Polybius by Jimmy Kelly

Polybius

SCI-FI HORROR THRILLER SHORT FILM
Directed by Jimmy Kelly
17 min. Scripted Short – USA

Polybius is a chilling sci-fi horror thriller short film that dives into one of the most enduring video game urban legends. With eerie visuals, suspenseful pacing, and a dark atmosphere, this short is as unsettling as it is entertaining.

The story follows a teenage girl who tries to convince the local Sheriff that a mysterious arcade cabinet is responsible for her brother’s suicide. Inspired by the infamous Polybius legend, the film mixes horror, psychological thriller elements, and 1980s-inspired sci-fi paranoia.

My Take: Must Watch
Polybius stands out as a must-watch indie horror short that blends creepy atmosphere, retro aesthetics, and urban myth. If you’re a fan of sci-fi thrillers, horror shorts, or gaming legends, this one belongs on your list.

Film Description:
Based on the urban legend, a teenage girl tries to convince the Sheriff that a mysterious arcade game caused her brother’s death.

Hashtags

#PolybiusFilm #SciFiHorrorShort #UrbanLegendFilm #HorrorShortFilm #IndieSciFiShort #IndieHorrorFilm #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #IndieFilmCommunity #ThrillerShortFilm #RetroSciFi #GamingUrbanLegend #FilmFestivalShort

Blocks Directed by Bridget Moloney

Blocks

COMEDY SHORT FILM
Directed by Bridget Moloney
12 min. Scripted Short – USA

Blocks is a witty and surreal comedy short film that embraces the absurd with confidence. Directed by Bridget Moloney, this quirky indie short balances humor with originality, turning a strange concept into a hilarious and engaging piece of filmmaking.

The film follows a woman whose reality is disrupted by an unexplained and surreal phenomenon. What makes Blocks shine is its refusal to explain the central oddity, instead leaning into absurdist comedy and allowing the audience to interpret, laugh, and wonder.

With crisp visuals, strong design, and natural performances, Blocks feels polished and professional, all while maintaining the playful strangeness of indie surreal comedy.

My Take: Worth The Watch
Blocks is a worth-the-watch indie comedy short that stands out with its originality and quirky style. Fans of surreal comedies and indie shorts will find this both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Film Description:
Blocks tells the story of a woman who begins experiencing a bizarre, unexplained phenomenon that completely disrupts her everyday life.

Hashtags

#BlocksShortFilm #BridgetMoloney #ComedyShortFilm #IndieShortFilm #SurrealComedy #QuirkyComedy #ShortFilmReview #WorthTheWatch #IndieFilmCommunity #ComedyFilmShort #SurrealistFilm #IndieComedyShort #FilmFestivalShort

Call Center Blues Directed by Geeta Gandbhir

Call Center Blues

DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
Directed by Geeta Gandbhir
25 min. Documentary Short – USA

Call Center Blues is a powerful documentary short film that sheds light on the human impact of deportation. With compassion and urgency, director Geeta Gandbhir explores the struggles of deportees living near the U.S.-Mexico border, working in call centers as they navigate fractured identities and uncertain futures.

The film blends intimate interviews with cinematic storytelling, offering both personal and political insight. It captures resilience in the face of loss, while highlighting the emotional toll of separation from family and homeland.

My Take: Must Watch
Call Center Blues is a must-watch documentary short film that not only informs but moves its audience. It’s an essential story in today’s cultural landscape and a standout in the realm of independent documentaries.

Film Description:
A poignant documentary about deportees working in call centers near the U.S.-Mexico border, Call Center Blues humanizes the immigration crisis and explores identity, loss, and resilience.

Hashtags

#CallCenterBlues #DocumentaryShortFilm #IndieShortFilm #IndependentCinema #GeetaGandbhir #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #IndieFilmCommunity #ImmigrationStories #BorderDocumentary #FilmFestivalShort

Reminiscences of the Green Revolution Directed by Dean Colin Marcial

Reminiscences of the Green Revolution

DRAMA SHORT FILM
Directed by Dean Colin Marcial
16 min. Scripted Short – USA

Reminiscences of the Green Revolution is a visually striking indie drama short film that hooks you immediately with its atmosphere, casting, and tone. Director Dean Colin Marcial creates a story full of potential, one that feels like it could easily expand into a feature-length film.

The film follows characters navigating personal and cultural shifts, exploring identity, memory, and the drive for growth. Though the short ends before fully exploring all its rich themes, it leaves the audience wanting more—a sign of both strong storytelling and compelling world-building.

My Take: Worth the Watch
With stellar casting, a captivating look and feel, and a story that lingers, Reminiscences of the Green Revolution is a worth-watching short film for fans of indie drama and visually bold cinema.

