look into the daily struggle of an average water bottle.

For Whom The Water Flows

March 2023 •English

In a world where water has become a scarce commodity, a young scavenger finds a source to satisfy her thirst.