Short film round-up

For something with wit and style in spades, check out Writer’s Block, a five-minute short from Tom Gran and Martin Woolley set in a prison for criminally lousy writers. It’s an exercise in meta-storytelling that uses well-known cliches in a fresh new way, and it’s packed with clever sight gags and expert puns. What’s more, the crisp, graphic 2D animation and snazzy score create a wonderful atmosphere. Take a look at the film here.
I found myself quite floored by The March, Josh Fortune’s four-minute piece created for the Sci-Fi London 24 Hour Film Competition. The short presents imagined consequences of the overuse of technology like Google Glass – consequences that are both fascinating and chilling. It’s a stark film, carried mostly by narration against a simple animated backdrop, but it packs quite a punch. Find it here.
If you’re after something just as dark but in a sweeter package, try Good Grief. The seven-minute documentary short from Fiona Dalwood pairs adorable stop-motion animation with five poignant stories of loss – a combination that allows the gravity of the subject matter to sneak up on the audience in a stunningly surprising way. Take a look at the film here.