Unspooled Film & Animation Festival

2025 Theme

Polytechnic Pioneers: Next Gen Visionaries Shaping the Future of Cinema

This year’s theme is designed to inspire student storytellers. We seek to not only celebrate the creativity of filmmakers and animators but also highlight the technical expertise and innovation that polytechniceducation brings to the table. Over the year we host hands-on workshops, tech demos, networking events, Q&A sessions, guest speakers, and awards to make our festival a truly immersive experience!

Our 2025 Goals: 

• Celebrate polytechnic students as the next generation of innovators in the film and animation industries.
• Highlight how polytechnic students use their skills to imagine and create the future.
• Facilitate student panel discussions on the challenges of balancing technical and creative processes.
• Highlight emerging talent and fresh perspectives in storytelling. 
• Include a mix of genres, from experimental shorts to animated features.
• Host networking events (Nonic and Zymurgy)
• Host hands-on workshops for secondary students.
• Host notable guest speakers.
• Jury submissions to offer awards. 

Screening Event Schedule ­­

Saturday, May 10th

4 PM – Kick-Off and Screening Block #1

Welcome message from Jonny

Cell Buddies, 5:11

Directed by Melle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jurgen de Smit, Arjen van der Plas (Netherlands)

Sam, a grumpy raccoon is stuck sharing a cell with Bob, a sweet but dim manatee. Sam hatches an escape plan. In their chaotic jailbreak Sam’s hardened edges soften as Bob’s loyalty shines.

You can't beat the feeling! 7:24

Directed by Mohammad Hossein Khodabandelou (Iran)

A former Coca-Cola teaser actor finds himself addicted to Coca-Cola and involved in everyday life and remembers his past, the beginning of his inquietude.

I am a Duck, 12:30

Directed by Nick Zweig (NYC)

Dumped out into a desert, an oblivious duck plunges headlong into a quest for bread, or something more.

Lamps, 5:43

Directed by Cody Bender (Wisconsin)

Watch your eyes...

The Line Between, 4:46

Directed by Dakota Truscott, Trinity Korunic (New Zealand)

Death takes the form of a panther as it guides a dying knight from fear to acceptance.

The Loving Couple, 6:27

Directed by Mhairi Kerr (Canada)

A long-term relationship can seem picture-perfect on the outside, but as this couple celebrates their fortieth anniversary, we see that life isn’t always as rosy as it appears.

5 PM – Special Event- Stout Animation Visionaries

Creating Jilly and Juno, 7:50

Director: Molly Siedlecki

A documentary short following the creation and process of creating a mixed media animated short, with a small group of students working on their senior capstone.

Jilly & Juno, 6:00

Director: Casey Blackwood

On a futuristic oil rig, two sisters are separated while exploring and must find their way back to each other.

Panel Discussion: The Creators of Jilly and Juno

Moderated by Augustus Hinton who is an animator, filmmaker, & teacher from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Punch & pizzazz shine prominently in his work. He’s best known for his animated web series Closet Combat which garnered the Best Animation Award in last year’s Unspooled Festival.  He now brings his expertise to the classroom as an instructor in UW-Stout Animation program. 

6 PM - Special Event- Stout Filmmaker Collaborators 

3 Chicken Dinners

Directed by Ethan Kulinski 

She Wants to Go Dancing

Directed by Cami Bertossi

It Devours

Directed by Gavin Goetzs

Red String

Directed by Lyndsey Krist

Panel Discussion: Video Production Capstone Students 

Moderated by Co O’neill  who is a producer, editor, & digital audio technician with over 20 years in film, TV, & advertising. His credits include Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Titan A.E., Star Wars: Episode I, Cast Away, and Galaxy Quest. Now an instructor in UW-Stout’s Video Production program, O’Neill bridges innovation in media with a commitment to education.

7:00 PM – Special Event- Guest: Schyguyy

Zach Schy, known creatively as SchyGuyy, is a 21-year-old visionary artist, videographer, and photographer from the Midwest. His work is defined by a deeply personal and emotionally rich style that blends ambient music with striking, cinematic visuals. Often placing himself at the center of his narratives, SchyGuyy crafts immersive stories that blur the line between vulnerability and artistry, creating a signature aesthetic that feels both intimate and expansive.

Awards Ceremony 

• Best Animation
• Best Student Animation
• Best Film
• Best Student Film
• Best VFX

8:10- Screening Block - Scary Stuff

Don’t Answer, 7:33

Director: Bennett Michael Johnson (Wisconsin)

Two friends retreat to a secluded cabin, craving a quiet weekend away. But when one of them unexpectedly cancels, the peaceful escape begins to unravel. Strange sounds drift through the trees, and ominous knocks echo at the door—always in threes, always in the dead of night. As fear sets in, the remaining pair begins to question what’s real and what isn’t.

