Latest news with #shortfilms
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bread Zombies, Operatic Tapeworms, Nuclear Fallout and Storm Trooper Trauma Feature in our 10 Shorts Not to Miss at Annecy 2025
Despite its constant growth and status as the animation industry's most important animation event for studios, filmmakers, students and fans, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival remains, at its core, one of the world's greatest platforms for animated short films. Below, we take a closer look at 10 animated shorts competing at this year's festival that attendees won't want to miss. We're not saying these are the best 10 shorts; we'll leave that to the judges, but we believe each offers something unique that anyone fortunate enough to attend this year's event may appreciate. More from Variety Anime-Inspired 'Miraculous' Spinoff 'Miraculous Stellar Force' Acquired by Disney With a 2025 Special and 2027 Series Launch Planned (EXCLUSIVE) 'Spidey and his Amazing Friends,' 'Dragon Striker' and 'Sam Witch' Headline Disney Branded TV's Annecy Slate (EXCLUSIVE) 'Olivia & the Clouds' Director Tomás Pichardo Espaillat on the Wild Collaborative Animation Process of His Annecy Player: 'It Was Chaotic and Crazy' '9 Million Colours,' Bára Anna (Czech Republic, Norway, Germany) Bára Anna's '9 Million Colours' is a vibrant and brilliantly lit 15-minute stop-motion musical that explores the unlikely bond between Fran, a multi-colored mantis shrimp, and Milva, a blind deep-sea fish. Set in a surreal underwater world, the film delves into themes of perception, difference and acceptance. Without dialogue, it relies on expressive animation and an evocative score by Floex to convey its narrative. The film's distinctive blend of puppetry and stop-motion animation crafts a whimsical yet poignant tale that will resonate with audiences of any age. A Cartoon Springboard standout as a project, the finished film's inclusion in this year's festival underscores its artistic merit and emotional depth. 'Atomik Tour,' Bruno Collet (Czech Republic, France) In 'Atomik Tour,' Bruno Collet merges social media documentary realism with surreal stop-motion as a Cold War tour guide leads us through an abandoned nuclear site via a video streaming app. With dark humor and eerie nostalgia, Collet critiques both the absurdity and the tragedy of nuclear history while occasionally shocking the audience with psychological thrills. His miniature sets brim with unsettling detail, and the uncanny monotone characters deliver deadpan lines that hit with precision. It's a timely and quietly powerful film that exposes how we commemorate, or forget, collective trauma. 'Bread Will Walk,' Alex Boya (Canada) 'Bread Will Walk' is as strange as it is magnetic. Iconic Canadian filmmaker Alex Boya delivers an intoxicatingly grotesque piece of hand-drawn surrealism, featuring walking loaves of bread and melting anatomies. It's equal parts body horror, cannibalism and existential comedy, steeped in absurdist traditions. Boya's signature drawing style, fluid and twitching, brings his warped vision to life. This short, voiced entirely by Canadian actor Jay Baruchel, dares viewers to keep looking as its characters morph and are forced towards unenviable decisions. 'Carcassonne-Acapulco,' Marjorie Caup, Olivier Héraud (France) A brightly colored stop-motion short with a vintage and hyper-stylized aesthetic, 'Carcassonne-Acapulco' unspools aboard flight 7836. Cutesy felt sets and characters, and a charming ukulele soundtrack, set up viewers for a surprise when the crew faces an unexpected knock on the cockpit door mid-flight, prompting a tense and comedic dilemma as otherwise casual pilots debate whether to allow the knocker in. The film's meticulous puppet animation and witty storytelling have already garnered significant acclaim, earning it a spot at the Unifrance Short Film Awards. 'The Girl Who Cried Pearls,' Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski (Canada) Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski's 'The Girl Who Cried Pearls' is a haunting fable that delves into sorrow, love and the corrupting power of greed. Premiering as one of the opening-night shorts at this year's festival, this Canadian title showcases the duo's signature handcrafted puppetry and surreal storytelling. With a poignant score by Patrick Watson, the film immerses viewers in a melancholic tale where a girl's tears transform into pearls, leading to unforeseen consequences. