Fantastic Short Film Friday - Monster Roll (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Sushi chefs vs Giant Fish Monsters. Seriously what more needs to be said about this short? Sure its incredibly cheesy, but I would watch the hell out of this if it was ever turned into a feature film. Here is the 6-minute short, Monster Roll from filmmaker Dan Blank.

Here's the synopsis from Dan:

Proof-of-concept for a feature about sushi chefs fighting sea monsters. It's a crazy idea, but one we just really wanted to see made. So, we made it.

If you like camp, if you like monster movies, if you like to laugh - you'll get a kick out of this one. The ending sequences are worth the price of admission alone.

Check this out if you want to see something special. Check this out if you want to see how incredibly talented a lot of unknown filmmakers are out there. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Monster Roll.

Monster Roll from Dan Blank on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - As I Am (documentary)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I love documentaries and I love character studies. No piece of fiction in my mind can ever capture the breathe and plight of humanity, of the very existence of man like a documentary can. The short I have for you this week is frankly one of the best I've ever seen in that regard. Here is the 13-minute short, As I Am from filmmaker Alan Spearman.

Here's the synopsis:

Chris Dean’s heart stopped when he was two.When Chris was five, his father was murdered, riddled by more than 20 bullets in a gang shootout.Chris is a poetic observer with much to say about life in South Memphis.

It's not often one can say something is extraordinary- something so breathtaking that it demands people to stand up and take notice. It also doesn't help that I'm a sucker for good poetry. However this is more slam than traditional which will make it far more enjoyable for those that dislike the poetic form if expression (which is probably 90% of the population).

Check this out if you want to see something special. Check this out if you want to see an amazing expression of self seen through the eyes of those living on the fringe of existence. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, As I Am.

As I Am from alan spearman on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Piano Tuner (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. A thriller about a blind Piano Tuner who is more then he seems. The less said about the plot the better, but this short is a great example of what the short form of cinema can do. Here is the 13-minute French thriller, The Piano Tuner from filmmaker Oliver Treiner.

Here's the synopsis:

A blind Piano Tuner finds more then he bargained for when he makes a house call to an old couples home.

Talk about tense. When I first watched this I couldn't help but wonder what the whole point was, a short filled with unlikeable characters acting selfishly. Then around the 10 minute mark the short turns and becomes creepy as hell.

Check this out if you want to see something that will leave you breathless. Check this out if you want to an amazing foreign short that shows you why no one does thrillers like the French. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, The Piano Tuner.

L'ACCORDEUR vost from 24 25 FILMS on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Transfer (animated)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Well, okay this one really isn't a short film per-se, but I still feel its well worth it just for the visuals. What many readers and listeners of the podcast may not know, is that in addition to my obsessive devotion to film and comics, I'm also a huge Japanese anime fan. I've been watching anime for about 24 years of my life and try to watch every anime out there. This music video is from the Japanese Electo-pop group Livetune, featuring the wonderfully poppy vocals of Megumi Nakajima. Here is the 6-minute Japanese animated music video, Transfer from filmmaker Kazuma Ikeda. 

I just love how the music video plays with repeating themes shown in different ways, in different art styles an everything in between. Beyond that though there's really nothing else that needs to be said. Even if you don't like the music I have a feeling you'll still love the animation.


Check this out if you want to see something fun and different. Check this out if you want to listen to some great Japanese electro-pop accompanied by eye catching visuals. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Transfer.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Grounded (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Everyone remembers that first "thing": that first book, that first movie, that first genre they fell in love with - the same genre that as an adult they can continue to return to, a genre they can call home. For me, that genre is science fiction. Sci-fi stories are the perfect breeding ground for introspective and thought provoking stories on the nature of life, the very understanding of existence and how small we really are in the overall scheme of reality. This short is the perfect representation of such themes. Here is the 7-minute sci-fi short, Grounded from filmmakers Kevin Margo and Barrett Meeker.

Here's the synopsis:

One astronaut's journey through space and life ends on a hostile exosolar planet. Grounded is a metaphorical account of the experience, inviting unique interpretation and reflection by the viewer. Themes of aging, inheritance, paternal approval, cyclic trajectories, and behaviors passed on through generations are explored against an ethereal backdrop..

This film is incredibly experimental in the fact that it requires a lot of thinking to understand it's themes, as the story is cyclical in nature. The filmmaker Kevin Margo summed up his ideas on the shorts website:

Themes of aging, inheritance, paternal approval, cyclic trajectories, and behaviors passed on through generations are explored against an ethereal backdrop.

