Rock And A Hard Place

6

This had potential to be good and was sometimes funny but had a few strange holes in terms of making sense and certain character motives.

The Gift

9

An excellent portrayal of a pivotal moment in a young boys life, high production values, great period costumes, location and believable performances.

THE QUEEN

6

This short has some interesting imagery and bold camera shots, but I was lost in the narrative and confused about what was fueling the suspense which made it hard to feel involved or invested in the story.

Skin

8

A artistically shot story of a complicated mother and daughter relationship, told sparingly but to great effect.

Building Room

6

This feels like a very personal project, the animation is interesting and open to interpretation.

Tapas

7

A strong narrative and some good performances make this compelling.

Minimal at Most

7

The comedy has a funny premise and is well realised production wise but something was missing for me to make it really shine.

Guinea Pig

6

I truly appreciate the feeling and theme behind this short, but I am not sure if it totally has the impact it desires. Subjective, perhaps.

The Walker

8

This story is not what it seems at first and when that realisation comes it certainly hits you emotionally. A little on the sentimental side but interesting and effective.

SILENCES

8

A very beautifully shot film that merges past and present in a poetic, dream like way at times yet also grounds it in the harsh reality that is central to the story.

Dinner Guest

8

This short is very good because the story feels totally complete while still serving up some tense moments. Subtext is there and the ending shows character development not always seen in a short of this length.

Birdlime

10

This is sweet, entertaining and well animated with a complete story that works on a funny and also emotional level.

Michael

7

A little ambitious for what it ends up pulling off, although the main actor gives a strong performance, it's the story that, while suspenseful, doesn't quite fully convince as it could.

The Rose Garden

8

The script and acting is very good, the subtext is not lost to on the nose lines and the overall effect paints a very realistic situation.

Sur Un Fil

7

Moving film that raises difficult emotional topics well through the acting and script.

Holding on to Nothing

7

The production values are high with nice photography and direction and the story takes a tongue in cheek homage approach to film noir.

OUTDOORS

8

High quality animation and a cute story.

Going Home

8

This film is original and funny the script and direction are really good! The premise is intriguing and all in 8 minutes, it's a great example of how much you can do in a short without that much dialogue or exposition -just great storytelling.

I love YU

7

A poignant and sweet testament to a long marriage through the changes of the country. This short does a good job of its seamless transitions between memory and reality.

Puppet's Kingdom

7

This is a well thought out story and it's paced well and enjoyable. At times perhaps it's a tiny bit predictable and occasionally the acting fails to convince.

Mum

8

This manages to be really creepy through music and atmosphere without having much of a narrative, which I think makes it a success in terms of an example of what potential a horror short can have.Production values are high.

Tram

8

Amusing and well realised animation.

The horizon line

8

A strong performance from the child actress here plus a compelling story told in a realistic way.

Sleepy Steve

7

Enjoyable and entertaining as a little showcase of mixed fun animation and live-action.

The award

9

The Award is a small very touching story but also very grounded in harsh reality and touches on important themes much much larger than it which makes it a stand out short with an excellent performance from the child.

AXIOMA

8

An original story, it takes a while to understand exactly what is going on here and then it sucks you in. Good production values and acting.

Where you find shelter

9

Engaging story about parents who don't know how to make their daughter happy since forcing her to leave a cult. Dramatic and touching, it's a subtle portrayal of difficult emotions and themes.

Pure Madness

9

Disturbing and profound, this is a harsh look at the delicate state of a man's brain and his mental illness, brought to the screen with a delicate bravery through the performance and direction.

The Girl In The Dress

9

This is charming, funny and really well written, directed and acted. I really enjoyed the performances, a brilliant short.

Mimicry

9

Very poignant and relevant in our society, the themes tackled by this short are presented in a way so that we relate to the emotional journey of the characters which makes the short stand out not just for the topic but for the story telling, acting and direction.

