The Borrego Springs Film Festival features great local attendance, a catered opening gala, a filmmaker networking event, filmmaker activities, our catered Saturday party, panel discussions, a red carpet event, a catered award ceremony, and so much more.

Our model is “traditional film festival.” We’re a bunch of film lovers gathering to watch truly independent movies and having a good time.  It’s the best way to fest!  Join us!

The Borrego Springs Film Festival is an annual event presented by the Borrego Springs Film Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Schedule

LIBRARY | BLOCK #1 | Jan 15th  | 9:45 - 11:15

Gods of Clay

Kolkata artists use traditional methods to craft idols for religious ceremonies.

DOCUMENTARY | 14:10

Gone Before Your Eyes

An artist with Alzheimer’s attempts to paint. She struggles to do what was once natural.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 12:00

Habibti

Anissa and her mother spend a weekend together. Their reunion doesn't go as planned.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 10:38

Music To Die For

A pianist seeks redemption when he unexpectedly encounters a former band mate.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:46

Sandcastle

The Secret Life of Potter Wasps. Their hidden world of danger and predators is revealed.

DOCUMENTARY | 12:12

You Are Special

Life is fading away, but a man now knows to whom he leaves his Steinway.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 17:38

LIBRARY | BLOCK #2 | Jan 15th | 11:30 - 1:00

4 Little Angels

A man works in a nursing home. Given a chance to steal he may have chose the wrong mark.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:00

Ivania

Michael discovers a camera captures the presence of a woman in another dimension.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 12:00

Survival on The Edge

In the region of Pune India, a fight is underway to protect the savanna and its inhabitants.

DOCUMENTARY | 15:10

The Open Door

A man visits the countryside to calm his nerves. He learns eerie secrets of a small town.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 12:00

Walk With Me

A man delves into his past, uncovering the influence of a pivotal figure in his life.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 11:32

What We Don't Say

Javier visits the morgue and has an encounter that makes him confront his traumas.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:00

LIBRARY | BLOCK #3 | Jan 15th | 1:15 - 2:45

The Grief Conselor

An army veteran must reconcile her grief or succumb to the guilt of lying.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 19:50

Dormant

A man cares for his comatose wife at home. He fears something sinister is in her.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 8:51

Luis

Luis goes through his morning routine of changing the holes at Rams Hill Golf Club.

DOCUMENTARY | 5:31

Ripple

A welder transforms metal into art and finds healing from her traumatic past.

DOCUMENTARY | 14:27

Opening Up

Jas didn’t mean to kiss Adam, but she couldn't help herself.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 11:00

Your Last Wishes

After the death of his friend, Sammy must respect their last words and complete a list.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 19:57

LIBRARY | BLOCK #4 | Jan 15th | 3:00 - 4:45

Battlefield Angels

The U.S. government has no record of how many women served in Vietnam. This is their story.

DOCUMENTARY | 18:08

Home of the Brave

The story of all those left behind when someone gives their life.

DOCUMENTARY | 1:26:21

THEATER | BLOCK A | Jan 16th | 10:00 - 11:30

Prairie Prophecy

The regenerative agriculture prophet, Wes Jackson, shares his visionary insight.

DOCUMENTARY | 1:30:00

THEATER | BLOCK B | Jan 16th | 12:30 - 2:00

Lillo

After his father’s death a boy has to do the harvest on his own, coping with his imagination.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 8:13

Silver Sizzle

A cemetery caretaker helps widowers find love with widows.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 13:35

Smiley Death Face

A girl has a texting conversation with a stranger communicating entirely in emojis.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 7:00

The Magic Ticket

A homeless vet tries to have a meal in a restaurant. Asked to leave, her PTSD is triggered.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:17

Zero Sum

A professor defends his department. He must choose between his job and doing what's right.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 27:18

THEATER | BLOCK C | Jan 16th | 2:30 - 3:45

Family Reunion

A young girl is being stalked by a lake monster during a family reunion.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:52

Moratorium

A widowed father and children find themselves on the edge of homelessness in Ireland.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 12:16

Old Girl In A Tutu

Susan Rennie's delightful art with unfiltered commentary from the artist.

