BAFTA 2024 | SHORT FILMS

My favorite of the three nominated short films in the animation category, for certain, is the fabulous "Wild Summon", a natural history fantasy short film directed by Karni Arieli and Saul Freed. The film reimagines the dramatic life cycle of a wild salmon in human form. It features exquisite filming of magnificent scenery and animation, creating a world that is both familiar and surreal. The film was part of the Official Competition at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it was described as a technically brilliant piece of animation that explores the universal feelings of the fear of change and the gradual realization that things can never stay the same. Splendidly narrated by Marianne Faithful, who gives the story an otherworldly ethereal aspect, “Wild Summon” is definitely a standout.

Now going into the live action category, we start with the quirky "Gorka", directed by Joe Weiland. The short follows a French exchange student named Gorka as they visit England for the first time, staying with a British family consisting of Tonya, Morris, and their son Anthony. The film explores complex family dynamics with a blend of humor and sensitivity, addressing themes of grief and family relations. The film reflects a quality that many of the other nominees share in this year’s BAFTAs - the impressive production quality that makes it look like a mid budget feature film. With a great premise and clever sense of humor, “Gorka” is certainly the crowdpleaser of the bunch.

Next we have "Festival of Slaps" directed by Abdou Cisse, a short film that explores the theme of cultural stereotypes through the lens of a Nigerian mother's slap. The film showcases impressive technical aspects such as creative camera angles and interesting camera movements, which are complemented by clever editing to create a visually engaging experience. The story does its best to address the issues it raises, even though it seems to be too ambitious at times. There are several interesting plot points that can be explored by the physical punishment displayed in the story, including the irony of how it can save a life.

Continuing the trend, we have "Such a Lovely Day", a short film directed by Simon Woods. Also with a great production design, the story is set in a perfect English summer garden where a family gathers for lunch, wine, games, and dancing. The film captures the essence of a joyous family gathering in a beautiful setting, but makes it clear from the beginning that something is off. Maybe the film needed some extra minutes to feel fully realized as a story and explore its themes more profoundly, but the sharp text and the talented acting help to make this drama worth your while.

Compared with its fellow nominees, “Yellow” is definitely simpler and less ambitious, but just as effective as most of them. This short film directed by Elham Ehsas is set in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and follows a woman who walks into a chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full-body veil and face an uncertain future. The film explores the harsh realities of life for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and the loss of freedoms they once had. The film has been praised for its simple yet powerful storytelling, emotional performances, and thoughtful approach to a difficult topic. 

Last, but certainly not least, we have the touching "Jellyfish and Lobster", a comedy drama short film directed by Yasmin Afifi. The film revolves around two elderly care home residents who form an unlikely relationship after making an enchanted discovery. The story focuses on the unexpected bond between the two characters and their memories of the past while dealing with the obstacles imposed by age. With superb acting and an effective script, the film manages to captivate and reward the audience with characters we can easily fall in love with. Such a unique and interesting concept could absolutely make use of a feature length format to be even more satisfying. It is one of those films that will keep your mind busy for a while after the credits roll.

And with that we finish our quick review of all the eight stunning short films nominated for the BAFTAs in 2024. They are setting the bar high and showing that the future of filmmaking is in the hands of very talented professionals, all of them committed to the telling of beautiful stories in charming and unconventional fashion. By providing a platform for emerging talent and celebrating British contributions to filmmaking, the BAFTAs remain a safe haven that supports the next generation of filmmakers in an age when film professionals all over the world are struggling to make ends meet. You can also be a part of that by streaming the films available online and sharing the love for the art of cinema.