Category: 2026 ARFF Barcelona

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Toxic

Director’s Name: Jaume Roma, Clara Dresaire

Writer’s Name: Jaume Roma, Clara Dresaire

Producer: Clara Dresaire

Country of Origin: Spain

Country of Filming: Spain

Language: Catalan

Runtime: 3 minutes 55 seconds

Film Description:

TÒXIC tells the story of a young woman trapped in a relationship where her effort and affection are not valued, a situation that causes deep emotional wear and tear. Tired of giving more than she receives, she decides to end the relationship and finally dare to pursue her dreams and her own freedom.

The music video combines reality and fantasy, incorporating elements inspired by the world of dolls and objects with a childlike, magical connotation. As the relationship deteriorates, the protagonist doll visually reflects this wear and tear: her initial innocence and fragility are marked by the exhaustion and sorrow caused by the relationship’s dysfunction, and she transforms until she reaches a state of liberation and empowerment.

It plays with dimensions, perspectives, and the interaction between human and magical elements, with visual effects like a flying car that add a surreal and poetic touch. The piece seeks to convey both the vulnerability and the inner strength of the protagonist, inviting the viewer on an emotional and sensory journey through a world where fantasy and reality converge to tell a story of growth, autonomy, and hope.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Beautiful Blur

Director’s Name: Lena Báez

Writer’s Name: Lena Báez

Producer: Lena Báez, Rigel Yaluk Mosquera

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 3 minutes 35 seconds

Film Description:

“Beautiful Blur” is a visual journey through the disoriented beauty of emotional vulnerability. Blending live performance with abstract dream sequences, the music video evokes the sensation of being ungrounded, light, intoxicated, and emotionally adrift. Through soft, cinematic visuals, it drifts through a haze of levitation, memory, and feeling, inviting the viewer to float inside the artist’s inner world. The song’s emotional weight is made tangible as performers rise, untethered by gravity, embodying the metaphor in motion.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Cabaré

Director’s Name: Dude São Thiago, Emerson de Lucca Brandt

Writer’s Name: Emerson de Lucca Brandt, Dude São Thiago

Producer: Dude São Thiago

Country of Origin: Brazil

Country of Filming: Brazil

Language: Portuguese

Runtime: 5 minutes 36 seconds

Film Description:

The clip portrays, through an indigenous method of taming horses, first an imprisonment within unchangeable walls, and then a liberation towards a fusion with nature, an oceanic feeling. Between one state and the other, it is inevitable to pass through the moving body, the dance. The video features impressive landscapes that swallow the human figure, and details of bodies – human and non-human – that contain an entire universe.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Cabaré

Director’s Name: Emerson de Lucca Brandt

Writer’s Name: Emerson de Lucca Brandt, Dude São Thiago

Producer: Dude São Thiago

Country of Origin: Brazil

Country of Filming: Brazil

Language: Portuguese

Runtime: 5 minutes 36 seconds

Film Description:

Drama, body, poetry. Dude São Thiago breathes new fire into brazilians João Bosco & Aldir Blanc’s classic “Cabaré”—a standout from his debut double album O Sexo do Vento. This isn’t just a cover—it’s a reinvention. A ritual. A reclamation.

Blurring lines between music and performance, the track arrives with a visually stunning video feat. non-binary flamenco artist Carlinhos Rowlands, shot by Rinaldo Martinucci and directed by Emerson Brandt.
This is Brazilian songbook tradition flipped through a queer, cinematic lens.

Cabaré hits like a whisper that stings.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: My One and Only

Director’s Name: Daniel V Flores

Writer’s Name: Daniel V Flores

Producer: Daniel V Flores

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 4 minutes

Film Description:

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: WEAK13 – UNPOPULAR

Director’s Name: Nick J Townsend

Writer’s Name: Nick J Townsend

Producer: Nick J Townsend, Wesley Smith

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: United Kingdom

Language: English

Runtime: 3 minutes 54 seconds

Film Description:

Claymation music video for British band WEAK13. Written, animated and directed by Nick J Townsend

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: IRADOH – 3 Acts of Brotherhood

Director’s Name: Kaique Alves, Thiago Eva

Writer’s Name: Kaique Alves, Audrey Nobrega, João Monteiro, Angerson Vieira

Producer: Eduardo Saraiva, Juliana Furtuoso, Priscila Pina,

Country of Origin: Brazil

Country of Filming: Brazil

Language: Portuguese

Runtime: 18 minutes 15 seconds

Film Description:

Inspired by real events and the alarming number of women who go missing in Brazil each year, this musical short film tells the story of a mother who vanishes without a trace—leaving behind three young sons.

As they grow, each son takes a radically different path: one becomes a musician, one becomes a lawyer, and the other falls into crime. The film explores how trauma, environment, and individual choices shape human destiny—underscoring how the absence of a mother can echo through generations.

Through a fusion of music and narrative cinema, the film weaves social commentary with artistic expression. The original score was composed to reflect the emotional evolution of each character and the cultural pulse of Brazil’s urban periphery.

This piece stands out not only for its cinematic ambition—shot as an 18-minute short with a full narrative arc—but also for its purpose: to raise awareness about a silent crisis in Latin America. Co-produced by Sweet Filmes and KondZilla, the film was just nominee for 2025 Latin Grammy Awards in the Best Music Video – Long Form Music Video category

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Memory of Xinjiang

Director’s Name: Tan Wei, Li Lan

Writer’s Name: Tan Wei, Li Lan

Producer: Fei Yun

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: Canada

Language: English, Mandarin Chinese

Runtime: 5 minutes 21 seconds

Film Description:

“Memory of Xinjiang” is a visually captivating exploration that intertwines music and memory, showcasing the beauty of Xinjiang, China. The dual narrative follows a composer who transforms his memories into music, while vibrant landscapes of the region unfold. A blend of traditional Chinese music instruments and contemporary sounds creates a dreamlike atmosphere, evoking deep emotional connections. The digital protagonist, powered by advanced technology, expresses genuine emotions, enhancing the themes of memory and connection. This work reflects W Films’ innovative storytelling, inviting viewers on a profound journey through sound and imagery.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Psycho Killer No Mercy

Director’s Name: Bego Sánchez

Writer’s Name: Bego Sánchez

Producer: Bego Sánchez

Country of Origin: Spain

Country of Filming: Spain

Language: Spanish

Runtime: 4 minutes

Film Description:

(WINNER)

Original Film Title: Compassion (Karuna)

Director’s Name: Derek Doneen

Writer’s Name: Ricky Kej

Producer: Davis Guggenheim, Sarah Anthony, Ricky Kej

Country of Origin: India

Country of Filming: India

Language: English

Runtime: 3 minutes 36 seconds

Film Description:

Music video showcasing the life of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate – Kailash Satyarthi. This year, Kailash celebrates 10 years of winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He is credited with having freed over 100,000 children from slavery. Kailash has marched across 103 countries and contributed to legislation in most of these nations with regard to child-rights. Satyarthi has been recognized as one of the most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine.

The Music: A collaboration between 3 times GRAMMY AWARD winner Ricky Kej, GRAMMY and Brit Award nominee Tina Guo, GRAMMY AWARD winner Masa Takumi and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi – The cinematic masterpiece “Compassion (Karuna)” is a powerful tribute to Gandhi’s timeless principles. This epic piece combines sweeping orchestral arrangements with a poignant piano melody, evoking raw emotion and depth. Like a grand movie score, “Compassion” builds from intimate moments to grand, cinematic crescendos, inspiring reflection and hope.