WorldScene Film Festival
Stimulating Cinema
Eleven inspirational short films from eight countries curated by Chicago Youth asks…
Was It Worth It?
Curated by youth participating in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Chicago Youth Works initiative, the festival of gripping films offers a peek into topics significant to 21st century youth, highlighting compassion and courage in the face of adversity. WorldScene Jury member, L. Borrachando stated the goal of the festival is “to share universal struggles and bring light to topics that are under-represented or often forgotten.” You’ll cheer for a hearing-impaired teen who learns sign language for the first time in Language is Life (Switzerland), and enjoy a belly laugh when a dog and hedgehog tussle over an errant quill in A Pain in the Butt (Germany, Croatia). Then open your heart for a young girl who dreams her immigrant mother is a mermaid in To Catch a Siren (UK).
“I hope with these films, the audience can learn to see through eyes that are not their own, because it’s through the gift of empathy that we see each other for who we truly are and appreciate the paths we separately walk.” L. Parada, WorldScene Jury 2026
Was It Worth It? features eleven films from eight countries, with six premieres including: Have I Swallowed Your Dreams? (Canada), Language is Life (Switzerland), Enough (USA), When the Coffee Kicks In (Guatemala), 18 Months (USA), Not Machine Enough (USA), A Pain in the Butt (Germany, Croatia), Frankie (USA), To Catch a Siren (UK), The Piano (Spain), and 19 (USA).
Screening Schedule for Was it Worth It?
Tuesday, October 13th, 4pm:
West Town Academy
534 N. Sacramento Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612
Seating is limited. Call 773-528-6854 or email info@icmediacenter.org to reserve your seats.
Screenings will be followed by director Q&A.
The Films
Have I Swallowed Your Dreams?
Canada, 2024, 6 min.
Directed by: Clara Chan
While having tea with her mother, Amy reflects on the dreams her mother had as a young woman and the sacrifices she made to create a better life for them both. In English.
Language is Life
Germany, 2025, 5 min.
Directed by Stanko Pavlica
A hearing-impaired teen’s life is transformed when he attends sign language school for the first time. In German and German-Swiss Sign Language with English subtitles.
US, North American, Chicago Premiere.
Enough
USA, 2021, 13 min.
Directed by: Caleb Slain
This Hip-Hop musical tells the powerful story of a young man sifting through feelings about race, policing, and the vulnerability of being black in America. In English.
Chicago Premiere.
When the Coffee Kicks In
Guatemala, 2025, 7 sec.
Directed by: Gustavo Fajardo
A sleepy cat’s first sip of morning coffee gives him an unexpected awakening. Nonverbal.
18 Months
USA, 2025, 7 min.
Directed by: Paulo Garcia and Natalia Gouvea
A man and his partner try to adopt a newborn they found abandoned in a subway station, challenging traditional definitions of family. In English.
Not Machine Enough
USA, 2023, 7 min.
Directed by: Yvan Iturriaga
A philosophical handyman at a Bay Area tech company resists America’s culture of disposability, both of items and of people. In English and Spanish.
Chicago Premiere.
A Pain in the Butt
Germany, Croatia, 2025, 5 min.
Directed by: Elena Walf
The hedgehog is just about to go into hibernation when he notices that one of his spines is missing. Getting it back won’t be easy. Nonverbal.
Chicago Premiere.
Frankie
USA, 2020, 11 min.
Directed by: James Kautz
Frankie crashes their partner’s 12-step meeting in an attempt to reveal their authentic selves. In English.
Chicago Premiere.
To Catch a Siren
UK, 2025, 20 min.
Directed by: Raphaela Wagner
A young woman in a Catholic group home for refugees searches for a mermaid she believes is her mother. In English.
The Piano
Spain, 2023, 8 min.
Directed by: Avery Kroll
A young girl discovers her father passionately playing piano in the middle of the night and sparks a powerful bond between them. Nonverbal.
19
USA, 2026, 9 min.
Directed by: Galileha Calvario-Zavala
A first-generation American woman reflects on enduring Marine Corps training, and the healing power of art. In English.
Chicago Premiere.
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