OUTSIDE THE BOX
When: April 11, 2026 | 7 - 8:30 PM
Runtime: 88 minutes
These nine unusual stories all think outside the box and don’t easily fit into a traditional category. An intriguing mix of thrillers, animation, comedy, documentary, horror and sci-fi; these films are designed to challenge and keep you on your toes.
Program lineup:
REFRAIN
THE TALES OF VICTOR THE MISFITS CREATOR
GLASS CAGE
THRESHOLD
GHOST SANDWICH
IMPLANTABILITY
SUCKER
ERASED
LOCKDOON
ID: Film poster for “Refrain” with the title across the bottom above a text block of credits. An image of a man looking off to the side. A person stands on his shoulder, whispering into his ear. Across the top are name credits: Zac Bludell, Domenico Ventura, and Sophia Clarke.
REFRAIN
Narrative Short | Australia | 13 Minutes | Australian Sign Language, English
Director: Benjamin Anthony Slusarczyk
A Deaf maximum-security prisoner undergoes an experimental medical procedure to earn early release and be reunited with his daughter. However, the procedure results in unexpected consequences.
Content warnings: Aggression, Incarceration, Hate speech
ID: Film poster for “The Tales of Victor” with a subtitle below: The MIsfits Creator. Below is a cartoon illustration of a person with their hands up in front of them. A forest at nighttime is visible behind the person. Text block of credits is at the bottom.
THE TALES OF VICTOR THE MISFITS CREATOR
Animated Narrative Short | United Kingdom | 13 Minutes | English
Director: Paul Miller
In a castle deep in an enchanted forest, a mad scientist brings to life a creature who can’t hear. When their communication breaks down, the creature sets out to find someone who understands him.
Content warnings: Mild Violence
ID: Film poster for “Glass Cage” with the title on top with a subtitle above: “A film by Jules Dameron”. An image of a man grasping the shoulders of a woman below. Across the bottom is another subtitle “Angry Deaf People Productions”.
GLASS CAGE
Narrative Short | United States | 12 Minutes | American Sign Language
Director: Jules Dameron
A Deaf woman battles an internal force gnawing at her will to live, in a haunting cinematic mood piece that explores isolation and resilience.
Content warnings: Suicidal ideation, Mental health struggles
ID: Film poster for “Threshold, with the title at the top, with a subtitle below: “when silence fails me to the brim”. An abstract image of a person below, tinted red on a blue background. Text block of credits and logos at the bottom.
THRESHOLD
Documentary Short | Australia | 8 Minutes | English
Director: Sofya Gollan
Told through a visually creative blend of animation, captions and signing, this is a deeply personal exploration of what it means to have a little machine as part of your body.
Content warnings: Profanity
ID: Film poster for “Ghost Sandwich”, with the title on the left side, centered, with award mentions below. A black and white illustration above, shows a woman in a white dress with outlines of ghosts floating around her. Below is an illustration of a lopsided sandwich with the bread sliding off.
GHOST SANDWICH
Animated Narrative Short | United States | 3 Minutes | American Sign Language & English
Director: Lymon Thorn
In this charming animated gem, a Deaf entity tries to order a sandwich in a hearing restaurant, with humorous results.
Content warnings: None
ID: Film poster for “ImplantAbility”, with the title across the bottom above a text block of credits. Four images stacked on the right side show different people, with a stack of names on the left side.
ID: Film poster for “Sucker” with the title across the chest of a black person, with their upper face cut off. They have their mouth open with their tongue sticking out. A text block of credits is on the bottom.
SUCKER
Narrative Short | United Kingdom | 12 Minutes | British Sign Language
Director: Fae Al-Kalamchi
Juni is a sexy cannibal who lures men and women to her home without them realizing that they’re on the menu. However, when she strikes up a flirtation with a cute female neighbor, has Juni finally met her match?
Content warnings: Adult themes, Sexual situations, Violence, Profanity, Mild gore
ID: Film poster for “Erased” with the text in red on top, with two black and white polaroids of a man and a woman in center. Text block in red below. Text of names across the top: Sebastien Ianno and Allison Friedman.
ERASED
Narrative Short | United States | 4 Minutes | American Sign Language & English
Director: Rydrea Walker
Set in a dystopian future where using sign language is illegal and constant surveillance is a way of life, a couple has a confrontation with dark consequences.
Content warnings: Violence. Flashing lights may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.
ID: Film poster for “Lockdoon” with the title in white across an image of a cylindrical cipher puzzle with a drawstring bag behind it.
LOCKDOON
Narrative Short | United Kingdom | 14 Minutes | British Sign Language
Director: Ruaridh Lever-Hogg
In this suspenseful thriller, four people are invited to participate in an escape room challenge, but things take a sinister turn as the stakes get higher.
Content warnings: Profanity, Violence, Mild gore