A short film about a serial bike thief slinking around the streets of Davis doesn’t seamlessly transition into meditations on how technology may hinder modern life, but no two films at the 2026 Film Festival at UC Davis could be thought of as alike, save for their resolve to serve as recognizable representations of our present-day world.

The 2026 Film Festival at UC Davis showcases short films created by UC Davis students and recent alumni as well as submissions from student filmmakers from Northern California colleges and universities. This year’s festival is being produced by a team of students who are mentored by Julie Wyman, associate professor of cinema and digital media.

Students in this "Experimental Documentary" class were asked to investigate artificial intelligence. "Ghost AI," a film that grew from that assignment, explores ethical questions around its use, specifically when it comes to duplicating someone's likeness, voice or persona.

Students and recent graduates of the College of Letters and Science discuss the 2024 Film Festival at UC Davis, sharing the inspiration behind their films and the films themselves. The festival is produced by students in “CDM 189: Where Do Films Go: Film Festivals and Distribution,” which is taught by Associate Professor of Cinema and Digital Media Julie Wyman.