OCTOBER 2nd - 5th 2025
FESTIVAL BADGE/
YSFF 2025 BADGE (SOLD OUT)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 2 - SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
Access to over a dozen feature films, shorts program, events, talks and educational seminar. Please read ALL rules and restrictions on Eventbrite ticket link.
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SPECIAL EVENT/
| BADGES NOT ACCEPTED |
DOGMA
+ Q & A with DIRECTOR
KEVIN SMITH (SOLD OUT)
Comedy, Drama | 130 Minutes
Directed by Kevin Smith
SATURDAY OCT 4 @ 7:30PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College​
"Dogma" (World Premiere Cannes Film Festival) is a comedy, part of Kevin Smith's "View Askewniverse" series, that satirizes religious dogma. It follows two fallen angels, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon), who discover a loophole in Catholic doctrine and plot to return to Heaven by exploiting it, which would disprove God and undo creation. Bethany (Linda Fiorentino), an abortion clinic worker, is tasked by the angel Metatron (Alan Rickman) to stop them, alongside a group of unlikely allies. This outstanding cast also features Salma Hayak, Chirs Rock, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith and George Carlin. Q & A with Director Kevin Smith to follow. BADGES NOT ACCEPTED
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OPENING CEREMONY/
| BADGES ACCEPTED |
A TRIBUTE TO ROD SERLING
Live Play, Presentations, Panel Discussion
THURSDAY OCTOBER 2 @ 7:30PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College​
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Rod Serling, an American writer, television producer and narrator, is best known for creating and hosting the iconic anthology series, The Twilight Zone. Serling's work frequently explored social issues, morality, and the human condition through thought provoking narratives. Serling spent a significant part of his early career and formative years in Ohio, particularly at Antioch College in Yellow Springs. This celebration of Rod Serling’s impactful career will feature presentations from authors Anne Serling (Rod’s daughter) and Mark Dawidziak, a live performance of a Serling radio play, The Air is Free, screening of the classic Twilight Zone episode The Obsolete Man and an expert panel discussion. BADGES ACCEPTED
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KICK OFF PARTY/
| BADGES NOT ACCEPTED |
KEVIN NEALON
Stand Up Comedy
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 @ 5:00 PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College​
Kevin Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and received critical acclaim for his role in the hit Showtime series Weeds. Kevin currently produces and hosts his digital series Hiking with Kevin. Past guests include Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd, Jimmy Kimmel, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Bill Burr, Jack Black, Hilary Swank, Kumail Nanjiani, Aubrey Plaza, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, and more. Opening set from Leyla Ingalls. BADGES NOT ACCEPTED
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OPENING NIGHT/
| BADGES ACCEPTED |
SHE DANCES
+ Q & A with AUDREY ZAHN
Comedy, Drama | 93 Minutes
Directed by Rick Gomez
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 @ 7:30 PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College​
On the verge of a major deal to sell the business he runs alongside longtime best friend, Brian (Ethan Hawke), harried co-parent, Jason (Steve Zahn), is forced to reconnect with his daughter, Claire (a magnetic Audrey Zahn in her feature debut), on the road to her final dance competition. As they confront their fractured relationship and a shared tragedy, the whirlwind of the Young Miss Southeast Regional Dance Finals becomes the backdrop for their journey toward healing. She Dances is a story about rediscovering family and finding yourself - about accepting what is, letting it shape you, and recognizing who you are through the memories of those you love most. World Premiere Tribeca FF 2025. Q & A with Audrey Zahn to follow. BADGES ACCEPTED
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CLOSING NIGHT/
| BADGES NOT ACCEPTED |
MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS
+ Q & A with MATT & TOM BERNINGER
Documentary | 75 Minutes
Directed by Tom Berninger
SUNDAY OCT 5 @ 5:30PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College​
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Matt Berninger, the lead singer of the critically acclaimed rock band The National, finally finds himself flush with success. His younger brother, Tom Berninger, is a loveable slacker - a filmmaker and metal-head still living with his parents in Cincinnati, Ohio. On the eve of The National's biggest tour to date, Matt invites Tom to work for the band as a roadie, unaware of Tom's plan to film the entire adventure.
