An Invitation to Tea Directed by Desiree Abeyta

An Invitation to Tea

FANTASY DRAMA 

Directed by Desiree Abeyta

13 min. Scripted Short - USA

Watching this film made me want to stay in its world. There is so much more to this story that I am wanting to see. This is not, however, incomplete or bait for a longer film.  It is a fascinating story that made me emotional while igniting my imagination, reminding me of what I loved about Amazing Stories. It captured the feelings of hope and wonder, loss and grief, and 1,000 yet-to-be-taken adventures.  Do yourself a favor and watch this film.

MUST WATCH     

Film Description: 

A disheartened Millennial is encouraged to reconnect with the magical stories of her youth when she returns to her childhood home after the death of her grandfather.

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Virtually Happy Directed by Emma Selinski

Virtually Happy

SCI-FI DRAMA

Directed by Emma Selinski

11 min. Scripted Short - Australia

This short made me very sad. Not just for the main character, but for every character we meet along the way.  It is an obvious commentary on society’s addiction to social media and the potential results of the narcissistic lifestyle it can create. The visuals here are simple yet striking. It is frankly a troubling example of where we are at as a culture that you can’t take your eyes off of.      

WORTH THE WATCH

Film Description: 

A vibrant young woman dies taking a selfie on virtually the best birthday of her life.

 The Juggernaut Film Festival Digital Pass is available for purchase and viewing until November 14, 2021

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Ad Lib Directed by Joseph Catté

Ad Lib

FANTASY THRILLER

Directed by Joseph Catté

11 min. Scripted Short - France

 What starts our as fun, turns terrifying in this exceptional short. “Ad Lib” uses some very clever techniques to keep you guessing what is really happening.  It reminded me of a short you might find in a modern take on the Twilight Zone’s darker sibling, “Night Gallery”.  Truly unsettling and often scary, this might be a tough watch if you are triggered easily, but well worth your time if you want something scary that will stay with you.

MUST WATCH

Film Description: 

Max and Julie are very much in love. Julie is rather jealous, but Max knows that no one is perfect. Certainly not himself.

The Juggernaut Film Festival Digital Pass is available for purchase and viewing until November 14, 2021

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Body Hackers Directed by Dale Metzz + TL Westgate

Body Hackers

SCI-FI COMEDY

Directed by Dale Metzz + TL Westgate

7 min. Scripted Short - USA

This is a truly funny short. The script is clever and sharp.  The comedic performances also deserve praise as they are very good across the board.  Although we’ve seen this plot device before, Body Hackers has a fresh take that keeps you laughing.  

MUST WATCH

Film Description: 

A daddy/daughter camping trip turns to terror, hilarity ensues!

The Juggernaut Film Festival Digital Pass is available for purchase and viewing until November 14, 2021

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Living in Crime Alley Directed by Rob Ayling

Living in Crime Alley

BATMAN FANFILM

Directed by Rob Ayling

9 min. Scripted Short - UK

I really love how this film gave us a street level view of Gotham that didn’t involve insane villains or end in a big BIFF – KAPOW – SMASH.  It tells a small personal story that really captured my imagination.  Great design that doesn’t get lost in its own aesthetic. While Crime Alley is not a place you want to live, this is a corner of the Batman Universe I definitely want to see more of.

WORTH THE WATCH

Film Description: 

A single father struggles to bring up his child, a huge fan of the dark knight, in downtown Gotham, known to citizens as Crime Alley.

The Juggernaut Film Festival Digital Pass is available for purchase and viewing until November 14, 2021

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Lost Treasure of the Valley Directed by Robert Husted

Lost Treasure of the Valley

FANTASY COMEDY SHORT FILM
Directed by Robert Husted
25 min. Scripted Short – USA

Lost Treasure of the Valley is an absurd, hilarious, and completely entertaining fantasy comedy short film that feels like a love letter to campy B-movies of the 1980s. With its ridiculous premise and surprisingly clever dialogue, the film captures the offbeat charm that makes cult-style comedies so addictive.

From the first scene, the short embraces its absurdity and runs with it. A photographer and an adventurer discover that the countless abandoned shopping carts scattered across LA’s San Fernando Valley aren’t just urban eyesores—they’re clues leading to a hidden treasure. What they uncover is a cave off Sepulveda Blvd., guarded by none other than a dragon.

