‘THE MOOGAI’ (2025) Jon Bell expands his 2021 short folk horror into a trauma filled feature.

SamuelGoldwynFilmsLogoTHE MOOGAI

The Moogai poster

Filmmaker Jon Bell delivers a horrific manifestation of unresolved cultural trauma in THE MOOGAI. The film opens in 1970. Aboriginal children have been forcibly removed from their families and adopted into white families for decades. Present day, Sarah Bishop eschews her cultural roots. Once a stolen child, a fact she vehemently denies, the difficult birth of her second child comes with collective wounds and folklore she cannot outrun.

moogai 3Barely tolerating her birthmother, Ruth, Sarah’s whitewashed existence comes to a halt when an ancient entity rears its ugly head. Sarah’s aggression heightens as her delusions increase. She quickly spirals out of control in every aspect of her life. Sarah’s husband, Fergus, embraces his culture and does his best to navigate his familial deterioration.

The break between Sarah and her first child, Chloe, is heartbreaking. There’s no denying her resemblance to Fergus has something to do with Sarah’s icy response. The connection between Chloe, Fergus, and Ruth burns Sarah’s limited understanding of her absent culture. Ruth tries her best to protect her family, but Sarah’s relentless resistance to her roots only makes them manifest quicker as lore becomes reality and history repeats itself.

moogai 4Jahdeana Mary brings earnest innocence and hurt to Chloe. You want to hug her. Meyne Wyatt is great playing Fergus. He is charming and protective. He’s a real highlight. Tessa Rose is spectacular as Ruth, giving audiences lived-in knowledge and fear. She is the heart of the film. Shari Sebbens gives Sarah everything from elitism to postpartum depression, unbridled rage to superstitious anxiety. You simultaneously loathe and feel for her. Sebbens is truly a revelation.

The Moogai feature stillPractical FX, makeup, and jump scares are solid. THE MOOGAI keenly delves into medical gaslighting and the pressure on women to “do it all.” While the film is also a creature feature, Jon Bell never shies away from showing viewers that the scariest monsters are humans. It is a surprising cultural reclamation.


You can read our coverage of the original SXSW short film here!

The Moogai Trailer:

THE MOOGAI

Theatrical Release Date: May 9, 2025

Written and Directed By: Jon Bell

Director of Photography: Sean Ryan 

Cast: Shari Sebbens, Meyne Wyatt, Tessa Rose, Clarence Ryan, with Toby Leonard Moore and Bella Heathcote

Produced By: Kristina Ceyton, Samantha Jennings & Mitchell Stanley

Executive Produced By: Stephen Kelliher, Sophie Green, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Daniel Negret, Anjali Patil, Salman Al-Rashid & Sam Frohman

Editor: Simon Njoo Ase

Runtime: 86 Minutes

Synopsis: Sarah and Fergus, a hopeful young Aboriginal couple, give birth to their second baby. But what should be a joyous time of their lives becomes sinister when Sarah starts seeing a malevolent spirit she is convinced is trying to take her baby. Fergus, who can’t see it but desperately wants to believe her, grows increasingly worried as she becomes more unbalanced. Is the child-stealing spirit real or is she in fact the biggest threat to the safety of their family?  

‘WHITCH’ (SXSW 2025 short) Hilarious and terrifying, filmmaker Hoku Uchiyama conjures magic.

SXSW 2025_Website-SEO-3WHITCH

Whitch_Poster

Filmmaker Hoku Uchiyama delivers the magic with SXSW 2025 short horror comedy WHITCH. A mother named Aura reads her young daughter a bedtime story, then finally takes a breath from her long day. Suddenly, a mysterious woman appears in her house, encouraging her to make haste. With five minutes until midnight, the woman begins a ritual in the living room, challenging Aura to join in.

Whitch Production_Still_3Alicia Blasingame is a superb foil for her onscreen rival. There is a comfort level that makes you buy into Aura from the moment you see her. Rosemary Hochschild is magnificent in her final film role as Gladys. Her fearless performance sends chills down your spine, then giggling with delight. What a pleasure to witness this level of talent.

Kenneth F. Wales‘ camera work is fantastic. Immersive POV shots pull you in immediately. The original music by Anton Patzner is playfully sinister. The closing title is perfection.

WHITCH Production_Still_5WHITCH subconsciously makes fun of women who call themselves witches, but in reality, they love the ideas and decor, not the literary canon. Would I adore a feature-length version? The answer is a resounding YES. Do I also believe it is delicious in its current form? It has undoubtedly cast a spell on me.


DIRECTOR BIO:

Hoku Uchiyama headshot

Hoku is a lover of fantasy films, horror, and animation. Over the past decade he’s worked as a director (sometimes with Adam Bolt) and editor on music videos, documentaries, and advertising. Clients and collaborators include, Katy Perry, They Might Be Giants, National Geographic, and YouTube.

Director:

Hoku Uchiyama

Producer:

Kelly King

Screenwriter:

Hoku Uchiyama

Cinematographer:

Kenneth F. Wales

Editor:

Hoku Uchiyama

Production Designer:

Adam Henderson

Music:

Anton Patzner

Principal Cast:

Rosemary Hochschild, Alicia Blasingame, Nora Harriet, Carol Merrill-Mirsky, Joy Mamey, Geffen Aviva, Kindred Gottlieb

Additional Credits:

Costume Designer: Caroline Allander, Production Sound Mixer: Dan McCoy, Key Makeup and Hair: Stacey Hummell, Unit Production Manager: Courtenay Sherwood, 1st Assistant Director: Kate Lord Schnepf, Post Production Sound Mixer: Vicki Lemar, Color Grader: Marco Mauti, Costumer: Azucena Dominguez, Intimacy Coordinator: Jazlyn Lewis, Casting Associate: Jillian Seither

sxsw2025_banner_860

For all things SXSW, click here!

 

 

‘TIGER’ (SXSW 2025 short) Tragedy, art, and family legacy bloom in this mesmerizing short.

SXSW 2025_Website-SEO-3TIGER

tiger posterTragedy follows a family of creatives. Dana Tiger‘s artist father was the creator of the t-shirt brand Tiger. After his untimely death, her mother pushed his art into the homes of millions in the 80s. The entire family begins silkscreening orders to JCPenney day and night. When the youngest sibling, Chris, unexpectedly passes the same way, the business halts, and hope fades. But the Tiger story does not end there.

Tiger Dana TigerHome videos, family photographs, original art, and a haunting ancestral voice carry us through the family’s past and present. Dreamlike editing, filled with dynamic choices, creates a mesmerizing 12 minutes. An extraordinary story of resiliency, loyalty, and validation, TIGER is an inspiring short about generational healing and legacy.

Credits

Director:

Loren Waters

Executive Producer:

Loren Waters, Robert L. Hunter

Producer:

Dana Tiger, Loren Waters

Screenwriter:

Loren Waters

Cinematographer:

Robert L. Hunter

Editor:

Amanda Moy, Eva Dubovoy

Sound Designer:

Amanda Moy, Eva Dubovoy

Music:

Trevor Kowalski

Principal Cast:

Dana Tiger, Lisa Tiger

Additional Credits:

Senior Colorist: Andrew Francis, Associate Producer: Dylan Brodie, Post Sound Mixer: James Russell, First Assistant Camera: Marissa Shoemaker, Production Assistant: Serena Jones

sxsw2025_banner_860For all things SXSW, click here!

SXSW 2025: This year is all about kicking ass and making names with new filmmakers taking the leap.

SXSW 2025_Website-SEO-3SXSW 2025

SXSW 2025 is back with a vengeance. Brimming with talent new and old, the festival grows each year, giving audiences what they love. This year is no exception with Film and TV’s coolest, latest, and greatest. On the docket are hotly anticipated titles like DEATH OF A UNICORN with its insane ensemble cast, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively return in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, and Peter Cilella‘s Midnighter DESCENDENT. Take a peek at some of the films we’re watching this year…

For more info on SXSW 2025 click here!