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What starts as a rock documentary soon becomes a surprisingly honest portrait of a charged relationship between two brothers, and the frustration of unfulfilled creative ambitions. Q & A with Matt Berninger of The National and Director Tom Berninger to follow. BADGES NOT ACCEPTED
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SPECIAL EVENTS/
The Novelizers with Michael Ian Black
Live Podcast, Comedy
SATURDAY OCT 5 @ 4:00PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College
The Novelizers is a weekly podcast featuring various TV comedy writers and actors that reimagines classic films into hilarious audiobooks. Previous guest narrators have included JK Simmons, Chris Redd, Richard Ayoade, Rachel Dratch, Patton Oswalt, Ira Glass, Rachel Bloom and dozens more. Our YSFF 2025 live episode will feature comedian / actor Michael Ian Black, comedian comedian Leyla Ingalls, actor Rich Carrillo and musician Kevin Carter reading the “Novelized” version of the classic action film, The Matrix. BADGES ACCEPTED
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Hannah Beachler
In Conversation
SUNDAY OCT 5 @ 1:15
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College
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Hannah Beachler is a film production designer whose credits include: Moonlight (Best Picture 2017), Creed, Miles Ahead, Beyoncé's Lemonade, Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and most recently Sinners. Beachler grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati, studying fashion design. She attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where she studied film. Hannah first collaborated with director Ryan Coogler on 2013's Fruitvale Station and the two have worked together ever since. She is the first African-American to win an Oscar® for Best Production Design and the first-ever female production designer of a Marvel film. BADGES ACCEPTED
We Want the Funk!
+ Q & A with Directors Stanley Nelson & Nicole London
Documentary | 84 Minutes
Directed by Stanley Nelson & Nicole London
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4 @ 8:30PM
Little Art Theatre
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This documentary from Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, and co-director and producer Nicole London, traces funk music’s African and gospel roots, from James Brown to Parliament-Funkadelic and beyond. A syncopated and star-studded voyage through the journey of funk music, the film delves into the genre’s influence on contemporary music, fashion and freedom of expression as well as its role in the rise of hip-hop. Featuring interviews with George Clinton, Questlove, Kirk Franklin, David Byrne and many more. Q & A with Directors Stanley Nelson and Nicole London to follow. BADGES ACCEPTED
Growing Up Female
+ Julia Reichert Award
Documentary | 50 Minutes
Directed by Julia Reichert & Jim Klein
SATURDAY OCT 4 @ 3:45 PM
Little Art Theatre
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Julia Reichert’s landmark film focuses on the socialization of American women and the effects of stereotypes placed by media, advertising and personal relationships while following the lives of five young women and girls. The film is included in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being culturally and historically significant. Q & A with Jim Klein to follow.
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In the spirit of Julia’s creativity and influence, each year YSFF will provide a cash award to an emerging female documentarian for their next project. This year, through a generous donation from PNC Bank, Claudia Owusu will be given $3,000 to help bring her film, This is the House: If I Don't See You, I Love You to life. BADGES ACCEPTED
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School of Rock: FREE Concert + Screening
Live Music, Family, Comedy | 108 Minutes
Directed by Richard Linklater
SATURDAY OCT 5 @ 12:15 PM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College
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In this heartwarming and hilarious modern classic, Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets kicked out of his rock band and becomes the substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.
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This event will be co-presented by the School of Rock, a performance-based music education program that helps students grow as musicians and individuals by taking the stage with others. A live performance from the Beavercreek, Ohio’s School of Rock house band will take place prior to the screening. FREE (DONATIONS APPRECIATED)​
FILMS/
Documentaries That Matter
Are We Good?
