This year’s Toronto International Film Festival market highlights the Dogme23 Short Film Selection, a bold and eclectic programme. Spanning drama, coming-of-age tales, sci-fi/fantasy, and experimental works, the collection explores family, identity, rebellion, and connection across cultures.
Little Fierce Loong (USA, 18m, English/Chinese)
Two lonely children from different worlds bond over a wooden dragon, embarking on a magical journey of growth and connection.
Beneath the Deep Water (USA, 2025, 26m, Chinese)
On the eve of university, Xiaoyu dives into invisible deep waters, confronting uncertainty in relationships and life.
Should We Do It? (USA, 2025, 11m, English)
Lily sets out to lose her virginity with internet tips and false bravado, but Andy’s sincerity forces her to confront her true desires.
Jumah (China, 2025, 16m, Chinese/Arabic)
A Muslim girl in central China rebels against religious restrictions by getting a tattoo, only to discover that one defiance leads to another unexpected “sin.”
Afterglow (USA/China, 2025, 9m, Chinese/English)
Between a funeral and a final meeting with her secret lover, Ivy seeks stillness in two parallel goodbyes.
When I See You at the End of the World (USA/China, 2025, 7m, Chinese/English)
Meg, having died hundreds of times, begins to see her fragile, lower-dimensional world for what it truly is: something built only to collapse.
The Dogme23 shorts push boundaries with their imaginative scope and intimate storytelling, making the programme one of the most anticipated highlights of this year’s market screenings.
