As we enter the final 31-days of 2022, it's hard not to be in a reflective mood in this last month of the year. With awards season getting ever closer and filmmaker's eager to put their work online before the turn of the year, December always turns into a busy time at S/W HQ. With some exciting new shorts being released this month, things certainly aren't winding down as we approach the new year.

As we start to look back at all the films we've showcased in 2022 - 216 so far - it provides an exciting opportunity to contemplate our output and remind ourselves of what we're trying to do at S/W. We'll be sure to set some new goals for 2023, be you can be sure that we'll continue to showcase the most exciting short films online and support emerging filmmakers in all we do throughout the year. - Rob Munday, Managing Editor.

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TEAM FAVORITES

With our new platform Shortverse still in its early days, although the support and development of that site is taking up a fair chunk of the S/W team's time, November was still a busy month on our site. With 23-films featured over the past 30-days our coverage tackled skateboarding, grief, sauna etiquette, Tupac, MMA fighting and more. For our trio of Best of the Month picks, the team have selected a life-changing documentary, an innovative coming-of-age tale and an animation about poop! Enjoy...

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Tuesday Afternoon by Pete Quandt

When it comes to Best of the Month time, I usually try to broaden my scope and refrain from picking films I reviewed myself. But with Tuesday Afternoon, I wanted to make an exception: I still feel like this short documentary somewhat changed my life and made me a better person. What more can you ask from any kind of experience, especially in such a simple yet impactful way. This is why I wanted to take this opportunity to share the film with even more people, as a reminder how great storytelling can create compassion and help us connect with other people, if we just give them a chance. - Georg Csarmann

[READ THE FULL REVIEW]

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Ex Creta by Jon Portman

Firstly, how can I NOT pick an excrement themed animation? Secondly, at the core of this wonderfully weird and hilarious film is a sweet and important message about being too quick to judge those around us. I also love that it pokes fun at today's culture and obsession with social media. It's filthy humour at its finest! - Serafima Serafimova

[READ THE FULL REVIEW]

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Peeps by Sophie Somerville

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm never going to know what it's like to be a teenage girl. Not that it's an experience I've ever been particularly envious of, but intrigue of course makes me wonder how my adolescent years would have been different if I was female. Although my teenage years are now long gone, immersive filmmaking, like Peeps by Sophie Somerville, allow me to understand what it must be like for a young adult maturing in today's society. A short exploring secret lives and the risks we have to take to show our true selves, Peeps adds a fresh perspective to the coming-of-age movie. As commenter Naixin Wang explains on Shortverse: you feel "a deep, personal connection with each character" and there's something truly special in that. - Rob Munday

[READ THE FULL REVIEW]

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Most Viewed

Hot Mother by Lucy Knox

While the cynic in me wonders if Hot Mother proved to be our most popular post in November due to the SEO appeal of its title (you know what I'm talking about internet!), there's no denying the confident filmmaking and gripping premise on show in Lucy Knox's short. Following a mother and daughter's "relaxing" trip to a spa, where they head to try and fix their relationship, Knox's 14-minute film takes a turn for the sinister when the confines of a steam room prove too much for the pair. As things heat-up, will the two be able to settle their differences and find common ground? Or will the temperatures rise even more and lead to a tense situation? I think from the title, you can probably guess how this one turns out! - Rob Munday

[READ THE FULL REVIEW]

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