ODYSSEY

odyssey SXSW 2025Director: Gerard Johnson, Producers: John Jencks, Isabel Freer, Matthew James Wilkinson, Patrick Tolan, Screenwriters: Gerard Johnson, Austin Collings


Natasha Flynn is an estate agent on a mission—and she’s going to make a killing. Cast: Polly Maberly, Mikael Persbrandt, Jasmine Blackborow, Guy Burnet, Ryan Hayes, Charley Palmer Rothwell, Kellie Shirley (World Premiere)


ARREST THE MIDWIFEarrest-the-midwifeDirector: Elaine Epstein, Producers: Elaine Epstein, Robin Hessman


The arrest of midwives in a rural healthcare desert ignites an unexpected rebellion: Amish and Mennonite women who break from tradition, and emerge as fierce political activists fighting for reproductive justice and birthing rights. (World Premiere)


GLORIOUS SUMMER (Poland)

glorious-summer Directors/Screenwriters: Helena Ganjalyan, Bartosz Szpak, Producers: Maria Gołoś, Monika Matuszewska


A sun-drenched renaissance palace. Three women remain in a carefree state of limbo, tended to by an unseen, all-providing system. But as cracks in the paradise begin to appear, they are faced with a choice: escape or remain in the perfect illusion? Cast: Magdalena Fejdasz, Helena Ganjalyan, Daniela Komędera, Weronika Humaj (World Premiere)


DEATH OF A UNICORN

death-of-a-unicorn SXSWDirector/Screenwriter: Alex Scharfman, Producers: Drew Houpt, Lucas Joaquin, Alex Scharfman, Lars Knudsen, Tyler Campellone, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page


A father and daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties. Cast: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes (World Premiere)


REELING

reeling SXSW 2025Director: Yana Alliata, Producer: Jack Forbes, Screenwriters: Yana Alliata, Amy Miner


After a life altering accident, Ryan struggles to fit in with old friends and family at a birthday luau but the celebration boils over when he uncovers the missing memory of when his life took a tragic turn. Cast: Ryan Wuestewald, Hans Christopher, Nikki DeParis, Fabrizio Alliata, Makena Miller, Nyah Juliano, Michael Carter (World Premiere)


BABY DOE

baby doe SXSW 2025Director: Jessica Earnshaw, Producers: Holly Meehl Chapman, Jessica Earnshaw


At 22, Gail gave birth alone and left her newborn in the woods. Decades later, she’s arrested for murder, even though she says the baby was stillborn. Baby Doe explores the fallout when young women cannot accept the reality of an unplanned pregnancy. (World Premiere)


CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD

clown-in-a-cornfieldDirector: Eli Craig, Producers: Marty Bowen, John Fischer, Wyck Godfrey, Screenwriters: Carter Blanchard, Adam Cesare, Eli Craig


A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge. Cast: Katie Douglas, Will Sasso, Cassandra Potenza, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Verity Marks, Dylan McEwan, Daina Leitold, Vincent Muller, Kaitlyn Bacon (World Premiere)

TEASER TRAILER LINK:

 


DEAR TOMORROW (Denmark, Japan, Sweden)dear-tomorrow-SXSW 2025Director/Screenwriter: Kaspar Astrup Schröder, Producers: Maria Helga Stürup, Katrine A. Sahlstrøm


In Japan, where loneliness has become a national crisis, the film follows three individuals battling isolation. Through a volunteer chat service, compassionate connections, and government initiatives, they find hope and paths to reclaim their lives. (World Premiere)


FOR WORSEForWorse-1440x810-1Director/Screenwriter: Amy Landecker, Producers: Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, Valerie Stadler, Jenica Bergere, James Portolese


Fresh off a messy divorce, a 50-year-old sober mom tries to rebuild her life and stumbles into a new beginning after finding herself at a Gen Z wedding behaving like a 25-year-old drunk bridesmaid. Cast: Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, Nico Hiraga, Gaby Hoffmann, Ken Marino, Missi Pyle, Kiersey Clemons, Claudia Sulewski, Simon Helberg, Liv Hewson (World Premiere)


O’DESSA

ODESSADirector/Screenwriter: Geremy Jasper, Producers: Michael Gottwald, Noah Stahl


Set in a post-apocalyptic future, O’Dessa is a rock opera about a farm girl on a quest to recover a family heirloom. Her journey leads her to a dangerous city, where she must use the power of destiny and song to save her true love’s soul. Cast: Sadie Sink, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Murray Bartlett, Regina Hall, Pokey LaFarge (World Premiere)


CREEDE U.S.A.

creede-u-s-aDirector: Kahane Corn Cooperman, Producers: Innbo Shim, Kahane Corn Cooperman


Welcome to Creede – a remote mining town with no stop light, a theater company and 300+ folks at 9,000 feet. This unlikely setting – with its miners, ranchers and theater people – offers an unexpected lens on divisions felt by Americans everywhere. (World Premiere)


THE SURRENDER

the-surrender
Director/Screenwriter: Julia Max, Producers: Mia Chang, Lovell Holder, Julia Max, Ian McDonald, Robert J. Ulrich


When the family patriarch dies, a grieving mother and daughter risk their lives to perform a brutal resurrection ritual that will bring him back from the dead. Cast: Colby Minifie, Kate Burton, Neil Sandilands, Vaughn Armstrong, Mia Ellis, Pete Ploszek, Chelsea Alden, Alaina Pollack, Riley Rose Critchlow, Lola Prince Kelly (World Premiere)


UVALDE MOMuvalde-momDirector: Anayansi Prado, Producers: Ina Fichman, David Goldblum, Screenwriters: Anayansi Prado, Pablo Proenza


When a school mass shooting rocks a small town in Texas, a mom desperate to save her kids is launched into the public eye. She speaks out against a system that never protected her. The community challenges these powers and exposes those who failed to protect its most vulnerable – children. (World Premiere)


IDIOTIKAidiotka
Director/Screenwriter: Nastasya Popov, Producers: Tess Cohen, Camila Mendes, Rachel Matthews, Saba Zerehi, Nastasya Popov


In this sharp, irreverent comedy, a disgraced fashion designer with a dangerously low credit score, Margarita (Anna Baryshnikov) enters a reality show with a six-figure cash prize to save her babushka’s West Hollywood apartment. But as the competition intensifies, slick producer Nicol (Camila Mendes) pushes her to spin her family’s struggle into spectacle, forcing Margarita to decide whether to play along or take control of her own narrative, one unhinged look at a time.

Cast: Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes, Julia Fox, Benito Skinner, Saweetie, Owen Thiele, Galina Jovovich, Mark Ivanir, Nerses Stamos, Ilia Volok (World Premiere)


NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE (Canada)nirvanna-the-band-the-show-the-mDirector: Matt Johnson, Producers: Matthew Miller, Matt Greyson, Screenwriters: Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol


When their plan to book a show at the Rivoli goes horribly wrong, Matt and Jay accidentally travel back to the year 2008. Blah blah blah blah blah.  Cast: Jay McCarrol, Matt Johnson (World Premiere)


BROTHER VERSES BROTHER


brother-verses-brotherDirector: Ari Gold, Producers: Michelle Stratton, Starr Sutherland, Screenwriters: Ari Gold, Ethan Gold, Lara Louise, Brian Bell, Herbert Gold, Tongo Eisen-Martin, John Flanigan

Synopsis: Inspired by Francis Coppola’s concept of Live Cinema, Brother Verses Brother is a radically personal musical odyssey. Combative twin musicians hunt for their dying poet father, in an improvisation performed by the director’s own family, and presented as an unbroken real-time shot through the streets of San Francisco.


