Short of the Week
As the eyes of the filmmaking world turned towards the South of France for the Cannes Film Festival this May, it was thrilling to see a director we’ve long supported at S/W receiving high praise at the event. With his latest feature, Flow, described by Indiewire as “one of the most groundbreaking animated films about nature since Bambi”, Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis is once again proving that some of the most exciting filmmakers emerge from the world of short film.
With this in mind, May’s coverage saw us showcase truly original work from some of the brightest emerging filmmakers around. Directors you’re undoubtedly going to be hearing more from in the future. – Rob Munday, Managing Editor
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Team Favorites
As only six of the 17 films featured on our pages in May belonged to the Animation or Documentary genres, this month’s coverage predominantly focused on live-action fiction, a trend reflected in our Best of the Month picks. While we showcased three outstanding animations (I’m a Robot, The Debutante & Zoon) and three insightful documentaries (An Act of Service, Once the Dust Has Settled, and SKATE!), our top three team favorites of the month include a musical take on motherhood, a poetic reflection on culpability, and an unforgettable exploration of perception.
Honesty by Roxy Rezvany
The topic of this film is very much a discussion of authority and the dynamics of being a woman (or female presenting) in male dominated spaces, such as an interrogation room or the film industry. By blending these two worlds, the film encourages viewers to reconsider the nature of auditions, performances, and the roles women play in these settings. Ethnicity, faith, and gender are all explored here, but so is the film industry. The narrative, co-written by Rezvany and Emily Renée (who also plays the lead character), is rich with layers that are sure to provoke extensive discussion. How you “read” it will largely depend on your own interpretations.
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Mud Crab by David Robinson-Smith
Mud Crab is a visceral experience, with both Joshua Mehmet and Laneikka Denne’s performances adding to the impact of the film. Through their eyes, they communicate the nuances of emotions they are experiencing, especially in the second half of the short, which is quieter and allows us to be with them with less distractions. Mehmet’s performance is especially impressive when you consider he actually gained/lost 30kg for the role.
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MumLife by Ruby Challenger
Picture the scene: a tired and stressed new mother, a parents group full of smiles and advice. Sound familiar? In Ruby Challenger’s 15-minute short MumLife, the conventional narrative surrounding those early days of motherhood takes an unconventional turn – by becoming a musical. Setting out to confront the stereotypes associated with new mothers and use its song and dance routines to offer an insight into the headspace of its protagonist (Sarah), Challenger’s film’s offers a fresh and accessible take on a situation many will relate to.
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Shortverse Best of the Month
Click on the image to see the short films our Shortverse team picked as their Best of the Month for May 2024
If you’re looking for more team favorites, then head over to Shortverse, where our screeners have suggested a further 13 titles they were excited by in May.