Ghost Can (Canada) (2016)
After going on a dark ride with her bad date, a young woman comes home with a surprise. Written by Jordan Barnes-Crouse and Carolyn Williams and directed by the former, this short is fun, cringe inducing in parts and funny in others. The acting by leads Ariel Hansen and Tyler Weeks is decent with a few hiccups, but the story and the titular thing that comes out of the titular ghost can are interesting with effects by Carolyn Williams. The ghost is well done and the rest of the effects of the effects are uneven which does not take away from the ending.
My Brother Charlie (Canada) (2015)
A young boy recounts how he misses his brother when he is sent away following violent, sociopathic events. The film written by Evan Hamza and Emil Terziev is directed by Hamza and showcases good kid performances Carson Wright in the lead and Cameron Wright as Charlie with a monotone narration by Tomaso Sanelli which may be this way on purpose. The film is interesting and has some nicely grim moments and a well-fitting ending.
Inferno (Canada) (2016)
A young stripper must take the first steps in her initiation as she wants to be a part of the sisterhood with the other ladies at her club. Written and directed by Dionne Copeland, this short establishes the dynamic between the characters quite well and lets the ambiance do the work in raising the weariness of what might be to come for the young man celebrating his birthday at the ladies’ place of work. The cast composed of Lee Booker, Angela Way, Stef Bartlett, and Katie Hayashida as the ladies and Dallas Petersen, Evan Gillmore, Alex Lowe, and Riaan Smith, with an assist by Tess Paul as the bartender does well and weaves an interesting web until the final reveal at the end. The cinematography by Turner Stewart looks good and gives the film a particular feel while the special effects Ryan Nicholson add an extra oomph to the film.
Stillborn (Canada) (2016)
In this surreal fable, a young girl sits by as her mother receives gentlemen callers who bring gifts for her daughter. As the film advances, someone dark looms. Based on a story by Eric Boissonneault and Tyson Carlson, adapted for the screen by Boissonneault and directed by Carlson, this short is a well-crafter period piece with a dark tone that pulls the viewer in and doesn’t give everything away until the very end. The lead of the young girl is played by Kiva Mary Golden Carlson who does a great job looking both innocent and almost menacing. Her performance brings something special to the part and the film’s brooding. Helping this brooding is the cinematography by Jake Forsyth and music by Karl Mohr. This one takes its time building until that ending that is chilling.
No Trespassing (Canada) (2016)
Two teenagers get lost in the woods; something is there with them, what is happening? Written and directed by Charlie Lawton, this short is not exactly clear in its story and what is going on but it has interesting imagery and decent performances by Sara Jackson, Lea Lawrynowicz, and Sylvia Thorn. Their performances are hard to gage given that the film’s direction is not entirely clear. The film itself is interesting and easy to watch even though it is somewhat hard to follow.
Blood in the Snow ran from November 25th to November 27th, 2016.