One brother seeks love, while the other seeks an audience. But as night falls and their father remains missing, their increasingly frantic safari leads them from the secret haunts of the Beat poets into the heart of their family. Their tale becomes a testament to the power of music, the bonds of brotherhood, and the lifeblood of a city – experienced by the viewer in real-time.


Cast: Ari Gold, Ethan Gold, Lara Louise, Brian Bell, Herbert Gold, Tongo Eisen-Martin, John Flanigan (World Premiere)


OUT FOR DELIVERYout-for-delivery-3Director/Screenwriter: Chelsea Christer, Producers: Clinton Trucks, Alexa Rocero, David B. Lyons


When terminally ill Joanna makes the difficult decision to pursue end of life options through the Death With Dignity law, the systems set up to make her death peaceful and dignified become the opposite. (Texas Premiere)


BAGGAGE (Australia, United Kingdom)

baggage-SXSW 2025Director/Screenwriter: Lucy Davidson, Producers: Vanessa Batten, Amy Upchurch


Anthropomorphic suitcase best friends bring their emotional baggage on holidays. (International Premiere)


sxsw2025_banner_860

For SXSW 2025’s entire lineup, click here!

For all things SXSW 2025 and beyond from Reel News Daily, tap this!

‘ONE REHEARSES, THE OTHER DOESN’T’ (Slamdance 2025) A shockingly profound experimental short.

slamdance-25 posterONE REHEARSES, THE OTHER DOESN’T

ONE REHEARSES poster 2

An extraordinary cinematic memoir where truth and fiction obliterate boundaries, Jessica Hankey‘s short, “ONE REHEARSES, THE OTHER DOESN’T,” rocked Slamdance 2025.

Part confessional and all raw emotions, ONE REHEARSES jarring nature is exhilarating. Marjorie Annapav divulges unfiltered intimacy, from her time as a sex worker in the 70s to witnessing a murder. Her life is the stuff of any writer’s dreams. Ann Randolph gives such a solid performance that she will have you question reality. Annapav is undeniably fearless.

one rehearses the other doesn'tThe editing and camerawork celebrate the emotional chaos. In 15 minutes, you get bombarded with unbelievable stories and a mindblowing approach. ONE REHEARSES is art therapy mixed with the exploratory and revealing moments of the rehearsal space. It’s the magic of theatre and cinema and the effects of an open-minded director. This short is an exquisite give-and-take that captivates the viewer from every approach.

ONE REHEARSES, THE OTHER DOESN’T Teaser Trailer:

SYNOPSIS:
In One Rehearses, the Other Doesn’t Marjorie Annapav plays herself as she immerses in improvisational work and on-stage rehearsals with a fictionalized performance teacher. Drawing from her personal history, she enacts scenes based on the murder of her boyfriend by the mob and her time as a sex worker in 1970s New York. In an effort to discover a version of her life that can play to audiences, Marjorie will probe overlooked behaviors, desires, selves. A peripheral figure in American Surrealism, Annapav is noted for her relationship with artist William Copley, who once claimed he sold his art collection in order to pay her to marry him. InOne Rehearses, the Other Doesn’t, gender, power, economic exchange, and the artifice of storytelling shape a drama of rehearsal and reinvention.

Jessica Hankey:Director/Co-Writer/Producer: Jessica Hankey
Writers: Ann Randolph, Marjorie Annapav, Jessica Hankey,
Victor Kaufold

Producers: Keren Hantman, Jessica Hankey
Creative Producer: Gaby Hoffman
Editors: Julia Straface, Jessica Hankey
Cinematographers: Chris Dapkins, Helki Frantzen
Sound: Dalmar Montgomery, Chris Ward
Music: Corey Fogel
Cast: Marjorie Annapav, Ann Randolph
TRT: 15:49 min
Country: USA

slamdance25 logo

For all things Slamdance, click here!

‘AZI’ (Sundance 2025 short) Palpable tension and one hell of a tease.

Sundance 2025 banner logo

AZI

Azi_poster2024

Montana Mann‘s Sundance 2025 short film AZI is an intriguing cat-and-mouse game of power. A weekend trip away takes an odd but intriguing turn when a challenge presents itself. Seemingly harmless fun turns into something (perhaps) more sinister in a matter of hours.

Azi still 1The dynamic between 17-year-old Azi and her best friend’s father’s new girlfriend moves from passive-aggressive to outright challenge. You can cut the tension with a knife. Mann delivers enough longing looks between Wool and Goodjohn to wager guesses about each woman’s motivation. You’re dying to know what happens next once the screen goes black.

Breeda Wool has a talent for choosing juicy roles in indie films. Any cinephile of the genre knows her work, and her turn as Elizabeth is no exception. Wool brings an aura that is generally unexplainable other than to say you feel compelled to watch her. Dior Goodjohn is utterly captivating in the titular role. Where has she been all my life? Her ability to match Wool’s energy and presence should make heads turn. They make a dazzling pair.

Azi-Still_2Thankfully, a feature-length version of AZI is already in the works. Sundance 2025 audiences are in for one hell of a tease. These are guaranteed seats in butts whenever production is complete. Count me very much in.


Remaining Screening of AZI:

Jan 31, 1:10 PM  MST
Screening

Megaplex Redstone – 2

Park City

Jan 30, 10:00 AM  EST –
Feb 3, 6:55 AM  EST
Online Screening

Inspired by director and writer Montana Mann’s own coming-of-age experience, AZI tells the intimate and timely story of a Persian-American teenager contending with her identity and sexuality. The short follows seventeen-year-old Azi (Dior Negeen Goodjohn) on a weekend away with her best friend’s family, where she unexpectedly forms a mysterious and electric connection with another woman on the trip, Elizabeth (Breeda Wool), resulting in a psychological game that raises complex questions about their motives, power dynamics and the ability to take control of one’s own agency.


Montana Mann is a Persian-American award-winning writer/director from Virginia. Her most recent narrative short film, AZI, world premiered at Palm Springs International Shortfest, and won the SAGindie Award at HollyShorts. The feature adaptation of the same short participated in the 2024 Film Independent Fast Track program. As part of the MENA/SWANA diaspora, her work explores the journey of finding one’s identity as a female living between two cultures.

Producer Steven Snyder is an independent producer who most recently worked with Jim Burke at his company, Innisfree Pictures. There, he worked on the production of Green Book, which won three Academy Awards including the Oscar for Best Picture. He is an executive producer on Dreamin’ Wild, which world premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and was released through Roadside Attractions. He is a 2024 Film Independent Fellow and was selected to participate in Inside Out’s International Finance Forum promoting queer creatives.

 

Sundance 2025 banner logoFor more Sundance coverage, click here!

 

‘FROM GROUND ZERO’ (2025) A multi-hyphenate anthology inside war torn Gaza

FROM GROUND ZERO 

PALESTINE’S OFFICIAL SELECTION FOR THE 97TH ACADEMY AWARDS

From Ground Zero poster

Movie poster design by Chargefield Inc.

Our brains cannot fully process some things unless circumstances force them upon us. Even then, reality can be a cruel, unrelenting mistress. In producer RASHID MASHARAWI‘s heartwrenching film FROM GROUND ZERO, 22 short films from displaced citizens of Gaza expose the devastation, chaos, and seeds of hope. Raw storytelling from varying genres delivers all the emotion. The films range from three to six minutes, each having an extraordinary impact.

From Ground Zero No SignalFootage from those rescued from collapsed buildings, unimaginable loss, children caught in a tornado of violence, every film is immersive and visceral. The bravery and passion of the filmmakers are on full display. The viewing experience is heavy, inspiring, and vital, particularly for those who believe we should stop funding humanitarian efforts abroad. Amongst turmoil on American soil, we should thank our lucky stars for the privilege of honoring the ongoing courage, compassion, and unity of the Gazan people. FROM GROUND ZERO is a must-watch.

