When a disillusioned, overworked production assistant finds himself in the most unlikely situation one day, a story belonging to the realm of the absurd begins to unfold. ‘Mayonnaise’ presents a world which starts off as being extremely authentic to the space of a film set, more specifically, a food commercial, but soon devolves into a ride the viewer has just not seen coming. 

Once again, filmmaker Eli Spiegel’s (‘Stain’) voice and tonality dominates, presenting Sam’s bleak perspective regarding his career prospects, and his turning to Sarah, a young but seemingly successful producer on the commercial, in an impatient bid to figure out some sort of a career trajectory for himself. 

The first and the second half of the film, however, come across as disparate parts, unable to present a lucid link that ties them cohesively. Though the approach of the film is unique in its absurdity, it might leave some viewers wanting for a better cause and effect equation within the narrative. Either way, the end result remains deeply entertaining, brought to life with finesse as well as commendable performances and effortless chemistry between the actors.

Mayonnaise | Short Film of the Day

With his dog as a constant companion, and listener of all his woes, Ari soldiers on trying to figure out the best way to lead his life. Archival footage, and pop culture references, to name a few elements that constitute this colorful, eclectic ride, are imbued with a tone of intimacy and the personal, all along tackling the age-old question echoed in the title - how to live. 

Tied with the internal struggles of an artist, and the meaning they might seek in their creative processes, in the act of constructing something from scratch, the film also presents elements of docufiction as well as of an autobiographical documentary. However, the sentiment that prevails above all is the eventual heartwarming culmination of Ari’s journey. 

The film is a success not simply because it entertains, amuses, and involves, all of which it achieves with ease, but most importantly because it leaves audiences with a sense of invincible hope that only accentuates the narrative's inherent uplifting ideas on life and the wonder of the journey that it has to offer.

How to Live | Short Film of the Month

The film is a wonderful union of a little bit of humor, and a little bit of the absurd, sprinkled with an endearing message about kindness. On the day when the story opens, the protagonist wakes up to find the words “your welcome” imprinted on his forehead in stubbornly dark ink that refuses to budge no matter how hard he tries. 

From nail salons to car washes to his own aggressive scrubbing - nothing really works. Right when he is at the end of his rope, exhausted and given up, something unexpected happens. 

The film thus evidences a sweet tenderness at its core, combined with an unexpected act of endearment, that ties it all together. Its approach remains direct and simple, albeit alongside an experimental tonality to its event progression, ensuring that each sentiment and idea, visual and emotional, employed within the final result is a success.

Your Welcome | Short Film of the Day

‘The Masterpiece’ stands out for the theatrical quality it brings to life in its visual progression, and ties it with an unrelenting and unstoppable staccato tone. As the stage is set for the drama to unfold, we are introduced to the protagonist, Cristian Fredrick who plays himself in this short film that packs the journey of a life in under ten minutes. From being diagnozed with a terminal illness as a teenager, to becoming a therapeutic painter, the narrative portrays the humongous distance covered in between by the artist. 

The story unfolds to reveal within its folds debauchery, excesses, but above all, the insurmountable desire to survive, to overcome the obstacles, irrespective of how Herculean they might seem. 

The overarching message that seems to tie the final result together thus becomes one about grit and courage, the reminder to not give up. It becomes the celebration of a journey where the the masterpiece is not something external, but internal and indeed what you make of the self, what you make within.

The Masterpiece | Short Film of the Day

The music video is a stringing together of images that acquire an almost dreamlike quality in their progression. 

As disparate elements are presented thus - a strange couple showing signs of violence that steps out from behind a curtain in the middle of a field, a teenager screaming into endless space while driving around in circles, alcohol poured all over a car and a near-dead man singing, looking directly into the camera, the narrative weaves itself before you. There is alcohol, violence, predominance of imagery associated with eyes, and perhaps a potentially brutal murder tied into a single unit within the story. 