What does it all mean in the end? I like how the filmmakers leave it up to the viewer to decide.

Check this out if you want to see something thought provoking and ethereal. Check this out if you want to see a beautiful and visually stunning piece of silent fiction. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Grounded.

 
Grounded from Kevin Margo on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Always A Fire (documentary)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. For me, nothing hits closer to the heart, nothing is more inspiration, more emotional, then a sports movie. You don't have to be a sports fan to appreciate the heartfelt enthusiasm of its characters and the issues/fears/problems they must face and overcome. This week's short is one of the better stories out there. Here is the 6-minute documentary, Always A Fire from filmmakers Nathan Caswell & Jeremiah Zagar.

Here's the synopsis:

ALWAYS A FIRE is a short documentary film on former New York Giant CHAD JONES—a star athlete from LSU whose promising professional career was put on hold by a tragic car accident before it even had a chance to begin.

The film details Chad's incredible rehabilitation and recovery from the horrific accident that nearly cost him his life. Comprised of intimate interviews with Chad and his trainers, as well as never-before-seen footage of his long road to recovery, the film provides an unflinching view of an elite athlete facing unimaginable tragedy and refusing to submit.

I'm a big football fan so I already knew the man's name and story, but seeing it here, seeing where he is now, hearing about his hopes and dreams - everything just pulled at my cold dark heart. A wonderful melding of old and new footage, the shot of Chad standing in the middle of an empty football stadium, as he hears the roar of the crowd in his minds eye, as he dreams of one day standing on the field, taking at least one snap - a snap of the eternal hope of dreams - it just left me speechless.

Check this out if you want to see an inspirational story of hope and dreams. Check this out if you want to see how sport stories can capture the range of human emotions and heart. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Always A Fire.

 
Always A Fire | Chad Jones Documentary from Union HZ on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Guilt (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Talk about intense. This is one short that will have you gasping for air, dancing on the edge of your seat as you finally take a breath and feel as if you've run a marathon. This is how you make a compact and deeply felt thriller. Here is the 13-minute Spanish short The Guilt from filmmaker David Victori.

Here's the synopsis:

After the murder of Leo's wife a single idea circles endlessly within his head: revenge.

This piece is just stunning. Winner of Youtube's "Your Festival Film Festival" as well as the insane prize of $500,000 from Scott Free (the production company of Ridley and Tony Scott) and the airline Emirates. $500,000! How crazy is that? This is one polished short, one that felt like it could have been directed by the late and great action director Tony Scott. This one's all about the revenge and the age old truism that revenge begets more heartbreak. Mixing beautiful set designs a la MC Escher style, fantastic acting and a nail biting score, the short just screams watch me. Director David Victori is one to watch for. I can easily imagine him releasing soon an amazing movie in the vein of Tell No One and Sleepless Nights.

Check this out if you want to see how thrilling 13-minutes of your life can be. Check this out if you want to see a pulse-pounding foreign short that will leave your mind spinning like after a Twilight Zone episode. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, The Gift.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Maker (animated)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I've made known many times on this blog of my love for stop-motion animation. It's an art form that feels both nostalgic and timeless, an animated art form of painstaking passion and detail. It's an art form that's dying, an art form that I fear may no longer exist 20 years from now. So when I see a new stop-motion animated film, I stand up and take notice. It doesn't hurt that this short also took my breath away. Here is the 6-minute animated short The Maker from filmmaker Christopher Kezelos.

Here's the synopsis:

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

This piece is just stunning. Not only is the animation beautiful, not only is the score hypnotic, but the story and its symbolism had me grinning from ear to ear. I've always liked things that touch on the existential questions of life. What does it mean to live? What does it mean to love? The Maker is all about life and what it takes to make a life, a story of shared moments and heartfelt goodbyes, of hoping the ones you leave behind - the one's you've created - can carry on your legacy.

The filmmaker of the short, Christopher Kezelos perfectly sums up his work in an interview with the online animation magazine, Skwigly:

The Maker explores the preciousness of our moments on earth, the short time we have with loved ones and the enjoyment of one’s life’s work and purpose.

Check this out if you want to see something uniquely beautiful and interesting. Check this out if you want to see the amazing world of storytelling that stop-motion animation can convey. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, The Maker.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Pac-Man: The Movie (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I grew up in the generation of the gamer, the kids who grew up with Nintendo, Sega Genesis, SNES, Neo-Geo and everything in between. As an adult I  don't have the same time as I used to, so playing video games has taken a back seat to the many other geeky things I do with my life. However, I have a fondness for old games (one's that I'm still not very good at), and we all know what the godfather of the tabeltop video gaming is right? It's the yellow glowing ball himself, Pac-Man. Now sit back, relax, ride the nostalgia and get ready to have your mind blown. Here is the 6-minute short Pac-Man: The Movie from filmmaker James Farr.

