Sights and Sounds Block | DIFF 2026

THE 2026 DESERTSCAPE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS SHORTS BLOCK

A collection of shorts that puts an emphasis on music, dance, visual storytelling, and expressive performance without the use of dialogue.

*Some films may contain mature content (Adult themes, Sexual Situations, Cyber-Bullying)      

The short films in this block are as follows;

Hi | 7 Mins | United Arab Emirates | Utah Premiere

Directed by Dan Alexander Newton

Starring Anastasiia Purhina, Rudy Idres

A woman reaches out across the digital void. What she hides behind her words is far more dangerous than what she reveals.

Ideal Distance | 4 Mins | U.S.A. | Utah Premiere

Directed by Danny Chandia Starring Sam Lemos

*Followed by a filmmaker Q&A

As we struggle to find balance in our relationships, passions, and addictions- the world keeps spinning at an ideal distance from our nearest star.

Going on Strike | 14 Mins | U.S.A. | Utah Premiere

Directed by Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin

A dancefilm celebrating solidarity in protest and the strength of a group in revolt.

Hot Chip - Devotion | 4 Mins | Japan | No Premiere

Directed by Will Kindrick

A lonely, but dedicated Tokyo crossing guard breaks into a full blown dance party while directing traffic.

What if I Die Flying Over Oklahoma? | 5 Mins | U.S.A. | Utah Premiere Directed by H. Nelson Tracey Starring Rae Isla

*Followed by a filmmaker Q&A

Trapped in the middle seat, singer-songwriter Rae Isla spirals into an existential crisis that transforms airplane anxiety into a surreal question of "what if?"

Alexis Taylor - Out of Phase ft. Lola Kirke | 5 Mins | U.K. | No Premiere

Directed by Will Kindrick

Starring Alexis Taylor

Alexis Taylor (of Hot Chip) braves a strange world of eerie escalators, singing mannequins, and digital nightmares in the experimental music video shot entirely on the iPhone 16.

Doin' Bad Things in the Night | 6 Mins | U.S.A. | No Premiere

Directed by Amy Johnson

*Followed by a filmmaker Q&A

Post-apocalyptic music video

Little Victories | 16 Mins | Canada | Utah Premiere

Directed by Rafaël Beauchamp

Starring Millie-Jeanne Drouin, Jean-Philippe Lehoux

Every day, a father works to accumulate the money needed to buy go-kart tires for his daughter and himself. At the racetrack or at home, nothing matters but each other's presence. But during their last autumn in the heart of nature and engines, his weakening health prompts him to reflect on the legacy he will leave to her.