NoBudge is excited to take part in the 2026 Nitehawk Shorts Festival to co-present a program of new work from a group of emerging indie filmmakers. The lineup features eight short films, a broad sampling of off-the-cuff documentaries, heavy dramas, goofy comedies and a taste of animation. Each has its own self-assured style and tone, packing a punch working with limited budgets and resources.

Q&A moderated by Kentucker Audley, NoBudge

Lotion
Bri Rodebaugh, 10 min., world premiere
On a quiet night amidst mid-80s suburban bliss, privileged couple Sherri and Mel suddenly face the biggest challenge they’ve ever encountered.

Ass Magic
Aelfie Oudghiri, 16 min., world premiere
A day in the life of magician Jack Grady, America’s Got Talent’s fastest loser.

Clean Slate
Emily May Jampel, 9 min.
Two Asian nonbinary best friends and actors must make some sacrifices when they go up for the same breakout role.

Blue
Ethan Romaine, 5 min., NYC premiere
Josh runs into an old friend.

Cafe Cafe
Dylan Waite, 14 min., world premiere
A lonely Queens professional seeks answers at his local diner after a strange piece of takeout leaves him haunted by sinister visions.

Buffalo 10
Trisha Pickelhaupt, 12 min., NYC premiere
A glamorous trans woman aching for the simplicity of her upbringing moves back to Buffalo, where she tumbles into a dalliance at the local bowling alley.

Don’t Get Me Wrong
Corey Sherman, 10 min.
A young man becomes obsessed with a mysterious device that allows him to hear every bad thing anyone has ever said about him behind his back.

The Contestant
Patrick Xavier Bresnan, 14 min.
In 1996 a young prankster entered a contest hosted by David Hasselhof to visit the set of Baywatch, the highest rated TV show in the world at that time.