Here's the synopsis:

A fan film being promoted as the "greatest film never made", this one takes Pac-Man to the real, updated and computerized modern world in an amazing action adventure and what the ramifications of a Pac-Man can mean.

This is from the talented production team, Steelhouse Productions, and being a fan-film, I was blown away by the production values. I would pay good money to see this film and feel that this character would be perfectly suited for the silver screen, unlike many video game adapted movies (of course as long as Uwe Boll is not attached to direct). You feel like you're in the game, playing the game, as you're watching this short - as you feel the rush of the air against your face like riding an insane adrenaline pumping roller-coaster.

Check this out if you want to see something you didn't know you wanted made, but now want it more then ever. Check this out if you want to see what passion for something so simple can bring to a project. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Pac-Man: The Movie.

PAC-MAN The Movie (The Fan Film) from Steelehouse Productions on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Professional (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I love documentaries that showcase a singular outdated job, a job that can easily be done by machines quicker and just as precise as by hand. Jobs worked on by artisans that refuse to give up their craft even if sadly the world is slowly giving up on them. There's true poetry in the life of such a craftsman. Here is the 8-minute documentary short Professional from filmmaker Skylar Nielsen.

Here's the synopsis:

Metal-fabricator Neil Youngberg never planned on taking over his grandfather's business and is now faced with passing on his legacy.

This is the first part in VitaBrevisFilms interview series where they seeks to shed-light on forgotten trades and practices in an evolving America. I commend them for such an undertaking because I can't imagine the marketability for such documentaries as being high, but I do feel that they are important and necessary (and yes I do recognize that I sound like an old man so just get off my lawn already okay?).

Check this out if you want to take a peek into a world that may not exist 10 years from now. Check this out if you want to understand the importance of the past and how fast technology can change things. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Professional.


PROFESSIONal from VITA BREVIS FILMS on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Milan Dreaming (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. This one's gonna be short and sweet. It's a simple travel doc filmed by someone who had recently moved to Milan and wanted to showcase its beauty and the people who live/visit the thriving city. Here is the 4-minute travel documentary short Milan Dreaming from filmmaker Francesco Paciocco.

Here's the synopsis:

 A trip straight through the heart of Milan—a city that is as haunting as it is enveloping.

I've been to Italy a few times now, but one of the things I've never been able to do is travel to Milan. After seeing this short though, I need to get down to the Fashion mecca of the world and take in its mystic. It reminds me a lot of Amsterdam in its congestion, layout, people and beauty.

Check this out if you want to see the daily life of a beautiful city. Check this out if you want to see a charming and lyrical travel doc that will make you fall in love all over again. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Milan Dreaming.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - La Jetee (live-action)

One of the greatest and most endearing film critics and short film directors has sadly just left us. French auteur and innovator of the essay film, Chris Marker, has passed away at the age of 91 on Monday, 7/30. While creating many notable works including the brilliant 1983 short film Sans Soleil, Marker is best known for his 30-minute WW3 time travel short, 1962's, La Jetee (The Pier), a short which is made up entirely of stills, a photo-novel film. It's a great short about obsession with the past and the futility of memory. If any short was a poem, it would this one.

While Marker is a hugely influential presence in the film community, inspiring countless filmmakers throughout the decades, on a more personal level, Marker is the reason for my passion for short films. I first watched La Jetee on a grainy VHS in college and was totally blown away by what I saw. It was so different, so personal, so raw from anything else that I had ever seen that ever since then I've been chasing that feeling, chasing that unique vision.

So it's with sad feelings and profound gratitude that we remark on his passing. I wanted in my own small way to give my thanks to the man and his short films that forever shaped me as a film fan and as an adult. Au revoir a mon heros.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Spoiler (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I love zombie movies. Entertainment wise, for me, nothing beats a good rom-com. However a close second, are zombie movies. Nothing speaks more about the human modern condition than a good ol' zombie apocalypse. Just watch the three Rec. films or try to tell me that the Walking Dead isn't taking the television world by storm (even if they hung out at the barn far past their welcome last season). However, while Zombie cinema works really well in the long form, it's really hard to make a compelling zombie short because there's just not enough time to build the relationships of the characters, where you care what happens to their world. This short works those magical wonders and does just that. Here is the 16-minute zombie thriller Spoiler, from filmmaker Daniel Thron.

