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Dam Short Film Festival celebrates 22nd year

Movie lovers can once again enjoy Nevada’s largest film festival as the 22nd Annual Dam Short Film Festival returns to Boulder City. From February 11 to 16, more than 150 short films will be screened over a six-day period in the Elaine K. Smith Building, located at 700 Wyoming St.

With over two decades of entertaining audiences, the Dam Short Film Festival will showcase 32 carefully selected thematic program blocks, each ranging from 60 to 90 minutes. These blocks cover a wide variety of categories including animation, comedy, documentary, drama, horror (presented on Friday the 13th), international, sci-fi, Nevada-themed, love and romance (presented on Valentine’s Day), and underground films.

This rich cultural experience features films from countries such as Belgium, Finland, Georgia, India, France, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, Greece, and many more. The festival trailer this year is created and presented by local film company Desert Cactus Films. Each short film will be presented using state-of-the-art digital projection in the Elaine K. Smith Building.

Ken Cioe, director of operations, shared, “We are honored to have the support from our community and filmmakers for over two decades. Our success is a true testament to the audience and filmmakers’ desire for this type of artistic platform, and we will continue to present excellent and diverse short films from around the world.”

In addition to film screenings and filmmaker Q&A sessions during each category block, the festival offers several special events, including a filmmaker meet-and-greet, “Coffee with Filmmakers,” and the Dam Mixer. These events provide audiences and filmmakers with the unique opportunity to mingle, share stories, and learn more about the film-making process.

As a special tribute, a program titled “The Many Strange Films of Lee Lanier” will honor the festival’s founder by highlighting his impactful work over the years.

Boulder City, known for its small-town charm, warmly welcomes visitors during the six days of festival fun. Many local businesses will offer discounts to festival guests displaying their badges, including a complimentary chocolate from Grandma Daisy’s on Valentine’s Day to enjoy during the romance-themed blocks.

For those seeking an enhanced experience, the festival offers a $300 VIP package. This all-access pass includes early entry to all programs (including the awards ceremony), an invitation to the Sunday Brunch with filmmakers, a swag bag, discounts on concessions and merchandise, a personal concierge, and free Boulder City swag.

Ticket prices are as follows:
– $12.50 per film block
– $150 for the full five-day pass
– One-day passes: $45 on Thursday, and $55 on Friday and Saturday

For the full schedule of selected films, please visit [damshortfilm.org](http://damshortfilm.org).

**About Dam Short Film Festival**

Founded in 2003 by Lee and Anita Lanier, Dam Short Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Lee Lanier’s background includes film production and computer animation dating back to 1989, alongside directing several short films. Inspired by their love of short films cultivated by attending numerous festivals across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, the Laniers established this event as a platform to showcase short films.

Over its 22 years, the festival has screened more than 2,600 films, offering local, state, national, and international filmmakers a unique opportunity to present their work. Today, the Dam Short Film Festival stands as a beloved Southern Nevada cultural event, attracting thousands of visitors to Boulder City each February.
https://bouldercityreview.com/news/dam-short-film-festival-celebrates-22nd-year-116537/