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, this short is one in a long line of standout titles that benefit from one of the world's most prolific and supportive public filmmaking programs. 'Life With an Idiot,' Theodore Ushev (France) Inspired by Victor Erofeyev's novella, 'Life With an Idiot' is a tour de force of political expression and raw emotion. Theodore Ushev, whose 2019 short 'The Physics of Sorrow' made our must-watch list at Annecy 2020, adapts the story into a stark, expressionistic film filled with jagged edits and visceral brushstrokes. In the film, a protagonist accused of not working hard enough is forced to live with an idiot as punishment. Pulled from an asylum, the nearly deaf roommate can only utter a single syllable: 'Ech.' Domestic chaos leads to societal critique backed by an aggressive sound design and stark aesthetic. Ushev's latest, produced by French powerhouse Miyu Productions, demands attention and leaves a mark. 'My Wonderful Life,' Calleen Koh (Singapore) Koh's 'My Wonderful Life' is a sharply observed satire of modern society as experienced by an overworked and underappreciated mother of two. Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids. When her hospital stay is set to end, she begins a series of over-the-top self-mutilations to avoid returning to her unappreciative dependents, but grows to miss and appreciate the joy that they bring into her life. 'Star Wars: Visions – Black,' Shinya Ohira (Japan) One of the most experimental entries in the Star Wars: Visions anthology, 'Black' by Shinya Ohira reimagines the galaxy through a gritty, impressionistic lens. Known for his frenetic animation and abstract storytelling, Ohira delivers a visually explosive meditation on conflict and identity. Far from traditional fan service, this short dives into the psychological toll of warfare and the ambiguity of heroism. It's Star Wars stripped to its philosophical bones, raw, kinetic and unforgettable. An upbeat and frenzied jazz soundtrack fuels the most visually stunning interpretation of the Death Star's destruction that we've ever seen. 'Sulaimani,' Vinnie Ann Bose (France) In 'Sulaimani,' Vinnie Ann Bose crafts a delicate, introspective narrative centered on a restaurant meal and cup of spiced tea, and the memories those dishes evoke in two Malaysian women living in Paris, although for vastly different reasons. Through textured stop-motion animation for present-day scenes and colorful hand-drawn sequences for flashbacks, the film captures the diaspora experience with warmth and nuance. As stories of love, loss and migration unfold over small bites and careful sips, Bose paints a portrait of identity steeped in sensory memory. Intimate and powerful, 'Sulaimani' is a heartfelt ode to cultural reflection and belonging. 'Tapeworm Alexis & the Opera Diva,' Thaïs Odermatt (Switzerland) In one of the festival's most delightfully bizarre entries, Thaïs Odermatt introduces us to a tapeworm named Alexis who accompanies the legendary opera diva Maria Callas across her rise to Prima Assoluta. 'Tapeworm Alexis & the Opera Diva' is a brilliant absurdist comedy, blending crude humor with unexpectedly tender moments and ruminations on contemporary themes. With vibrant, squiggly animation that relies heavily on archival imagery and a riotous sense of rhythm, Odermatt delivers a short that is both a parody and a love letter to one of opera and pop culture's greatest 20th century icons. It's grotesque, hilarious and strangely endearing. Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Film festival showcases what artificial intelligence can do on the big screen
NEW YORK — Artificial intelligence 's use in movie making is exploding. And a young film festival, now in its junior year, is showcasing what this technology can do on screen today. The annual AI Film Festival organized by Runway, a company that specializes in AI-generated video, kicked off in New York Thursday night with ten short films from around the world making their debut on the big screen.
