by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Welcome to The Short List! Each month, I treat you to a collection of short films. Hopefully this list will inspire you to check out some of these gems…
Yona (2019) – YouTube
A film being animated and short form doesn’t mean it can’t be haunting, right? Yona is a visceral representation of the spoils and tragedy of war, and specifically the destruction of Indigenous Peoples by European oppressors. The animation is beautiful with its expert, expressive use of light, as well as the disturbing imagery that shows the true cost of war and genocide. We see Indigenous mythology come to life to show one European soldier the consequences of his, and his people’s, actions. This short film balances the action, horror, and thrills perfectly in a small, compact package. It has plenty of shocking moments that will sit with you for a long time.
Sticks of Fury (2022) – YouTube
Who doesn’t love a bit of competition? Sticks of Fury is not a complex story, as it comes down to the competition in which we get caught while playing video games… and our ego processes those losses. The characters are funny with their constant bickering and smack talk. But it is the direction from Yuan Hu that keeps you in for the fun of this ultimate Street Fighter showdown. The closeups are intimate and uncomfortable — they capture the stress and thrills of playing and competing. There are even fun tinges in the camerawork and visuals which are fun, little odes to gamers. Fun, relatability, and excitement make a great combination for this short flick.
Cru (2019) – YouTube
Is there a more stressful environment than a professional kitchen? This French short film drops the audience into the insanity that is a young cook’s life in a kitchen. Cru is a hard experience to stomach (pun fully intended), as we see the high stress and perfection embodied within this experience. The film will shock you and turn your stomach at times, and it shows the relatability of a young professional clawing to make her dream come true. So French, this film will be creeping in the back of your mind for a long time after.
How My Grandmother Became a Chair (2020) – YouTube
What makes animation so wondrous? We are never limited by the visual makeup of the world around us. That is made quite clear in How My Grandmother Became a Chair. This film’s hand-drawn imagery is striking, and fascinating to look at. You can probably tell by the title, but this is quite a unique experience. This beachside tale shows the transformative nature of expression, with animal hybrids and the titular transformation itself. It is beautiful to look at, and equally mesmerizing to try and process along the way. Surreal, at times unnerving, and all in all awe-inspiring, this little film will have your gears going for long after the credits start rolling.
Hidari (2023) – YouTube
Did you want a stop-motion samurai action film? YES PLEASE. Hidari is action packed from start to finish, with a brisk and compact five-minute run time. The details are incredible, as every character is made with wooden perfection. Each movement — the joints, strings, and everything else — feels like real wooden interaction. The story is a simple revenge story, but that does not stop the voice performers from killing it, nor the creative storytelling from running rampant. Impressive and unique choices from an action standpoint will leave you amazed, and this thrilling ride will leave you wanting even more.
Kickstart My Heart (2022) – YouTube
What would you dream of as you lay dying and on the verge of crossing over? The new horror short, Kickstart My Heart, tackles that thought with action and thrills… but plenty of heart, too. This is an inspiring story about a woman who almost dies, but makes her internal struggle thoroughly entertaining. There are vampiric monsters, zombies, and other horrors waging war inside her mind, but it is the action/drama/horror hybrid nature of Kickstart My Heart that makes it such an impactful ride. You see a young woman process her potential fate as she communicates with a loved one from the other side. This film will make you jump, it will give you thrills, and it just might make you cry. That is a special combination.
Skin & Bone (2022) – YouTube
You know a short film must be special if they can convince a legitimate star like Amanda Seyfried to join it, right? That is the hook for Skin & Bone, but there is plenty more than just a big star’s presence. This is a dark and twisted horror film that sees a drifter get a job on a small farm with a mysterious woman (Seyfried). But what will leave you with chills is the striking cinematography and haunting imagery. What is going on with this farm? I could never spoil that for you, but this short film is so worth the journey. Shocking and unnerving, it delivers an engrossing experience that will haunt you in the night with its fantastical and twisted elements.
Love in the Laundrette? (2023) – YouTube
How can you keep a genre like the romantic comedy fresh? Experiment. That is exactly what director Precious Wura Alabi does with this short film Love in the Laundrette? This is not your standard date (sitting in a laundromat watching clothes get cleaned), but it is full of sharp moments and heart. The film is gorgeous to boot, with a rich bit of cinematography that captures the real and dynamic atmosphere. Sharp editing allows for great back-and-forth by these two talented actors (Samuel Adewunmi and Alabi) who bring this romance to life. This British short flick is quite the gem sitting there on YouTube, waiting to charm the audience and add a spark to the romance genre.
The Big Draw (2023) – YouTube
Does sex really sell? With this new short film, things go much deeper than that. A young man, lost in his life, finds a YouTube video that is meant to help you find center and control of your body. The Big Draw is a sex-positive and passionate film that does not shy away from the human need to connect and express oneself in a physical way. It boasts a strong central turn by its young male lead, who navigates his directionless life. We see him build connections with women, and more importantly, build confidence. This is both an inspiring and challenging film that tackles taboo topics in a meaningful and impactful way.
Everybody Goes to the Hospital (2021) – YouTube
Are you ready for a sad time? That might not be the first thing you are looking for when seeking out a short film, but it is certainly a warning for the challenging experience that writer/director Tiffany Kimmel delivers. Everybody Goes to the Hospital offers up a first-person story from the perspective of a child who is going through a medical emergency. Why is it so tragic? Her parents are emotionally absent and quite abusive. This stop-motion animation is a grotesque-looking, and captures the horrors of this poor girl experiencing sickness at home and in the hospital. You will shiver at the coldness of her parents, and you will shudder at the pain she endures. Few short films on this list offer such an impact, but it is not an easy journey to go on.
Forever Now (2017) – YouTube
Are you ready to have an all too real dive into the world of relationships? Director Kristian Håskjold masterfully captures the complicated dance of breakups, and floating back and forth between love and hate in Forever Now. This was supposed to be a simple breakup until a freshly separated couple decides to take drugs together one fateful night. When the band-aid is not ripped right off, complicated emotions can take over and things can get… well, messy. The actors in this short feel so real, and their connection is so genuine. But that also means that the pain and frustrations feel real as well. This is a moving and poignant film that captures all the uncomfortable realities that come along with love. It’s is a challenging and impactful experience worth the 20-minute investment.
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