Central Coast Shorts: Crossroads of Longing and Belonging
Experience the soul of California’s Central Coast in “Crossroads of Longing and Belonging”—a compelling shorts program that brings local stories into vivid focus through powerful documentary and creative voices. These films reveal the dreams, challenges, and enduring spirit of the region’s people, neighborhoods, and landscapes. Including The Long Valley, a poetic, photobook-inspired journey into the agricultural heart of Salinas Valley; Crossroads, a tender drama capturing the ebb and flow of friendship as two young people in Santa Cruz reckon with change; and The Color of Sky, a gentle meditation on hope in moments of farewell. Also featured: HomeTown HomeLess, a moving, poetic exploration of home and displacement in Santa Cruz’s Potrero district; The Power of Art, an inspiring look at public art responding to a deepening housing crisis; Honoring Our Ancestors by Sharing History, a tribute to Qingming Festival’s traditions in Santa Cruz; and The Ballad of Tita and the Machines, a riveting story of adaptation as an elderly fieldworker confronts a future shaped by artificial intelligence. From stories steeped in memory to portraits of activism and resilience, this block invites viewers on a cinematic journey through local crossroads—where longing and belonging shape the ever-changing identity of California’s Central Coast.
- 100 minutes
Featured Short Films:
The Long Valley
A documentary about the hopes and dreams of the people of the Salinas Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in California. The film uses a photobook aesthetic, exploring the space between still photography and film. Robert was born in the valley, and Rodrigo taught there for over a decade.
Directors: Robert Machoian, Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck
Region: United States
Length: 13:30
Crossroads
June and Daniel spend their last day together in sorrow as June prepares to leave Santa Cruz for a program far away. In a desperate attempt to relive their best moments, they cannot help but notice that their time together is coming to an unavoidable end.
Director: Christopher Lawrence
Region: United States
Length: 10:35
The Color of Sky
The hope that lingers in the farewell.
Director: Cristal Gonzalez Avila
Region: United States
Length: 09:03
HomeTown HomeLess
A poetic exploration of land and home set in Santa Cruz, California's Potrero district. The film follows unhoused poet, Momma Shannan, and the women within her community as they move through shifting encampment spaces. Amidst uncertainty, these women come together to talk about life, love, and loss.
Director: Maleah Rose Welsh
Region: United States
Length: 19:40
The Power of Art
In Santa Cruz, California, where soaring rental prices have deepened a housing crisis, artist Abi Mustapha brings visibility to those most affected. Through her residency with Housing Matters, funded by the Central Coast Creative Corps, Abi engages the community with transformative projects, including the elaborate "Look Me in the Eyes" art show—a powerful collection of intricate portraits that tell personal stories. The Power of Art reveals how creativity connects communities, challenges perceptions, and inspires change in the face of adversity.
Director: Michael Daniel
Region: United States
Length: 07:27
Honoring Our Ancestors by Sharing History
A brief look into how Qingming Festival in Santa Cruz honors the original Chinese Pioneers of early Santa Cruz.
Director: Andrew O'Keefe
Region: United States
Length: 04:52
The Ballad of Tita and the Machines
In a near future where Artificial Intelligence in the workforce is a societal norm, Tita, an injured and elderly fieldworker, reluctantly hires an artificially intelligent humanoid substitute worker to fill in for her picking strawberries and unexpectedly attracts the curiosity of the creators of this technology when their AI workers are unable to do her back-breaking work.
Director: Miguel Angel Caballero
Region: United States
Length: 15:00
About The Santa Cruz Film Festival
Dive into five electrifying days of world-class films, unforgettable parties, and celebration as the Santa Cruz Film Festival roars back this October 8–12 2025 for its 25th anniversary.
Experience the cinematic spirit of the Central Coast as the Santa Cruz Film Festival celebrates 25 years of movie magic. Over five unforgettable days this October, the city comes alive with world-class films fresh from Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, intimate conversations with visiting filmmakers, and lively parties under the Santa Cruz sky. From boundary-pushing documentaries to electrifying narratives, SCFF invites you to immerse yourself in the moving-image arts and connect with a community that thrives on creativity.
Experience bold and necessary storytelling from around the world, including award-winning films fresh from Sundance, SXSW, Cannes, and Tribeca, alongside powerful local stories that showcase Santa Cruz and our endlessly creative Central Coast. Plus, meet the filmmakers at screenings, Q&As, industry panels and at the Opening Night Gala at the Museum of Art and History!
SCFF 25 will be held at The Del Mar Theater, Santa Cruz Cinema Colligan Theater, The 418 Project, and Indexical.