Japan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Six short films that capture our world in mere minutes
With 27 years under its belt, Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia continues to prove that evocative storytelling can be packed into just a few minutes of screen time. Launched in 1999, the festival is among the largest of its kind in the Asian region. Winners in three Competition categories — live-action, animation and nonfiction — are eligible for nomination in the short film category at the Academy Awards. This year's edition will open May 28 at the newly opened Takanawa Gateway City in Tokyo's Minato Ward and run at that venue and others across the capital until the awards ceremony on June 11. Part of the lineup is also available as online screenings, which kicked off April 24 and will continue through June 30. This year's lineup includes 250 films from Japan, Asia and beyond, selected from a pool of 4,592 submissions. Though many are by newcomers hoping to use their shorts as calling cards, well-known names appear in the credits of others as actors, producers or directors, and others have already picked up awards on the international festival circuit. In addition to the Competition sections, Short Shorts offers a diverse range of programs, including the new Horror and K-Short sections, as well as Saudi Visions, which commemorates 70 years of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan. The festival will also mark 80 years since the end of World War II with a program titled War and the Power to Live. With hundreds of titles on offer, even the most devoted cinephiles might appreciate a little guidance. To help navigate the lineup, here are six standouts worth seeking out. 'Marion' (France, U.K.; 2024) Produced by Academy Award-winning actor Cate Blanchett, this short by Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine centers on the only female ecarteur — or bull dodger — in course landaise, the nonlethal French version of bullfighting in which performers, armed with only skill and courage, face hard-charging bulls. The eponymous protagonist performs her dangerous work while her young daughter waits for her backstage — until she decides to see what her mom is doing in the bull ring that has drawn shouts and gasps from the crowd. The resulting tension comes from the heart-in-throat realization that the horns Marion dodges can be fatal — and that her daughter may be in for the shock of her life. 'Marion' provides a glimpse into the lives of bull dodgers, who perform a nonlethal version of bullfighting. | COURTESY OF SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 'Drifting' (Ireland; 2020) Featuring the first film appearance by 'Gladiator II' star Paul Mescal, this 2020 short by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney follows two longtime friends in a rural Irish village who are about to part ways. One is headed for Australia; the other — played by Mescal — is staying behind, stuck in a dead-end existence he's only beginning to confront. Mescal's character is a feckless charmer who brawls as easily as he smiles, but the departure of his friend hits harder than expected. With its taut storytelling, incisive character portrayals and a powerhouse performance by Mescal, 'Drifting' is a small gem. 'Drifting,' by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, stars Paul Mescal in his first film appearance. | COURTESY OF SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 'A Midsummer Story' (Japan; 2023) Screening in the Japan competition section is veteran director Shunji Iwai's 2023 short about a reclusive woman (played by singer-songwriter Aina the End) who is obsessed with her handsome neighbor. Secluded in her stifling apartment during a heat wave, she tracks his every move. A remake of a 1992 short Iwai shot early in his career, the film reflects his abiding interest in the inner lives of women who are outsiders. His camera intimately explores everything from his loner protagonist's sensuality — lounging in skimpy summer clothes — to the fragile state of her psyche. Aina the End, who also starred in Iwai's 2023 feature 'Kyrie,' makes the character at once unknowable and sympathetic, as we realize that her one-sided infatuation may be the only thing sustaining her. Japanese filmmaker Shunji Iwai cast singer-songwriter Aina the End in 'A Midsummer Story,' a remake of one of his earlier short films. | COURTESY OF SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 'Will You Come Up?' (South Korea; 2024) Having already accrued 45 awards bestowed by numerous festivals, Son Ho-seung's shocker in the K-Short program stars Kim Ji-woong as a young building security guard who has his eyes on one of the tenants (Cha Su-zin), a mysterious woman in a tight skirt. Telling him she will return from an overseas trip in a week, she leaves but fails to return on schedule. Sensing that something is wrong, the guard decides to investigate and stumbles into a hellscape. Shot with an undercurrent of dark humor and adding a backstory that deftly explains the protagonist's fall from grace to his current lowly occupation, the film announces Son as an accomplished storyteller and shot-maker no doubt destined for a big commercial career. 