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As we attend the “Bentonville Film Festival” this week, we will expand, learn, and grow in our knowledge of cinema. More importantly, regarding our knowledge of the world and how others perceive it. Today we will do that with various short films. The “BFF” was founded in 2015 as a non-profit organization that focused primarily on underrepresented voices and diverse storytellers. The festival focuses on women, LGBTQIA+, people of color, and people with disabilities. They aim to amplify and focus on that narrative of cinema, a narrative that is not typically told in such a span that the festival does.
We are so humbled that they have asked to be involved in the “Bentonville Film Festival.” We look to promote and amplify the voices of anyone who exists in this world and we are happy that “BFF” is doing the same. Here are some short films that you should keep on your radar from “BFF” fest.
1. Long Time Listener, First Time Caller (( 17:12 ))
“We are floating on a ball in the middle of space.”
- DIRECTOR: Nora Kirkpatrick
- WRITER: Nora Kirkpatrick
- PRODUCER: William Day-Frank, Nicole Smolen, Nora Kirkpatrick
- EDITOR: Mike Manasewitsch
- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jeff Leeds-Cohn
- CAST: Breeda Wool, Dominic Bogart, Juliet Mills, DeMorge Brown, Jen Tullock
After accidentally tuning in to a mysterious late-night radio show and hearing this sentiment, Nan’s head is metaphorically cracked open. No longer content with her lonely existence, in a lonely marriage, in a lonely house in the middle of nowhere, Nan is forced to decide between her safe but ultimately meaningless world, and the unknown outside her front door.
“BFF” Short Film Must-Watch:
An astonishing short full of love, life, and happiness. Life is altering the choice of what to choose, who to choose, and how to leave a life you know too well for your own good. It is pleasant, sad, but also refreshing in many ways. Without saying too much, it might make you cry. Outstanding performances are a huge bonus.
2. Velvet (( 10:21 ))
- DIRECTOR: Coz Greenop
- WRITER: Victoria DeBlauss
- PRODUCER: Mike Anderson, Jeff Hood, Victoria DeBlauss, Charlie Clapham, Diliana Deltcheva
- EDITOR: Jack Gravina
- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gary Long
- CAST: Charlie Clapham (Austin), Victoria DeBlauss (Eve), Francesco Martino (Sergio Leone), Jackson Knox (John)
Set in 1965, outlaw lovers Eve and Austin await their getaway driver in the Mojave Desert after committing a bank heist. Austin’s racial prejudice threatens to tear them apart when he finds out that Eve has a Black mother. Meanwhile, a well-known Italian director watches their every move.
“BFF” Short Film Must-Watch:
I don’t think I would – or could – ever come up with a Western to talk about race, but the directing in this was fabulous. It reminded me of a mash-up between Moonrise Kingdom and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. It is a neat little short.
3. They Won’t Last (( 15:41 ))
- DIRECTOR: Portlynn Tagavi
- WRITER: Portlynn Tagavi + Brandon Gale
- PRODUCER: Richard Bailey
- EDITOR: Farzad Kiyafar
- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Delaney O’Brien
- CAST: Jack De Sena (Alex), Brittany Finamore (Christine) Ryan Lee (Thalia) Gary Curtis (Jonathan)
After attending their friend’s perfect wedding, Christine is forced to consider the future of her own relationship when her hopeless romantic boyfriend Alex proposes. When Christine is unable to say yes, Alex makes it worse by giving her an ultimatum: either get engaged or break up right now.
“BFF” Short Film Must-Watch:
I didn’t expect to enjoy this short as much as I did. I thought it would be a bit corny (expected), but I was charmingly surprised. It went against a lot of what I presumed it would be about. I kind of loved it a whole lot (meaning a lot a lot).
I enjoyed the acting, the directing, and the overall elements of a relationship taking place. It was also hilarious in many ways if you have ever been in a relationship like this. Without saying too much, make-up-sex might be involved?
4. Single (( 15:09 ))
- DIRECTOR: Ashley Eakin
- WRITERS: Ashley Eakin
- PRODUCER: Connie Jo Sechrist
- EDITOR: Charles Carter
- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Sam Chatterjee
- CAST: Delaney Feener (Kim), Jordan Wiseley (Jake)
SINGLE is a relatable, anti-romantic comedy that delivers an entertaining and insightful examination of human connection that also challenges preconceived notions of life with a disability.
“BFF” Short Film Must-Watch:
I, shockingly enough, was not interested in the premise at first. I thought the “she’s pissed” part was confusing, but I felt I wanted to watch it anyway because I wanted to find out why she was pissed. I thought the play on two people with diverse outlooks on their very similar issues was engaging. I don’t know if it intended what the director and writer wanted, but it made an impact nonetheless. One that stuck with me for a bit afterward. (( I didn’t particularly enjoy the ending shot, but it was not terrible. ))
5. Tree #3 (( 20:00 ))
- DIRECTOR: Omer Ben-Shachar
- WRITERS: Omer Ben Shachar + Sydney Meadow
- PRODUCER: Iris Xuan Yang
- EDITOR: Yinong Xia
- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Zilong Liu
- CAST: Lior Malka, Rita Zohar, Kelly Ryan, Alex Gonzalez, Eva Du
After he’s been cast (again!) as a background tree in his annual middle school play, an ambitious and imaginative Israeli immigrant boy leads a revolution on stage that his intolerant drama teacher will never forget.
“BFF” Short Film Must-Watch:
This one made me cry. That is all you need to know about it. It is beautiful, breathtaking, dazzling, and humbling. A treasure of a short film. The actors were superb, the cinematography was exceptional, what more could you ask for? Add this to your watchlist as soon as you possibly can.