Here's the synopsis:

The zombie apocalypse happened -- and we won. But though society has recovered, the threat of infection is always there -- and Los Angeles coroner Tommy Rossman is the man they call when things go wrong.

There's just a great amount of world-building here which is rare in a short film, and that's what makes this short work so well. There's also not many movies that deal with the possibility of beating the zombie plague but still having to deal with the fallout. Spoiler also works as a wonderfully taut thriller that's professionally shot and acted. I just love how the filmmaker mixed together the horror of the world with a police drama and the blend is just magic.

Check this out if you want to see a zombie short done right. Check this out if you want to see a different take on a genre that's mired in sameness right now. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Spoiler.


Spoiler from spoiler movie on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Dirty Laundry (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Okay this one is not family friendly kid safe. This is an 80's grindhouse kind of action film in the bets possible way. Here Thomas Jane returns in a fan film with his buddies to show his love for the Punisher character now that the rights have finally reverted back to Marvel. I just love the fact that he created a fan film of a character he actually played! Brilliant. Here is the 10-minute bloody action short Dirty Laundry from filmmaker Phil Joanou.

Here's the synopsis right from actor Thomas Jane:

I wanted to make a fan film for a character I've always loved and believed in - a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It's been a blast to be a part of from start to finish -- we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.

This is a great representation of what the character can do and who he is, uncompromising, ruthless and just brutal - a true vigilante. There's been 3 movies already, and sadly the second one that Thomas Jane starred in is probably the worse. No fault of his own, but it didn't take the character far enough and yet still took him way too seriously. The third one was a great mix of action and violence but the narrative was pretty mediocre making it at times, while fun, unwatchable. Let's hope the first Marvel Studios movie will bring Marvel's way of movie storytelling to the grounded street heroics of this sadly misused character.

Check this out if you want to a brutal and true look at the Punisher character. Check this out if you want to see what I hope is the path Marvel takes with the character now they have the rights once again. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Dirty Laundry.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - La Mer de Pianos (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I know I say this everytime I put one of these up here, but my favorite form of cinema are documentaries. Feature length documentaries can open whole new worlds, but take massive amounts of time and only a select few subjects can really work in the long form. For my money, the best form of cinema for documentaries are the short form. You can take any subject, any job, and show their world through 5-minute windows and make it truly unique, engaging and engrossing. Everything becomes heightened with the short running time, everything becomes important, everything just becomes, well... more. Here is the 5-minute documentary short La Mer de Pianos from filmmakers Tom Wrigglesworth & Mathieu Cuvelier.

Here's the synopsis:

A look at Marc Manceaux, the owner of the oldest piano shop in Paris.

I just love these kind of shorts, one's that show an artist working on a dying art, something so personal, something so unique, time consuming, intensive and specialized that its function is fading slowly away in this modern world. In 5-minutes this short shows you the power of hope and the beauty of perseverance. You can't help but feel a nostalgic sentimentality for the man who does something I never even thought of existing before. And that's why I love documentaries, they show you looks into unknown but real worlds, peep holes into the lives of the people you can pass by everyday, people who are different and unique and heroic in their own right.

Check this out if you want to see something that will warm the heart. Check this out if you want to see the tragic truth of progress vs art. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with La Mer de Pianos.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - La Queue de la Souris (A Mouse’s Tale)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Like every kid I grew up reading Aesop's Fables, and this tale is one of Aesop's most classic and enduring fables, but with a twist. I love the old style of animation used in the short which almost feels like paper cut animation, and the tone of the piece, the pacing is just fantastic. Here is the 4-minute French fable La Queue de la Souris (A Mouse's Tale) from filmmaker Benjamin Renner.

Here's the synopsis:

An underdog story about a mouse who comes across a lion and tries to keep him happy long enough to come up with a plan to survive.

This ones a short short so there really isn't more that needs to be said. It's just a magical daily dose of hope and courage. Honestly if it was me, I'd probably have already been eaten. I just love underdog stories.

Check this out if you want to see a beautifully animated fable. Check this out if you like to watch stories about the little guy rising up and overcoming adversary (cliched I know but wonderfully done). Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with La Queue de La Souris (A Mouse's Tale).

