Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has revealed the lineup for the tenth annual Moebius Film Festival, scheduled for May 28–29, 2025. The two-day event celebrates the work of graduate student filmmakers from top film programs around the world.
This year marks the festival’s tenth anniversary and features its most diverse group of participating schools. For the first time, Columbia University joins established names like Chapman University, the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory, New York University (NYU), England’s National Film and Television School (NFTS), and CalArts.
The 2025 festival will screen 10 short films selected from over 170 submissions. The films include both live-action and animated works and explore themes such as self-discovery, growing up, and family. Genres range from drama and comedy to horror, reflecting the festival’s focus on cultural and artistic diversity.
Since its launch in 2015, Moebius has become a key platform for rising filmmakers. Alumni include Felipe Vargas, whose short film “Rosario” led to a successful feature, and Oran Zegman, whose Moebius entry “Marriage Material” preceded her feature film “Honor Society,” which premiered on Paramount+. Max Barbakow, another Moebius alum, later directed “Palm Springs” and the upcoming film “Brothers.”
The festival was founded by Christina Chou, Zach Kaplan, Pete Stein, and Lingie Park—then trainees at CAA, now agents in the Motion Picture department. Today, the festival is organized by a new generation of young leaders from across the agency.
“Reaching our tenth year is a milestone that shows the promise of emerging filmmakers,” said Chou, Kaplan, and Stein in a joint statement. “Each year, Moebius continues to grow. This year’s films represent global voices, bold ideas, and strong creative visions.”
Moebius supports CAA’s broader goals around inclusion and collaboration. The agency also leads programs such as the Full Story Initiative and CAA Amplify, both aimed at expanding representation and opportunity in entertainment and beyond.
2025 Moebius Film Festival Lineup
Night 1 – Wednesday, May 28
- The Wrath of Othell-Yo! – Directed by Kwesi Jones (NYU)
A PA steps in to replace an actor in an erotic adaptation of Othello but finds the role more challenging than expected. - Girls in Real Life Situations – Directed by Ofre Sparrow Vaknin (CalArts)
Three eighth graders plan to secure the best lunch table—until a sixth-grade TikTok star ruins their plan. - Bruno & Elena – Directed by Javier Hirschler (Columbia)
On the last day of high school, Bruno finally wins over his crush, but his mother refuses to give them privacy. - Dandelion – Directed by Fiona Obertinca (AFI)
A queer teen in 1970s Los Angeles is placed with a new social worker after being kicked out of another foster home. - Nervous Energy – Directed by Eve Liu (NYU)
Two struggling filmmakers decide to change their lives by leaving their boyfriends and taking a bold step forward.
Night 2 – Thursday, May 29
- Follow Me Wherever I Go – Directed by Maxwell DeFalco (Chapman)
A devoted mother begins a dark journey to create a new life, no matter the cost—including seducing her son’s best friend. - A Very Normal-Seeming Man – Directed by Allamaprabhu Pattanashetty (NYU)
A father shares movie ideas with his filmmaker son—each one starring himself. - Dad Swap – Directed by Ethan Mermelstein (Columbia)
Tired of his father, a boy swaps him with his dad’s best friend and rival. - Fawn – Directed by Molly Mayhew (NFTS)
After her parents’ deaths, Fawn returns home and must face painful memories and an unresolved past. - Teen Mary – Directed by Ali Rosenthal (AFI)
In a modern retelling set in ancient Nazareth, Mary becomes pregnant and, with help from her gay best friend Joseph, claims it was God’s doing to avoid execution.
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