2025 Underexposed Film Festival: Lineup announced for short film festival in York County

ROCK HILL — The beloved York County Underexposed Film Festival yc (UFFyc) is returning April 24-26 for its 11th season of showcasing the best in independent filmmaking from around the world with films that are as diverse in storytelling as they are in origin.

UFFyc welcomes filmmakers and movie lovers to the Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom, York County Library’s Rock Hill location and The Mercantile in Rock Hill. A total of 46 international short films will be featured at the festival this year. 

Established in 2012, the festival focuses its attention on encouraging, nurturing and supporting the creativity and vision of independent filmmakers and providing a forum where their work can be viewed.

UFFyc sets itself apart by highlighting undiscovered talent. The festival provides an opportunity for both emerging and seasoned filmmakers to screen in the same forum while encouraging dialogue between the two. Filmmakers often share their experiences during question-and-answer sessions that follow the screenings, giving festivalgoers a glimpse into their vision and process.

Detailed below is the schedule of festival showings. For more information about the schedule, and details on each individual film, visit underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org/2025schedule.

Block A | Thursday, April 24: "There’s more than one way to tell a story"

When: 7-9 p.m. April 24

Where: The Mercantile, 153 E. White St.

Price: free (registration not required)

Featured films:

• "BRAINS" | PG-13, Animation (USA)
• "Burning in the Garden" | PG-13, Narrative (USA)
• "Burnout" | PG-13, Narrative (USA)
• "Detlev" | PG13, Animation/Puppetry (Germany)
• "Dear Child II" | PG-13, Animation (UK)
• "Emboucanator" | PG-13, Animation (France)
• "The Flow of the Shadows" | G, Puppetry (UK)
• "Don’t F*ck With the Ba" | R, Narrative (USA)
• "Spellbound" | PG-13, Animation (The Netherlands)

Block B | Friday, April 25: "The Director’s a Dame"

When: 3-5 p.m. April 25

Where: Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom, 201 E. Main St., Rock Hill

Price: $8 in advance, $10 at the door

Featured films:

• "Amplified" | PG-13, Narrative (Jordan)
• "Cold Soup" | PG13, Animation (Portugal)
• "A Move" | PG, Documentary (Iran)
• "Bis Ans Ender Liebe" | G, Narrative (Uruguay)
• "Suddenly a Bird" | PG, Animation (Iran)
• "My Body to Love" | PG-13, Documentary (USA)

Block C | Friday, April 25: "Teen Watch Party"

When: 6:30-8 p.m. April 25

Where: York County Library, 138 E. Black Street, Rock Hill, Moore Room 

Price: free (registration required. register at the YCL website: tinyurl.com/4szdrr3h)

Featured films:

• "Time Flies" | PG, Animation (USA)
• "Molasses" | PG, Narrative (USA)
• "Hedgehearts" | PG-13, Puppetry (USA)
• "Baigal – Nurr" | G, Experimental (Canada/Germany)
• "The Basket Lady" | PG-13, Narrative (USA)
• "Glow" | PG, Puppetry (USA)
• "It’s For You" | PG-13, Documentary (USA)

Block D | Friday, April 25: "Can we Talk?"

When: 7-9 p.m. April 25

Where: Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom, 201 E. Main St., Rock Hill

Price: $8 in advance, $10 at the door

Featured films:

• "The 9th Life" | PG, Puppetry (USA)
• "Stronghold" | PG-13, Narrative (USA)
• "Despite" | PG, Experimental (USA)
• "The Unquiet Dead" | R, Narrative (USA)
• "The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent" | PG-13, Narrative (Croatia)
• "FEARS" | PG, Puppetry (USA)
• "Guts" | PG-13, Narrative (USA)
• "10 Days to Eternity" | PG, Narrative (Japan)

Block E | Saturday, April 26: "Carolina Showcase"

When: 2-4 p.m. April 26

Where: Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom, 201 E. Main St., Rock Hill

Price: $8 in advance, $10 at the door

Featured films:

• "Like in the Movies" | PG, Narrative (USA/SC)
• "The Last Customer" | PG, Narrative (USA/NC)
• "Warp Weft, Wetlands" | G, Documentary (USA/NC)
• "Tag" | PG-13, Narrative (USA/SC)
• "Voicemail" | PG-13, Experimental (USA/NC)
• "Imagine Abby" | PG, Narrative (USA/SC)
• "Corpsepaint" | PG-13, Narrative (USA/SC)
• "Love Me Hate Me" | PG-13, Narrative
• "Sisters" | PG, Narrative
• "Rooted For the Future" | PG, Documentary (USA)
• "A House for My Family" | PG-13, Narrative (USA/SC)

Block F | Saturday, April 26: "Closing Time"

When: 7-9 p.m. April 26

Where: Tom S. Gettys Center Courtroom, 201 E. Main St., Rock Hill

Price: $8 in advance, $10 at the door

Featured films:

• "Al fresco" | PG, Narrative (Spain)
• "Holy Heaveness" | PG-13, Animation (Iran)
• "The Masterpiece" | PG-13, Narrative (Spain)
• "Percebes" | PG, Animation (Portugal)
• "The Overlook" | PG-13, Narrative (USA)

Wrap Party | Saturday, April 26: "Slow Play Brewing"

When: 9:30 p.m.-12 a.m. April 26

Where: 274 Columbia Ave., Rock Hill

Price: $25, open to the public

Awards will be announced immediately following Block F on Saturday, April 26. The 2025 awards include: Grand Jury Award; Best Animated Film; Best Documentary Film; Best Experimental Film; Best Narrative Film; Best Puppet Film; Woman to Watch; Cinema Carolina; Best Student Film; Collegiate; and the Terry Roueche Audience Choice Award, and Amy Lynn Rector Kids’ Choice Award.

Tickets

UFFyc tickets are on sale now, starting at $8 per block when purchased in advance, $10 at the door. Tickets are available online at underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org and yorkcountyarts.org, by phone at (803) 328-2787, or in person at the Center for the Arts, 121 E. Main St., Rock Hill.