Switchboard acquires 5 diverse shorts, hires fiction exec

Switchboard, a company with a first-look deal with Hulu, has significantly expanded its offerings by acquiring five diverse short films. The company has also brought on Galt Niederhoffer as an editor to lead its narrative fiction projects and manage its growing portfolio of short films.

The five acquired shorts include "A Pocket Guide To Pigeon Watching," a documentary exploring New York City's relationship with pigeons, and "This Is Private," about a psychology student at a strip club. "Community Theater" showcases three generations in a Scottish town, while "Mary The Widow" follows an aging widow's dating experiences, starring Stephen Tobolowsky. The collection also features "Oh Whale," a documentary about Oregon's 1970 exploding-whale incident.

These diverse films will be presented as a collective block at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, scheduled to run from July 21-26, 2026, in Indianapolis. Founder and Editor in Chief Celia Aniskovich expressed excitement over the unique voices and craftsmanship present in the selected films. Niederhoffer's appointment underscores Switchboard's commitment to supporting bold, narrative-driven work with potential for screen adaptation.