Rob Munday
Although we’d obviously love it if you spent all of your watching time glued to the ever-expanding catalogue of outstanding films we have on Short of the Week, we’re under no illusion that we face a difficult battle in vying for your screen time. With cinema, television and streaming platforms all othering a variety of viewing experiences depending on your particular tastes at the time, there’s so much choice it can be dizzying at times. With that in mind, here are our recommendations of new titles you should check out, with all of them made by filmmakers previously featured on our platform.
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Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared
Dir. Joseph Pelling, Baker Terry & Becky Sloan
Surely one of the most anticipated short film to series adaptations in recent years, viral sensation Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared returns with six new episodes, over 10-years after we featured the original short back in 2011. These latest incursions into the twisted world of Red Guy, Yellow Guy and Duck invites audiences to learn about jobs, death, family, friendship, transport and electricity as its creators blend their distinct twisted puppet style with dark comedy to once again to deliver a nightmarish vision. Currently only screening on Channel 4’s on-demand service in the UK, with Fiona McDermott (Head of Comedy for Channel 4) explaining they were “desperate to endorse this glorious genre-blending-puppet-tour-de-force”, hopefully DHMIS will reach the rest of the world in the not-too-distant future.
Note: This latest series includes S/W alums Anita Bruvere, Dan Britt, Sam Gainsborough & Isaac Holland
Watch on 4OD (UK ONLY)
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Cerdita (Piggy)
Dir. Carlota Pereda
Another short film adaptation, Piggy sees Pereda return to the world of her 2018 short as the director expands on the story of bullied teen Sara and how a long walk home from the pool will change her life forever. Released in time for Halloween, this Sundance 2022 pick is now available in theaters and on VoD (US only)
Where to Watch
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The Resort
Dir. Ariel Kleiman
Featured on our site with the seriously impressive Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Deeper than Yesterday back in 2014, Ariel Kleiman has gone on to rack up some impressive credits, including his debut feature Partisan (which played Sundance & BFI London in 2015) and episodes on high profile TV shows Top of the Lake and Yellowjackets. His latest directorial duties involved him taking the reigns of the final two episodes of Peacock’s twisty thriller The Resort, which follows a struggling married couple who try to solve the mystery disappearance of two fellow holidaymakers 15-years-ago.
Note: Four episodes of the show were directed by Ben Sinclair (who also stars in The Resort) of High Maintenance fame
Watch on Peacock (US) / Watch on NowTV (UK)
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Samaritan
Dir. Julius Avery
From Nazi zombies to secret superheroes, director Julius Avery has made some interesting features since we featured his short Jerrycan on our site back in 2014. Teaming up with veteran action-star Sylvester Stallone and streaming giant Amazon Prime, Avery’s latest outing as director sees him bring the story of an ageing superhero to screen with all the fight scenes, explosions and car chases you’d expect in a big budget film like this.
Watch on Amazon Prime (US) / Watch on Amazon Prime (UK)
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The Banshees of Inisherin
Dir. Martin McDonagh
It was clear from Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-winning directorial debut Six Shooter that he was going to go on to big things, but with In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths and Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri to his name, he’s surely exceeded all expectations. A filmmaker with a distinct voice, always looking to challenge expectations, his latest feature sees him team up with Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell once again, for this comedic tale of two lifelong friends who suddenly fall out when one abruptly ends their relationship. The Banshees of Inisherin is in cinemas now.
Find Tickets (US) / Find Tickets (UK)
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Donna
Dir. Jay Bedwani
Focused on the same person highlighted in his 2013 Iris Prize winning short film My Mother, Bedwani’s latest feature Donna invites its audience to spend some time in the company of inspiring trans activist, artist and performer Donna Personna, as we follows her journey to live authentically as herself and to reconnect with her family. After finally getting his 2018 short Stretch onto our platform earlier in 2022, we’re excited to see what the director can do with a feature length project. Donna is available on VoD now.
Where to Watch
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Secret Headquarters
Dir. Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Another superhero movie to make our list, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman’s Secret Headquarters stars Owen Wilson as a dad with an amazing secret he’s been hiding from his teenage son Charlie. Although the critics haven’t been kind to the film so far, we’re obviously excited to watch the careers of Joost and Schulman take some exciting new steps.