Below, you can find the breakdown of each film.

From Ground Zero Soft Skin


FROM GROUND ZERO Trailer:

PRODUCED BY RASHID MASHARAWI
A COLLECTION OF 22 UNTOLD SHORT STORIES FROM FILMMAKERS LIVING THROUGH WAR IN PRESENT-DAY GAZA
In Theaters January 3, 2025 

 

2024 Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival

2024 Official Selection – Boston Palestine Film Festival 

2024 Official Selection – Middle East Now Firenze

2024 Official Selection – DC Palestinian Film & Arts Festival

2024 Official Selection – Urban World

From Ground Zero Taxi Wanissa

Official Synopsis:

22 Palestinian filmmakers living through war capture their lives in Gaza over the past year, revealing stories beyond the headlines. Their work offers a striking view of life’s fragility and the resilience of love in the face of devastation. 

Each film, ranging in length from three to six minutes, presents a unique perspective on the current reality in Gaza. The project captures the diverse experiences of life in the Palestinian enclave, including the challenges, tragedies, and moments of resilience faced by its people. Using a mix of genres including fiction, documentary, docu-fiction, animation, and experimental cinema, From Ground Zero presents a rich diversity of stories that reflect the sorrow, joy, and hope inherent in Gazan life.

Despite harsh filming conditions, Gaza’s vibrant artistic scene shines through this stunning anthology film, which offers an intimate and powerful portrait of daily life in modern-day Palestine – and the enduring spirit of its people.

 

OPENING JANUARY 3RD

The full list of openings can be found here: https://fromgroundzero.url.film/

FROM GROUND ZERO
Producer and Project Supervisor: Rashid Masharawi
Executive Producer: Laura Nikolov
Editors: Denis Le Paven, Pauline Eon
Editor and Post-Production Supervisor: Denis Le Maven
Sound Designer and Mixer: Sarah Fasseur-Leroux
Production Coordinator (Gaza): Yafa Masharawi
Production Coordinator (France): Alexis Auffret
Graphic Designer: Ala’ Abu Ghoush
Music By: Naseer Shamma
Produced by: Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in Gaza and Coorigines Production
Language: Arabic with English Subtitles
Genre: Documentary
Country: Palestine, France, Qatar, Jordan
Distributor: Watermelon Pictures
Run Time: 112 minutes

The Filmmakers
PART ONE
Reema Mahmoud – “Selfie” 
Reema Mahmoud, a Palestinian film director specializing in women’s and youth issues, has directed over twenty films. With a BA in Media and Communication and diplomas in Palestinian Studies and film production, she has won several awards, including the 2020 Creative Woman Award and the 2021 Best Short Film Award.
 
Muhammad Al Sharif – “No Signal” 
Muhammad Al Sharif, based in Gaza, holds a Business Administration degree and a Cinema Diploma. He is an actor and director, known for the short film Min Wen Lawen, hosting Shobak Al-Balad, and acting in Chi Ann Blaze of Fury. He has extensive training in acting, cinematography, and film production.
 
Ahmed Hassouna – “Sorry Cinema” 
Ahmed Hassouna, a film director under siege and bombardment in northern Gaza, was a cinema buff before the war, passionately working in the industry, following it, and studying it closely. He made many feature and short films, earning the nickname “Cinema Marathon” due to his restless pursuit of cinematic art.
 
Islam Al Zeriei – “Flashback” 
Islam Al Zeriei, born in Gaza, is a skilled TV and documentary filmmaker with a diploma in TV Arts from Palestine College. She has extensive experience in video and photo editing, and has worked with various organizations including Ashtar for Theatre Productions and the Women’s Affairs Center. Al Zeriei is proficient in Adobe software and active in media advocacy.
 
Mustafa Kolab – “Echo”
He was born in September 1972. He is a professional with fifteen years of experience in the production of animated films. He uses animation methods for psychosocial interventions with children. He ran the Fekra Arts Institute in Gaza for ten years and worked in theatre productions.
 
Nidal Damo – “All is Fine”
Nidal Damo, born in 1971 in Nuseirat, Gaza, is a theatre director and actor. He directed several children’s plays and acted in notable works like All is Well and Sarah. He holds a BA in Social Work from Al-Quds Open University and trains in drama and psychological
support.
 
Khamis Masharawi – “Soft Skin” 
Khamis has worked on numerous films in the field of decoration. He is a set designer and children’s animation trainer. He is one of the founders of the Fekra Foundation in Gaza, which trains children to engage with the film industry as a form of art therapy.
 
Bashar Al Balbisi – “Charm” 
Bashar Al Balbisi, a Palestinian from Gaza, is an accomplished dance trainer. He coordinates cultural initiatives and choreographs performances, specializing in traditional and contemporary dance. With experience in educational and cultural institutions, he actively promotes Palestinian heritage through dance and community engagement.
 
Tamer Nijim – “The Teacher” 
Born in Gaza in 1991, Tamer is a theatre and television artist at Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training. He holds a BA in Media from Al-Azhar University and a diploma in Acting and Theatre Training. He has participated in numerous local and international theatre productions and festivals.
 
Ahmed Al Danaf – “A School Day” 
Ahmed Al Danaf, born in Gaza in 1999, is a Palestinian videographer and photographer. He holds a degree in Multimedia from Al-Azhar University and has worked with numerous media organizations including the BBC, ABC News, and Oxfam. Ahmed specializes in documentary filmmaking and media production.

 

Alaa Islam Ayoub – “Overload” 
Alaa Islam Ayoub, a Gaza-based content writer and filmmaker, holds a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from IUG. Experienced in SEO, literary content, and documentary scripts, Alaa also works as a podcast host and voiceover artist, contributing to various media and academic projects.
 
PART TWO
Karim Satoum – “Hell’s Haven” 
Karim Satoum was born and lives in Gaza. He has taken many courses in theatre and has been working as an actor for five years. He has taken part in many plays. Heaven’s Hell
is his first short film.
 
Alaa Damo – “24 Hours” 
Alaa Damo, a Palestinian from Gaza, has a BA in Public Relations. With seven years’ experience in the arts, he specializes in therapeutic art for children and has worked extensively with local institutions to promote creative expression and peace building through the arts.
 
Aws Al Banna – “Jad and Natalię”
Aws Al Banna, 26, from Gaza, is a television and theatre actor, drama teacher, playwright, and director. He studied theatre and his notable works include the series Milad Al-Fajr, Shuhud, and Darb Al-Fida and plays such as Al-Ramadiyun and Rashomon Gate. He has received awards for his children’s theatre projects.
 
Rabab Khamis – “Recycling”
Rabab Khamis, born in Gaza in 1997, is a multimedia specialist with a diploma in digital media. She has directed children’s plays and worked as a drama and psychological support trainer. Khamis has acted in various productions and has skills in Adobe, Microsoft Office, CorelDRAW, and others.
 
Etimad Washah – “Taxi Wanissa”
Based in Gaza, Palestine, Etimad Washah was the Video Program Coordinator at the Women’s Affairs Centre (2001-2018). She is a director of documentary and fiction films on women’s issues, a trainer in cinematography and editing, and has directed women’s film festivals and student film projects.
 
Mustafa Al Nabih – “Offerings” 
Mustafa, a Palestinian writer and director, has published novels and plays, directed 25 plays for children and adults, and created numerous documentaries. He has collaborated with various international channels, won 25 awards, and served as a jury member in many film festivals.
 
Hana Eleiwa – “No”
Hana, a passionate journalist from Gaza City, is the founder and director of Hana Agency, specializing in visual, audio, digital and multimedia services. She manages the digital channel Hona Al Dafa, advises The Al-Fakhoura\Project, and lectures at the University College of Applied Sciences.
 
