Starling

A little star spirit comes down to earth on her birthday to visit the place where she once lived, and to see those she loved for a final time.  However, being just a little star, she is easily blown off course and must navigate her way through the busy streets of Istanbul before time runs out for her.  A simple premise – and of course, that is often what makes the most engaging animation so effective – but one which will, I assure you, have you reaching out for a tissue or five. 

Hats off to director Mitra Shahidi, who I think has created something quite remarkable here. Winner of the Tribeca Film Festival 2023 award for Best Animated Short, this film also received the Audience Award for Best Animated Short at the Austin Film Festival. It has since been recognised at numerous other festivals, cementing its reputation as a critically acclaimed and widely celebrated animated short.

One small thing – I did think that the animation was going to be about a bird when I first came across this!  However, that’s a tiny, miniscule little gripe and I feel almost guilty bringing it up, even.  Enjoy this animated short – it’s special.

Watch Starling below.

Inseparable – Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

What would you do if you were told you were dying?  What decisions would you take? For Joe a young professional with a wife and a child the news triggers a meeting with his drifter brother Charlie.  Once they were inseparable but they paths have taken very distinct paths.  Now that Joe’s days are limited what route will the brothers decide upon for the one that is left behind?

The star of the piece is Benedict Cumberbatch, a young British actor you may have seen in the BBC series Sherlock or more recently as Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek: Into Darkness. Don't worry if you haven't. I am sure we will be seeing lots more of this talented young actor. Ahem.

A short film about identity, family and starting again, Inseparable was directed by Nick White and written by Matthew James Wilkinson.  It was produced by Area 17, a London based film and video production company. Although Benedict Cumberbatch takes up most of the screen time (one way or another) special mention must be given to Nathalie Press.  She may only appear at the beginning and the end of the short film but hers is a virtuoso performance of understated personal agony.

The Truth About Stanley

There has been a lot written recently about the standard of films released on line and how it is getting higher and higher – the internet has proven a liberating place for short film makers and what is generally regarded as a renaissance in the genre is taking place. The Truth About Stanley is a short film which exemplifies the revitalization of the short film.

It tells the tale of two people on periphery of society. Sam (Raif Clarke), a youngster fleeing a life of domestic abuse, comes across Stanley (Oliver Litondo) a man with a blind stick in one hand and a can of lager in the other, with more than a tale to tell about his past life and adventures. The two forge an unlikely friendship yet their relationship is not without its own frustrations.

This rather melancholic but moving short film which also features Andrew-Lee Potts (of Primeval fame) was made by Lucy Tcherniak a young and upcoming British film maker.  The soundtrack is provided by Radiohead and Mumford & Sons. The issue of homelessness in the UK is on the increase and the main aim of the film is to highlight this and to raise funds for the Big Issue Foundation and a hostel.  If you would like to make a contribution, please visit the movie's JustGiving fundraising page - 100% of your donation will go to charity.

Coin

Coins – millions of them are discarded and lost every year.  Yet they have lives too!  At least that is the premise of Olly Newport’s short stop motion animation. 

Where they are running away to is, however, left unclear. Perhaps it is deliberately done so to leave it to our imagination!  So, if you have ever wondered where those lost coins go to, this will not answer your question but at least you know that they ran away and were not lost after all!