Film festivals look to showcase talented filmmakers, and filmmakers look for the right film festival to get the right publicity. The San Francisco Indie Short Festival is a bi-monthly festival welcoming filmmakers from all over the world and short films of all genres.
In the May 2021 edition of the bi-monthly festival, we know it can be overwhelming to sift through 100s of submissions, so we’ve curated seven of the short films that are worth checking out, including a category winner for the month of May.
READY TO ROLL – Category: Best Music Video (WINNER)
Director: Heather McKay, United States
60s dining rejoice! This award-winning music video has brought back the past times of checkerboard-floor dining, neon lights, roller skates, and flashy clothing. Heather McKay teams up with singer Natalie Clark to bring home some good vibes and a catchy tune in Ready to Roll.
FINE INSOSAPEVOLE – Category: Best International Short Film
Director: Domenico Matteo Orlando, Italy
Domenico Matteo Orlando’s cinematography is a must watch on this Italian short film. This follows an incarcerated male stemming from murders committed in his past. It appears he may be in a psychiatric ward and is interviewed by psychologists. The art direction and colorist scenes help shape the dark undertones of this short film.
THE YELLOW RIBBON – Category: Best Student Short
Director: Ashlin Winckler, South Africa
Ashlin Winckler’s strength in filmmaking is applying right narrative and human connection to create a romantic bond between two LGBTQ+ soulmates in this remarkable student short film. This story follows Anne, who does not believe in soulmates and have no soul-thread, who meets Mo, who tries to make Anne realize there may be a relationship between the two.
LAST DAY – Category: Best International Short Film
Director: Dan Gaut, Australia
“To live each day as if it were your last”. If the timing could not have been better with the world changing due to COVID-19. Filmmaker Dan Gaut wrote a story about a guy who embraces the little moments in life that matters and brings him joy day by day, even with the struggles he must deal with in his life.
TONY’S CAKES – Category: Best Documentary Short
Director: Tony Holman & Vida deKayla, United States
Follow the journey of Tony Diaz and his past troubled life where his redemption was building his own bakery, Tony’s Cakes. Tony Holman and Vida deKayla’s documentary combines the storytelling of his current events and some animation work of his past struggles to bring us a nice balance of Tony Diaz’s downs, and rise to being where he is today.
MY FRIEND ANXIETY – Category: Best International Short Film
Director: Ryan Chamley, Australia
Ryan Chamleys puts on a quirky spin on anxiety, by introducing the character, Anxiety, into Cole’s life. Mental Health has been in the mainstream for several years now, and it’s nice to see a fun take on the portrayal of Cole’s negotiations with his anxiety throughout his day-to-day life. Good dialogue to boot as well.
LAST NIGHT IN VEGAS – Category: Best Narrative Us Short Film
Director: J. Nicholas Meese, United States
Theatre enthusiasts would love watching this one, especially when theatres and musicals have been inaccessible due to COVID-19. This entire 8-minute film does not miss a beat at any point of the scene. It is literally a long music video with bright visuals, great choreography, and a very talented Bengali American singer expressing her not-so-perfect choices she made the night before her Vegas bachelorette party.