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ShortStick
The short end of the stick. The inferior part, the worse side of an unequal deal.
When it comes to cinema and the Oscars, it always feels like short films are getting the short end of the stick. Lack of coverage, lack of predictions from experts and an afterthought in the conversation. With this site we hope to change that, highlighting shorts that stick with you, predictions, and news on what is happening in the world of shorts.
Interview with John Kelly and Tara Lawall of Retirement Plan
In Retirement Plan, we follow the journey of Ray, a man with a detached attitude toward his own life. However, dreaming of his retirement days, Ray finds joy in the desire to discover the world. In the film by John Kelly, we watch a slice-of-life type of story questioning the human tendency to dream of the future, instead of living in the moment. Listen above as Pedro speaks to director John Kelly and Tara Lawall about the short. Retirement Plan, dir. John Kelly “I should exe
Jan 152 min read
Interview with Mimi Wilcox of Bad Hostage
Bad Hostage, directed by Mimi Wilcox, stands out as one of the most riveting documentary shorts on this years shortlist as it perfectly balances familial anecdotes and broader social commentary through remarkable filmmaking and engaging interviews. Throughout the exploration of a fascinating family history, which features both a traumatic and curious observation of a hostage situation, Mimi Wilcox takes us on a history lesson about Stockholm Syndrome, her family's kidnapping
Jan 151 min read
Interview with Aaron Blaise of Snow Bear
Aaron Blaise is a veteran in the animation industry. He worked as an animator on multiple films of the "Disney Animation Renaissance" such as Aladdin, Mulan and The Lion King, among others. Blaise directed the 2003 film Brother Bear, which although not a hit at the time, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and later acclaim as a classic by new generations. Listen to Pedro's conversation with Aaron as they discuss the story behind his latest mastercr
Jan 141 min read
Interview with Ali Cook of The Pearl Comb
Mixing horror genre tropes and the folk mythology of mermaids, Ali Cook crafts a fascinating melange of genres and references in The Pearl Comb. Narrating the appearance of a siren in the countryside of England, a man finds a miraculous cure in the pearl comb left by a mermaid. Throughout his background in comedy and the ability to create scenarios, Cook frames a period story about the folk backdrop and the myth of the creature. Listen to our full episode and read our review
Jan 142 min read
Interview with Julia Aks and Steve Pinder of Jane Austen's Period Drama
In 2024, the duo of Julia Aks and Steve Pinder premiered Jane Austen's Period Drama, an over-the-top adaptation of the work by one of the most quintessential female writers of our time. By naming their characters ridiculous names, such as Estrogenia (played by Aks herself), the film makes a timeless commentary on the male inability to understand periods and femininity. Throughout their humorous tale, the film crafts a clever construction of comedy on period film-making. Liste
Jan 131 min read
Interview with Simon Panay of The Boy with White Skin
In The Boy with White Skin, Simon Panay discusses the rituals and beliefs of miners in the most productive gold mine in Senegal. In their culture, the albino skin attracts the gold, and the direction, who has documented their culture in documentary films before, decides to re-enact it in a fictional work. We interview the director about filming in Senegal, the casting process of the lead child and his history with the gold mine.
Jan 131 min read
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