Category: STAFF PICK – WSXA PARIS 2026

(ENVISION AWARD WINNER)

Original Film Title: Tightly Bound

Director’s Name: Joey R Marino

Writer’s Name: Marla Jean Marino

Producer: Joey R Marino

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 24 minutes 17 seconds

Film Description:

Haunted by a violent past, 26-year-old Emily marries a wealthy man for security, only to face his sadistic cruelty. Pregnant and trapped, she must find a way to escape before it’s too late.

(WINNER)

Original Film Title: I need something

Director’s Name: Ronald Pfisterer

Writer’s Name: Ronald Pfisterer

Producer: Ronald Pfisterer, Johannes Grenzfurtner, Günther Friesinger, Günther Friesinger

Country of Origin: Austria

Country of Filming: Austria

Language: English

Runtime: 8 minutes 35 seconds

Film Description:

„I need something“ is an intimate drama about an artist who suddenly loses his sense of purpose and falls into a spiral of obsession. A mysterious woman, seen by chance on a screen, begins to haunt his thoughts and seep into every aspect of his life. Her presence becomes both an inspiration and a curse, a force that robs him of peace and drives him to the edge of madness.

The film explores the fine line between creativity and self-destruction, between inspiration and addiction. It is the story of a man who, in search of answers, comes face to face with his own fears, illusions, and desires.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Nothing to See Here: Watts

Director’s Name: Michael Soenen

Writer’s Name: Michael Soenen

Producer: Michael Soenen, Todd Lieberman, Suzanne Malveaux,

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Film Description:

Sixty years after the 1965 Watts uprising, the neighborhood America wrote off has shown us what is still possible.

After a late-night police ride-along in Watts, an outsider witnesses a version of Watts that never makes the news.

Searching for a way to understand what he had seen, he poses a simple question: what would happen if the people living the story told it themselves?

Twenty residents—rival gang members, police officers, students, parents, and victims of violence—are given iPhones and full control over their narratives.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: LOST IN SAN FRANCISCO

Director’s Name: Brett McCarl Thomas

Writer’s Name: Brett McCarl Thomas

Producer: Brett McCarl Thomas

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 7 minutes 17 seconds

Film Description:

A story of sex, love and anger during the AIDS pandemic in San Francisco.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Pointé de Couture

Director’s Name: Carol Higgins

Writer’s Name: Carol Higgins

Producer: Carol Higgins

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English, French

Runtime: 19 minutes

Film Description:

“Pointé de Couture” is a musical retelling and deconstruction of Charles Perrault’s classic tale of “Cendrillon” or “Cinderella” without the magic, inviting viewers to reconsider fairytale narratives. Rose, a dressmaker, frustrated with her designs being accredited to a “Fairy Godmother”, seeks to be acknowledged as her childhood friend Ella has used Rose’s designs to achieve her personal goals of becoming a princess.

The International Narrative Deconstruction Authority Fairytale Investigation Bureau has some questions for Rose. We take a journey through time to discover what could have actually occurred while exploring the dynamics of friendship, honesty, and giving credit where credit is due. “Pointé de Couture” is autobiographical in nature, as the artist draws from personal experiences to create a fresh narrative in this rotoscope style live-action short film.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: FREYA – The Old Boy

Director’s Name: ARTESS D.

Writer’s Name: ARTESS D.

Producer: ARTESS D.

Country of Origin:

Country of Filming:

Language: English

Runtime: 13 minutes 25 seconds

Film Description:

The incredible story of the great war.
Freya is the personification of artificial intelligence and humanity. The magic of love and hate.
We will tell you how the Gods behave.
And how people behave when they control their will.
When the fate of humanity depends on one small life.
When it seems that there is no way out anymore.
She will come to the rescue, no matter what it takes.
We will show the horrors of war and the light of hope.
Perhaps we will even punish Dr. Josef Mengele and other soldiers of Nazi Germany.
For everything.
For everything they’ve done.
The most important battle in which everything will be decided.
Is it a music video?
A short film?
Or something more?
A mix of documentary and fantasy.
An author’s song directed by Artyom Dolgikh.
Performed by the magnificent magical Freya.
Welcome to the illusion.
Welcome to reality.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Meet Me on a Rock

Director’s Name: Marie Bryan

Writer’s Name: Marie Bryan

Producer: Marie Bryan

Country of Origin: Ireland

Country of Filming: Ireland

Language: English

Runtime: 2 minutes 44 seconds

Film Description:

God makes love

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Soar!

Director’s Name: Richard Murray

Writer’s Name: Richard Murray

Producer: Richard Murray

Country of Origin: Canada

Country of Filming: Canada

Language: English

Runtime: 2 minutes 44 seconds

Film Description:

Two kids – a future pilot and drone-flying bully – learn that just maybe they’re better when they soar together.

The film was created using a hybrid process combining generative AI imagery with human-directed editing, shot design, and sound design. The story, pacing, and cinematic structure were crafted through iterative direction and post-production.