Hotel Bleu

9

Strong quirky original characters and performances make this story effective. The main character goes on an emotional journey that touches the audience, it's good story telling and good filmmaking.

14 years and one day

9

This film is brilliantly acted with deep characters and a resonating story that builds, it's really an example of great filmmaking that keeps your gripped and emotionally invested all the way through.

The Best Customer

8

Superior animation and story with excellent attention to detail.

Dahlias: An Anthology In Four Chapters

7

An interesting look at four women's lives, poetic and beautifully shot.

Gaia

6

Short but powerful, a snippet of something important that we should all consider.

BOMBERMAN

8

High tension in a small space and an original concept.

Mann

8

I really enjoyed this short, the story creates a lot of pathos for an expressionless mannequin which is down to skillful story telling and direction.

Lower Heaven

9

A very strong drama with an excellent cast and realistic feel. This is a hard and sad story told without sentimentality.

Killing Thyme

9

Very high production values, acting and story. Original story that doesn't descend into total sentimentality but is still emotionally effective.

No sex

9

It's funny and it moves swiftly along and engages with the topic and acting. I would have preferred it not to have gone totally off the wall around half way through as the reality of the scenario worked fine before but the ending is great.

FOX

10

This is a delicately filmed tragic story, shot with realism and a strong sense of atmosphere. I found it beautiful and liked how it slowly built to its finale. The dialogue, the things unsaid, the characters were all very well handled. Has the feel of a feature in a short.

Coma

9

This film hits hard and keeps a brisk pace with a few unusual turns that elevate the action from similar themed stories seen before.

Subculture

6

This short takes a look at a subculture that shocks - It's entertaining but I was hoping for more in terms of plot. Still an amusing look at the world of sex dungeons.

Doors

8

This is a very unique story, a sort of surreal concept written in a way that appeals to those with a quirky imagination. It's well realised with high quality production values. Only at times may seem confusing but that's the experimental nature of the story.

SUPERVIVERE

8

Shot a bit like a dream with haunting music, this is a interesting account of 3 deserters of the Spanish civil war. Atmospheric and original.

A TANGO IN SAN FRANCISCO BY PASCAL MOLAT

6

It's always nice to watch a professional dancer showing his skills, and that's what this film is, a voice over of his life to date while he dances in impressive outdoor spaces.

WSIM: What Suffered Inside Me

7

Impressive and haunting, the context of this short animation gives it even more impact.

Forgotten Life

7

A short but sweet poignant look at the personal effects of dementia to a mother and her daughter. Manages to get right to the emotional heart of the issue in just 4 minutes.

Glow

6

Nicely shot and edited, but at times a bit confusing as to what was going on in the narrative. Fans of more experimental, interpretative cinema will enjoy this short.

The Road to Nickelsville

8

An eye opening look at a several individuals living in this homeless camp, well shot with illuminating interviews, leaving lots to think about.

The Birch Grove

8

I found this to be very moving. It's a poetic blend of dance, narration and lovely shots of a period house and grounds. An original vision of a story with some very talented dancers and actors.

A Beautiful Dawn

6

Ambitious in scope, sometimes confusing but nicely shot. I found it a bit hard to follow and understand the actor sometimes, although I feel the story speaks to a bigger, interesting theme it didn't always come through as clear as intended.

Messed Up

7

There's something quite theatrical about it, it's an original concept and is pulled off with effect.

Your Audience

8

A dark, brooding and mysterious short that is beautifully directed, shot and edited with an artistic eye and an effective simplicity.

FORGET ME

6

Some of this is really nicely shot and edited, but parts of it just fall into a bit of a cliche and the ending is very abrupt after quite a slow build up.

The Art to Live: Holy Land

6

An interesting documentary that takes a close look at some unusual characters, told in an engaging and original way.

Adrift

8

An emotional journey into two characters in what is a moving portrayal of loneliness. Well acted and directed to produce an effective and emotional piece.

The Girl and the Mask

6

An interesting concept but I personally found it confusing to follow.

