Reviews

Anna Haslehner's cinematic music video, DEVIL'S DAUGHTER AND PREACHER'S SON is a wonderful journey following the lives of a two souls, from wildly different backgrounds, who are forever connected to each other! Visually beautiful and perfectly paced with the brilliant music of GLIMMER / SUSI SEYFERT, this film is a joy to watch and a MUST SEE for all!

Alan Chung-An, Ou's short film, PART FOREVER left audiences in a state of disoriented shock for days after it screened at the 2022 Blackbird Film Festival. With haunting sound design, thrilling visuals, and a very unnerving script, PART FOREVER is sure to leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own skin! As far as the indie horror genre is concerned, this film knocks it out of the park! A MUST WATCH for any horror / thriller enthusiasts!

Vincent and Alena Turturro's short film, GERI AND RICK is unlike most "shorts" of the day with their fast cuts and nonstop pacing... To the contrary, the Turturros allow the script / screen to breathe as the audience is introduced to Geri (Tammi Cubilette) and Rick (Kenny Borland) - two over-the-hill hustlers on the outskirts of town. Unlike most films, GERI AND RICK explores the subtle nuances of idle dialogue and the nostalgia embedded in silence as the backstory of these, seemingly secondary to the world at large, characters unravels on screen. Expertly acted by Cubilette and Borland, GERI AND RICK is a testament to 1970s style of filmmaking and the Turturro's are MASTERS of their craft! This film is spectacular in many ways and an absolute UNIQUE in its execution!

The only thing "wrong" with Michael Fodera's short film, PRISONER #1616, is that it's not a feature film and ends after 20 minutes... Otherwise, this film is an absolute masterpiece and a true testament to the the directorial vision of Fodera and his team. The script is sharp, tight, and thrilling and the performances by ERIC WHITTEN (Rudy) and EULONE GOODING (Monica) are EXCELLENT! Prisoner #1616 is wild ride into the mind of a killer and the lives we've lived before! An absolute MUST SEE for anyone who loves a good psychological trip!

Christopher Boulton's short documentary, PROGRESS, centers around a fire truck from the 1700s and the ever-changing, ever-evolving, conundrum of technological progress against the non-stop march of time. That which once was new and innovative now exist in obscurity, misunderstood, and buried away among the findings of a antique collector. In less that eight minutes, director Boulton takes audiences on a thoughtful journey back in time, all while asking viewers to reflect upon our current state of affairs and the ephemeral nature of "modern progress". Visually beautiful and proactive, Progress is a MUST WATCH for all as our world continues to change at a rapid rate!

Jessy Langlois' film, DEUS EX MACHINA is nothing short of amazing as the script weaves audiences around false realities and misconceptions! "Things are not always as they seem" is repeated throughout the film and nothing could be more truthful as the protagonist (acted by the brilliant LEEB TOM) searches for his biological father, only to discover his father can't recognize faces. DEUS EX MACHINA is an expertly made film and a MUST WATCH for all!

Andrea Ashton's short music video, "LOVE" is a beautifully made love story, told uniquely in reverse (sorta), allowing the audience to travel through the challenges of a relationship as it erodes away. "LOVE" is a masterpiece and will leave you speechless by the end - a MUST WATCH!!!

Directed by the brilliant Kavita Parekh, TWO TICKETS TO MARS is a wonderfully unique take on the interpersonal struggles of recolonization, leaving (Earth) and starting over. Actress EMILY SULLIVAN (Asia) delivers as stellar performance, leaving audiences both heartbroken and free. A definite MUST WATCH!!!

Rafeh Mahmud's short film, IN DEFENSE OF CIVIL SOCIETY is a social commentary that packs a lot into a short amount of time. A dark comedy with solid laughs and a strong message that hits hard in the final monologue! This film is expertly produced and extremely well written - a MUST SEE for all!

Tiggy Bayley's short film, TILDYPOPS, is expertly written and wonderfully acted by Tiggy herself. This film hits the mark on so many levels and shines like on the struggles of teenage adolescence, peer pressure, and self-doubt all while allowing an audience a glimpse into what it is like to live in a complex family with conflicting issues. TIGGY BAYLEY is a super-star and it would be wonderful to see this film developed into a series of sorts as there is so much to unpack! A MUST WATCH for all!

Maxence Cazorla's mirco short film, UPYA, is expertly made and packs a HUGE emotional punch for such a short film! In less than 3 minutes, the audience enters in to a futuristic world and very quickly comes to learn that our lead character is contemplating the "end" in system that supports many different options - including what life could have been if the protagonist decided to stick around. Very well made, brilliantly acted, and powerful! A definite MUST WATCH!

Brando's Spoon is a joy to watch! The comedic timing and performances are spot on from EARLE HUGENS and WILLIAM TATLOCK GREEN as they journey across NYC on bicycles, bickering and bonding along the way! This short little film is full of heart and wonderful nods along the way to the late-great Marlon Brando and is certainly a fun-filled ride!

