Short of the Week

Canada

Satire about Illness in Animation
Claude Cloutier / 9 min / Canada / 2012

Nothing and no one can wake Princess Betty in this playful riff on fairytale conventions.

Documentary about Nature in Interactive
Leanne Allison, Jeremy Mendes / 20 min / Canada / 2012

The life of a grizzly in a Canadian national park from the perspective of data points and surveillance cameras presents a fascinating look at what it means to be wild in this interactive film from the NFB.

Documentary about Family in Interactive
Kaitlin Jones / 12 min / Canada / 2011

A sister fondly remembers growing up with her brother as she struggles to deal with his deployment to Afghanistan in this interactive film from the NFB.

Adventure about Other Worlds in Flash Animation
Mike Roberts / 6 min / Canada / 2011

A man takes a ride through the afterlife with four rockabilly musicians in this rich animation featuring music by The Sadies.

Horror about Conspiracy in Multi-Media

A spooky mystery is teased out of a single photograph, in this suspenseful animation nominated for Canada’s Genie award in 2009.

Essay about Identity in Animation
Andrea Dorfman / 12 min / Canada / 2011

When animator Andrea Dorfman falls for a plastic surgeon, she must confront her own hang ups regarding her appearance in this sweet, but powerful film-confession.
(U.S. Audiences Only)

Satire about Human Nature in Live-Action
Tim Hamilton / 12 min / Canada / 2011

Experience the weird but hilarious disconnect of a group of advertisers saying exactly what they’re feeling in this vintage internet classic.

Comedy about Perseverence in 3D Animation
Rob Silvestri / 4 min / Canada / 2011

Ormie the Pig is desperate to get the cookies on top of the fridge, but is constantly stymied, in this modern day slapstick.

Drama about Family in Live-Action
Doug Karr / 7 min / Canada / 2011

One man. Two superpowers. Three ex-wives. Four autopsies. The remarkable true story of David Karr, from the perspective of the grandson who wishes he knew him.

Poem about Friendship in Live-Action
Jean Malek / 5 min / Canada / 2011

With their entire lives stretching out before them, three young women make a secret pact. A poetic reflection on youth and all its firsts: sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

Documentary about Life & Society in Interactive

A remarkable interactive media experience about a town that’s no longer on the map, but is not forgotten.

Action about Growth in Live-Action
Aaron Au / 9 min / Canada / 2011

Gifted with an impressive sword, an elderly tea-master must fight for his life despite knowing nothing of swordplay.

Action about Revenge in Special FX
Sol Friedman / 11 min / Canada / 2011

A young warrior seeks vengeance in this comic book style short.

Poem about Human Nature in Animation
Diego Maclean / 2 min / Canada / 2011

The simple line-drawn animation of a Billy Collins poem about the insignificant moment when your life flashes before your eyes.

Comedy about Life & Society in Animation
Cordell Barker / 9 min / Canada / 2011

A runaway train provides the scene for cartoonish antics and bitingly funny class conflicts.

Sci-Fi about Conquest in Animation
Malcolm Sutherland / 5 min / Canada / 2010

A space traveller finds himself on a planet filled with tiny suicidal men.

Thriller about Desperation in Live-Action
Vincenzo Natali / 19 min / Canada / 2010

A taut horror-thriller set entirely within an elevator, this short film from Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Splice), is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dark Comedy about The End in Live-Action
Carl Laudan / 9 min / Canada / 2010

It’s 1889 and the world is about to end thanks to an unlikely friendship between Lucifer and Archangel Michael.

Fantasy about Life & Society in Live-Action
Guy Maddin / 14 min / Canada / 2010

A love story to Canada, Guy Maddin directs this film for the NFB about a Bosnian immigrant who uses the Aurora Borealis to broadcast images across the country.

Branded Film about Growth in Live-Action
Jonathan Bensimon / 2 min / Canada / 2010

Time-lapse perfection illuminates a narrative about stepping outside the box—literally!

Drama about Love in Special FX
Arev Manoukian / 4 min / Canada / 2010

A passing moment between two strangers becomes unforgettable as this film shows us what love at first sight must truly feel like.

Thriller about Other Worlds in Claymation

A disturbing train ride through the depths of her psychology awaits Madame Tutli Putli in this astonishing claymation that was Oscar-nominated in 2007.

Poem about Life & Society in Collage Animation
Bruce Alcock / 3 min / Canada / 2009

Beautiful yet brash poetry of Canadian Al Purdy colorfully animated with crude painting and yellow flowers.

Experimental about Reality in Stop-Motion
Carrotkid / 9 min / Canada / 2009

A robot has to make his way through a challenging maze in this black and white stop-motion.

Sci-Fi about Growth in Live-Action
A.J. Bond / 14 min / Canada / 2009

A young time traveler is confronted by an arrogant and hairless future version of himself—the winner of Short of the Week’s Gut Check Competition.