The Visa

6

This short was enjoyable but I was waiting for a pay off that didn't seem to come, at least for me. I enjoyed the main performance of the actress.

Ephemeral

9

What's great about this short is the way it packs in layers to the story as it unfolds in a short space of time. Great acting and direction in a simple piece with complex characters that grabs you by the throat.

A Couple of White Chicks at the Hairdresser

7

An entertaining comedy with amusing dialogue and good performances all round, jumps in time at first are confusing but this is an engaging story of friendship - Very Los Angeles.

Crossing Shadows

6

While ambitious and entertaining the jagged flashbacks confuse things and a lot of the dialogue falls into cliche, but that aside the story moves along to an unexpected finish.

Batum

7

Evocative and poetic, this experimental piece is visually strong and flows like memories and poems it depicts.

Riven

8

Good story and effects/ production values are of a high quality.

The Lords of Destiny

7

Intriguing concept carried out well, sometimes the acting let down the impact of the story but overall a well-realized short that explores dark contemporary themes.

Disruption

8

The ending is what makes this story work brilliantly, a fun, amusing short unafraid to explore an original twist.

The Candykillers

7

A dark comedy with an amusing twist, well realized and fast paced. A quirky story that stands out for originality.

Lost Dogs

8

This short bursts with originality and is at times also quite shocking. The story is engaging, entertaining and unexpected.

KNIFES

7

Nice camera work and set up to the story, I was expecting more of a twist at the end. The soundtrack adds to the mood and the decision to remove sound from dialogue is interesting.

CRACKS

6

A nice short drama with good family tension just suffering from some inconsistent sound at times.

La Proie

8

Well paced, edited and shot with the atmospheric backdrop of a small town gas station over the course of a night, this short is compelling and ultimately tragic.

Mi Dulcinea

8

A very short, sweet and simple story that gives us a glimpse into childhood and adulthood and that space between.

Clementine & Joe

6

Simple girl meets boy story told effectively without dialogue.

We are working...

6

A beautiful portrayal of workers in the forest, short but evocative.

SUBASTADOS

6

A simple but effective story with impact.

The Perfect Day

9

Amusing and engaging, this is an original twist on a familiar theme and a highly enjoyable, swift- moving comedy.

Porcelain Stare

8

Short and to the point, this film succeeds for it's no nonsense approach to narrative and a creepy twist.

The Astronomical, Astrological and Mythological

7

Experimental films are so subjective, this one has an interesting theme which it explores conceptually through three characters. If you like to ponder things and get drawn into a dream like state, you'll enjoy this short.

Damage Control

8

I really enjoyed this political drama for it's quick pace and skillful story and dialogue. Considering it is basically talking heads, it was well done and I could see it as a feature.

Make Ups

6

Experimental and without narrative yet nicely shot with an artistic eye, this short somehow evokes loneliness and something of the human experience without saying a word.

Local time

1

The problem is the sound quality, it is really not good. The camera work when interviewing is also quite amateur. With a re-edit and story woven in this would work.

Patty Lovesick

8

Strong acting, good dialogue and an amusing story, I enjoyed this film although it could have been shorter and still worked just as well in my opinion.

Catch me if you can!

8

A quirky and original story which amuses with it's array of bizarre and interesting characters. Where I sometimes wanted more from the story, I enjoyed it's humour and it's sincerity.

Aurelia

9

A moving portrayal of the last dying days of a man who is reliving his past in confusion. Beautifully shot with impressive central performances.

Anxiety & I

6

This film deals with an important topic in an interesting way and the story moves along steadily to engage the audience.

SNIP

9

A unique way to address the story of a shocking past, this animation is beautiful and compelling.

Forget Me Not

8

A dark story told well with minimal dialogue and a strong central performance.

Lost Beneath the Stars

8

Original, quirky and a solid script, the performances are very good and the setting and costumes add to the overall feel.

Foreign

8

An essential topic for our times . This film is strikingly unashamed to confront the point quickly and with dramatic impact.