John Fink's short film, ADJUNCT, is a beautifully raw glimpse into the challenging lifestyle of being an adjunct college professor during this moment in time. Set over the weekend, Adjunct allows audiences into the life of Veronica (brilliantly acted by the late-actress TILKE HILL) as she struggles both personally and professionally to keep her head above water. The film as accurate as it is heartbreaking when it comes to depicting the isolation many adjunct instructors feel as they attempt to piece together their life while putting on a "brave" face for their students, many of whom couldn't care less... An absolute MUST SEE!

Maren Lavelle's short film, KEEPER, is an absolute MUST SEE for all - especially for those who shoulder the weight, both physically and emotionally, of caring for another. In just 12 minutes, Director Maren Lavelle is able to make you laugh and cry through the expertly acted performances of MATT STEINER and CHRISTOPHER HARRAL! This film is brilliantly heartbreaking and well deserving of the Best Dramatic Short Award at the 2022 Blackbird Film Festival.

Nate Hapke's short film, SCENE STUDY, is expertly made and showcases the raw talent of both leading actresses - ALLIE LEONARD and MACKENZIE BREEDEN - as they navigate a complex relationship through accelerated time and negative space, filling the screen with simple beauty and emotion. This film is a masterpiece and a MUST SEE for all!

Julien Lasseur's short film, TARA MESSENGER OF DEATH is just the film you need to watch! Full of beautiful cinematography, a wonderfully dark and twisty plot, and stellar performances from STEPHANIE LITTLE and BRIAN GROH - this film is the perfect journey around a mysterious death and influencer culture. Definitely a MUST WATCH!!!

Funke Alafiatayo's micro short film TEXT BACK strikes at the troubling pressures of (mis)communication and anxiety that many young people struggle with everyday. In this super short, yet very relatable film, Funke highlights the never ending cycle that consumes modern communication in this tech-reliant world.

Eddie Shieh's short film IN SYNC is a fun and twisty good time as the characters navigate modern romance in the age of technology! With a witty script and hilarious performances, IN SYNC is sure to make audiences laugh as it redefines the RomCom genre!!!

João Dall'Stella's short film DÍA DE LAS CARPAS is a wonderfully made story from the perspective of children set against the real world of ICE raids and deportation. With a powerful script and truly wonderful performances from the group of young actors, DÍA DE LAS CARPAS is an absolute MUST SEE as the film plays on the idea of a better world - one where borders can be broken by magic and the kindness of strangers.

Karisa Bruin and Nora Heidenreich's short film KILL CAT OAKLAND is simply fantastic and will leave audiences rolling on the floor with laughter! From the brilliant script to the hilarious performances, KILL CAT OAKLAND has it all! In a highly stylized, highly comedic way this film grapples with death and end of life decisions in such a funny, yet honest, way that makes you both laugh and feel at the same time! An ABSOLUTE MUST WATCH for all!

Christina Raia has done it again with GAME BRUNCH - a short film that takes viewers on a twisty fun adventure from start to finish as you try to guess what exactly is going on! With great characters and a fun script, GAME BRUNCH is a good time that will leave audiences with a smile on their face!

Aidan Cheeatow's short film HEARTBREAKER is just that - heartbreaking - as viewers feel the painful separation of mother and child. While much of the backstory is not known, HEARTBREAKER creates an instant bond between the lead character and her infant child as she is forced into supervised visits. With brilliant writing, cinematography and performances, HEARTBREAKER is an emotional ride and will certainly leave viewers with a tear in their eye.

Romain Thirion's short film ART OF INVISIBLE is a wild ride that anyone interested in the creative art of deception simply MUST TAKE! In a quasi-teaser like style, director Romain Thirion presents a ragtag group of characters entangled in an action-packed plot to create a deception but the question becomes, who is being deceived? Skillfully directed with stellar performances, fantastic effects and a brilliant script - ART OF INVISIBLE is an absolute MUST WATCH for all!

The only downside, we never want it to end!

Dekel Berenson's short film ANNA is perfect in every way! The cinematography, the editing, the writing, the pacing and, of course, the performance from Svetlana Barandich as Anna is phenomenal. Director Dekel Berenson presents an unconventional love story which such subtle heart and character that audiences cannot look away! A brilliant film by an incredibly talented filmmaker - a MUST WATCH!

True to form, director Jonathan Chekroune brings to life another fantastic short film in LIKE FATHER which feels like a feature film in its execution and leaves audiences wanting more! From the brilliant writing, the performances, the breathtaking cinematography and, of course, the surprising twists along the way - LIKE FATHER is the total package and is sure to give viewers the thrill they are looking for! An absolute MUST WATCH!