Documentary | 96 Minutes
Directed by Steven Feinartz
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 @ 1:00 PM
The Little Art Theatre
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Prime Minister
Documentary | 96 Minutes
Directed by Michelle Walshe & Lindsay Utz
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4TH 6:00PM
Little Art Theater
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Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister, led her nation through unprecedented challenges, implemented bold policies, and became the second leader in history to give birth in office, all while championing an inclusive and empathetic leadership style that changed global expectations of what a leader can be. BADGES ACCEPTED
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André is an Idiot
Documentary | 88 Minutes
Directed by Tony Benna
SUNDAY OCT 5 @ 6:15PM
Little Art Theater
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Unexpected, irreverent, and absurdly funny, ANDRÉ IS AN IDIOT is a wildly life-affirming film about
death. When André, a brilliant idiot, learns he's dying from a disease he could have detected with a
colonoscopy, he decides to document his final journey. As an iconoclastic ad man, he had defied
convention throughout his life. True to form, André approaches mortality with his trademark humor and
curiosity, determined to learn how to die both happily and ridiculously. A24 Production. World Premiere Sundance FF 2025. BADGES ACCEPTED​
Agent of Happiness
Documentary | 94 Minutes
Directed by Arun Bhattarai & Dorottya Zurbo
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 @ 10:30AM
Little Art Theater
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How can you measure happiness? The country of Bhutan invented Gross National Happiness to do just that and Amber is one of the agents who travels door to door to meet people and measure how happy they really are. He is still living with his elderly mother at the age of 40, but is nevertheless a hopeless romantic who dreams of finding love: a happiness agent who is in search of his own happiness. We embark with Amber on a cross-country road trip meeting citizens from all walks of life, reminding us of the fragility and beauty of our own happiness. No matter where we live. BADGES ACCEPTED​
Striking Narratives
Magic Hour
Drama, Mystery | 89 Minutes
Directed by Katie Aselton
SATURDAY OCT 4 @ 10:30AM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College
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Erin and Charlie escape to the desert to navigate an unexpected and challenging new phase of their relationship. From acclaimed actor and filmmaker Katie Aselton (The Freebie, Old Dads) and co-writer Mark Duplass (The One I Love, Togetherness). World Premiere SXSW 2025. BADGES ACCEPTED
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Fantasy Life
Drama, Comedy | 91 Minutes
Directed by Matthew Shear
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 @ 10:45AM
The Foundry Theater at Antioch College
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After losing his job as a paralegal, Sam Stein suffers a panic attack and stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters. The girls' mother, Dianne, is an actor whose once-promising career has stalled; she's in a difficult marriage to David, a rock bassist. When David goes abroad on tour, Dianne and Sam discover an easy rapport as well as a shared history of mental illness. Sam joins Dianne's family to babysit for the summer on Martha's Vineyard, and he ends up in a house with the woman he pines for, her husband, the three kids, and all four grandparents, including his psychiatrist. BADGES ACCEPTED
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Ravens
+ Q & A with Producer Orian Williams
Drama | 117 Minutes
Directed by Mark Gill
SUNDAY OCT 5 @ 3:45 PM
Little Art Theatre
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The dark fantasy love story of legendary Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase and his wife Yoko. Director Mark Gill’s depiction of Fukuse’s turbulent life and brilliant work is inventively told and lovingly packaged. World Premiere Tokyo International Film Festival 2024.
Q & A with Producer Orian Williams to follow the screening. BADGES ACCEPTED
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Screenings On Short Street
The Twilight Zone
Mystery, Drama
Selected Episodes, Season 1, 2​
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4TH @ 7:15PM - 10:30PM
Short Street (between Xenia & S. Walnut)
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This year Short Street will host our first ever outdoor event as we screen classic episodes from The Twilight Zone to further commemorate our Opening Ceremony Tribute to Rod Serling.
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The Twilight Zone is an American anthology series, primarily known for its science fiction, fantasy, and horror elements, often featuring unexpected twists and moral lessons. Each episode presents a standalone story with characters facing unusual or extraordinary circumstances. The series explores themes of war, social issues and the human condition, frequently with thought-provoking or even uplifting outcomes. FREE / WEATHER PERMITTING
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Shorts Films, Big Stories
Short Films Program
Multi-Genre
SATURDAY OCT 4 @ 1:00 PM
The Little Art Theatre
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YSFF 2025 has curated an impeccable Shorts program of six narrative and documentary films. These films have premiered throughout the year at Sundance and other prestigious international film festivals. Half Past Midnight (Directed by Daniel Bibby), Lend a FRND (Directed by Chance Nikolas Saller), Such Good Friends (Directed by Bri Klaproth), Susana (Directed by Gerardo Coello Escalante & Amandine Thomas), There’s A Small Hotel (Michael Grodner), Tiger (Directed by Loren Waters). BADGES ACCEPTED
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Educational
Steven Bognar
Film Seminar
SATURDAY OCT 4 @ 10:30AM
The Foundry Theater
YSFF is thrilled to have one the region’s most acclaimed filmmakers to host our free educational seminar. This event will cover all aspects of documentary filmmaking, distribution and will include an audience Q & A.
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Steven Bognar is an Oscar- and Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker based in Yellow Springs, Ohio. His films include American Factory (2019 Sundance Film Festival), 9to5: The Story of a Movement, A Lion in the House (2006 Sundance Film Festival), and The Last Truck. He co-directed each with his late partner, Julia Reichert. FREE
