STRAW 2025: A Mother’s Silence Was Louder Than a Siren
A haunting look at grief, survival, and a mother’s quiet collapse in a world that never gave her room to fall.

Beth seems to have met the perfect guy. Smart, charming, a fellow foodie with an expensive palate like herself. Everything is perfect - and then the check arrives.
A haunting look at grief, survival, and a mother’s quiet collapse in a world that never gave her room to fall.
'Zero Refills' highlights the despicable treatment of the less fortunate by healthcare providers and big pharmaceuticals.
The shattering of what we strive to maintain as reality. It is certainly truthful to state that most, if not all, of us have experienced moments of genuine mental stress. Regardless of what might be the cause, the sheer unsettledness, the pressure that weighs upon us is a tangible force that CAN seem insurmountable. However, more often than not, this is only a temporary , one we can come through and simply move on from.
“Reboot” is crass and sometimes incoherent, and has much room to improve, but with investments of time and care, could flower out of the seed of a vision.
The gentle, emotional nuances of Evan’s coming-of-age story would have been so beneficial to have incorporated into the life of a POC character. Showing a Black, Asian or Latino young man that is afforded the space to be vulnerable, flawed and sensitive while driving a compelling and widely-loved narrative would have been a game changer.