Acclaimed director Ashley Maria’s filmography is impactful and diverse. She will bring her latest short film, “Super Human Anxiety,” to WonderCon 2025. The film explores the complex intersection of teenage anxiety and burgeoning superpowers. “Super Human Anxiety” is screening at the convention as part of the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival.
WonderCon 2025 is returning to the Anaheim Convention Center from March 28th to March 30th. The convention offers a weekend filled with comics, movies, television, and all things fandom.
Fans across Southern California will transform the convention center into a vibrant hub of pop culture celebrations. Attendees can expect a large exhibit hall brimming with vendors offering everything from rare comics, artwork, toys, and exclusive merchandise.
Ashley Maria at WonderCon 2025
Maria, a Directors Guild of America (DGA) award winner and Emmy nominee, will be present at WonderCon from March 28th to 30th, 2025 to engage with attendees and media. The highly anticipated screening of “Super Human Anxiety” is on Saturday, March 29th at 3:00 PM in Room 303B of the Anaheim Convention Center.
Ashley Maria, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, brings a unique blend of comedy, horror, and socially conscious storytelling to her work. Based in Los Angeles, her portfolio reflects a commitment to creating films that entertain and provoke thought.
Joining Ashley Maria at WonderCon is the film’s team, including Producer Melissa Balint, Producer Lea-Ann W. Berst, and Wardrobe Stylist Jessica Moore.
“Super Human Anxiety”
“Super Human Anxiety” tells the compelling story of Whitney, a teenager whose intense emotions manifest as superhuman strength. The 9-minute short delves into Whitney’s struggle to conceal both her anxiety and her newfound powers, raising questions about trust and the importance of support.
“As her emotions ignite into superhuman strength, Whitney is forced to conceal her powers. Can she trust someone to help?” reads the film’s tagline.
“Super Human Anxiety” premiered at the LA Shorts International Festival in July 2024. The release date for a streaming platform is May 2025, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month. Additionally, Maria and her team aim to use the film as a powerful tool to raise awareness about mental health, particularly among teens and young adults.
“This film highlights the importance of self-care and providing support to those silently struggling,” Maria explained. “We hope it helps teens realize their capacity to regulate emotions and build resilience for managing difficult situations.”
Also, the film is positioned as a “Cinema Therapy Tool.” The goal of “Super Human Anxiety” is to empower mental health programs and schools in supporting teenagers and their support networks.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience “Super Human Anxiety” and engage with the creative minds behind the film at WonderCon 2025.
