12 Random Shorts.

To ensure I review as much as possible I will be watching what appeals to me instead of committing to a strand.

PHLEGM by Jan-David Bol (Comedy Strand)

A sad opening that gets you ready for the remainder of the short.

A businessman heads to the office and has the unfortunate luck of stepping on a snail. What transpires is world domination. The ending is perfectly executed as the mid-credit scene highlights the chilling big picture behind the unfortunate luck the man is having. An original concept that is questionable under the comedy strand but quite hard to categorise.

Many short films this year, lack dialogue and this one is being added to the list. The sound is very simple but adds to the eerie undertone, with footsteps being heard throughout. Furthermore, the lack of colour creates a bleak world that focuses on work. We have to praise the script for creating a mystery which leaves audiences wondering what's going on until the final moments. The cinematography is okay but it’s the sound, script and location that make this short film.

Certainly, a creative story that starts off funny but slowly more mysterious.

Luce and the Rock by Britt Raes (Family Friendly Strand)

The use of colours is phenomenal.

This short has such a charming tale to tell. In a small village as night falls a rock monster appears in the town. As the people try to move it and become terrified one person starts to realise not everything is a monster. A story that highlights the common saying ‘don't judge something by looks.’

The animation on this is the best I’ve seen so far with the use of colour being mind-blown. It's like a master class on how effective colours are at representing things which can be shown in the photo below. The story is nothing original but the animation adds its gorgeous unique flare. It feels a little Cbeebies at first but I guarantee you that it has a broad appeal.

This family-friendly short is a must-see at this festival, especially for animation fans.

Wool by Dympna Jardine (Women In Film Strand)

Was getting angrier and angrier at this short.

Wool highlights a story of an awful relationship, an incredible wife but a very ungrateful husband. The short does such a good job of making you detest the husband as everything the wife did to make him happy failed. With an ending that my brain felt was going to be darker, it still is a satisfying ending that I’m hoping audiences will be happy with as there are so many paths the short teases.

I’ve lost count of the amount of shorts on here without any dialogue but wool pulls it off (maybe this is now easier than dialogue as it is insane how many there are.) The sound is also very stripped back but is very effective, for example, the door shutting leaves a sense of fear within you. The whole short is very muted in tone including a washed-out ending which symbolises the dull relationship. A bleak tale directed in a tone that matches the story.

Wanting a satfying ending then this short should be on top of your list.

Bleep by Ben S. Hyland (Late Night Strand)

That is how you do a reveal.

When I said I almost paused the shorts, closed my laptop and paced around the living room as my mind processed the reveal then it you have a really good story here. Being a non-spoiler for this one it’s a story of a couple that throughout the night hear a beep which leads to them going to investigate. Sounds simplistic but there is so much more to it that even writing this I am wanting to burst it all out as it's brilliant.

I would say this is more of a comedy than anything else with a slight touch of tension. The script is certainly the strongest element, as I was laughing at the jokes and creative elements. The acting is also superb as both characters are really fleshed out and just really fun to watch as the complicated relationship is shown. I expected horror but what I got was something truly different and special.

This might have been the best of the festival (so far) for me as this was an incredible short film.

Cruise by Sam Rudykoff (Mix Tape Vol. 2 Strand)

Sometimes you watch a short that will stick with you and this one certainly will.

A creative story about non-spam callers who need to persuade people that they are giving away cruise tickets or serious consequences would happen if they fail. It is best not to know more as within the first moments you can gather just how original the concept is. I was hooked by this throughout as everything was building up towards the end. A story that will certainly stick with me every time I receive a spam call.

Sam has crafted a short that understands tension as the whole short was just filled with not knowing where this was going. All set within one location but just the production is perfect in creating the creepy vibes. The acting also was brilliant as both characters really put everything into two overly characterised characters.

This one is not to be missed as the orginality alone is worth watching this.

Norma by Emily Munster (British Mix)

There sadly always one short that does not do it for you.

It’s Norma birthday and what should be a special day is truly not. With her grumpy husband Norma tried everything to make sure that her day is something big and fun. This story just never grabbed me compared to others and this could be because I felt for the most part nothing happened but dialogue that I was not caring about. This comes from maybe this is not being my type of thing as seen above I love experimental, outlandish ideas but this seemed very stripped back but still has a sense of peculiarity.

