‘Self,’ ‘Makayla’s Voice,’ ‘Jane Austen’s Period Drama’ Lead Short Film Categories

As a broad spectrum of short films draw attention at film festivals and screening events, identifying frontrunners becomes increasingly difficult. Listed below are some of the noteworthy films that may win hardware during awards season, distinguishing themselves with exceptional artistry, festival recognition
or audience popularity.

Animated Shorts

“Self”

Written and directed by Searit Kahsay Huluf — one of Variety’s 2024 Animators to Watch — “Self” is the 11th film in Pixar’s SparksShorts series, a program designed to enable studio employees to develop their own short projects. Huluf ’s film combines CG and stop-motion animation to tell a story of self-discovery about a wooden doll that’s desperate to fit in with its peers. In addition to working with her Pixar colleagues, Huluf collaborated with Oscar-winning animation and VFX company Tippett Studio for help on the film’s stop-motion sequences, resulting in a unique blend of the two animation styles.

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“In the Shade of the Cypress”

Created with the look of traditional 2D animation, this Iranian short directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani focuses on a man wrestling with PTSD while shouldering the challenges of fatherhood. Widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and style of animation, the film won best animated short at the Tribeca Film Festival and best in show at the Spark Animation Festival.

“Budo”

Helmed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toma, this stop-motion film traces the relationship between Miho, a lonely widow who lives outside of Tokyo, and the stray cat that adopts her. The film’s unique stop-motion techniques produce less expressive faces than one expects in animation, but to unexpectedly stronger emotional effect. Originating from Sweden, the film casts Mayuko Lindström as the voice of Miho. After winning a special jury mention at Tribeca, “Budo” will next be seen at the Adelaide Film Festival.

“A Place Without Fear”

This abstract, non-linear short was directed by Susanne Deeken, who rented an abandoned house and used every available surface — walls, ceilings and floors — as a canvas for stop-motion animation. Additionally scored by Deeken with a group of jazz and experimental musicians, its story follows a mysterious protagonist through a maze of surreal situations. The film won a juror award at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, a juror’s choice award at the Thomas Edison Film Festival, and was nominated for best animated short at the Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Documentary Shorts

“David Again”

The story of David Dennis and his harrowing journey through substance abuse and recovery, award-winning filmmaker Adam Elliott’s short chronicles the impact of Dennis’ lifelong friendship with actor Jon Cryer in his ability to achieve rehabilitation. The film won best documentary short at the Beloit International Film Festival, Salute Your Shorts Film Festival and Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival.

“Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World”

Directed by Julio Palacio, “A Letter to the World” follows a Black teenager afflicted with a rare form of autism that leaves her almost fully nonverbal. When her parents encourage her to use letter board therapy as a method of communication, Makayla teaches them about her inner world via a rich landscape of poetry, creativity and emotion, eventually leading her to become an advocate for others dealing with similar disabilities. This film previously won best short at the Atlanta Film Festival, and best documentary short at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.

“All Things Metal”

This short documents the lives of three brothers who run a forge where they create unique metal work. At night, they play heavy metal music in tribute to the genre they love, and which united them as children while they struggled with a common disability. The film was made as part of a partnership between Documentary+ and Rolling Stone Films.

“Pastrana”

Co-director and competitive downhill skateboarder Melissa Brogni looks back at the untimely death of her friend Allysson Pastrana, who died in 2018 while downhill skateboarding. As Brogni contemplates her grief, the risks of their chosen sport and the broader passage of time, she arrives at a deeper understanding of her loss — and a path forward in its wake. The film premiered at the historic 56th Brasília Festival of Brazilian Cinema and won the competition’s main awards, including best short. It also won best Latin American short film at the Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente. It was nominated for best documentary short at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Narrative Shorts

“Reunion”

The directorial debut of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Only Murders in the Building” actor Zainab Jah, “Reunion” tells the story of a Bronx-based West African immigrant who discovers that the former child soldier who murdered her family is now a bestselling author living near her. Danai Gurira, who appeared with Jah in “Wakanda Forever,” serves as executive producer on the film, alongside Lupita Nyong’o as associate producer. The film received best actress at BronzeLens and best narrative short at Reel Sisters of the Diaspora.

“Ripe!”

Helmed by Tusk, the moniker of directing duo Kerry Furrh and Olivia Mitchell, this 18-minute short follows a woman initially intoxicated by the possibilities of her first queer romantic relationship, and subsequently frustrated by the realities of dating a partner who’s hard to read. Prior to this, Tusk directed videos, commercials and scripted content for Tate McRae, Liquid Death, Camila Cabello, Google, Alessia Cara, Brandy and the Met Gala, among others. “Ripe!” won best queer short film at the Provincetown International Film Festival, best narrative short at the Tribeca Film Festival and honorable mention for best narrative short at the Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival.

“Jane Austen’s Period Drama”

Written and directed by Steve Pinder and Julia Aks, the comedy-drama is set in 1813 England. After a long-awaited marriage proposal, Miss Estrogenia Talbot (Aks) discovers that she’s just gotten her period, leading to an increasing series of comic misunderstandings with her would-be fiancé Mr. Dickley. The film received three screenings at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival due to its popularity and has earned more than 10 awards on the festival circuit including best short at the Mendocino Film Festival, comedy award and audience award at the Indy Shorts Film Festival, best comedy short at the Boston International Film Festival and won the silver medal at the Manhattan Short Film Festival.

“The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent”

Winner of the Palme d’Or for best short at Cannes and the IMDbPro short cuts award for best film at the Toronto International Film Festival, helmer Nebojša Slijepčević’s drama unfolds when a passenger train is detained by military forces during an ethnic cleansing operation. Based on a real-life massacre in 1993 where Bosnian Muslims were removed from a train by the Serbian White Eagles, the story follows the one individual who attempted to stand up to the paramilitary group. The film has been hailed for its exceptional cinematography and strong performances by the cast.