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2026
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Quintessence Shorts

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A film still from Fists of Mothers shows a young Black woman with long hair looking directly into the camera with a serious expression. She is standing outside on a sunny street. Her hair is being blown by the wind.

Inexplicable energy expanding the universe.

Thank you to our screening partners: Reelblack and West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance / Paul Robeson House & Museum.

Audio Description available upon request.

Films in this Program

A film still from Fists of Mothers shows a young Black woman with long hair looking directly into the camera with a serious expression. She is standing outside on a sunny street. Her hair is being blown by the wind.
World PremiereShort Narrative

Fists of Mothers

Two mothers have an awkward conversation about their kids that turns violent.

A film still from Potato Salad shows a Black man in a hallway looking forward. He is wearing a khaki trenchcoat, a white shirt, and a tie. From his mouth, hangs a sprig of pine. There are frames along the wall and a Christmas wreath hanging on the door behind him.
World PremiereShort Narrative

Potato Salad

On Christmas Eve, a detective receives a call about a suicide that occurred during a dinner. When he arrives at the…

A film still from Ish Meets a Mermaid shows an Anishinaabe woman and an Ojibwe man standing in a bookstore. The woman has blue hair extensions and blue eyeshadow, and she is staring at the man.
East Coast PremiereShort Narrative

Ish Meets a Mermaid

An artist in a slump meets a mysterious woman from a realm beneath Lake Superior and finds success in the last place he…

A film still from Angels Pull Your Hair shows a young Black woman leaning against a graffiti-covered wall in a bathroom. She looks upward with a solemn expression.
North America PremiereShort Narrative

Angels Pull Your Hair

If she stays awake, she unravels; if she sleeps, the hag returns. Escape means facing the faceless demon that follows…

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A film still from The Keeper shows an older Black woman speaking to a young Black girl. The two sit around a table, lit by a single gas lantern. The older woman is dressed in all black while the younger girl has a red flower in her hair. On the table in front of them lies a large wooden bowl, some papers, and a cupcake with white frosting.
World PremiereShort Narrative

The Keeper

After 10-year-old orphan Aisha’s grandmother dies, her only hope for protection is the family demon — but with a…

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Tickets

In Person

Saturday, August 88:30PM EDTPerelman Theater @ Kimmel
Virtual Screening →

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