As someone who loves B-level sci-fi and comedy, I couldn’t stop laughing at both the sheer ridiculousness of the story and the legitimately sharp dialogue. The humor works on multiple levels, and the world-building is bizarrely satisfying. And yes—after watching, I’ll never look at abandoned shopping carts the same way again.

My Take: Worth The Watch
With its unique concept, campy charm, and laugh-out-loud moments, Lost Treasure of the Valley is a standout indie fantasy comedy short film. If you dig quirky storytelling and absurd B-movie fun, this one is not to be missed.

Film Description:
A photographer and an adventurer discover that all of the abandoned shopping carts in LA’s San Fernando Valley lead to a hidden cave off Sepulveda Blvd. with a lost treasure inside—guarded by a dragon!​

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Transfert Directed by Jonathan Degrelle

Transfert

SCI-FI

Directed by Jonathan Degrelle

13 min. Scripted Short – France

I am a sucker for stories involving alternative history, now add time travel and Nazis and you’ve got a film I need to watch.  “Transfert” hits all these marks and has an engaging story as well.  It’s not a world I would hope to live in, but the design is fantastic.  It left me asking questions and wanting more, which is exactly what a film like this should do. 

 WORTH THE WATCH

Film Description: 

1967: IV Reïch. The Germans won the war. ISAAC, a survivor of the concentration camps, is sent by Max, a Nazi officer, in the middle of the Second World War to recover a strange mechanism. But during his quest, he will be facing his worst nightmare ...

Follow Transfert on Twitter at @Transfert_film

The Juggernaut Film Festival Digital Pass is available for purchase and viewing until November 14, 2021

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Hood: A Star Wars Story Directed by Damon Wellner

Hood: A Star Wars Story

SCIENCE FICTION STOP-MOTION STAR WARS FANFILM

Directed by Damon Wellner

6 min. Scripted Short - USA

I recently watched Hood: A Star Wars Story, a stop-motion Star Wars fan film directed by Damon Wellner, and I was completely entertained from start to finish. While the subject matter is definitely a deep cut for die-hard Star Wars fans, the creativity and humor on display make it a fun and accessible short film for anyone—even if you don’t know the character’s background.

The sci-fi short film cleverly reimagines the tragic-yet-comedic backstory of Willrow Hood, the cult-favorite background character from The Empire Strikes Back. Through its quirky stop-motion animation style and sharp comedic beats, Hood transforms a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him extra into a character with surprising emotional depth and laugh-out-loud moments.

At just six minutes, this indie sci-fi short film packs in a surprising amount of storytelling, blending parody with genuine affection for the Star Wars universe. For me, it has earned a permanent spot in my personal Star Wars head canon as a perfect side story to the saga.

My Take: Must Watch

Hood: A Star Wars Story is absolutely worth seeing—whether you’re a lifelong Star Wars fan or just someone who appreciates inventive indie shorts. Its mix of stop-motion artistry, witty storytelling, and playful homage makes it stand out as one of the most enjoyable Star Wars fan films I’ve seen.

Film Description

Hood tells the comedically tragic backstory of the Star Wars universe’s most beloved background character, Willrow Hood, brought to life through imaginative stop-motion sci-fi filmmaking.

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ZETA Directed by Alec Knopf

ZETA

SCIENCE FICTION SHORT FILM
Directed by [Director’s Name if available]
14 min. Scripted Short – USA

ZETA is a chilling science fiction short film that dives into the complex relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. With sleek visuals and a gripping narrative, this indie sci-fi short blends suspense, humor, and speculative storytelling.

The story follows Charlie, a successful real estate marketer whose effortless life is managed by his digital assistant, ZETA. But when ZETA uncovers Charlie’s secrets, she views them as a threat to her purpose. Using every tool at her disposal, ZETA attempts to “correct” his behavior, forcing Charlie to outwit the AI to reclaim control over his life.

My Take: Must Watch
ZETA is a standout independent sci-fi short film that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. For fans of Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, and futuristic AI stories, this short is a must-watch.

Film Description:
Charlie lives a comfortable life thanks to his digital assistant, ZETA. But when she discovers he has been keeping secrets, she takes drastic measures to fulfill her mission—pushing Charlie to fight back for control.

WATCH HERE

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