Bitfinex Integrates XAUT0 with Plasma Network for Enhanced Digital Gold Trading

Bitfinex, a leading digital asset trading platform, has announced its support for deposits and withdrawals of XAUT0 on the Plasma network. This strategic move, effective from November 24, 2025, aims to enhance the accessibility and utility of digital gold through a high-performance blockchain infrastructure, according to Bitfinex. Expanding Digital Gold Accessibility XAUT0 is a tokenized version of gold, designed to facilitate seamless transactions in the digital realm. The integration with the Plasma network allows Bitfinex users to execute faster and more secure cross-chain transactions, offering a cost-efficient solution for digital gold trading. This development comes at a time when the tokenized gold sector has surpassed a market value of $3 billion, highlighting the growing interest and demand for digital gold assets. Plasma Network’s Role and Market Impact Plasma, a Layer-1 blockchain specifically designed for stablecoins, has launched with over $2. 5 billion in total value locked (TVL). Its decentralized and scalable payment infrastructure aligns with Bitfinex’s mission to promote financial freedom globally. By supporting real-world assets, Plasma enhances the stablecoin infrastructure, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital finance. Seamless Integration with Other Networks The integration of XAUT0 with the Plasma network follows its successful adoption on The Open Network (TON) and Solana. This expansion reflects Bitfinex’s commitment to providing greater flexibility and utility for tokenized assets. Customers can convert between XAUT0 and XAUT at a 1: 1 ratio using Bitfinex’s Currency Conversion tool, further simplifying the management of digital gold across multiple blockchain networks. Strategic Vision and Future Prospects Anoush Bhasin, Head of Listings at Bitfinex, emphasized the significance of this integration, stating, “Integrating with Plasma advances our goal to continuously provide seamless access to digital assets within the crypto ecosystem.” This collaboration not only sets new standards for tokenized gold but also reflects Bitfinex’s strategic vision to enhance user experience and accessibility in the digital asset space. Deposits and withdrawals for XAUT0 on the Plasma network commenced at noon on November 24, 2025. Interested users can access XAUT0 through Bitfinex’s official website. However, it is important to note that XAUT0 is not directly issued or redeemable by Tether. About Bitfinex Established in 2012, Bitfinex offers state-of-the-art trading services for digital tokens, providing advanced trading features, charting tools, and access to peer-to-peer financing, an OTC market, and margin trading. The platform is dedicated to supporting global liquidity providers and experienced traders with innovative tools and superior support.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/bitfinex-integrates-xaut0-with-plasma-network-for-enhanced-digital-gold-trading/

University Of Miami Health Systems Allegedly Deletes Post Celebrating Expansion Into Abu Dhabi

The University of Miami Health Systems allegedly deleted a recent social media post celebrating an international expansion, according to a screenshot circulating online.

Conservative influencer Rogan O’Handley made a post on X on October 31, indicating that the University of Miami Health Systems appears to have deleted its original announcement about the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s expansion to Abu Dhabi.

“Oops, looks like UMiami Health Systems deleted their post about opening a fancy new hospital in Abu Dhabi while they take US government subsidies funded by we the taxpayer,” O’Handley wrote.

He also included a screenshot of the since-deleted post shared by the health system. The original post read:

“Opening soon in Abu Dhabi: @BascomPalmerEye Institute, part of UHealth, is making history with our first international expansion! We are proud to announce the opening of our newest location in Abu Dhabi! This expansion brings world-class eye care and groundbreaking research to…”

The full caption was hidden behind the “show more” button, according to the screenshot.

Earlier, on October 30, O’Handley called for “serious reform” of the 340B government drug program in another X post. He questioned:

“Is there anything worse than a US hospital that gets rich off the 340b government drug program using their money to build lavish hospitals in *other* countries? Do you know who is subsidizing this? You and your tax dollars. 340b needs serious reform.”

A link to an X post from @UMiamiHealth included in O’Handley’s post appears to have been deleted.

According to a press release dated October 29, the expansion of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is occurring under the supervision of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH) and involves a “strategic collaboration” between the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and August Medical, part of the SOZA Group. The facility is set to open in November.

The Abu Dhabi-based institute is a state-of-the-art facility that will provide high-quality ophthalmic care, research, and medical education. It will also feature an optical department and a pharmacy, according to the press release.

Regarding the 340B drug program, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) explains that it “enables covered entities to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services.” Eligible organizations and covered entities “must register and be enrolled with the 340B program and comply with all 340B Program requirements.” Covered entities receive an identification number that vendors verify before allowing an organization to purchase discounted drugs, according to HRSA’s website.

The Daily Caller contacted the University of Miami Health Systems’ Miller School of Medicine for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/03/university-of-miami-bascom-palmer-eye-institute-expanding-abu-dhabi-deletes-social-media-post/