ICFilmFest
2025
10 Short Films from 8 Countries
Wings Soars!
WINNER
Best of the Fest
Kudos to filmmaker Casey McDonald, whose short film Wings, won the 2025 summer ICFilmFest Best of the Fest prize! Screened in the What a Wonderful World program at three Chicago area youth centers, Wings captured children’s hearts as mouse with big dreams goes against instinct to help an injured bird, and ends up with a friend…and a ride of a lifetime. “Wings was my favorite because it teaches you to help each other”, said one young voter. Another commented “I liked the details and the music. It made me feel happy.”
Let’s look on the bright side and celebrate our WONDERFUL WORLD! You’ll be inspired by the power of ancient Cree story-telling in Wâhkôhtowin (Canada) and awed by the achievements of unique individuals in Dawn (USA). Then laugh out loud as a clever little dinosaur outsmarts the bullies in Bellysaurus (Australia).
What a Wonderful World features eleven films from eight countries, including:El Charango (Italy), Wings (USA), Wâhkôhtowin (All My Relations) (Canada), Hamsa (USA), Bellysaurus (Australia), Andy: A Dog’s Tale (USA/Serbia), Dawn (USA/Germany), Spirit of the Forest (India), Charlie and the Hunt (USA), and o28 (France).
The Films
El Charango
Italy, 2022, 3 min.
Directed by: Paola Luciani
A traditional Andean folktale about how the armadillo became a beautiful stringed instrument called the charango. In Italian w/ English subtitles.
Wings
USA, 2019, 6 min.
Director: Casey McDonald
A friendship blossoms between an injured bird and a mouse who wants to fly. Non-verbal.
Wâhkôhtowin (All My Relations)
Canada, 2021, 6 min.Directed by: Barry Bilinsky
A grandmother speaks to her grandchildren about the power of storytelling in indigenous cultures. She tells the story of creation and how the ancestors are always with them. In English and Cree.
Hamsa
USA, 2020, 5 min.
Director: Daniela Dwek
On a trip to the market, a mother and daughter discover that the people they were afraid of are kind and helpful. In English.
Bellysaurus
Australia, 2021, 8 min.
Director: Philip Watts
After getting picked on by his peers, a young dinosaur finds an unlikely friend. Non-verbal.
Andy: A Dog’s Tale
USA/Serbia, 2023, 7 min.
Directed by: Jamy Wheless
An uplifting story about how a puppy overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life. Non-verbal.
Dawn
USA, Germany, 2021, 4 mins.
Directed by: Timon Birkhofer
Five unique individuals take us on a journey where their achievements shine beyond preconceived ideas of what is possible. Non-verbal.
Spirit of the Forest
India, 2022, 7 min.
Directed by: Nirupa Rao
A little girl learns about an ancient swamp from its spirit, taking her through history and teaching her the importance of the forest. In Kannada with English subtitles.
Charlie and the Hunt
USA, 2022, 15 min.
Directed by: Jenn Shaw
A girl goes on an adventure to face her fears and recover a family treasure. In English and ASL with English subtitles.
o28
France, 2019, 5 mins.
Directed by: Otalia Caussé, Geoffroy Collin, Louise Grardel, Antoine Marchand, Robin Merle, Fabien Meyran
In Lisbon, a German married couple is about to ride the legendary n°28 tramway when the brakes let go and take them on an adventurous race – with a baby on board. Non-verbal.
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