Despite recent concerns over the state of the industry, film is still a powerful medium. It has the power to move, the power to shock and the power to surprise. This power never disappeared, sometimes you just need reminding of it. Feeling like a breathe of fresh air in an arena often saturated with sci-fi teasers and portrait docs, Thea Gajic’s lyrical drama Run feels like a timely reminder of the freedom and power the short film format offers.

Deceptively simple at surface level – Run essentially follows a trio of young woman as they talk genetics and play one-touch football – Gajic’s film is one that resonates strongly because of the surprising depth it brings to such a slight story.

“It’s vital to keep busy, keep creating and most importantly to keep storytelling”

Originally written as a prose, Gajic decided to develop Run into a short film following social media praise and the urge to create something for her fellow creatives. “I write so I can create work for myself and my contemporaries when we’re not acting in someone else’s”, she says. “It’s vital to keep busy, keep creating and most importantly to keep storytelling”.

Those looking for straight A-to-B storytelling in their short film picks may not be the right audience for Run, but those looking for an intriguing and original filmmaking approach and a strong Female voice will reap the rewards of this 7-minute short.

Beautiful isn’t often a word I use when writing about short film, but that’s exactly what Run is. Poetic and thought-provoking, Gajic’s short is at it most powerful and captivating when slipping into those lyrical moments.

Whether it’s the game of football laced with a vigorous voiceover or the moment one of the trio (played by Gajic) declares “you’re beautiful by-the-way” to a young man they’re playing football with, it’s hard not to watch Run and get swept up in its emotive undercurrents.

Diversity in film continues to be a huge problem that shows no sign of disappearing overnight but with Gajic showcasing not only astute, rounded female characters but a strong directorial voice, she’s a welcome addition to our ever-expanding ‘Female Filmmakers’ channel and an inspiration for those looking to follow in her footsteps.

Since penning Run, Gajic continues to write and act. She has recently circulated a play around London theatres, is performing at Monologue Slam in London and is in the early stages of developing a new short film.