Much of 'Corrosiff'’s message is the symbolism and metaphors it offers, while the voice continues singing of the dirt and the forever circular movement. However, the flip side of symbolism and dreaminess is that it may hinder the lucidity of the message itself, sometimes even triumphing it. The music video, therefore, can be appreciated with the same approach, making sufficient room for unanswered questions from the plot.

Corrosif | Short Film of the Day

‘Adderall Cowboy’ paints a world with a predominance of pink, and linked colors, in the palette. As a space of luxury and softness comes to mind, the reality it represents is far from that. 

A charming protagonist introduces us to her professional endeavors, the business of peddling drugs to teenagers. She likes to indulge herself in long baths and self-care routines, all along funding her preferences with money earned from enabling young, impressionable minds into getting consumed by substance abuse. 

The film is especially notable in the leanness it employs for sharing all this. Its elements are few, but completely sufficient for fulfilling the job of critiquing a crumbling society. A single character within the walls of a single room help this reality unfold, ensuring that the ideas are presented with a sustained approach of frugality - of dialogue, characters and the physical space conjured before you.

Adderall Cowboy | Short Film of the Day

A group of men have decided to shun society, and now live in a world far away, in a nondescript corner of wilderness, with a man’s steady, unwavering voice reminding them of all the evils that await them outside. They prepare to wage a battle against all of these imagined, overpowering agents and forces of chaos, while continuing to lead this singular existence. The film presents a reality that establishes a powerful premise, uniting it with equally disconcerting images. It offers a strong beginning, with a suggestion of the middle it has the potential of leading to. After constructing its realm in this manner, employing a beginning and a middle thus, perhaps a longer, detailed project exploring the end will further aid the storytelling, as well as present a more elaborate portrayal of the world for the viewer’s benefit.

They Are Out There | Short Film Nominee

The title of the film, ‘Prototype’ establishes an expectation that is immediately undercut by our first introduction to it. While the name conjures a space of formal structures and entities, the realm presented to us is far more free-flowing, one that is defined by a surrealistic approach, rather than fixed boundaries of science or technology. 

The visuals and their palette are controlled to bolster this reality where a young artist struggles to pour his perception of the world on paper. It requires of him a movement through fluid realms that, in turn, constitute the film. This journey, however, is disconcerting and eventually marked by an inherently violent act. 

At the completion of this movement rests not only the film’s conclusion but also an unexpected revelation for the viewer that will further pronounce the film’s title, as well as a crucial part of the artist’s identity.

Prototype | Short Film Nominee

The experience of being an artist is often more romanticized than perhaps any other profession or choice of life, leaving the darkness that comes to constitute it overlooked and ignored. The pursuit of creativity is marked by several obstacles, seemingly insurmountable in their appearance, and requiring exhausting effort to be overcome. The pain, that is an inevitable part of this process, is often portrayed as a badge of honor, for instance in the case of the mould of the tortured artist, seen as something to be reveled and gloried in. This whitewashing of an artist's struggles often keeps the world unaware of how isolating the experience of creating something can be, sometimes leaving them only with the voices and doubts in their head as a companion. 

 The short film is a lovely portrayal of all of these ideas, achieved by introducing us to the failed attempts of Olivia to create a painting that would justify her definition of greatness. As she grapples with one foiled attempt after another, the line between perseverance and self-sabotage is left blurred. The protagonist continues to slip deeper and deeper into the territory of self-destruction, entrapping herself within a web of her own thoughts. This metaphor finds a literal, physical representation in the powerful image of Olivia entwining herself within a web of red wool of her own making. 

 The film, in the process, becomes an engagement with imposter syndrome and its protagonist's debilitating struggle to overcome it. And yet, as her attempts grow in their scale and proportion, acquiring an almost theatrical quality, is it only a moment of eventual surrender that awaits her at the end of it all? A Sweeter Place not only raises this question, but also offers an answer. On the technical front, while it is not devoid of a few hits and misses, a little instability in a handheld shot or a dialogue sustained too long, the final product remains fresh, honest and deeply impactful in the manner of sharing its story and intentions with the viewer.

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