Wissam Moussa – “Farah and Myriam”
Wissam, born in 1981 in Deir Al Balah, Gaza, is a Palestinian filmmaker and public relations manager at Fursan Al Erada Radio. He has directed several acclaimed films, including 15 in Gazafor Al-Jazeera English, and has participated in numerous international film festivals and conferences.
 
Basel El Maqousi – “Fragments” 
Born in Gaza in 1971, Basel is a visual artist and freelance photographer. He studied art at the YMCA Gaza and attended the Daratal Fununsummer academy. Winner of the Charles Asprey Award and a UNESCO scholarship, he has exhibited internationally and teaches at the Jabalia Rehabilitation Society.
 
Neda’a Abu Hasna – “Out of Frame” 
Neda’a, an experienced Palestinian news editor and presenter, holds a Masters Degree in Audiovisual and Cinema from Carthage University and a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Al-Aqsa University. She has extensive experience in radio, film, and news editing.
 
Mahdi Kreirah – “Awakening” 
Mahdi is a puppet maker and puppeteer who runs a puppet theatre in Gaza. He has produced many plays for children and his productions have been featured on many television programs. He conducts workshops for children to train them in puppet-making and puppeteering.
 
 
MORE ABOUT FROM GROUND ZERO
 
THE INITIAL CONCEPT
From Ground Zero was created by filmmaker Rashid Masharawi and designed to give a voice to the people of Gaza and to document their day-to-day experiences, many of which often go unheard by the outside world



In a war-torn society, where artistic creation is extremely complex, the project sought to capture the diversity of perspectives of Gazans through slice-of-life short films, ranging anywhere from three to six minutes in length. Filmmakers were allowed to tell their story through any genre and cinematic storytelling platform, from fiction to documentary to animation.


SELECTION AND CREATION OF THE FILMS
In order to ensure quality and coherence, a dedicated selection committee was set up to ensure the viability of the short films pitched to be included in the From Ground Zero Project. The committee evaluated every project submitted, giving priority to personal, original stories that focused on the project’s overall message.

Once the 22 projects had been selected, the committee worked closely with the filmmakers to ensure their proper development, from concept to production – tackling real-world obstacles that filmmakers outside of Palestine would never have to consider.

The creation of From Ground Zero required meticulous organization. Tutors based in the Middle East and Europe supervised the projects, while experienced coordinators on the ground in Gaza ensured the technical and human resources needed for filming.

For more film festival favorite features, click here!

‘B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.)’ (DWF NY 2024) Jeskid’s new short film takes on the absurdity of the rat race.

POSTER-DWFNY-2024-480x709B!tch I’m Early

B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.)


In under six minutes, DWF NY 2024 audience winner B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.) manages to be quintessentially New York and entirely universal in climbing the corporate ladder as a woman. This generational battle of two women, who are more alike than they realize, pit themselves against each other for an office promotion. Quite literally racing to the office only to discover someone unexpected in their way at every turn. Actresses Michelle Batista and Jesenia revel in their slapstick abilities, viscous tongues, and fearlessness. Violinist Elizabeth Tsung provides the score in real time, and it is magic. The fast-paced editing is to die for. Filmmaker Jesse “Jeskid” Cowell delivers the laughs and a climax that hilariously satisfies everyone.

B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.) Trailer:

“B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.)” Synopsis:
In the corporate world, being FIRST is all that matters. Two women, a generation apart, find themselves locked in an absurd battle for a coveted promotion. Desperate to outshine each other, the ladies escalate their rivalry from petty arguments to an all-out race to the office. “B!tch I’m Early” delivers a masterclass in comedic timing and mounting tension with an eclectic, diverse cast to back it up. This six-minute gem manages to pack the punch of a full feature, hilariously skewering corporate culture while reminding us that in the rat race, we’re all running in circles.

“B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.) Director Bio:
Jesse “Jeskid” Cowell has been honing his filmmaking craft for over 30 years. Refusing to wait for his big break, Jeskid took to the web in 2003 and has since created over a thousand pieces of content. He has written and directed two independent features online, was one of the first vloggers (pre-YouTube), and has innovated at every stage.
A Webby Award winner with nearly a billion views for his directing and producing work, Jeskid’s impact is undeniable. His film is featured in a chapter of a USC textbook, and his comedy series garnered 10 million views in 2022. Jeskid’s journey proves that art thrives when a determined artist stays true to who they are. Stories must be told. Movies must be made. Creators, like Jeskid, must create.
“B!tch I’m Early” marks Jeskid’s latest foray into one of his favorite genres, the cinematic-comedy made popular by filmmakers such as Edgar Wright and Mike Judge. With an Office Space-like flair, Jeskid mixes a surreal comedy style with the pace of an action movie. Joined by a terrific, diverse cast, he has surrounded himself with talent and has had the time of his life bringing this new vision to fruition.

“B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.)” Director Statement:
I love seeing talented people shine and doing everything in my power to create cinematic universes in which they can. Throw some social commentary, action and laughs in there and I am a happy filmmaker.

DWF NY laFor more DWF NY coverage, click here!

‘CANCHAS’ (DWF NY 2024) A poignant short and snapshot of our collective trauma

POSTER-DWFNY-2024-480x709CANCHAS

CANCHAS-980x551

From the moment it begins, DWF NY 2024 short film CANCHAS perfectly captures the chaos, fear, and unresolved trauma of COVID-19. The story follows a dermatologist who has become a vital frontline worker. The intimate hand camera work immerses the audience in those new and meticulous routines we created in masking, social distancing, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

Watching brings back all the PTSD for this writer of having a three and four-year-old in Manhattan during those days. Unlike so many of our lifelong city dwellers, we did not flee. It was an experience entirely different from suburban living.

CANCHAS is a beautiful platform for leading lady Anuska Martínez. She is equal parts vulnerable, strong, stoic, and resilient. Like NYC, Madrid’s nightly applause from windows and balconies in support of frontline workers felt like a single moment in the day to live in the hope of survival as a human race.

In seventeen minutes, Paula Blanco Pérez delivers a raw and personal short film that hits every emotional note, returning us to the days that challenged the globe in ways I hope we never experience again. It deserves your applause and perhaps a feature-length version.

DWF NY 2024 selection

CANCHAS Trailer: https://vimeo.com/934664452

CANCHAS will have its world premiere at DANCES WITH FILMS NYC on Sunday, December 8. The film follows Bárbara, a dermatologist turned frontline worker in Madrid during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, who endures exhaustion and heartbreak as she fights for her patients against the virus. CANCHAS offers a poignant glimpse into her journey of quiet courage amid an overwhelming crisis.

The film is very personal to Paula, as Bárbara is based on her mother’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. She can discuss her creative process and insights on capturing the essence of a global crisis through the lens of an intimate, personal story.

 

PAULA BLANCO PÉREZ – Director / Writer / Co-Editor

Paula Blanco Pérez is an award-winning filmmaker from Madrid, Spain, who has been making movies in Arkansas for eight years. She has a bachelor’s degree in digital filmmaking and a master’s in film from the University of Central Arkansas. She was Director of Education at Fayetteville Public TV and won a Telly Award for the “Cinematic Rig FPTV Promo” she directed. She has also directed and produced several short films like “Dust,” “Mirona,” and “Dandelion,” which won Best Student Film at the Freedom Festival International 2022 and Best International Film at The Continental Film Festival-Tokyo Edition 2022. She has also directed music videos like “Mistakes & Dear Shadow,” which was nominated for Best Student Film at the California Music Video and Film Awards 2023, commercials, and much more! Her latest film, “Canchas,” was the first international production at the University of Central Arkansas, where she shot it in Spain. She is ambitious and motivated to continue making films that combine her Spanish and American culture!

DWF NY laFor more DWF coverage, click here!

