Doc Program A: Oscar-Nominated Shorts 2025

Opens Friday, February 14, 2025

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

INSTRUMENTS OF A BEATING HEART – (Ema Ryan Yamazaki, 23 min., Japan, in Japanese with English subtitles) A New York Times Op-Doc. First graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: to form an orchestra and perform “Ode to Joy” at a school ceremony.

INCIDENT – (Bill Morrison, 30 min., USA) Through a montage of surveillance and police body-camera footage, a reconstruction of a deadly shooting by a Chicago police officer becomes an investigation into how a narrative begins to take shape in the aftermath.

THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ORCHESTRA– (Molly O’Brien, 35 min., USA) Trailblazing double bassist Orin O’Brien was never one to seek the spotlight, but when Leonard Bernstein hired her in 1966 as the first female musician in the New York Philharmonic, she inevitably became the focus of media attention and, ultimately, one of the most renowned musicians of a generation.

Originally planned for a Feb 7 release, this program will now open on Feb 14. 

Screening as part of our program Academy Award Nominated Short Films 2025

  • Running Time 90 minutes
  • Distributor ShortsTV
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.