Light on Her Feet

8

A harsh look at the cruel world of professional ballet as seen through the eyes of an extremely determined 18 yr old. Her motivation and self-belief makes this a stand-out piece.

BUI

8

A sweet story about a girl trying to make friends, well structured and realised.

A New Born

7

If you like experimental, mind bending stuff then this is the short for you. A surreal look at being inside the mind of a human.

Uma Vida

7

A sweet, familiar story told without dialogue. Slightly confusing timeline in terms of how the age of the character reflects in reality the time period shown over his life. Even so, an inspired look at a familiar theme.

anexperimentalviralvlog - the movie remix # !

7

An eclectic, experimental piece of visual art with emphasis on sound and communication.

Maren

8

Dark subject matter treated in a thought provoking way with a strong turn from both the female and male protagonists.

Mick

9

A really heartwarming, well acted and directed film that will make you smile.

In confidence

8

A very well directed and acted piece about a relationship. Enjoyable drama that feels like it could be the beginning of a feature.

Ghost I Don't Remember

8

This was a compelling, sometimes quite funny short with a good twist at the end. Well conceived and executed, good production and enjoyable to watch.

The Millionairs

8

A well executed, dark themed short which benefits from high production,camera and editing.

Confino

9

This is a beautiful, inspiring and masterful piece of animation and storytelling.

Soul of Steel

8

Slow to get going but then grows to be a very gripping story with a unique twist.

Alkane

6

An original concept but sometimes quite confusing to follow the plot and ideas behind it.

Odyssee

7

A heartwarming and topical documentary that touches on the importance of communication through art, work and team effort for refugees and immigrants working with a German artist.

Power

7

An important documentary about empowering young girls in India that includes some personal, moving stories.

I Think You Should Come to America

7

Artistic and evocative story told in a experimental documentary style.

Girl Moves Out of Her Town to Live with Boy in His

7

This film has an interesting style and way of telling a simple story with good emphasis on subtext.

The Verity

7

Good compelling story with a twist, this film is quite ambitious in a short amount of time.

Double Cross

6

Tension builds well in this story but higher stakes are needed to have us on the edge of our seats.

The Creature from the Bag Lagoon

6

Topical content and an amusing story.

Farta

7

Thought provoking content in this short about the perils of posting photos of your kids on social media.

Mementos: Umbra's Journey

7

The original idea behind this story is interesting and the video game graphics are quality.

The Four Loves

8

A lovely musical journey through the four types of human love, well structured and interesting.

Portrait

7

This is an artistically shot piece, a film that very much evokes the era in which it is set through masterful costume, design and editing. At times slow but all the same a very beautifully told story.

After Midnight in the Asphalt Jungle

8

An imaginative, layered animation that sets up the film noir mood right away and reflects it in every shot and piece of dialogue. I found this highly original, compelling and very well made.

The Hook

8

Simple but effective animated short that will make you chuckle as well as wonder about the message.

Embrace Me

7

Slow paced but that serves to let you appreciate the beautiful, artistic way this short is filmed. A thought provoking story of two strangers that leaves you wondering long after it has finished.

Animus per Machina

7

Strong animation, deceptively simple story with a deeper, darker meaning.

Edelweiss

8

High production values and good acting make this a memorable short set in WW2. The story focuses on a brief moment of connection amidst the horrors of war.

Return

8

A surreal animation combining words, music and images to produce a thoughtful piece.

Mashed Potatoes

6

Essentially a stream of consciousness about nostalgia and memories and what is important in life.

Light Club

7

A really enjoyable, touching little tale with clever use of animation.

The Opposing Rocks

6

A dreamy artistic piece about a girl who finds a bird and therefore some beauty in her life.

Exspiravit

7

A horror high on good shock factor and unafraid to push the limit of our expectations.

In the Beginning was Water and Sky

9

A beautiful portrayal of a disturbing history, brought to the screen in vivid, emotional detail.

