Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has clung tightly to its lead as the number one global site for video. But over the last few years, the amateur viral videos that made it famous have become more novelty and the former king of community-driven content has spent the last couple years trying different programs to up its quality.

We like reading up on animation festivals because more often than not you can find several of the winning short films online already. Ottawa International Animation Festival is North America's premier showcase for animation, and having wrapped up at the end of October has proven itself no exception—some of its excellent winners are already up on the web.

Reign of Death, the subject of our recent feature review, is one of the most confidently stylish shorts we've seen in a while. Its director, Matthew Savage, has served as a concept designer for several big budget features including The Dark Knight and Kick-Ass, but, not being content with that arrangement, has been stepping up to the director's chair.