'Nine Days in August' (Germany; 2024) A part of the Women in Cinema Project, this short by German director Ella Knorz is a slice-of-life look at a young woman's decision to get an abortion immediately after learning she is pregnant. With her rangy figure and brisk, blithe aura, 18-year-old Lea (Marie Nadja Haller) shows no outward signs of her condition, though she is anxious not to tell her supportive father (Frank Voss) about it. In tracking her quest for an abortion, the film rejects melodrama in favor of embracing nonjudgmental sympathy for Lea's choice. She and her situation remain something of an enigma — the father is never identified — but the film subtly frames her choice as one informed by her Gen Z sensibility. German director Ella Knorz tackles the subject of abortion in "Nine Days in August," starring Marie Nadja Haller. | COURTESY OF SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 'In the Words of Firman' (Indonesia; 2024) In his 2024 short screening in the Asia International Program, Indonesian filmmaker Kurnia Alexander probes the conservative attitudes of his country's film industry toward LGBTQ+ talent. Rising star Firman (Mochisyam Hidayat) laughingly brushes off rumors of an off-screen romance while being interviewed for his latest film with his female costar Ayas (Laras Sardi) at his side, but his smiling facade falls when the interviewer asks for his take on allegations of sexual harassment against a trans makeup artist — who happens to be Firman's close friend. As he awkwardly answers — and his manager frantically urges caution — we realize that Firman is firmly closeted and fearful of ruining his career if he defends his pal. As depicted in this cleverly scripted and smoothly directed film from Muslim-majority Indonesia, the dilemma of outing oneself or not feels urgent and of-the-moment. It's also a story the Japanese film industry has yet to tell — unless a short on the Short Shorts lineup I have yet to see has already filled the gap. Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia takes place at venues around Tokyo from May 28 through June 11. Films will also be screened online through June 30. For more information on locations and streaming, visit the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia website
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Does your short horror film make the ‘CUT!'? Win up to RM40,000!
Do you like making movies that give viewers the creeps? 'CUT!' may be the competition for you. (Ampersand Advisory pic) PETALING JAYA : Is your idea of an entertaining film one that's filled with screams, thrills and chills? Are your favourite cinematic scenes the kind that have you squeezing your eyes shut in fear, giving you nightmares later? If your answer is 'yes', then get ready for 'CUT!', Malaysia's premier short horror film competition that's offering participants the chance to win up to RM40,000 in prizes! Launched by award-winning advertising agency Ampersand Advisory, 'CUT!' aims to be the country's biggest platform dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and showcasing emerging storytellers in horror. The competition invites submissions of original completed short horror films rooted in cultural authenticity, craft, and creative risk. 'Globally horror is a leading genre, not just in terms of popularity but also profitability. And the genre is extremely popular among the 600 million residents of Southeast Asia, creating a great audience and, hence, business potential for producers and film financiers,' Ampersand Advisory CEO and founder Sandeep Joseph said at the launch of 'CUT!' on Monday. 'We're creating a space where horror filmmakers can be taken seriously and nurtured into globally competitive storytellers. We hope to unearth and shine a spotlight on new talent who can work with seasoned mentors to grow their careers.' (From left) Ampersand Advisory CEO and founder Sandeep Joseph, Komet Studios chief explorer Ahmad Izham Omar, and actors Craig Conway, Chacko Vadaketh and Ako Mustapha at the launch of 'CUT!' on Monday. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) The competition will be judged by a panel of luminaries comprising Nini Yusof, CEO of Media Prima TV Networks and PrimeWorks; Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, head of Astro Shaw and vice-president of Nusantara, Astro; Ahmad Izham Omar, chief explorer of Komet Studios; and British actor, producer and director Craig Conway ('Dog Soldiers', 'The Descent'). 'It's about sharing stories, nurturing talent, and ensuring the next wave of filmmakers has the support they need to break through,' said Conway, who is also the co-founder of independent film enterprise Turnover XXV. Turnover XXV has partnered with Ampersand Advisory to launch a landmark initiative aimed at championing regional storytelling — the Independent Film Production Partnership (IPP). Unveiled at Velvet Cinemas by GSC, Mont Kiara, the IPP is set to develop original films, foster co-production opportunities, and create a sustainable platform for Southeast Asian creatives to access international industry pathways. The first feature film under the IPP banner is already in development. 'CUT!' is open to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. Films may be in any language spoken in Malaysia, including BM, Chinese, English, any Indian language, or any language from Sabah or Sarawak, as long as English subtitles are included. Do note that any film without English subtitles will be disqualified. British actor, producer and director Craig Conway believes in the importance of nurturing film talent. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) Each submission must have a maximum duration of five minutes or less, excluding the end credits, and must be in the horror genre. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, originality, storytelling, and filmmaking prowess. The Best Horror Film winner will take home RM10,000 and equipment, with RM7,500 and RM5,000 offered for second and third place, respectively. There will also be a RM1,500 prize for two finalists, and a RM1,000 prize for Best Student Film. Additionally, RM1,000 will be awarded in each of the other categories, including Best Scare, Best Screenplay, Best Hair and Makeup, and Best Film Shot Entirely on Phone. So, if you fancy yourself the next John Carpenter, Wes Craven or Mike Flanagan, and think you have what it takes to scare audiences in five minutes, get cracking on that horror short! Entries may be submitted via Ampersand Advisory's website from now until 11.59pm on Sept 19. Judging takes place from Sept 22-Oct 24, with the finale scheduled for Oct 30 or 31.