Everything just feels ‘empty’ from the production, the score, simple cinematography and story just created something that was really slow to get through. The best appeal for me was the acting as both really showcased some lovable witty characters that I could watch in a more appealing story.

Will this short be for everyone, no, but some will fall in love with the characters and this short.

Honesty by Roxy Rezvany (Women in Film Strand)

This short is just to highlight Emily Renée acting skills.

Without giving much away a women reports her abusive husband to the police however instead of feeling relief, pressure mounts as she becomes interrogated. I will state as the description used and mine suggests this being quite overly serious and heavy however it surprisingly not as overwhelming as you expect. A story that somewhat lost me mid-way until the final moments when it connected showcasing to me the depth of this story.

The cast are powerful with Emily Renée just highlighting so much range as her situation is constantly changing. Also, Aidan O’Neill is great at bringing less range but this suits the character who is ramping the story up. The best acting I’ve seen so far at this festival. The short just spotlights the script and acting but with both being excellent then it really does not need more.

Dont be put off watching this because of the heavy bio, give it ago and you will love it.

((o))By Joanna Żybul (Emerging Talent Strand)

We have all been in this position.

A relatable tale of the agonising wait of receiving a package you have been waiting for. Is not the most complicated or best-written story out there but it encapsulates this moment so well and towards the end was incredibly satisfying. An animation style that feels like a book comes to life with its artsy hand-drawn feel.

It’s a really short fun tale with cool visuals to match

Milk by Adam Etheridge (British Mix Strand)

This short is heavy.

An incredibly heavy short dealing with the aftermath of a suicide attempt. It showcases a mother who is ensuring her son is safe and okay after they return home after the incident. A story that seems incredibly realistic and because of this becomes an important though tough watch.

The cinematography does so much here and is the element that struck me the most. From the long one-shot sequence which was nerve-wracking to watch and the use of seeing things instead of telling, it effectively drew the audience in emotionally. The performances are stellar and captivating as it comes across as realistic which highlights how natural the script is written. Due to this nature, it's really a tough watch but it effectively gets people thinking as it is something I never thought about and will stick with me.

Wanting something that is very heavy and will be on your mind for awhile then check this one out.

Heart Failure by Will Wightman (Comedy Strand)

Move over All to Well (10-minute version) by Taylor Swift.

What is categorised as a musical to me, the short leans more towards a music video. After a one-night stand, a relationship starts to blossom but will this last or will it leave Frank heartbroken? A fast-paced story that is told through a groovy beat.

The song hit hard as I was feeling the music throughout with its rap section, sing-along sections and somewhat pop beat. I adore the jarring editing and camera work on this being edgy as it has multiple strange angles, heavy use of a shaky cam and sharp transitions all leading to an enjoyable fast-paced watch. The script is very modern in its use of clever jokes and its storyline which I guarantee people have gone through.

What a joyful music-filled short film that tells quite a possibly heartbroken tale.

Sweet Nothing by Joana Fischer & Marie Kenov (Animated Shorts)

Romance at the first sign of a butt.

Sweet Nothing is animated short of Romance as a character is out enjoying her time spent in the garden, and a man next door catches her eye. Love sparkles. A really simple story.

I think the issue this short had with me was it was just abrupt at the ending or the story just lacked (it needed something or a payoff .)The animation is funky has everything seemed slightly wonky but I really liked seeing this strange-looking world with quirky characters. I think everything is solidly done just the story needed something just so it felt like a complete story.

The poster highlights the best scene and if you like some love then watch this short.

The Bathtub by Sergi Marti Maltas (International strand)

I swear I am not tearing up…okay maybe I am.

This film broke me mentally as it is a story of two people crossing paths at the right time. Ramon is having the worst day/giving up on life until he receives a call from someone selling life insurance. What transpires really made me swell up as it is just heartwarming.

The script for me gets the biggest praise as the story deals with a serious subject well and is gorgeously moving throughout, especially the ending. There is much to unpack within it but my takeaway was it really inspired me to not give up on my dreams. Acting is subtle but their performances are just compelling in allowing the audience to feel every emotion.

If your wanting a little happy cry then certainly watch The Bathtub