Awesome Short Films

A jaw-dropping CGI short that sets up the reboot of the much-maligned MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. Squeenix will need more than just spectacle to bring players back, but holy crap that was awesome.

(NSFW: Language) Chris Cullari’s proof-of-concept short about the residents of a small town who live in constant fear of their resident masked killer, and one boy who refuses to believe in the boogey man.

(NSFW) You know how in movies, couples are flirting at a bar one minute, then they’re in bed the next? This is what happens when the characters get stuck in the journey in-between.

Many have imitated Heath Ledger’s legendary take on the Joker, but YouTuber jklamm1234 really nails it, from his voice to his insane attitude. What a way to kill a meme. Figuratively, we hope.

(NSFW) Agent 47 is asked to take down an adult film director in this kick-ass short film by Freddie Wong. Stupid bodyguards aside, we almost can’t believe how good Freddie has become.

(NSFW: Language) A proof-of-concept for a feature film about sushi chefs fighting sea monsters. This is B-movie greatness. It could also work as a web series. Written and directed by Dan Blank.

Set in 1960’s London, Hadley TK-421 is a brilliantly crafted short film written and directed by Jonathan Reid-Edwards. The party/end credits song is Dreamland by The Dodge Brothers.

A man bids farewell to his lover and tells her of his upcoming adventures in the afterlife, all to pass the time while he waits for them to be reunited. Written and performed by Derrick Brown.

(NSFW) You’ll need to crank the volume for this performance by Celia Rowlson-Hall dedicated to anyone who’s ever jumped through hoops to please someone. It’s painful to watch, but it’s so true.

Originally built for high-income residents, South Africa’s Ponte City Apartments was an icon of decadence that turned into a symbol of decay. Now it’s a metaphor for social and economic inequality.

An award-winning stop-motion short by Christopher Kezelos, The Maker is about a creature racing against time to accomplish the most important task of his life. The score is Winter by Paul Halley.

(NSFW: Language) A failed pianist takes on a job as a piano tuner. He pretends to be blind to impress his clients. A gripping film by Olivier Treiner that seamlessly shifts genres. Best quality here.

Valve’s silent protagonists come together to kick some ass in this awesome short film made by Michael Shanks. After all the crap they’ve been through, it’s nice to see the two have some fun.

A science fiction short in the vein of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Total Recall and other dystopian sci-fi works that explore the limits of augmentation. Written and directed by Stephan Zlotescu.

Partir (“leaving”) is a tale of two inseparable characters told through hand-drawn stop-motion animation. The quote at the end reads,“Just now, I heard the heartbeat of a tiny raindrop.”

A rookie burglar’s first heist goes badly and bizarrely wrong in this unusual short film made by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan aka Daniels as part of Channel 4’s Random Acts show.

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Lion is a wonderfully animated short film by Alois Di Leo. Set in the 1960s, the film is about a deaf boy who becomes obsessed with a lion after seeing it in a zoo.

The music video for The Ancestor, a track from Darlingside’s album Pilot Machines. A short tale of love that thrives beyond death, lovingly animated by the folks at Crazy Lake Pictures.

When we’re in a relationship, we sometimes come to a point when we ask ourselves if we’re in love or in love with being in love. This man is not in a relationship. Directed by jgrey.

(NSFW:Language) Awesomer reader Dennis Liu and friends Ryan Condal and Jonathan Hsu made this sci-fi film about a convenient, yet privacy-invading tech which tracks our movements to reduce crime.

The music video for Alt-J’s Breezeblocks. Director Ellis Bahl made one of the best music videos of the year, telling two stories filled with tension, which is amazing considering it’s shown backwards.

Adelaide has severe Münchausen syndrome, deliberately causing herself to fall ill to attract attention and feel happy. A quirky story about finding someone who accepts you for who you are.

A short profile by Etsy on Carolina Fontoura Alzaga, a seller who manifests her passion for recycling and the environment by making chandeliers and light fixtures out of used bicycle parts.