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Women from Pakistan, Middle East showcase powerful themes at international film festival in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani women filmmakers, along with their colleagues from Egypt, Lebanon, and other countries, this week showcased short films focusing on powerful themes such as grief, resistance, and patriarchal oppression at the ninth edition of the Women International Film Festival (WIFF) in Islamabad. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Organized by the Women Through Film community organization that aims to empower women filmmakers by promoting their art, the ninth edition of the festival was hosted at the Islamabad Community Library at the capital city's I-8 sector on Saturday night. The open-air event showcased 11 short films from filmmakers hailing from eight countries, namely Pakistan, Canada, Spain, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Sweden, and France. Three of the films were Pakistani productions while the rest were helmed by international filmmakers. Each film explored profound themes of grief, resistance and patriarchal oppression. 'This was a dream more than a plan— to encourage women to tell their stories,' Madeeha Raza, WIFF's curator, told Arab News. 'We try to prioritize locally made films, and I am glad we have three Pakistani films this year. The films from Iran and Lebanon touched upon resistance and war and how that affects the lives of normal people,' she said. 'I could resonate with that a lot, which made me choose them.' The festival also featured panel discussions on filmmaking and the role of women in it. Anya Raza, whose film about an Afghan teacher dealing with the horrors of conflict, was one of the highlights of the festival. Alongside her on a panel discussion were filmmakers Marya Javad and Nargis Muneeb, co-founder of the Islamabad Film Society. The conversation delved into the power of storytelling to challenge narratives and provide a voice to marginalized communities. 'This platform was created to give women a space to make films and submit them,' Raza explained. 'The stories seen as controversial need to be shown more because they break the status quo. They shatter the concept of normalcy and allow people to take meaningful lessons.' For Ayesha Siddiqa, a 25-year-old marketing professional, WIFF was an 'eye-opener.' The Egyptian film 'If The Cat Is Gone,' which explored the complexities of friendship and societal judgments, stood out for Siddiqa the most. 'It was a simple story, but it was so relatable,' she told Arab News. 'The way it showcased stereotypes we face every day was impressive.' 'CREATING A COMMUNITY' The event also offered a valuable networking opportunity for filmmakers. Jawad Sharif, a seasoned award-winning filmmaker, said festivals such as the WIFF are essential for the creative community. 'Such events motivate artists. In a society where stories of grief and struggle are often ignored, festivals like this ensure they are heard,' he said. 'It's not just about watching films, it's about creating a community.' Waghma Feroz, a documentary filmmaker from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said events such as WIFF are crucial for women to highlight their issues. 'If women create films, they often focus on women's issues or human rights, which are rarely highlighted in mainstream media,' she pointed out. 'Events like WIFF allow these stories to be told.' Raza, whose film 'On the Mountain' touched upon the struggles of Afghan refugees, agreed. 'Stories about refugees and the human cost of conflict are rarely given space,' she said. 'But they need to be told, and festivals like this ensure they reach the audience.' Due to limited sponsorship this year, the festival was reduced to a three-hour event, which was far shorter than its previous editions. Despite the challenges, Raza remained optimistic about the future. 'We've had highs and lows. Some editions were very well-supported,' she noted. 'This time we couldn't garner much support and had to rely on partners. But next year will be our tenth edition, and we hope to make it grand,' she added.