Running Free with the Buffalo

6

A fun Western with a strong plot and a good ending.

People Pebble

7

An artistic piece of film that takes the viewer into a grainy montage of images reflecting the impermanence of our world.

LIGHTHOUSE

8

A moving look at one man's life at the age of 72 in Palestinian Territory. A thought provoking drama.

Overberg

7

Beautiful images, visually very artistic, this is a simple story of reflection, as an old man remembers his childhood.

The End of Time

6

I appreciate the art of this as an experimental piece of short cinema.

The Orloj

8

Superior animation and an interesting tale.

The Escape

8

Well acted tale of a character getting caught in a tangle of lies in an attempt to boost his reality beyond what it is. Realistic and compelling, the protagonist moves the story along well. An intriguing slice of life.

The Patters

8

Lovely cinematography in a well-paced, quietly emotional story of a daughter returning home to see her father after some time. The ending is quite a punch.

Vika

5

A dark revenge story that is just a little predictable. Effort has gone into the production visually,

Palpitations of Dust

5

This feels like a visual poem of sorts, it's quite hard to follow, although nice to look at.

Pig Man

6

Delivers the thrills and scares but in quite a predictable way.

The Trolleybusman

8

Interesting take on topical subject matter and well acted. Original concept.

Eclipse

8

An atmospheric piece of cinematic art evoking strong emotions as we watch a young boy find his way across a destroyed world.

The Chimerical museum of shifting shapes

5

An experimental animation that gives a glimpse into a nightmarish museum.

Beats of love

5

A little slow paced but full of originality.

Atrocity

6

This bloodthirsty story is full of violence and packs an emotional punch.

Zu Zahm!

6

An original concept with strong surreal elements. A film that makes you think as you figure out its meaning.

Noddy

7

A unique and amusing story with a deeper layer of meaning beneath the comedy.

Coro dos Amantes

8

A quiet but very moving story of a crucial, life-changing moment for a married couple. The use of two voices narrating their thoughts and points of view is used with great effect.

Siemiany

8

A look at life in a Polish village one summer as two childhood friends reach puberty. The director/ writer gives a unique touch to this story breaking the fourth wall at times with the characters.

Venus Throw

7

Compelling but simple, well realized story of a couple meeting for a first date. Original.

Tunnelrat

8

A gripping story of two enemy soldiers trapped together. Good performances and impressive production design and editing.

Incipit

6

A dark twist on writers block and the lengths some will go to for a good crime plot.

HUGUITO

7

Strong acting from the lead child actor here in a gritty story about a boy trying to find his way in hard circumstances.

Video Store

6

A cute, simple story of two friends whose shared love of film brings them together.

Man of Action

6

Sparse dialogue and a simple story leads to an action packed finale.

The 12th

6

Fast paced with some slick editing for time cuts, The 12th is enjoyable but perhaps leaves a little too much character and story out to really connect where it counts.

Alternative walk

8

Very imaginative animation and of a high quality, this is a fun little short that is more of a visual piece of entertainment than a plotted story.

August

9

This film creates and shows us the world from the child protagonist's point of view through the cinematography, direction and script to great success. Strong acting and powerful visuals.

Black Road

7

While atmospheric and nicely shot - especially exteriors, the story suffers a little from a clunky script and a story that doesn't succeed in totally engaging us. It explores gritty themes while also showing that even at rock bottom people can find compassion.

There is a salad standing between us

8

An original, slightly surreal story of a couple who need a change to shake up their relationship. High production value, and well paced.

End of Story

6

While well shot and edited, this film is slightly let down by a predictable ending. It delivers a thrill but one I think we see coming.

McMurphy

8

Powerful and understated performances to drive home a strong message. Simplicity is used to great effect here, both in dialogue and aesthetic.

The Apple

9

A gentle story full of pathos, The Apple is the charming portrayal of a boy on the brink of change as he prepares to leave Havana. With artistic cinematography and good production values, this is a stand out short.