Film Description:
A beautifully shot drama that blends striking visuals, strong performances, and layered themes of memory, identity, and transformation—though it feels destined for expansion into a longer format.

Hashtags

#GreenRevolutionFilm #DramaShortFilm #IndieShortFilm #IndependentCinema #DeanColinMarcial #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #IndieFilmCommunity #VisualStorytelling #FilmFestivalShort

Dirty Directed by Matthew Puccini

Dirty

COMING-OF-AGE DRAMA SHORT FILM
Directed by Matthew Puccini
14 min. Scripted Short – USA

Dirty is an honest and heartfelt coming-of-age drama short film that tackles early sexual experiences in a way rarely seen on screen. With raw storytelling and genuine performances, this indie short film is as impactful as it is important.

What makes Dirty stand out is its authenticity. Instead of sensationalizing or oversimplifying, the film portrays intimate moments with nuance, care, and realism—making it resonate deeply with audiences who appreciate LGBTQ+ short films and character-driven dramas.

My Take: Must Watch
Dirty is a must-watch coming-of-age short film that offers both representation and resonance. Matthew Puccini captures the vulnerability of youth while telling a story that feels universal and deeply personal at the same time.

Film Description:
This film authentically addresses early sexual experiences in a way that is rarely presented in cinema—making it an essential addition to the world of independent short films.

Hashtags

#DirtyFilm #ComingOfAgeShort #LGBTQShortFilm #IndieShortFilm #IndependentCinema #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #IndieFilmCommunity #MatthewPuccini #DramaShortFilm #AuthenticStorytelling

Bella and the Slasher by Justin H. Reich

Bella and the Slasher

FANTASY DRAMA THRILLER SHORT FILM
Directed by Justin H. Reich
12 min. Scripted Short – USA

Bella and the Slasher is a captivating fantasy drama thriller short film that blurs the line between darkness and connection. Visually rich and emotionally layered, this indie short film explores themes of identity, belonging, and the haunting allure of the past.

The story follows Bella, a girl who doesn’t fit in—and doesn’t really want to. While attempting to connect with her shadowy past, she stumbles upon an unusual kind of friendship. The mix of thriller elements, fantasy tones, and drama-driven storytelling gives the short a unique atmosphere that lingers well after the credits roll.

My Take: Must Watch
With its striking visuals, intriguing narrative, and unsettling yet heartfelt approach, Bella and the Slasher stands out as a fantasy thriller short film worth experiencing. It’s a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy, indie thrillers, and emotionally complex short films.

Film Description:
Bella is a girl that can't seem to fit in—but also doesn’t want to. In an attempt to connect with her shadowy past, she discovers the most unusual type of friendship.

Hashtags

#BellaAndTheSlasher #FantasyDrama #ThrillerShortFilm #DarkFantasyShort #IndieShortFilm #IndependentCinema #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #IndieFilmCommunity #JustinHReich #FantasyThriller #FilmFestivalShort #IndieFilmReview

The Mirror by Joel Kohn

The Mirror

FANTASY DRAMA SHORT FILM
Directed by Joel Kohn
22 min. Scripted Short – USA

The Mirror is a beautifully crafted fantasy drama short film that combines mystery, history, and emotional storytelling. With its cinematic visuals and moving narrative, this indie short film explores how memory and time can connect across generations.

The story begins when a young girl discovers a mysterious antique mirror in the basement of her ailing grandmother’s home. What starts as a moment of curiosity quickly turns into something extraordinary, as the mirror becomes a portal to the past. Suddenly, the girl finds herself transported into Nazi-occupied Poland, caught between worlds where history and imagination collide.

The film’s strength lies in its balance of magical realism and historical weight. The fantasy short film elements enrich the emotional resonance of the story, while the World War II setting adds layers of tension and meaning. For fans of independent short films that merge genre with poignant drama, The Mirror is a compelling watch.

My Take: Worth The Watch
With its strong performances, elegant design, and deeply engaging premise, The Mirror is a standout in the world of independent fantasy dramas. It’s a short film that not only entertains but also invites reflection on family, history, and the power of imagination.

Film Description:
When a young girl discovers a mysterious antique mirror in the basement of her ailing grandmother’s house, she accidentally opens a window between time that allows her to cross over into war-torn Nazi-occupied Poland.

Follow Joel Kohn here: joelkohn.com/short-films-1

Hashtags

#TheMirrorFilm #FantasyDrama #FantasyShortFilm #DramaShortFilm #IndieShortFilm #IndependentCinema #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #JoelKohn #IndieFilmCommunity #WWIIStories #HistoricalFantasy #IndieFilmReview #FilmFestivalShort

Gun Metal Max Directed by Jonathan Brooks

Gun Metal Max

COMING-OF-AGE SHORT FILM
Directed by [Director’s Name if available]
14 min. Scripted Short – USA

Gun Metal Max is a heartfelt coming-of-age short film that captures the wonder of childhood imagination. Centered on Ben, a 10-year-old boy, the story highlights the powerful role superheroes and play can have in shaping a young person’s world.