DOCUMENTARY | 8:02

Rise of the Fallen Angel

A revived cyborg girl fights for her life against a cyborg gang in a post-apocalyptic world.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:18

Spaghetti Western

A posse of misfits angles for one fine-lookin' plateful of pasta-based goodness.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 8:00

The Conjugal Visit

A woman arrives for a conjugal visit with her soon-to-be husband, a vicious murderer.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 10:00

Thin Air

With help from her robot Newman, Charlie confronts Thin Air, a spectral force.

ANIMATION | 6:00

LIBRARY | BLOCK #5 | Jan 16th | 3:00 - 4:30

Almost 40

Shiori breaks up on her 40th birthday. New people enter her world and she reconsiders life.

FEATURE FILM | 54:00

Bridge.

Bridgette is between adolescence and adulthood; the moment defined by the death of her mother.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 13:05

Carpe Noctem

A narrative light painting stop motion short film made from 703 light painting photographs.

ANIMATION | 1:17

Stay

A veteran struggles with PTSD after losing his service dog.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:00

Twenty

Emily desperately seeks shelter for the night while also auditioning for a ballet company.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:41

THEATER | BLOCK D | Jan 16th | 4:15 - 5:45

Ambush at St. Mary's

Outlaws are in disguise at a church robbery. When Hannah comes by their plans have to change.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:28

L'Hypermnésique

An elderly couple live alone with dementia. They try to create memories to replace their regrets.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 20:00

Right to Privacy

A doctor has an encounter with a protester then faces a moral dilemma.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 12:12

Saving Prufrock

A Cuban-American must save a famed T.S. Eliot character from a legacy of regret.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 16:08

Teodoro

Sole is being accused of abuse of Teodoro, her teddy bear.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 21:00

THEATER | BLOCK E | Jan 16th | 6:15 - 8:00

Last County

An alcoholic woman finds an ally in a wounded drug mule when defending her home.

NARRATIVE FEATURE | 1:45:00

THEATER | BLOCK F | Jan 17th | 10:00 - 11:30

Dale

Dale Hikawa is the first Asian woman to join the L.A. Philharmonic. The violist reflects on her life.

DOCUMENTARY | 9:26

Darcine's Day

Divorced and jobless, Darcine tries to survive in Los Angels. She hits obstacles at every turn.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 16:15

Losing Lalo

A soldier makes a decision that devastates his family and fellow veterans.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 33:51

What Men Do For Love

A dentist kidnaps a man with intentions of killing him, but a bond forms between them.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:57

THEATER | BLOCK G | Jan 17th | 12:30 - 1:45

Adrift

A woman is looking for love, but the odds are stacked against her.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 5:45

Camping in Paradise

A philosopher and his girlfriend spend a night at a nudist campsite. It’s beyond their comfort zone.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 23:00

Death Valley: Land of Extremes

The lowest, driest, and hottest place in the world. Yet beauty abounds.

DOCUMENTARY | 9:00

Development

A Latina office worker lands a leadership position, but must become a clone of the "nepo baby" boss.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 10:13

Lost In Memories

A homeless man looks for his son, but finds him in greater trouble than his own.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 16:20

The Footprint

When a woman soldier steps on a landmine her only wish is to see her son.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 7:12

THEATER | BLOCK H | Jan 17th | 2:45 - 4:15

Because I Love You

Marco and Joanna enjoy an electric marriage until Marco suspects Joanna is having an affair.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 13:28

Belief

With his wife and daughter Lennox unpacks their new home. But then he finds a letter.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 13:58

Cereal

A mother and son share a special bond that carries them through a difficult diagnosis.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:13

Every 85 Minutes

Deana, a vet with PTSD and MST, battles with the choice of ending it all or getting help.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 11:45

God & Buddha Are Friends

Andy navigates the complex terrain of religious debate to figure out his own truth.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 18:50

La Bruja

As Pablito mourns his Abuela tells him a fairy tale about the mystical Bruja Del Mar.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 13:13

THEATER | BLOCK I | Jan 17th | 5:00 - 6:30

Stampila

A woman tries to uncover weakness in her government that is run by oligarchs.

NARRATIVE FEATURE | 1:30:00

THEATER | BLOCK J | Jan 18th | 10:00 - 11:30

Amped

Co-workers stumble upon a drink that gives them supernatural abilities beyond their control.

ANIMATION | 5:30

Beyond the Herd

Daily life on the ranch and wild horses on the range. The story of equestrians Amber and Isidro.

