There are many stories out there in the world willing to be heard. All forms of storytelling lead us to lessons and life realizations in the mundane. Some leave us a mark, some stays the same, and some are just there.
Visual storytelling is not only meant to entertain us in long forms. You wouldn’t need an hour to understand and figure it all out. Sometimes, it just takes you minutes. The impact of short films resonates because it may look like its target audience are only for kids, but it’s actually for everyone.
Short films continue to mesmerize us with plot lines that appeal to culture, family, and oneself—it is the mirror of one’s belonging into nature and environment.
When in doubt, you can find gems available on YouTube:
A FOLDED WISH
This short film is a film produced by Artmoeba Productions and it’s an exploration about the influence of tuberculosis on Japanese citizens in the 1940s.
This centers on the story of the two sisters who live with their grandma. They play together all the time and make origami paper cranes and cause mischief to their grandma. ‘A Folded Wish’ explores the short experiences about childhood, mortality, and spirituality all packed in 8 minutes.
UMBRELLA
Umbrella is a story about the young boy, Joseph, who lives in an orphanage and dreams of having a yellow umbrella. Inspired by true events, this tackles themes about empathy, hope, and dreams. This boy didn’t want any toys and only wants the umbrella because this is his reminder about the last time he saw his father on a rainy day.
This Brazilian animated short is now bringing its hopeful story, which was not only inspired by true events but also bringing inspirations to Academy members.
TOO LATE
Too Late is an animated film directed by Roy Stein and it drew inspiration from the 1980s thriller films: Burton, Kubrick, and Fincher.
It tackles the story about having slow hours at night and a man’s sanity that is starting to fade away. This an animated film circled in dark tones and patterns. An evoking film about waiting for the light to shine to the darkness we are currently trapped in.
NEGATIVE SPACE
This film is a story that depicts a father-son relationship through the act of packing a suitcase. ‘Negative Space’ was based on a 150-word prose by Roen Koertge. This was also inspired by the co-animator’s different personal experiences about how much they identify their childhood that are linked to objects and textures which is a part of their routine.
This stop-motion short film captured the hearts of its viewers both children, young adult, and adult.
HAIR LOVE
Hair Love is a 7-minute animated short film about the relationship between an African-American father, his daughter, and her hair. The wife was unavailable to do her daughter’s hair that’s why the husband’s task is do her daughter’s hair for a very big event. It might look easy, but the two both struggle in the process.
This animated short film made impression as it represents and promote love in all colors and all hair types.
WINDUP
Windup is a heartwarming animated film made for healing. This centers on the bond of the ailing daughter, Kiki, and her father.
Emotions will be pouring up as Kiki’s father will repeatedly attempt to connect with her unconscious daughter by playing the windup music box in her favorite tune. This story has no dialogue but the music all throughout signifies the love to convey the fathers’ feelings towards her daughter.