Ben spends most of his time in the imaginative universe of Gun Metal Max, his favorite comic book hero. To him, Gun Metal Max represents strength, bravery, and the eternal defense of light. This indie short beautifully balances childhood innocence with themes of identity and growth, making it an uplifting and nostalgic watch.

My Take: Worth Watching
With its touching story, strong performances, and engaging visuals, Gun Metal Max is a must-see short film about childhood imagination that resonates with kids-at-heart and fans of indie storytelling.

Film Description:
Ben is a 10-year-old boy who escapes into the world of Gun Metal Max, his comic book hero. Recreating his hero’s adventures in his playroom, Ben finds joy, courage, and inspiration.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

#GunMetalMax #ComingOfAgeShort #IndieShortFilm #SuperheroInspiredFilm #ChildhoodImagination #ShortFilmReview #WorthTheWatch #IndieFilmCommunity #ComicBookInspired #IndieDramaShort #IndependentShortFilm #HeroStories #FilmFestivalShort #ImaginativeCinema

The Voice In Your Head Directed by Graham Parks

The Voice In Your Head

COMEDY SHORT FILM
Directed by Graham Parkes
14 min. Scripted Short – USA

I recently watched The Voice In Your Head, a surreal comedy short film directed by Graham Parkes, and it had me laughing from start to finish. Much like Basic, this is one of those shorts you simply have to see—I won’t spoil a moment of it. What makes this film stand out is its ability to balance absurd comedy with sharp writing, turning an everyday office setting into a hilarious, unsettling, and unforgettable experience.

A Surreal Comedy with Bite

The film follows an office worker, played by Lewis Pullman, who has resigned himself to spending every waking hour tortured by the negative voice in his head. Just when it seems unbearable, a concerned coworker (Mat Wright) decides to step in, leading to a surreal chain of events. With its sharp timing, clever dialogue, and offbeat humor, The Voice In Your Head highlights Graham Parkes’ talent for creating dark comedy shorts that leave a lasting impression.

Festival Recognition and Awards

The Voice In Your Head premiered at the SXSW 2020 Film Festival as an official selection. It went on to win “Best Comedy” and the Jury Award for Best Short in Short of the Week’s Short Awards in 2020. These accolades underscore the film’s blend of originality, humor, and cinematic craft.

My Take: Must Watch

For fans of indie short films, surreal storytelling, or award-winning comedy, The Voice In Your Head is a must-see. Its combination of sharp performances, inventive writing, and absurd yet relatable humor make it one of the most memorable short comedy films of recent years.

Film Description

A surreal comedy about an office worker who has resigned himself to spending every waking hour tortured by the negative voice in his head—until a concerned coworker decides to take action.

Written and Directed by: Graham Parkes
Starring: Lewis Pullman & Mat Wright

Suggested Hashtags

#TheVoiceInYourHead #GrahamParkes #LewisPullman #MatWright #ComedyShortFilm #SurrealComedy #SXSW2020 #IndieShortFilm #AwardWinningShort #BestComedyShort #DarkComedyShort #FilmFestivalShort #ShortOfTheWeek #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview

CLICK TO WATCH

FOLLOW THE FILMMAKER: Instagram at grhmparkes

Waffle Directed by Carlyn Hudson

Waffle

DARK COMEDY SHORT FILM
Directed by Carlyn Hudson
14 min. Scripted Short – USA

Waffle is a bizarre and entertaining dark comedy short film that keeps you laughing while also leaving you slightly unsettled. This indie short film thrives on its strange story and surprising twists, making it a unique entry into the world of independent cinema.

The story follows Kerry, who attends a sleepover with Katie, a socially awkward, mysteriously orphaned heiress. What seems like an innocent gathering quickly takes unexpected turns as Kerry learns that Katie always gets what she wants.

My Take: Must Watch
Waffle is a surreal and funny indie comedy short film that’s both unpredictable and engaging. Fans of offbeat humor, dark comedies, and independent short films will find this a must-watch.

Film Description:
Kerry attends a sleepover with Katie, a socially awkward, mysteriously orphaned heiress. Kerry learns the hard way that Katie always gets what she wants.

CLICK TO WATCH

Hashtags

#WaffleFilm #DarkComedy #ComedyShortFilm #IndieShortFilm #IndependentCinema #MustWatchShort #ShortFilmReview #IndieFilmCommunity #CarlynHudson #SurrealComedy #FilmFestivalShort