Without warning or preparation, the short film throws you into a world marked by its immense vastness that is stunning in its beauty and glory, but overwhelming in its scale. This serves a two-pronged purpose of not only catching your attention and ensuring it remains tightly within its grasp throughout, but also establishing a premise that has already begun to invoke unsettling emotions within the viewer. A solitary figure of a woman, her face protected by a gas mask, further underlines the loneliness of this seemingly post-apocalyptic reality where only the wind and the sea break the oppressive silence. 

 Equipped with an economy of dialogue, along with a remarkable background score, the film introduces us to a setting that is defined by a deep sense of isolation. Finding herself to be the only survivor in a massive space, the woman moves from one discarded object to another - rejects and leftovers on which now her survival depends. However, it is the emotional needs of existence that dominate the physical ones in the narrative. The thought gains increasing resonance in a world which is only beginning to come out of a pandemic, after ensuring each of us has waged our own individual battle with despair and seclusion. 

 In the process, West Winds not only becomes a sophisticated example of skill and finesse, but also a much needed expression of the many challenges of mental health. The woman is unnamed and hence could be anyone of us in her quest to find comfort. Her limitless surroundings can thus be viewed as a metaphor for the endless pits of mental and emotional demons. This, in turn, allows the story to communicate not only important lessons on the aforementioned issues of mental health, but also about the significance of companionship, kindness and the warmth of friendship that is capable of enveloping you in an unbreakable armour against the many onslaughts of despondency and hopelessness.

West Winds | Short Film of the Day

The realm of ‘Vultures’ is constructed with a refreshing uniqueness of voice that remains steadfast throughout the entirety of the film. It presents a space inhabited by only three characters, each more powerful than the other in the absolutely stunning performances and bodily movements they bring to life. 
The viewer is presented with a dystopic world, at the brink of its end where two vultures fight over what is left as the last vestiges of existence.
The heavy symbolism and metaphors continue to heighten the tension within the narrative which carefully controls and maintains its energy and intensity. 
The actors, weaved into an equally complementary screenplay and visual development, ensure that the many intentions of the plot achieve a fitting portrayal on camera. Though not all metaphors would be grasped at first glance, demanding a deeper engagement on behalf of the viewer, the film conveys each emotion and sentiment that it means to with ease and success.

Vultures | Short Film Nominee

‘Sojourn’ presents a very relevant story, and shares it in an interesting, unexpected manner. As an investigation unfolds between Athena and Detective Sanger, we realize this is an exchange of equal adversaries. 

While one side may have come dangerously close to overpowering the other, soon the scales tip out of balance, and the narrative ropes in a notable employment of sci-fi thrill. A past defined by a grotesque coupling of kindness and violence, of compassion and cruelty is brought to life, one that forms the backbone of the film. 

The end result is not only engaging, but also furthers a crucial conversation in an impactful manner. It definitely leaves the door open for a longer project that dives deeper and longer in the world of the characters presented thus.

Sojourn | Short Film of the Day

Nicholas is a man who spends most of his time with his many gadgets. From VR games to smartphones to recording videos for the internet - his days are completely consumed by the many contraptions of technology, and related activities. However, he does indeed seek a connection with another person. Loneliness and the desire for love quietly nestle themselves within the plot. 

Once again, Nicholas turns to technology to solve this problem, signing up for a dating app that will set him up with a potential partner based on a questionnaire he is soon presented with. Humor is woven into the narrative with the absolute contrast between the life Nicholas leads and the one he pretends to lead when faced with these questions. 

In the process, a lighthearted story comes into being, sometimes a little endearing, sometimes heartwarming as Nicholas heads out to meet his date. A crucial message of the film, one about the absolute significance of connections in our lives, is thus presented through what unfolds next. The resultant screenplay, performances, and plot development keep the viewer engaged all along. It would be interesting to develop the film as a longer project in the future, allowing its ideas and intentions better elucidation.

Mimesis | Short Film of the Day

A man and woman sit across the table from each other on a date. The woman is clearly uneasy in the circumstance, not really enjoying the manner in which the conversation is unfolding. The situation is plain and direct, and yet, before the viewer can conclude it thus, the most strange development occurs within the plot - the presence of an unexplained television set that haunts the protagonist. 
 
Alongside this seemingly omnipresent entity, Meg’s love life moves ahead, but not in a direction desired by her. After several attempts to avoid her date’s calls, she reluctantly agrees to meet him again, while the foreboding presence of the screen continues to become more overwhelming. 

Whether you want to read the narrative as a parable of modern day dating, insecurities, acceptance and identity, or a woman’s inability to say no, or of a person seeking comfort outside heteronormative structures, it could perhaps mean all or none of them. Consequently, if one were to attach their own meaning to each symbol and metaphor, ‘Loom’ would be a difficult film to unpack, and thus, it should be consumed as the surreal ride it is, marked not only by elements of sci-fi and psychological horror, but also the absurd when you least expect it.

Loom | Short Film of the Day

When you're presented with a story that starts off with a man trying to win over his former girlfriend, little do you realise the ride you are in for. The film demands that the viewer is tightly secured in their seats before they embark on this dizzying adventure with the protagonist. A man, who is unhappy in love, buys a piece of a meteorite to convince the woman he languishes for to come back in his life. However, preoccupied with his romantic gesture, he remains completely and dangerously unaware of the strange entity he has invited into his house instead. The film chooses a video call conversation to reveal this information, allowing itself an interesting approach when it comes to the treatment of the story. The fast-paced narrative remains taut and engaging throughout, further exhibiting stylistic and musical prowess. The manner in which these two elements are coupled suggest the team's comfort with them, bringing to life powerful visuals on screen. Saying anything more about the film would be a foul giveaway for it is important that you go into Disembodies unprepared, letting it shock you with its beautifully paired visuals and sound effects, a remarkable edit and performances that match the rest of the narrative seamlessly.

Disembodies | Short Film of the Day

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 film is an exploration of fear and despair. The circumstance employed to achieve the same is the most unusual, as well as horrifying for the protagonist. A man wakes up to find a gravely wounded man lying next to his car. 

The gore of the spectacle before him soon mixes with horror when he realizes the man is in fact him, now slowly bleeding to death as he watches from a non-corporeal, spiritual plane. However, this in no way implies that his death is final. And it is indeed in these last straws of hope that he is desperately grabbing on to that the story comes into being. He runs inside the house, trying everything in his might to seek help, to perhaps even warn the sole occupant of the house, a woman who lies asleep in her bed. 

As the several elements of this brief, precise narrative are strewn together, the end result becomes a conversation around the ideas of death, afterlife, with a sense of cosmic horror tying it all together, but most importantly, about the fate of the protagonist which now hangs in very precarious balance.

In the Dead of Light | Short Film of the Day

The scene is set for a dinner party, a couple is ready to host two of their friends when an unexpected guest confirms his presence too. Everyone is unsure about what Alex has been up to since they lost touch with him. It is this secrecy surrounding him that becomes the driving force of the plot. 

Humor is closely tied with it all to ensure the film remains entertaining and involving throughout. As the dinner party progresses, conversations around the apartment and its perfection (even if it’s a property where pets are not allowed) continue, but the most major chunk of the conversation is about Alex’s very obscure life and existence. There is snooping, going through his wallet and a loud meltdown before the truth can be revealed. 

The film offers a colorful ride until the big revelation, even if exhibiting a few snags when it comes to control over the visual progression and the overall production value. Nevertheless, the storytelling remains light and easy, keeping the viewer very invested in this uplifting story of friendship.

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