Don Hertzfeldt proved his Bleak Week bona fides with the 2012 mini-feature IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY, but it was the emotionally and conceptually boundless sci-fi of his WORLD OF TOMORROW short film series that finally cemented his status as one of contemporary animation’s greatest voices. Join us for a special feature-length program (curated by Hertzfeldt himself) that pairs WORLD OF TOMORROW’s three installments with other surprises from his filmography.

A toddler named Emily is visited by a clone of her future self, kicking off a narrative that spirals outward across time, space, and the reaches of human consciousness.

“Don Hertzfeldt has crafted what might be the crowning achievement of modern science fiction.” – The Film Stage

About Bleak Week: Presented in partnership with American Cinematheque, ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair’ is an annual film festival showcasing some of the greatest works of cinema from across the globe that venture into the darkest sides of humanity and the bleakest points in human history. The fifth annual edition in June 2026 expands to nearly 100 theaters across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and South and Central America, with each venue presenting its own original curated lineup of uncompromising films defined by unpleasant truths and raw empathy.

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