‘STOMACH IT’ (Screamfest 2024 short) The rot of trauma manifests in this affecting body horror

Screamfest 2020 banner logoSTOMACH IT

Stomach It Poster

Peter Klausner‘s Screamfest 2024 short film STOMACH IT highlights the impossible nature of emotionally disconnecting from your job. Jon Lee Richardson holds us captive with a viscerally pained performance as a crime scene cleaner who experiences worsening digestive issues from one job to the next. 

STOMACH IT - Press Assets - Google Drive - drive.google.comIn the first two minutes, the most skin-crawling aspect of this short is not the horrifically laid out crime scenes but the images conjured in our imagination of the people involved. Cinematographer Emily Tapanes forces you into the ick.

STOMACH IT 2 - Press Assets - Google Drive - drive.google.comSpecial FX by Michael Dinetz’s Haunted Dreams Effects Studio are gagworthy. The use of the T-Bones song, “No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In),” is particularly unhinged and most certainly genius. STOMACH IT is the physical manifestation and subsequent consequences of trauma monsters. Peter Klausner has a sick mind, and as a genre fan, I’m here for it.

ISOTRE Films announces the World, Los Angeles and Chicago premieres of STOMACH IT, the new psychological body horror film starring Jon Lee Richardson (BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F), and written and directed by Peter Klausner (COASTING). The film was produced by Klauser and Torey Rubin (RWBY, Zall Good). STOMACH IT made its world premiere at the 55th annual Oscar-qualifying Nashville Film Festival last month and makes its Los Angeles premiere at Screamfest on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 9:30 PM at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew.
 
In STOMACH IT, a crime scene cleaner struggles with emotionally detaching from the deceased’s personal possessions. While on a late night job, he convinces himself a monstrous presence is toying with him.
 
SCREAMFEST 2024 bannerFor more Screamfest, click here!

‘FISHTANK’ (HollyShorts 2024) A wildly effective metaphor.

HollyShorts 2024 logoFISHTANK

Wendi Tang’s stunning new short FISHTANK follows Jules (Tiffany Chu), a Chinese American woman, who has been sober for a year, but can’t stop vomiting goldfish. Things take an unexpected turn when she suddenly meets a fish enthusiast.

fishtank

In Wendi Tang‘s HollyShorts film, FISHTANK, Jules is sober, but now, instead of vomiting from alcohol, she throws up goldfish. When she meets a new partner who seems to love the fish, her path to recovery gets slippery.

Jay Swuen‘s cinematography is elegant and immersive. Startling angles and stunning close-ups keep you both entranced and off-kilter. The soothing score from Caroline Ho lulls us as this little emotional rollercoaster twists and turns.

Tiffany Chu navigates the complexities of this role with grace. Her physical performance is award-worthy, weaving in and out of sick fits and clouded happiness.

This incredible metaphor for self-worth and addiction, gaslighting, and abusive relationships mesmerizes with its creative magical realism. FISHTANK is unlike anything I’ve seen all year. It is an unexpected reclamation of power.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/912507205

Fishtank | Trailer from Wendi Tang on Vimeo.

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    0:17:04
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    USA/China
  • Premiere:
    West Coast
  • Rating:
    G
  • Director:
    Wendi Tang
  • Screenwriter:
    Wendi Tang
  • Producer:
    Philip Yuzhong Ge
  • Cast:
    Tiffany Chu; Isaac W. Jay
  • Cinematographer:
    Jay Swuen
  • Editor:
    Yijuan “Reggie” Zhao; Christine Ho
  • Production Design:
    Cyrum A. Ramírez
  • Sound Design:
    One Thousand Birds

FISHTANK is the Tribeca Women Filmmaker’s Program Winner, the Film Pipeline Short Script Competition Winner in 2022. The film played at the deadCenter Film Festival and SXSW Sydney and will screen at the upcoming Oscar-qualifying Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival and HollyShorts Film Festival.

Wendi Tang is a Los Angeles-based writer/director. She graduated from the NYU Tisch/Stern dual degree program. Wendi’s work focuses on character-driven stories that explore various corners of female narratives. Her short films have been selected by numerous Oscar-qualifying film festivals worldwide, including Flicker’s Rhode Island IFF, the Norwegian Short Film Festival, deadCenter Film Festival, Hollyshorts, and more.  She is a 2022 NYC Women’s Fund winner and a BAFTA Connect Member. She’s currently developing her first feature film.

Philip Yuzhong Ge is a Chinese producer based in LA.  A graduate of the AFI Producing program, Philip produced 30+ short films, music videos, and commercials. These works have been featured by platforms such as 88rising and Nowness China. His narrative and documentary works were selected by and won awards at multiple Oscar-qualified festivals including Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Charlotte, Shorts Shorts, and deadCenter. Philip’s most recent producing credits include Worthy (LALIFF/Netflix Inclusion Fellowship), and Gungnir (Sundance TAAF AAPI Collab). Philip is also a 2024 Film Independent Project Involve Producing Fellow and a 2022 Telluride TeamLAB fellow.

HollyShorts 20th banner

For more short film reviews, click here!

‘THE THAW’ (HollyShorts 2024) A stunning horror folklore begging for a feature

HollyShorts 2024 logo

THE THAW

TheThaw_Still_.01_02_58_03.Still053

Filmmakers Sarah Wisner and Sean Temple‘s striking horror folktale has been killing it on the festival circuit, and rightly so. THE THAW tells the story of a family running low on food for the winter months, tasking their daughter to prepare a sleeping tea that would put them into a deep hibernation state. It does not go well.

Amanda Bowman‘s sound mixing plays a vital role in the film’s creeping intensity. Demi Waldron‘s black and white cinematography is a breathtaking choice combined with Abby Swindler‘s string-heavy score.

TheThaw_Still_.01_10_02_22.Still158I’m not just saying all these nice things because the film happens to feature two of my favorite genre people (and internet friends), Emily Bennett and Toby Poser. Wisner and Temple earn each moment.

Jeffrey Grover is Timothy. His aggressive masculinity is utterly terrifying. His physical performance is shocking. Toby is an opinionated but protective mother. Her gentle vocal tone as Alma is spot on. The matriarch of the Adams Family, her presence is notable to genre junkies.

TheThaw_Still_.01_06_37_17.Still102Emily plays Ruth with a fearful innocence and tenacity. Bennett has that inarguable “it” factor in transforming for each new role. From The King Of Knives to Alone With You, her talent should make her a household name.

A gorgeously detailed production design ties it all together. Would I watch an expanded version of this universe? Absolutely. THE THAW is a real treat for Popcorn Frights 2024 and beyond.

THE THAW – Teaser from Sean Temple on Vimeo.

  • Director: Sarah Wisner and Sean Temple
  • Screenwriter: Sarah Wisner and Sean Temple
  • Producer: Darren Bailey, Nathan Sellers, Sarah Wisner, Sean Temple
  • Cast: Emily Bennett, Jeffrey Grover, Toby Poser
  • Cinematographer: Demi Waldron
  • Editor: Sean Temple
  • Production Design: Deidra Catero
  • Sound Design: Sean Temple and Eli Cohn
HollyShorts 20th bannerFor more short film reviews, click here!

‘DEVOTEE’ (HollyShorts 2024) A bold cult classic *wink, wink

HollyShorts 2024 logoDEVOTEE


2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival

August 8 – 18, 2024

TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Devotee poster

Logline

While up late one night, a precocious boy uncovers his mother’s dark devotion.


Devotee - Grant FeelyIt’s always a bold choice to bring harm to a child. It is even more audacious to have a child witness something eternally scarring. Filmmaker Richard J. Bosner does both in just over six minutes. HollyShorts 2024 film DEVOTEE takes fear back in time when the threat of cults was all the rage. Not the watered-down wackiness of politics, but honest-to-good, off-the-rails, die-for-your-cause cult.

The production design is perfect. It is a mix of leftover 80s staple furniture and an early 90s PC, the only reason we can place the film in a specific era. The score is eerie and ominous.

