Celebrate the Dam Short Film Festival Feb. 11-16,

Dam Short Film Festival returns Feb. 11-16, offering six days of global storytelling in Boulder City, featuring over 150 short films across diverse genres.

By Debbie Hall

Independent cinema takes center stage in downtown Boulder City as the 22nd Annual Dam Short Film Festival returns Feb. 11–16, transforming the Elaine K. Smith Building into a vibrant hub of creativity, connection, and cinematic discovery. As Nevada’s largest short film festival, the event continues its mission of celebrating bold voices and original stories from around the world—one short film at a time.

Over six days, audiences will experience more than 150 short films from around the world, along with filmmaker Q&As and special events, fostering excitement and curiosity about the festival's rich offerings.

“Short films offer a narrative, a unique narrative compared to stage productions or feature-length films. This is more of a unique art form. Shorts can present stories, ideas and concepts that you wouldn't come across in the mainstream,” said Ken Cioe, Director of Operations. “One of the things that we're proud of is our reputation, right? We're consistently ranked in the top 100 worldwide among over 14,000 film festivals, based on reviews from actual filmmakers. One of the things that they enjoy the most with our film festival, as opposed to other film festivals, is that there's no agenda and we have no connection to the industry.”

Films hail from countries such as Belgium, Finland, Georgia, India, France, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, Greece, and beyond, while Southern Nevada filmmakers are showcased alongside international peers, fostering community pride and global connection.

“We get films from all over the world. We probably in our 22 years have had a film submitted from every country except for maybe two or three,” said Cioe. “We have 21 different countries that are going to be represented in the festival this year.”

Each screening block includes filmmaker Q&As, inviting audiences to connect directly with artists and deepen their appreciation for creative storytelling.

“What they're getting is an authentic reaction from the audience to their film, which means a lot to this type of artist,” added Cioe.

Additional events such as the Filmmaker Meet-n-Greet, Coffee with Filmmakers, and the always-popular Dam Mixer create a welcoming environment where audiences and creators connect on a personal level.

This year also features a special tribute program, “The Many Strange Films of Lee Lanier,” honoring the festival’s founder and celebrating his imaginative body of work and lasting influence on the festival’s identity.

Boulder City itself becomes part of the experience. Known for its small-town charm and walkable downtown, the city embraces festivalgoers with local business discounts for badge holders—including a free Valentine’s Day chocolate from Grandma Daisy’s to enjoy during the Romance programs.

For those looking to immerse themselves fully, the festival offers a VIP Experience that includes all-access entry, early seating, the awards ceremony, a Sunday Brunch with filmmakers, swag, discounts, and personalized concierge service—turning the festival into a true creative getaway.

Over its 22-year history, the Dam Short Film Festival has screened more than 2,600 films, building a reputation as a filmmaker-friendly event and a cultural staple of Southern Nevada. Supported by community partners and sponsors including KNPR, El Rancho Boulder Motel, Platinum Title, There’s Nothing to Do in Vegas, and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, the festival continues to thrive as a space where art, experimentation, and storytelling intersect.

For tickets, VIP packages, the full screening schedule, and volunteer opportunities, visit damshortfilm.org, follow on Facebook @damshortfilm, LinkedIn @damshortfilmsociety and Instagram @damshortfilm.

For artists and audiences alike, the Dam Short Film Festival isn’t just an event—it’s a reminder that powerful stories don’t need a long runtime to leave a lasting impact.