FILMSSHORT WINNERS - 3
Below are four of the winning films from the 13th FILMSshort competition.
Last Call Lenny by Julien Lasseur (2016) (USA) (12m)
Tthe Grand Prize winner in the 13th FILMSshort competition, Last Call Lenny did very well on the short film festival circuit. It tells the story of Gabe, who has decided to end his life, but needs a little help. Lenny offers his services for people in such a situation. However, the talkative Lenny does not like to make things too simple, and also has to avoid being the one to actually pull the trigger. It seems that Lenny is a disaster looking for somewhere to happen.
The Disappearance of Willie Bingham by Matt Richards (2015) (Aus) (12m)
The Disappearance of Willie Bingham is a truly disturbing short film. The eponymous Willie is languishing in prison having killed a wife and mother. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system allows for his victim's family to demand that Willie have a limb amputated as part of his punishment. Willie can then be used as an example to Australian children not to partake in crime. However, the victim's family can demand the removal of another limb. And another.
Secrets by Phinehas Hodges (2017) (USA) (10m)
A FILMSshort competition finalist, Secrets is a brilliantly acted drama in which a couple reveal increasingly deep secrets. The tone is comical to begin with as they admit to past misdeeds, but their revelations become increasingly personal until the woman admits to harbouring more unsettling secrets. Her boyfriend is unsure how to react to the bombshells, causing an abrupt breakdown in communication. Has the woman's brutal honesty ruined the relationship?
The Jigsaw by Al-Safar Bros. (2014) (UK/Portugal) (8m)
The Jigsaw has added FILMSshort's Best BAME Short Film Award to those it garnered on the festival circuit. It is a classic horror with a sting in its tail, in which an ageing loner insists on buying a jigsaw despite there being no picture of what it will be and the shopkeeper warning him it always ends up back in the store. When the elderly gentleman gets it to his remote coastal house, he quickly gets to work on it. However, it soon becomes apparent that there is a reason why the box had no picture on it.