Anatomy of a Haunt, 14:55

Director: Maya Anderson (Wisconsin)

A gripping investigation of the paranormal that explores terrifying first-hand accounts, investigates haunting phenomena, and ventures into the unknown.

Red Door Yellow Door, 11:23

Director: Delaney Hoffman (California)

When an innocent sleepover game leads to death, how long will you play until the game is truly over?

Face Time, 9:25

Joel Sacramento (Wisconsin)

A troubled young woman battles her mother’s ever-changing personas—until a chilling discovery shifts the rules of their twisted family.

VOHRA, 5:30

Directed by Melina Her, Ben Hinz

A secret international organization investigates a distress signal from an offshore laboratory. Beneath the surface lies an unsettling discovery.

Goodnight My Demons, 7:24

Director: Lukas Medin (Minnesota)

An anxious young woman struggles to get a good night’s sleep as her paranoia, sleep demons and a particular creepy critter keep her from getting the sleep she desperately needs.

9:30 PM - Screening Block – Genre Shorts (Nonic)

Into the Reds Tale, 4:05

Directed by Alisdair Zhang (Pratt) 

An abomination mimic creature enters the story of 'Little Red Riding Hood' and disguises itself as her, tricking the Big Bad Wolf into walking into a trap.

Rendezvous, 4:00

Directed by Samuel Ogier (New Zealand)

A nervous young man goes on a blind date that takes an unexpected turn. As he uncovers the truth about his mysterious companion, he realizes they share a deeper bond than he ever imagined.

Loop, 3:31

Directed by Eslam Ahmed Qotb (Egypt)

Stressed out girl from life pressure, escape reality with drugs, and face consequences of what she does, but will she change?

Not Alone, 5:31

Directed by Blake Jeffrey Herrick (Minnesota)

Two men on a date soon realize that they are not alone. 

No Way Forward

4:30, United States (Menomonie, WI) 

A mortality piece featuring a dialogue between a gravedigger and death.

Directed by Benny Mohr

Memory Loading 8:03, United States (Menomonie, WI) 

After a breakup sends him spiraling, an bartender discovers a time machine hidden in his friends bar and starts rewriting his past, one floppy-disk at a time.

Directed by Jay Tie

Sunday, May 11th

3 PM – All-Ages Community Screening (Free) 

Playground, 1:26

Directed by Jojo Chongjaroenjai (California)

In a whimsical micro-world hidden among vibrant leaves and sprawling plants, a charming folivore family transforms everyday greenery into extraordinary playthings. Through a series of playful and heartwarming vignettes, this animated short reminds us that life is our playground—so go explore and play!

Kitty Bravo in Freefall Failure, 0:55

Directed by Spencer Bryant (Texas)

This animated short film is an action-packed rollercoaster featuring daredevil cat Kitty Bravo! 

This short film was made by a team of nine students in a Visual Studies Studio course at the Texas A&M School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts.

Spencer Bryant led a team of fellow Texas A&M University students, Gabrielle Chiong, Megan Hecklinger, Anthony Juarez, Corain Marneweck, Hannah Paul, Emma Peace, Ashley Smith, and Noel White, to create Kitty Bravo together in an animation studio course in the Fall semester of 2023.

Foam Memory, 1:27

Directed by Mingwei Ma, Jiayi Christina Fu (China)

A young boy explores a mysterious, magical world where he encounters an unexpected reunion with his mother.

Back to You. 3:06

Directed by Martina Díaz Martínez (Chile)

Liten, a young clay being, takes care of Lillet, her ill mother. One day, when he gets home, Liten watches his mother in distress, he rushes to help and that's when, while watching her gem-memory, it cracks and falls. Despite trying to force the memory back, Liten realizes the importance of treasuring their time, even if she can't recall.

Busted Giant vs. Here’s Henry, 14:21

BustedGiant, after beating PaperTed in combat, replaces him as his evil master’s apprentice.

Directed by Brennan Flynn Higby

The Legend of Lex Zander, 23:01

One boy’s dream turns into an unforgettable adventure.

Directed by Jay Ness

4 PM- Block: Honorable Mention Screening.

Includes Video and Animation capstone and other Stout projects. 

5:20 PM – Short Animation Block

Child Star, 10:48

Directed by Roger Noel Austin Lee (Indonesia)

A Mother and son are watching movies together, the environment around them filling with warmth, love, and joy. Fast forward to the future, the son named Robin is now a rising child star. Robin sits in the living room feeling bored as ever as any other day with nothing to do. He becomes jealous as he hears other children having fun just outside his house playing with each other. Robin tries to sneak outside but is caught by his over strict mother, setting the stage for a wild chase while confronting their emotions.

As Robin navigates the complexities of an Asian family social culture and the effects of fame on him, the film gently explores the impact on relationships, specifically the mother and son relationship and how cultural ego plays a big part in an Asian household. This film emphasizes the importance of communication and an honest heart to heart between child and parent.

