"2025 Summer PLay Festival"

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Written by Daniel Meyers

A high schooler begins to realize just how deeply her life is shaped by digital devices—not only her own, but also those of her friends, teachers, and parents.

Written by Bruce Gale 

In the days following her husband’s death, Esther Kaplan struggles to hold her family together during shiva, only to find that digital distractions—and differing generational views on connection—are pulling them further apart. As traditions clash with tech, Esther confronts what it means to truly be present before those chances are gone.

Written by Annie Young

Kayla’s birthday party is less a celebration and more a branded event—curated for sponsors, staged for followers, and optimized for likes. When she invites her childhood friend Mitchy, it’s more as set dressing than a heartfelt gesture. Mitchy, familiar with Kayla’s influencer lifestyle, comes to help—but when she reaches for a genuine moment beyond the camera lens, she’s forced to confront just how far their definitions of friendship have drifted.

Written by Blaise Dunham

When Austin crashes on his older brother Tyler’s couch to ‘get back on his feet,’ their opposing views on responsibility quickly collide. For Austin, online gambling is a hustle. For Tyler, it’s denial. As tensions rise and expectations clash, Tyler delivers an ultimatum: find real work or find a new place to live. What follows is a raw, revealing look at how digital escapes can fracture even the closest bonds.

Written by Jenna Lea Nguo

After a painful breakup, 34-year-old Blake retreats from the world—working remotely, ordering in, and avoiding real interaction. Haunted by the fear of rejection and the pressure of failing in his parents’ eyes, he clings to solitude. When his sister visits and nudges him onto a dating app, Blake makes a surprising connection—only to miss his chance at a second encounter. Through her persistent care, he learns that love, like life, requires risk—and that trying again is the first step toward healing.

Written by Annie Young

When a socially anxious man secretly uses AI to craft the perfect texts to impress his new girlfriend, their relationship blossoms—until the truth forces them to confront whether real love can survive a digital lie. 

Written by Phoebe Alva

On his 75th birthday, Aaron is gifted a high-tech miracle: a digital resurrection of his late wife, Anne. Created from old recordings and animated with AI, Anne speaks, sings, and interacts like she’s never left. For a moment, Aaron’s home is filled with warmth, laughter, and family—albeit through screens. But as programmed time runs out and Anne’s voice turns mechanical, the family is forced to confront the cost of connection in an era where even love can be replicated—and billed.