While Ben Bladon and Mackenzie Firgens (Give Me An A) do a fantastic job of putting the viewer on edge, Grant Feely owns every second of screen time. Feely is a star, delivering pure terror and the end of innocence. All I can say is I hope this is the opening of a feature-length version of DEVOTEE because I need the rest of Ray’s story ASAP.


Devotee - Mackenzie Firgens
About the Director

Richard J Bosner (Producer/ Director) is best known for producing the true story Fruitvale Station starring Octavia Spencer and Michael B. Jordan which received the Sundance Film Festival U.S. Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic category and the Sundance Audience Award, U.S. Dramatic, presented by Acura along with 44 nominations/wins during the 2013 Awards Season.



Bosner has also produced numerous breakout films such as Other People starring Molly Shannon, Black Bear starring Aubrey Plaza, Axelle Carolyn’s horror feature The Manor with Blumhouse TV/Amazon Studios, and Netflix’s Take the 10 starring Josh Peck and Tony Revolori.



In 2019, Bosner was honored as one of the years LATINX Trail-Blazing producers for his substantial contribution to diverse and inclusive filmmaking. He is currently in post-production on Michael Tyburski’s feature Turn Me On starring Nick Robinson and Bel Powley.


Run Time: 7 minutes

Language: English

Country: United States

Writer and Director: Richard J. Bosner

Cast: Grant Feely, MacKenzie Firgens, Ben Bladon

Editor: Robert Schafer (Megalopolis)

Sound: Tom Myers (Skywalker Sound)

For more Short Film coverage, click here!

‘SHOUTING AT THE SEA’ (HollyShorts 2024) A lovely and raw revelation.

HollyShorts 2024 logoSHOUTING AT THE SEA

Two friends reconnect in the seaside town where they grew up. They confront the past, share who they’ve become and conclude the conversation that tore them apart. The ever-present sea narrates a tale of memory, belonging and vulnerability.

shouting at the sea

In director Benjamin Verrall‘s short film, SHOUTING AT THE SEA, old friends meet up and reminisce.

The ever-changing light in SHOUTING AT THE SEA is delicious, and DP Tom Hooker uses every bit of it. The dialogue is funny and raw, becoming more honest as the moments tick by. Joe and Katherine exchange untold childhood trauma, philosophical ideas, and unspoken confessions.

Daisy Haggard voices the sea, offering a poetic narrative of our protagonists’ innermost wishes. It is a dreamy addition to Richie Johnsen‘s wistful score.

Harry Michell gives Joe a down-to-earth quality. He’s an every man existing in a quietly mundane existence. Michell’s gentleness is refreshing. Maddie Rice is Katherine. She is so watchable, possessing a quality similar to Olivia Colman. Rice has a tangible likeability. Michell and Rice share undeniably organic chemistry. It’s a bit mesmerizing.

SHOUTING AT THE SEA reminds us how revitalizing and healing face-to-face interaction can be – no phones, just human connection. It’s a beautiful short, more moving than most features. What a lovely addition to HollyShorts 2024.

SHOUTING AT THE SEA – SHORT FILM – TOFFEE HAMMER – OFFICIAL TRAILER from Toffee Hammer on Vimeo.

Benjamin Verrall’s SHOUTING AT THE SEA takes the audience on a journey of emotions as two friends rekindle their friendship in the town they grew up in. This incredible short film is set to premiere at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. SHOUTING AT THE SEA stars Harry Michell (Hijack, Life After Life) and Maddie Rice (Fleabag, The Other One), the sea is voiced by Daisy Haggard (Breeders, Boat Story).

Director and co/writer Benjamin Verrall has always been drawn to the power and mystery of the sea – a theme that resonates in SHOUTING AT THE SEA. Since graduating from film school, Benjamin has carved out a successful career in the media industry. His journey led him to establish Toffee Hammer, a creative agency and production company that has gained recognition for its innovative storytelling and collaborative ethos.

Co-writer/producer Kate Auster has over 10 years of experience and a diverse portfolio. Her design background brings a unique blend of artistic insight and technical expertise to film production.

Co-writer/producer Ruth Marshall excels in commissioned digital content for learning communication and narrative filmmaking.

Co-writer/producer Amelia Rowcroft has previously worked as a sculptor on films including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Hugo, Atonement, and Batman Begins. Her recent work includes HollyShorts selected SHOUTING AT THE SEA.

The incredibly cinematic cinematography was carefully created by Tom Hooker.

HollyShorts 20th banner

For more short film reviews, click here!

‘THE DOG’ (HollyShorts 2024) Danielle Baynes’ powerful short pierces your heart.

HollyShorts 2024 logoTHE DOG

the Dog poster

In filmmaker Danielle Baynes‘ short, THE DOG, a particularly trying shift at a small 24-hour veterinary clinic takes a turn as a struggling veterinarian has increasingly dark thoughts. 

Sam Hayward‘s sound mixing is a triumph. The repeating audio of a wolf’s growl raises the hairs on your arms. If you have sensory issues, and even if you don’t, THE DOG will make you cringe. The music from One Above is beautiful. 

The Dog stillKate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy) is outstanding as a woman on the brink. Her physical performance is seeped in anguish. Walsh is such a pro in tackling characters in the emotional trenches. 13 Reasons Why introduced her to a younger, perhaps even broader audience than Grey’s, and she continues to select roles that showcase her dazzling abilities. 

THE DOG is a stunning metaphor for depression and suicidal ideation. HollyShorts 2024 audiences are privileged to witness this slice of cinematic magic.

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    0:12:00
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    Australia
  • Premiere:
    West Coast
  • Rating:
    M
  • Director:
    Danielle Baynes
  • Screenwriter:
    Danielle Baynes
  • Producer:
    Danielle Baynes, Lottie Aspinall, Morgan Hind
  • Cast:
    Kate Walsh, Justin Amankwah, Jeremy Waters, Emalia, Hunter Sabe
  • Cinematographer:
    Stefan Duscio
  • Editor:
    Shannon Michaelas
  • Production Design:
    Ella Deane
  • Sound Design:
    Sam Hayward
HollyShorts 20th bannerFor more short film reviews, click here!

‘BANGS’ (Fantasia 2024 short) Sinfully relatable.

Fantasia 2024 logoBANGS

Bangs-PosterMontreal-based comedy duo Emelia Hellman and Nancy Webb (Hellgirl Productions) bring their paranoia-fueled short Bangs to Fantasia Festival’s Fantastiques week-ends du cinéma québécois this summer for the film’s Canadian premiere.

Bangs Still 3

On the eve of hosting a dinner party for her 30th birthday, a woman cuts her hair. When her friends don’t notice, it drives her mad. Nancy Webb‘s Fantasia 2024 short film BANGS has unexpected fringe benefits. Pun, very much intended.

With each passing hour that her guests don’t mention the bangs, our protagonist becomes tenser and more enraged. The audience is in on the joke, making us increasingly nervous. But the film does not go the way you might expect.

BANGS 2

The handheld camera work gives the audience an immersive feel. Partly fly on the wall, but mostly, chaotically a member of the friend group. Lead Emelia Hellman, who co-writes the script with Webb, is excellent. She perfectly captures the need for approval and the rush of dopamine a compliment can supply.

BANGS is smirk-inducing and cringey in the best way. It’s an entirely relatable set-up. It is a commentary on narcissism and perceived identity, with a bit of magic realism thrown in for good measure.

DIRECTOR

Nancy Webb

PRODUCER

Emelia Hellman

WRITER

Emelia Hellman, Nancy Webb

CAST

Travis Cannon, Nicky Fournier, Emelia Hellman, Kelly Kay Hurcomb, Andi E McQueen, James Watts

For all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

‘BERTA’ (Fantasia 2024) Female rage is the best kind

Fantasia 2024 logoBERTA

Berta poster

The story of a woman called Berta who seeks understanding from a man that hurt her in the past. Despite her methods might be seen as unorthodox, she’ll make her point.