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Video Game High School Ep. 1

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. While short films have recently become the new proving ground for up-and-coming directors, there's also a group of filmmakers that have gone through, supported and created a new form of online television, the web-series. These can run the gamut of anything, but the general milieu of the series appears to be genre filmmaking, which I love. Here's a new series that has recently been posted online. There's 4-episodes to far, and while I'm not sure how long its supposed to run, I'm enjoying every minute of it. Here is the first 11-minute episode of the series Video Game High School from filmmakers Matt Arnold, Brandon Laatsch and Freddie Wong.

Here's the synopsis:

In a world where Video Gaming is the biggest sport, a young student finds himself enrolled in the premiere gaming high school and must use all his skills to survive. There's romance, action and of course head-shots.

Funded through the new social crowd-sourcing website Kickstarter, this one shows what a group of incredibly talented FX guys can do with a little budget and great ideas.When I first watched this I sat in awe on how well it was produced and how good it looked. To think this is a web-series, created to be seen for free blows my mind. This is a great calling card, a look at the skills he posses and hopefully more work will be soon coming for these guys. And who knows, some web-series have gone on to television life, like SyFy's Sanctuary (which I loved before it was cancelled). This is basically the movie Sky High but for video games, where the geeky new student who is trying to win the heart of the Queen of gaming at the school while also trying to survive from the other boys who are looking to take him down. This isn't Shakespeare, but should appeal to anyone who has every played a video game, especially those that like first person shooters. It won't be for everyone, but I know I enjoyed watching the 4 episodes released so far and cannot wait for more.

Check this out if you want to an amazing feature that belongs on dvd, one that is being released as a web-series for free! Check this out if you enjoy the culture of gaming and want to see an amazingly fun concept played out for every geek to enjoy. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Video Game High School.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Division of Gravity (live-action)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Love and its many facets has always been a fascinating subject to me, the growth of friendship to love and the sad oftentimes dissolution of something you thought would last forever, creating a burning hole, a crevice of the heart that can seem insurmountable in the beginning. Some shorts hit really close to home, in the sense that they bring up feelings long forgotten, or make us face our worse fears. This short is one of those. Here is the 9-minute British dramatic short Division of Gravity from filmmaker Rob Chiu.

Here's the synopsis:

A look at the formation of love and its sad inevitable disintegration.

This is one of those "so real it hurts" kind of films, a short that evokes a lot of emotion from the viewer and its actors. However beyond that, the real selling point to this is the amazing cinematography. Filmmaker Rob Chiu is a photographer and it shows in each and every scene, each and every frame. This is just a beautiful looking movie, as Chiu shoots some amazing scenes in Ireland, and yeah, this may sound trite, but this short is just plain poetry. It's an amazing mood piece that has stayed with me days after having seen it, one that feels genuine and natural.

Check this out if you want to see a beautifully shot and raw short about how even the most hurtful times in our lives can teach us important life lessons. Check this out if you want to see what I honestly feel is one of the most beautiful shorts I've put on this site to date. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Division of Gravity.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Crayon Dragon (animated)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. It's not often that you have the feeling that you're getting the chance to see the start of an upcoming artist, the start of animator that could hit it really it big one day. This short is a great example of how talent and ingenuity with hard work can create something magical regardless of experience or budget. Here is the 3-minute animated short Crayon Dragon from filmmaker Toniko Pantoja.

Here's the synopsis:

A girl is commissioned to paint over an old concrete illustration, in which to her surprise, [she] sinks into. She befriends a painted dragon who has a wing missing.

Toniko Pantoja created this short for a second-year project at CalArts animation. I just love the old school look and feel to this piece, like watching a storybook come to life, like being young again. There's great talent at work here and I'm just amazed by the results.

Check this out if you want to something both vibrant and heartwarming. Check this out if you want to remember the beauty of being a child filled with wonder. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Crayon Dragon.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Apocalypse Pizza (animated)

And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. This weeks short is a beautiful animated bit of zombie action that is both short and sweet. Here is the 4-minute French animated short Apocalypse Pizza from filmmaker Andres Fernandez.

Here's the synopsis:

A group of delivery workers try to deliver pizza and movies in the middle of the zombie apocalypse.

It's a simple premise beautifully executed in the best comedic video game way possible. The animation is fresh and while the story is familiar, the way its animated and shot and just the simple fact that its in Paris and there's a group of people who are living during the zombie apocalypse and are intent on bringing customers some microwaved pizza and dvds is so charming it borders on brilliance.

Check this out if you, like myself, enjoy a good zombie film. Check this out if you like beautifully animated works that will leave you smiling from ear to ear. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Apocalypse Pizza.


Apocalypse Pizza by blankytwo