Chandler Clarke’s Bzrk is a 17-minute sci-fi horror which asks, What can we do with our anger and our fear, which is always ostensibly in excess, always ostensibly incompatible with the ideal life of the ideal citizen? Its protagonist, a man whose scars are manifestations of his life ruled by his demons, but who must… Continue reading Bzrk: A Sci-horror That Asks If Anger Can Be a Gift
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Garbage Rex: A Dickensian Fairytale with More Story to Tell
Steve Hunyi’s 18-minute Garbage Rex has a certain surreality to it, as if operating under the influence, that gives it a psychological edge. It is the film’s most inviting quality, followed by the titular character, the garbage collector Rex. Contrary to convention, Tal Profs’ Rex—a casual caretaker of a few homeless people—is not the protagonist… Continue reading Garbage Rex: A Dickensian Fairytale with More Story to Tell
Netflix Animation Extravaganza at Annecy Film Festival: A Glimpse into the Future and a Nod to Short Form Storytelling
Netflix made a significant splash at the Annecy Film Festival on Thursday, June 12, 2025, showcasing a dazzling array of upcoming animated projects. While feature films and series dominated the announcements, the sheer breadth of creative talent and diverse animation styles offer the short film community inspiration and insight. The event featured exclusive sneak peeks,… Continue reading Netflix Animation Extravaganza at Annecy Film Festival: A Glimpse into the Future and a Nod to Short Form Storytelling
Whispers of Freedom: Dreams Shatter and Hearts Break in Chris Gueffroy Biopic
Brandon Ashplant’s Whispers of Freedom is a Cold War-era biopic of Chris Gueffroy, a young man whose tragedy is that he does not live to see the cruel ironies of life. At twenty-five minutes running time, the film allows itself the room to really settle in and get a sense of Chris’ personality (more than… Continue reading Whispers of Freedom: Dreams Shatter and Hearts Break in Chris Gueffroy Biopic
Short Film Production Costs Enable Creative Storytelling Experimentation
High budgets typically mean big productions in the film industry. Feature films are notorious for enormous budgets; spending millions of dollars on stars, sets, and special effects is not uncommon. Short films tell a different story. With much lower production costs, short films offer a unique opportunity for filmmakers to experiment and push the boundaries… Continue reading Short Film Production Costs Enable Creative Storytelling Experimentation
Mary: Two Kinds of Home Under Threat in this Home Invasion Horror
Alexander Chehrazi’s Mary, co-written with Max Markov,is a 19-minute horror whose twist is actually unexpected. The story of a first date gone wrong, the minimal cast of characters are set within the confines of a living room as truth and lies weave around each other to form a drama of morality. Briana (Lanisa Dawn) and… Continue reading Mary: Two Kinds of Home Under Threat in this Home Invasion Horror
Cycles: Muted Trauma in the Face of Frenetic Violence in a Drama of Performances
Alex Eskandarkhah’s 20-minute Cycles finds one character reaching towards redemption and another discovering the comfort of a stranger offering a safe space, however precarious. When Jerome’s (Andre Kelly) evening at home is disrupted by his wayward washing machine, only to also be betrayed by the bill changer at the local laundromat, Jerome finds himself at… Continue reading Cycles: Muted Trauma in the Face of Frenetic Violence in a Drama of Performances
From Cat Poop to Fish & Chips: Jonathan Hawes On Finding Dark Comedy in the Mundane
In the realm of independent filmmaking, few storytellers can transform the mundane into the magnificent quite like Jonathan Hawes. The Nottingham-born Director’s award-winning short film “Cosmo”—a darkly comedic tale about a man’s obsessive quest to identify the animal defecating on his lawn—has captivated festival audiences worldwide, earning accolades for its comedy, cinematography, and storytelling. Hawes’… Continue reading From Cat Poop to Fish & Chips: Jonathan Hawes On Finding Dark Comedy in the Mundane
Vancouver Short Film Festival 2025 Nominations Unveiled!
The Vancouver Short Film Festival (VSFF) has officially announced its highly anticipated list of nominees for the 2025 awards, shining a spotlight on exceptional talent in the Canadian short film landscape. The festival, a cornerstone for celebrating the vibrant community of short film, documentary, and animation artists, aims to elevate creators from British Columbia and… Continue reading Vancouver Short Film Festival 2025 Nominations Unveiled!
Jessica Goes to New York: A Wonderland Where You Get Lost To Find Yourself
John Carmel’s 16-minute Jessica Goes to New York is a self-reflexive coming of age tale about its titular heroine, a young woman who has a wealth of happy-go-lucky vivacity but suffers from an utter lack of purpose. Charming is the word that best describes Jessica Peru (Carmel), but you can just call her Jessica Peru.… Continue reading Jessica Goes to New York: A Wonderland Where You Get Lost To Find Yourself