Over the last century, cinema has played an increasingly important role in popular culture, combining visual media, soundtrack, and dialogue to mix together three of the biggest components of art: visual art, music and prose. However, with all the attention given to feature length films, short film is often overlooked. These tiny little gems tell marvelous stories in a distinctly short time, making them the visual equivalent of a good short story, a small morsel that can really be viewed and appreciated without devoting hours of your time. This is by no means the best in short film, because it is possibly even more subjective than feature-length film appreciation, but these 15 shorts are all worth a look. WARNING: Some offensive language, adult themes and mild nudity follow
A very eerie, surreal film along the lines of David Lynch. This is a challenging insight into a bleak, unstable world that exists within the realm of imagination, but aside from its absolute insanity, it’s very well done.
This is a short moral-based film that was made in Australia, and won the Melbourne Film Award. It carries some religious overtones, but is still thought-provoking.
This is a beautiful little film that touches on concepts of mortality. It is very well made, and quite moving, although somewhat sad.
Although based upon fairly adult concepts, this is not a particularly visual film, but rather uses dialogue and implied visuals to tell a passionate story.
A fairly light-heartened, fast-paced film. It is remarkably well put together, and is very unique. The camera-work is particularly stunning.
A short, but heart-warming animation from Pixar. Although this one is quite well-known, and over ten years old, it does not fade with age, and is brilliant in each retelling. A remarkable piece of work.
Winner of a French short film festival, this is a very light-hearted comedy/action animation, which retells part of the Matrix story, with a slight difference. Full of humour, but never breaking its film-noir backdrop, this is a great little film.
Almost certainly the most celebrated Pixar short, this is widely-received as one of the best animated shorts ever. Very well made, and very humorous, this can be enjoyed by all ages.
Another unique and bizarre film, this follows a Halloween story… from the perspective of the pumpkin. It is quite funny in its utter bizarreness, and has won numerous awards in its time.
The story of the little bird that could (not entirely unlike the little country that could it originates from) this follows the plight of a kiwi, and shows that even the biggest of dreams can be realized. This is my favorite animated short by far.
A fairly recent (2000) film, despite the cinematography, it averages 2 frames per second, and pays homage to the old silent movies with their black and white cinematography, lack of dialogue and grainy quality. Quite simply, one of the best and most unique short films ever made.
A simple, heart-warming Spanish short film. This is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter how bad a day you’ve had. It’s simplicity is its hook, it has no fancy techniques, just a tale to tell.
Before 300, Gerard Butler was the star of this award-winning short film, starring as a the protagonist in this emotional film. It is an amazing film, and it is in no way difficult to see why it has won awards.
Another award winner, this quaint little film follows the antics of the staff at a supermarket during the night shift. It is unequalled for originality, artistic quality and execution.
One of my personal favorite short films, this was ranked as Europe’s best short film. It is a very moving, brilliantly filmed film, the majority of which is filmed in one, long take. You will think about this film long after its conclusion.
This was included in a piano-related list a month or two ago, but this time it merits entry for the video used. A lovely creation.
Contributor: carpe_noctem
I love the one with the little kiwi! Found it on youtube a couple of months ago, I cried the first time I saw it, lovely little film!
Geri’s Game is not that good. Pixar has several better. What you missed was a stop action short by Disney called “The Wizard of Speed and Time” done in the early 80′s. Excellent.
Cool. Very interesting. Im glad a pixar movie was on the list! ;0)
Love that some of the Pixar shorts were here, though I don’t know if those are the ones I would have chosen (I love all of them so much! I don’t know how I’d choose!) For those interested, they did come out with a DVD last year, of all the Pixar shorts up to that point (so it won’t have the Magician short from Wall-E).
JT Comment #4
I watched the father daughter short. Thank you. Can’t say I enjoyed it – it was way too sad for that – but it was very touching.
I also had problems with the freezing, but it’s fine this morning.
Kiwi one was my favorite, though it could have used a happier ending. Also, you should consider doing a similar list on music videos with good stories. If you get the chance, watch the music video for Nickelback’s song “Someday”. It’s like a short film in itself, and even if you don’t like the music, you can just turn off the volume and just watch the video and it’s still good.
Anyone who enjoys animated shorts should check out Bitey of Brackenwood on youtube. They’re great
ten minutes is so sad, i am from bosnia and it just kills me everytime since i could have been that little boy.
it makes you think about your life and how good u have it even though u think ur life sucks
Hey, I know most of these!
I absolutely love The Piano.
I found Kiwi way too sad, I don’t know what exactly.
And I loved For The Birds and Geri’s Game when I was younger.
=]
What song is used in The Piano? I’ve heard it before, and it always makes me cry. I just wish I knew the name of it….
Well I definitely liked the kiwi story but why the bloody hell he/she did not use a parachute when he put so much efforts in building the flight course…assembling a parachute is then just peanuts for him/her. He could have then achieved his dream over and over again (of course the moment we do that we lose the essence of the story). May be its just that I am overly *****yzing the movie
That “Ratrix” kind of sucked. THAT wins awards? I can do better.
I’ve had a busy weekend, so I haven’t had time to look at these. I’ve seen Kiwi before. When a Koren colleague showed me, I didn’t understand it. I’ve never been good at reading subtext. Then at an English teachers’ camp, one of the speakers showed it, and half the teachers said “Ahhh …”
Australia has an annual short film competition called Tropfest. The last prizewinners were available online. I don’t have time to track them down now.
sandra, the name of the songs in the credits at the end. and i feel the same way about cannon in d
and i still think un cien andalou should be at least a bonus on here
does the kiwi die? :’(
j/k Great list!!! “Ten minutes” was very poignant. And I had seen “the Piano” before, makes me tear up every time.