Folded Memories, 5:54

Director: Sanghwa Lee (China)

The day before Danya moves out to live on her own, Danya feels frustrated by her mom’s constant nagging. While packing her moving boxes, she unexpectedly finds an old photo album that takes her on a journey through her childhood memories.

Tech Check, 3:53

Directed by Zlatelina Tsokova (Bulgaria)

Anxiety spirals out of control, escalating into a train apocalypse.

Ink'd, 2:20

Directed by Annica Marcis

Ink'd is a short narrative story of a girl named Aiesha and her first experience getting a tattoo, at a studio that seems a bit more magical than it seems.

Infinity's Peak, 1:37

Directed By Juniper Adams

A trio of magical critters must travel to the heart of their world to stop its corruption, but when they find the source of all magic held in their hands, will they do the right thing or help themselves instead?

Elevator Pitch, 1:30

Directed by Hailey Herzog, Naan Fowler

Elevator Pitch is about a burnt-out recent college grad, Evelyn, looking to get her first corporate design job. In order to get to her interview on the top floor, Evelyn will need to ride the elevator up through increasingly strange-looking floors with stranger-looking businesspeople.

6 PM – Stout Documentary Short Block

From Dough to Destiny: A Stout Bread Story, 9:04

Directed by Josh Warner (Wisconsin)

A slice of life into Stout Bread, a banana bread business primarily on the campus of UW-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin

Sonnenblum. 10:00

Directed by Jeremy Cwan (Wisconsin)

Natural Areas Club, 9:04

Directed by Doran Acero (Wisconsin) 

Meet the student-led org that takes on big projects.

Scanner On, 11:19

Directed by Kyle Knitter (Wisconsin)

Uncover the secrets of the Sheboygan Scanners.

May Art, 4:00

Directed by Pang Chia Yang (Wisconsin)

Majour is a six-part docuseries, paired with a set of print magazines, that shares the stories of six Hmong creatives from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Each creative comes from various backgrounds and brings unique perspectives to the world of art as a Hmong individual. Through first-person storytelling, they talk about how they found their way into the creative world, what their work means to them, and what they hope to achieve.  

I hope this project serves as a platform for Hmong voices in the arts and becomes a way to help document stories for the community. With Majour, the goal is to highlight voices that don’t often get heard, and to help spark more visibility, understanding, and support for creative paths—both within the Hmong community and beyond.

7PM – Block – WI Connections

The Grass is Always Greener, 24:00

Directed by Dayton Feldt (WI)

A recent college graduate and a retiree get into a lawn mowing turf war.

Southbound, 5:40

Directed by Molly Jackson (WI)

Troubled teen Melissa is spiraling—stuck with her unhinged family and tangled in a low-level drug hustle that’s quickly falling apart. 

Scarred, 4:31

Directed by Hunter Lewis (,WI)

A young veteran has returned home from his deployment to the Middle East. He has become scarred.

The Devil Stole My Girlfriend, 1:30

Directors: El Ovall, Aaliyah Pemberton, James Jaeger, Ethan Short, Gabe Anderson, Brutus Valencia DeLuna

An angry boyfriend confronts the Devil for stealing his girlfriend. How will he get her back? An epic guitar battle, obviously.

Unrest, 3:35

Directed by Ryan Richard Rumary (Wisconsin)

Our unnamed main character arrives home late at night, unable to sleep from the voices inside his head, takes drastic measures to find rest.

Speed Demon, 1:23

Directed by Josiah McClelland (WI)

When a racecar driver is threatened by the mob, he and his lover will have to go on the run.

9PM - Screening Block – Genre Shorts (Zymurgy)

Pledge of the Grim Reapers, 3:09

Directed by Linqi Sun (Savannah)

A shadow monster influences Kye, a college student, to kill himself. Knowing that it is not the boy's time yet, a Grim Reaper fights off the monster and saves him.

Skin Care, 3:55

Directed by Blake Jeffrey Herrick (Minnesota)

A man gets ready for his nighttime routine

Kill the Horse, 10:26

Directed by Xiaoruo Guo (China)

The killing in the grass made His/her frantic to find the horse they had been talking about. He/She saw the thorn in the fool's nipple, the secret of the tribe's beliefs, the glimmer of light in the flood! The sound of the horse rang out from the ashes.

Persona, 3:39

Directed by Mana Inoue (SCAD)

A social media influencer struggles with her addiction which is eating away her personal life. She must fight with herself to get her life back on track.  

Don’t Lose Your Head, 5:27

Directed By Doran Acero (WI)

When Max attempts a magic ritual and all goes side-ways. 

Antisocial, 2:25

Directed by Tobias Rothacker (Germany)

I am the hero, I’ll remain,

See only me, push you away,

Embrace destruction, face the pain,

Transforming swiftly in my own domain!

Blind to my path, antisocial in my reign.