DocFest: Bay Shorts One

HA HA HA: Ha Ha Ha dives into the raw, unfiltered world of stand-up comedy through the eyes of six comedians, each on their own path.It’s about what happens offstage just as much as on—how they come up with material, deal with the grind, and keep chasing the next laugh. Funny, messy, honest—this is what comedy really looks like behind the mic. (Matt Klug, Josh Harding, 13min)

Dare To Win: Quintessential lessons from a 97-year old tenant organizer who not only dared to struggle against institutions, she dared to win. (Kar Yin Tham, 5min)

The Laugh Gap: The Laugh Gap follows young comedian Keely Shaller (they/them) as they confront the gendered double standards of humor. Through personal stories, archival clips, and stand up, the film explores how cultural narratives have long sidelined women and queer voices in comedy. Both sharp and heartfelt, this short documentary celebrates those who dare to be loud, weird, and funny — and claims space for future voices to do the same. (Keely Shaller, 8min)

Beyond Blood: In Beyond Blood, filmmaker and poet Tiffany Fuller retraces her life through the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, unraveling the complexities of identity, family, and love beyond blood ties. Raised by her aunt in the foster care system, Tiffany grapples with the haunting legacy of drug addiction, an absent mother, and less than perfect figures claiming to be her father’s. As she navigates the streets of Bayview—her family’s home for generations and the former epicenter of San Francisco’s Black community—the documentary becomes an emotional exploration of shared experiences, resilience, and the universal yearning for love and belonging in the face of abandonment (Tiffany Fuller, 37min)

Yu & Me: When a fire destroys a beloved Chinatown bookstore, its hyper-independent owner learns that community is necessary for survival. (Esther Chan, Claudine Cho, 25min)