SCREEN TIME 2025: 90min of Chicago-Made Shorts
The 3rd Annual Event – Same But Different | A Surrealist Celebration of Local Short Cinema
Step into Chicago’s most anticipated night of local film, connection, and creative celebration.
Now in its third year, Mxxd Media and IFA Chicago have partnered for a high-energy showcase of Chicago-made short films from some of the city’s most exciting emerging and established voices. From magical realism to humanistic storytelling, this year’s theme – “Same, but Different” - invites audiences to experience stories that stretch reality and reflect the human experience in powerful new ways.
What To Expect
Live Keynote Discussion - Taking the Leap: A Discussion on Feature Filmmaking
90-Minute Screening
Q&A Panel – Meet the minds behind the films
Sponsors - Remy Martin, Maison Perrier, IFA Chicago
After Party – Vibes, networking, & music from Global Currency
About Mxxd Media
Mxxd Media is a Chicago-based production company on a mission to celebrate local filmmakers, help brands tell their stories, and create films with emerging filmmakers. They’re not just screening work – they’re elevating artists.
About IFA Chicago
The Independent Film Alliance (IFA) Chicago is a non-profit organization that provides the community, resources, and programs needed to build a diverse and sustainable industry of independent content creators.
"...No joke, every step of the ethos of Screen Time has been incredible... They’re setting the bar for how screenings and festivals should be run" - Sean Raju, Filmmaker
Follow: @screentimeshortcinema and @MxxdMedia for updates & premieres
Selected Films
A Sweetness of Lapse - When best friends, Ava & Mina, are introduced to the internet phenomenon of “timeline shifting”, they decide to try it one night. The result tests their friendship and grasp of reality.
CHECK PLEASE - Two headstrong Koreans can't agree on who's treating who to dinner, causing their casual restaurant outing to spiral into a martial arts deathmatch.
CineYouth Comedy Award Winner – Chicago International Film Festival
Prawn Star - When a young shrimp gains aspirations to become an actor, he purposely gets caught by humans so he can end up at a fancy restaurant and on the plate of someone who could make him famous.
“A Film by Texas Smith” (Sneak Preview) - After some time apart, a former couple (Charlie and Austin) run into one another, and over the next 24 hours, the pair reconnect, living many years and lives simultaneously.
Protagonist Gene - A timid woman hoping to change her life is medically diagnosed as a Supporting Character forcing her to undergo a radical treatment to attain Main Character energy.
Spanked by a Ghost (Premiere) - Alone in her home, a woman is spanked by an unseen entity – awakening a force she cannot control.
About Time - After years apart, former lovers reunite and struggle to connect until an edible spurs an emotional night of dredging up past hurts and self-discoveries.
Everything is Everything - Chicagoans reflect on history and identity during Juneteenth 2024
Hand Job - A sentient hand must save its body after an attempted suicide.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a screening – it’s a movement.
A place for filmmakers, creatives, and culture lovers to gather, discover new stories, and celebrate the heartbeat of Chicago film. Whether you’re a cinephile, an industry pro, or just curious – this is where you want to be.
IFA Members receive a 20% discount on tix! Head to the membership portal for your discount code.
Interested in joining IFA? Membership is only $8.33 a month. ($100/year) Click on this link for membership details!