BEST EYES

While commuting between her inner-city neighborhood and elite private school, a biracial teen forms a friendship that challenges the version of herself her mother believes will keep her safe—leading her toward self-acceptance. Festivals/Awards

WINNER - Jury Award - DGA Student Film Awards (2025)

WINNER - AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association) + LEJA (Latino Entertainment Journalist Association) Afro-Latino short film competition (2025)

Official Selection - LALIFF (Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (2025)

Official Selection - Georgia Latino Film Festival - Winner - Best Student Short (2025)

Official Selection - Micheaux Film Festival (2025)

Official Selection - Urbanworld (2025)

Special Presentation - AAFCA + LEJA Afro-Latino short film competition (2025)

​Special Presentation - Kultura Con (2025)

Currently in its festival run.

An American Film Institute Thesis Film

Principal Team:
Director/Writer: Kira Powell
Co-Writer: Lauren Thomas
Producer: Tara Austin
Cinematographer: Udit Nijhawan
Production Designer: Disha Shah
Editor: Sharon Shen

Key Cast:
Sage Wynters as Olivia
Jackie Cruz as Rosa
Kyrie McAlpin as Shay
Adam Foster Ballard as Jerome Juan Wood as Lee Loren Fenton as Janice