Literature has always played a key role in filmmaking. You only need to look at the top-hitters at the Box Office in 2018 to see the influence of books (ok mostly graphic novels) in the world of cinema and with short film it’s no different. Over the years we’ve seen a host of short films inspired by books and the writing process. From “literary trailers” to gripping, innovative adaptations, celebrate World Book Day with this playlist of seven films dedicated to literature and writing.

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Documentary Chad Howitt

Welcome to The Last Bookstore

Meet Josh Spencer, the inspirational force behind "The Last Bookstore", who has faith that a huge brick and mortar bookstore can survive in the heart of Los Angeles.

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Dark Comedy Ryan Francis Johnson

Writer's Workshop

Aspiring writer, Jeremy, attends an exclusive writer's workshop session.

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Drama Thomas Beg

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Enjoy this innovative and gripping literary adaptation, a graduation animation from UCA Rochester.

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Comedy Martin Woolley & Tom Gran

Writers' Block

Set in a prison for criminally poor writers, a gang of cons get ahold of the script to their own lives and attempt to re-write it in order to make their escape.

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Fantasy Christian De Vita

Animated Book Short for Moonrise Kingdom

Complementing Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom is this collection of super brief animated short stories based on the main character's library books.

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Documentary

The Shock Doctrine

"Literary trailer" for the book by the same name, this short, produced by "Children of Men" director Alfonso Cuarón, mixes archival footage as well nifty motion graphics to dramatize the book's thesis.

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Adventure Olympia Le-Tan & 2 Others

Mourir Auprès de Toi (To Die by Your Side)

When the bookstore closes, the characters on the book covers come alive in this collaboration between designer Olympia Le-Tan and filmmaker Spike Jonze.

Watch other S/W themed playlists