DOCUMENTARY SHORT | 20:00

Darby After Dark

Darby receives a mysterious phone call from a woman who shares a paranormal game with her.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 9:50

Guiding Light

The legacy of a kidnapping case helps continue the endeavor to keep children safe.

DOCUMENTARY | 5:00

Izzy

Izzy is constantly stuck in the same cycle. Red glitter? Now that's a game-changer!

NARRATIVE SHORT | 4:50

Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob

While traveling for work, Ms. Rossi gets picked up by the wrong driver at the airport.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 19:50

The Twilght Cafe

An unexpected encounter averts tragedy, a reminder that we need friends to survive.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 12:16

What to Expect

When You’re Not Expecting. Spencer and Elliot hit road-blocks toward becoming Daddies.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:59

THEATER | BLOCK K | Jan 18th | 12:30 - 1:45

Aunt Cindy and The Alchemist

Elena’s life may seem perfect, but after meeting “The Alchemist” she discovers true love.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 11:21

Brothers: A Civil War Story

A young Confederate soldier comes face-to-face with his Union brother on the battlefield.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 20:00

Ultimate Citizens

An Iranian American counselor plays Frisbee with new immigrants. Life lessons are shared.

DOCUMETARY | 39:00

THEATER | BLOCK L | Jan 18th | 2:45 - 4:15

42 Seconds

After a mass shooting, survivors revisit the scene hoping to heal from their shared trauma.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 16:04

Beer Saves The World

Follows the story of Kernza, the perennial grain, and the brewers that make beer with it.

DOCUMENTARY | 11:08

The Ship That Turned Back

A “documemory” from the memoir of a child’s wartime escape.

DOCUMENTARY | 34:00

Un-American Activities

Politicians create propaganda with dire effects on their fellow citizens.

DOCUMENTARY | 31:09

THEATER | BLOCK M | Jan 18th | 5:00 - 6:30

The Way We Speak

A writer chases ambitions. It leads to obsession with an adversary and a rift with his wife.

NARRATIVE FEATURE | 1:27:00

THEATER | BLOCK N | Jan 19th | 10:30 - 11:45

Audition

A man auditions for a role in a commercial, it doesn't go as he planned.

NARRATIVE SHORT 3:32

Collage

A girl tries to convince a museum co-worker that two visitors are flirting. How does she know?

NARRATIVE SHORT | 9:51

Croak Show

A delightful music evening turns into chaos when an enthusiastic fan wreaks havoc.

ANIMATION | 4:12

Hawk Watch

Locals try to protect a delicate stage of hawk migration, but obstacles threaten it all.

DOCUMETARY | 45:00

Indefinitely

The night of a legendary comet coincides with a disastrous tsunami.

ANIMATION | 6:00

The Fish Collectors

Fish collectors negotiate a deal for the infamous "Candiru." A showdown occurs.

ANIMATION | 4:17

THEATER | BLOCK O | Jan 19th | 12:30 - 2:30

Ghost Town

Two friends lumber into a ghost town to break a strange curse.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 14:58

Go Ah (Orphan)

A Korean American fixates on suicide until she finds herself seeing ghosts in the desert.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 31:43

On Paper

Barbara receives an unexpected gift from a past lover that threatens her marriage.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 16:00

Prime Real Estate

Arthur discover Helen has purchased a burial plot next to her late first husband.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 15:00

Un Día Normal

Waiting for her DACA work permit Esmeralda is detained. She protects her family from ICE.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 34:50

THEATER | BLOCK P | Jan 19th | 3:00 - 4:15

Bulbank

Carl is determined to save his career when a new robot begins to outshine him with its efficiency.

ANIMATION | 4:36

Badmouth Grandma

Comic John gets a chance to do a show at LA's biggest comedy club. But there's a catch.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 5:38

The Allergy Table

When the new kid shows up the regulars show him the rules.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 6:20

Christmas, Dumpling and Tortellini

At Christmas Aurora tries to visit her estranged dad, but a Chinese couple now own the house.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 19:00

The Void

An addict seeks support, but his father's discipline risks tearing their family apart.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 17:17

Wabi-Sabi

On a date at a tea ceremony a woman tries to avoid fetishes that threaten her sanity.

NARRATIVE SHORT | 19:47

Click here to Buy 2025 BSFF Passes!

Date: January 15 - 19, 2025

Location: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

590 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Click here for more Information