8 Kickass Shorts Out of Fantastic Fest 2022
I love playing in the short programs at festivals because it’s like speed-dating a bunch of filmmakers. Only without all of that awkward conversation and having to leave my apartment. Maybe short programs are better than speed dating, and I need a better analogy. Anyways, I watched all of the shorts available at Fantastic Fest 2022. They were pretty wonderful, and I found myself obsessed with a few of them. However, I was able to narrow it down to eight films that I loved. Because I did that, I figured I would share the knowledge so you can keep an eye out for these gems.
Blood Rites
Directed by Helena Coan
Three teens take over an English home while looking for their next feast. I’m here for UK horror centered on women. I was even more here for it because it was compelling while also adding itself to the list of movies exploring women as monsters. I would’ve stuck around for a lot more than the 19-minute runtime and hope to see more from this whole team.
The Breakdown Parables
Directed by Emil Benjamin
This film is a series of vignettes set in a casting office capturing the wild and toxic side of acting. Each vignette made me laugh for wildly different reasons. I loved that we only have one connecting character, The Receptionist (Maria DeCotis), along with us for this ride. I also love that while we’re laughing at these outlandish versions of ridiculous actor types, we’re in this weird purgatory-esque office. Offices are known places of dread and dead dreams, so that added another layer in addition to the laughs.
Buzzkill
Directed by Peter Ahern
Two people are about to hook up when one of them gets something in her eye. This animated short was described as, “Cute ‘n creepy!” but it managed to make my skin crawl. I have very specific phobias, and this short read my diary and pulled one out. But it somehow made it so much worse. I was so caught up with trying to look away from the eyeball problem while trying to prevent any more noises from coming out of my mouth, that I almost forgot the hookup factor. Luckily, this film didn’t, and things got around to the kind of chaos I wanted. While not everyone will go on the emotional rollercoaster I did, I think most will have fun with Buzzkill. If you will excuse me, I have to sterilize my eyeballs now.
The Coupon
Directed by Laura Seay
A birthday gift ends up in the wrong hands and causes things to go off the rails in this comedy. I could never predict where this short was going, and I loved it. It’s the kind of satire I love to see. It gets into consent, pokes fun at the law, and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of a character that deserved it. It felt quicker than the 18-minute runtime. I’m excited to see what Laura Seay does next because this was delightful.
Hairsucker
Directed by Michael Jones & Paddy Jay
A woman finds out she has something in her drain when it decides it needs more hair than it has been getting from her bathtub. Australia loves to mess me up, and this short is no different. The hairsucker is disturbing, and the way it uses the mouth they gave it will live in my mind forever. This movie is light on dialogue because it’s big on the ick factor. I respect that and will take their warning to avert my eyes the next time this one pops up at a festival.
Huella
Directed by Gabriela Ortega
Daniela (Shakira Barrera) has to confront her family’s legacy after her grandmother dies. This short was gorgeous and took some surprising turns, which made it stand out from the crowd. I have seen three-hour-long movies not give a character such a beautiful character arc. I was here for the exploration of guilt, identity, and stepping into one’s power. I also loved how each chapter added more surprises that were initially jarring but were the perfect steps for this character to find herself. I wish I could have more time in this world, and I will be all over Ortega’s resume.
Kickstart My Heart
Directed by Kelsey Bollig
After a car accident, a young woman finds herself fighting her inner demons to survive. I was here to see a young Brown woman kick demon ass. It did not disappoint and reminded me of simpler times in the Buffy universe. This short was fun, and fast, and remembered what was on the line even when needing to take the somber moment it deserved. This is the second Kelsey Bollig short I’ve seen, and each one is a damn good time. I lived for this film even before the credits told me it was inspired by writer/director Bollig’s road to recovery after an accident. Bravo!
O, Glory!
Directed by Joe Williams & Charlie Edwards-Moss
A psychiatrist and his assistant travel to a woman’s home and find themselves pulled into her psychosis. It’s (rightfully) described as “a throwback to 1970s folk horror” and is shot on 35mm film. This movie is a vibe that left me wanting to exercise my TV before staring into a corner. I thought I knew, but I had no idea. It’s a captivating enigma unfolding around the doctor as he loses his shit in this home. Definitely worth the watch.
Honorable Mentions
Chicks – Directed by Geena Hernandez
East End -Directed by Grant Curatola
Good Boy – Directed by Eros V
Night Shift – Directed by Ali Faisal Mostafa
Return To Sender – Directed by Russell Goldman
Let me know if you caught some of these short films at @misssharai.
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