I’m just a big mush!
no pun intended
yay!! you used my suggestion!! glad to see you’re submitting lists again carpe, they’re always so interesting. Just wish I could watch the videos…they aren’t working for me either…
Oh I’m frickin sobbing now!!! Ten Minutes and The Piano (and plenty of the others) have reduced me to a blobbery mess. Thanks, Jamie.
does anyone know what the piano song in cashback is called?
I got a chuckle, and a groan, out of an animated, musical, short called “Jollity Farm” It is the animator’s sarcastic opinion of nuclear power. I don’t know if it can be found on the internet. It was created by a guy whose last name was Stone. I believe it’s from the ’90′s.
Dustin–Thanks! Maybe this will inspire me to finally take up piano.
Harvie Krumpet has to be there – it’s amazing. It didn’t wi an Oscar for nothing!
Good list though!
Not sure if it qualifies as a short film but ‘A grand day out’ by Aardman animations is quite good.
Mike599, (84),
It does. See also the last para of my comment 21.
What about Six Shooter, superb short film by Martin McDonagh. Very much in the same vain as In Bruges but shorter, highly recommended.
Just goes to show; a lot can happen in 10 minutes…
My favorite short is One Rat Short, but I can’t watch it too often because it makes me sad.
Wow! I really loved ‘Snap!’ I thought is was so original. That and the one about the beggar. This was a fantastic list, thanks very much!
Hey to everyone telling me all the films that should be on here, this is in no way a top ten (or you know, for those who can count, fifteen) list, it’s just some films I thought I’d share with you. I really do appreciate your additions though, and maybe someone else will make a follow up list one day
carpe_noctem:
Hey… following up on what you just posted, here’s a couple suggestions from me:
“De Duve”—late 60s short film parody of Ingmar Bergman films… death plays badmitton. Funny stuff.
“La Jetee” —famous short French film of the 60s, which was remade as “Twelve Monkeys.”
“The Red Balloon” —another French entry, and also famous… kinda surprised you neglected that one.
What about Scorpio’s game
un chien andalou
dimensions of dialogue 1 through 3
Street of crocodiles
These are all pretty significant films
but the films here are good nevertheless.
I Love this list. I only got a chance to watch a few – both “Story of a sign” and “Ten Minutes” were extremely touching and beautiful in very different ways.
The Red Balloon! I remember watching that in elementary school and have never forgotten it. I would love to see that again.
Why?!
The number 1 video never ever finishes loading for me!
Ever!
For why?!
I’m one of the co-directors of FINITE. Thank you for putting our little short film out there for a few more people to enjoy. We know FINITE is far from perfect, but we did our best for being self-taught and having a tiny budget. For those that liked the male lead, he plays Manimal currently in HBO’s Generation Kill – a fantastic tv show.
carpe_noctem, how did you come across FINITE? Thanks.
Dusty
cashback was a short film, then it was extended to a full feature legnth, the long one features parts of the short one
omg i can’t believe i never saw ten mintutes before… i am from Croatia so i’ve been in similliar situation as a kid ;(
best movie i have ever seen
Sandra
The music in The Piano, (Comptine d’un autre été – L’apres-midi), was part of the soundtrack to Amelie.
There is a short calles ‘The haircut’, is great. The link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlSDNezCxks
Wow
I loved Nought
The girl in it is oddly familiar though.
But that Black Button definately made me think…
Wow, these were all amazing films. I particularly liked the Story of a Sign. Thanks!
Though, while I agree with the two Pixar shorts on this list (if they keep going the way they have been you’ll soon be able to make a Top 10 Pixar Shorts list), I would add ‘Lifted’ too.
One of my favourite lists so far
What about La Letre(I think) by Gondry?
One of my favorite short films
Validation
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
Plus it has TJ Thyne in it. One of TV’s underrated actors.
I always loved Kiwi, some great other films in the list too. There’s a new UK site showing some pretty cool stuff at http://www.coffeeshorts.co.uk.
Would also include some of CHris Cunningham’s music videos in this list, they’re as much short films as videos
The kiwi one was cute, but I don’t really get it, did it die?
I’m astonished that Nash Edgerton’s Spider is not on this list.
This is a must-see short film.
I liked “touch”
the weird thing is that long before the surprise ending, maybe alittle less than halfway through, I started to get this bad feeling, like something was wronge, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. Very interesting.
I am glad someone named Validation (2007). It is quickly becoming my favorite short films.
Glad to see ‘Six Shooter’ mentioned in the comments, it’s a great little film.
The German short ‘Forklift Driver Klaus’ is pretty good fun though not for the squeamish – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forklift_Driver_Klaus_-_The_First_Day_on_the_Job
Cannibal Flesh Riot! by Gris Grimly should be on this list
I remember seeing ‘the piano’. I forgot the name of the song though. Something long and in french with many accent marks.
Ah, found it. It’s “Comptine d’un autre été: l’après midi”.
The amazing thing is that black putton was shot on a budget of $500 in an old drama teachers classroom.
The Life of a Pumpkin one is actually horrific.
But one that absolutley should be in the top 2 at least, VALITDATION:
10 minutes was amazing…. makes you think.
Ten Minute is a great short. Also Tony McNeal’s short film is one of the best that I’ve seen in a very long time. High-end action short, Born That Way
Born That Way from Tony McNeal on Vimeo.
Pan pipes, pan pipe dreams, PAN PIIIIIPES!!!
Pan pipe trip, pan pipe dreams, cookin’ with chicken and peas, PAN PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPEEESSSSSSSSSS
What about how to say i love you? That one is great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-84anmYGv4
None of these shorts were any good. I wanted too see more tits and ass…and maybe some cawk.