Berta still 2Nerea Barros captivates as the titular character. She walks a perfect line between anxiety and persistence. Barros becomes a feminist icon we so desperately need.

Think Hard Candy meets Promising Young Woman. BERTA nails the subgenre. The practical FX team delivers sleight-of-hand twice.

Filmmaker Lucía Former Segarra‘s writing is so slick. She comes full circle in her shorts trilogy, specifically calling out the names of her previous films in the dialogue. BERTA is the ultimate form of therapy for all of us with unresolved trauma. It is a delicious treat for our revenge fantasies.

For previous years’ BORN OF WOMAN coverage click here and here!

Find all other Fantasia 2024 coverage right here 🙂

‘ESCAPE ATTEMPT’ (Fantasia 2024 short) Chilling and visually stunning

Fantasia 2024 logoESCAPE ATTEMPT

Escape Attempt – Film - Aggressive - aggressive.tv

A desperate man tries to make his way to an uninhabited planet with the help of a young and idealistic couple. In their Fantasia 2024 short ESCAPE ATTEMPT, directors Daniel Shapiro and Alex Topaller take audiences on a journey across time, space, and humanity. Based on a novella of the same name by the Strugatsky Brothers, this dazzling twenty-nine minutes of storytelling hits harder than you might expect. Performances are outstanding across the board. Without spoiling the impact of this explosive narrative, I can easily say that it is a visually exciting and thoroughly engaging dive into the metaphor for the cyclical nature of history—the cliche warning about what happens when we don’t learn from our past. I highly recommend seeking out this short. I imagine it is only the beginning for Shapiro and Topaller.

Daniel Shapiro and Alex Topaller, founders of the Aggressive design studio, deliver the US/Polish co-production ESCAPE ATTEMPT based on the Strugatsky Brothers’s novella of the same name. 

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia 2023

FilmQuest 2023

Landshut Short Film Festival 2024

Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024

HONORS

Grand Prize – FilmQuest 2023

Best Sci-Fi Short – FilmQuest 2023

Navigator Award for Best Sci-Fi Film – Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2024

DIRECTOR

Daniel Shapiro, Alex Topaller

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Jacek Kulczycki, Daniel Shapiro, Alex Topaller

PRODUCER

Lukasz Tomasz Koltunowicz

WRITER

Christina Lazaridi, Daniel Shapiro, Alex Topaller

CAST

Anna Burnett, Andrzej Chyra, Ieuan Coombs, Piotr Witkowski

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Pils Kajetan

 
Fantasia 2024 posterFor all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

(Tribeca 2024 shorts) ‘A ROSE FOR KATRINA, ‘ ‘LICE,’ ‘MY BEST FRIEND,’ & ‘WHEN EVERYTHING BURNS’ – Exemplary work from across the globe

tribeca 2024 logoTribeca 2024 Shorts


A ROSE FOR KATRINA Tribeca 2024 Shorts

https://tribecafilm.com/films/rose-for-katrina-2024

ROSE_FOR_KATRINA-Clean-16x

Short | Australia | 9 MINUTES | English

Harry Quinlan‘s short film A ROSE FOR KATRINA is technically dizzying. Augmented and overlapping sound editing combined with its one continuous take filmed from outside the busy household immediately throws you into a subconscious panic.

An unknowing Michael shows up for a first date, rose in hand for a girl named Katrina. Accosted at the front door by her twin and surrounded by the chaos inside, his frustrations get the better of him. When Katrina tracks him down outside, the questions don’t end there.

The dialogue barrels ahead like a freight train, weaving in and out of innocuous and aggressive. A ROSE FOR KATRINA leaves you buzzing. It would be impossible to move on without debating what you witnessed.


LICE Tribeca 2024 Shorts

https://tribecafilm.com/films/lice-2024

LICE-Clean-16x9-02 Tribeca 2024 shorts

Short | India, United States | 14 MINUTES | English, Hindi | English subtitles

Filmmaker Vindhya Gupta‘s Tribeca 2024 short LICE tackles the challenges of childhood cruelty and power dynamics. The subject had me itching and cringing as a former teacher and mother of two elementary-aged children. In the film, we find two girls, one a popular bully and the other a quiet loner. When Roshni tries to blame her lice infestation on Chakor, an unusual friendship begins, but are her intentions pure?

Guilt and redemption flow through the lines. DP Maria Belen Poncio captures eye-catching natural light in India’s architecture. The final scene puts you through the emotional wringer. Each viewer may take away a different ending. Either way, the film serves attention for its tangible dialogue, compelling performances, and universal messaging.


MY BEST FRIEND Tribeca 2024 Shorts

https://tribecafilm.com/films/my-best-friend-2024

MY_BEST_FRIEND-Clean-16x9-0Short | United States, France | 18 MINUTES | English, French | English subtitles

A post-breakup Clara (Marie Zabukovec) meets up with her best friend Léa (Lana Boy) for a staycation in NYC. Léa divulges she has convinced her boyfriend to have an open relationship. Will a night alone bring friends closer together or push them apart?

The natural lighting in each scene is a visual gift. Watching the credits shows you the predominantly female crew, making a difference in storytelling and environment as this dynamic spills into the project in all the right ways.

My Best Friend encompasses female friendship to a tea. It expresses the beauty and purity of everything and nothing all at once. Marie Zabukovec and Lana Boy are spectacular. Their chemistry feels palpably authentic. It’s movie magic. Filmmaker Elina Street has a dazzling gem in MY BEST FRIEND.


WHEN EVERYTHING BURNS Tribeca 2024 Shorts

https://tribecafilm.com/films/mazda-presents-moving-the-spotlight-2024

cuando_todo_arde-- when everything burns poster

Maria Belen Poncio‘s Tribeca 2024 short begins with a bang and an ominous visual. Isabel is a fire brigade volunteer with no official authority besides her moral compass. As the flames swiftly approach a neighborhood, she shares a stubborn fortitude with a local man, each standing their ground to survive.

Juan Pablo Toch‘s poignant score says it all. Lead actors Annabella Bacigalupo and Ruben Gattino speak volumes in their silence and circumstances, with each generation silently resigned to the world’s fate by the time the screen goes black. In 12 minutes, WHEN EVERYTHING BURNS is powerful.

Tribeca 2024 Shorts

For more Tribeca 2024 coverage, click here!

‘SWEATY LARRY’ (DWF:LA 2024) Gen Z’s newest and funniest superstition

DWF-LA logoSWEATY LARRY

https://danceswithfilms.com/sweaty-larry/

SWEATY LARRY

80s and 90s kid here. Ouija boards and Blood Mary were a right of passage at sleepover parties or Saturday nights. Filmmaker Vanessa Ionta Wright delivers a new generation of jaded kids trying to scare themselves in a world where they’ve already seen it all thanks to the internet. Our three youngest stars, Sienna Burton, Quinn Reames, and Camryn Bentley, eat the screen up with genuine laughs and an authentic level of “suss.” I loved everything about them.

Sweaty-Larry - GirlsOur introduction to Sweaty Larry is as ridiculous as it should be, and the original song saying over the credits (written and performed by ATL’s Ross Childress, co-founder of the rock band Collective Soul) is a straight banger. SWEATY LARRY is the brilliant reason a festival’s Midnight section exists. I loved everything about it.

WRITER/DIR: Vanessa Ionta Wright
PRODS: Ryan Burton, Rozalyn Mattocks, Tony Reames
CAST: Haley Leary, Victor Rivera, Sienna Burton, Quinn Reames, Camryn Bentley

Sweaty Larry the man

Three curious young girls stumble upon an obscure urban legend and summon the infamous entity known as Sweaty Larry. They were warned…they were warned.

For more Dances With Films coverage, click here!