The annual ‘Shorts: Summer’ films at True/False capture diverse stories from filmmakers highlighting music and culture
The “Shorts: Summer” films of the True/False Film Fest screened Friday night at Ragtag Cinema. These films creatively showcased central themes of community and culture while simultaneously highlighting diverse topics. These five films blended well together in the compilation of short films.
“Psychedelic in the Sky,” directed by Matthew Salton, was the first of the “Shorts: Summer” films to premiere. It followed the director’s childhood interest in UFOs through another man’s experience. The majority of the short film takes place in 1967, when more than 30 residents in Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia saw a large flying object in the sky. This sparked widespread news coverage across Canada, as UFO sightings are extremely uncommon and rarely credible. Well-known ufologist Jacques Vallée provided his thoughts and experiences with UFOs throughout the documentary as well.
The animated cinematography throughout the film made the documentary flow seamlessly and gave viewers a visual insight into what Salton saw that night. These UFO sightings instantly became a pressing topic in news headlines across Canada, and are still talked about by UFO enthusiasts to this day. This film not only presents a strange and unusual event but also explores how it impacted the local and space community. It left a mark in the local community and created discussions on the possibility of life outside of earth.
Next up was “My Exploding House,” directed by Liberty Smith, who grew up in West London, U.K. Smith reminisces on her childhood home throughout the film after she watched it used in a set for an explosion in a film she watched when she was younger. She was left to connect the dots on which film it was that destroyed her home by contacting the city, movie studios and contractors across East London. “My Exploding House” focuses on the concept of discovery and closure as she tries to come to terms with the loss of so many memories. Throughout her journey, she learns more about the fate of her old house, herself and the process of letting go.
“Piñata Prayers,” directed by Daniel Larios, tells the historical and religious significance of piñatas, and how they impacted his childhood in El Salvador and the United States. The film focused on the prominent tradition of hitting a piñata that many Latinos partake in, a tradition which symbolizes celebration, and breaking away from your old self.
Larios’ opening up to viewers in “Piñata Prayers” about the prevalence of gang violence and having to flee from certain areas of the country, provides an in-depth experience into what Larios’ life was like in El Salvador throughout his childhood and adulthood. Larios’ also reminisces throughout “Piñata Prayers” about growing up in the church while living in the U.S. and how it has affected his life.
I loved how this film switched between his past and present life in El Salvador and his childhood in the U.S., giving viewers a unique perspective on his life. The combination of these two timelines allowed for a deeper understanding of Larios’ experiences and the resilience that he developed along the way.
The fourth film took a dive into the Wild West and how historical cultures can positively impact modern society. “How The West Was Fun” was directed by Sue Ding and Sarah Garrahan. The film was centered around Trail Dust Town, a western-themed park in Tucson, Arizona.
Visitors masqueraded as cowboys and cattle farmers to pose for pictures throughout the film. The audience sees first-hand accounts of the joy people experience when they partake in something that allows people to connect with their heritage. The film didn’t exclude typical human interactions we see between people in our everyday lives, but instead embraced them. “How The West Was Fun” showcased the beauty of humanity, and how impactful it can be when individuals come together to enjoy something they care about. It illustrates the power of cultural connection and human interaction.
The fifth and final film of the short documentary series was “TRAPSTARZ,” which followed a group of friends trying to achieve fame through music while navigating the hardships of life. The documentary directed by Gonçalo Loureiro took viewers through the everyday lives of the trapstars as friends, artists and members of the workforce.
This film was my favorite because it portrays the everyday lives of people immersed in creativity and collaboration. Similar to the film, people around Columbia navigate their studies and jobs while creating beautiful art. The diversity and welcomeness of these different artists across Columbia and at the University of Missouri aren’t confined to tiny dorm rooms or classrooms, but they are seen across everyday life on the streets, in cafes and on campus.
The film included the behind-the-scenes shooting of a music video, the finished video, studio sessions and the jobs that the artists work to support their music career. The cinematography in this short film is beautiful, the use of point-of-view techniques enhances the mood and brings a sense of life and enthusiasm to the documentary. I felt immersed in the film, as if I was shooting the music videos, recording the music and performing concerts. The cinematography adds a level of reality and authenticity to the story that makes the viewers feel more connected to the artists on a personal level. I love how ‘TRAPSTARZ’ showed the reality of these artists’ lives and created an emotional connection to the group.
The five “Shorts: Summer” films at the True/False Film Fest offered a rich and diverse experience of stories that beautifully explored themes of culture, identity, resilience and personal discovery. Each film provided a unique lens across a diverse range of information. True/False Film Fest festival truly highlights the power of visual storytelling, cinematography and humanity. This weekend reminded me of the beauty and significance of diverse experiences, both shared and personal.
You can keep up with The Maneater’s 2025 True/False Film Fest coverage here.
Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.comCopy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.comEdited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.comEdited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com