Several key short films are now going the festival and short film circuit and a prize of an award or two is imminent for some of them who have already made their mark this year.

Here is a look at five possible contenders in the mix:

BISMILLAH

BISMILLAH Director Alessandro Grande:

An Italian subtitled short, written and directed by Alessandro Grande, BISMILLAH focuses on a Tunisian brother and sister, Jamil and Samira, who have been living in Italy for seven months. Jamil is suffering great pain and Samira has to rely on the charity of a local woman, Hamira, who reassures Samira that her brother will be spared the hospital. Unfortunately, the problems escalate. It’s a simple tale of faith and love, with a nice focused performance from the actress who plays Samira, Linda Mresy.

COYOTE

An animated short which reminds one of animation classics HEAVY METAL and Martin Rosen’s British animated adaptation of Richard Adams’ WATERSHIP DOWN , Lorenz Wunderle’s COYOTE is not one for the kids and reminds also of the power of adult animation, harking back to Ralph Bakshi’s original FRITZ THE CAT from 1972. The film was realised and produced through YK Animation Studio.

It’s an alternate world, where coyotes are drivers in the American Mid-West and our hero in this one is a drunkard in a place of such extreme cynicism, the fantasy and reality overlap each other. However, after a run-in with some animal bikers, Coyote takes his stand.

It’s a stunning piece of post-psychedelic animation which is extreme at times and quite disjointed for the viewer, but that only makes it all the more impactful. Wunderle is a talent to watch.

LUNCH LADIES

Set in the town of Melvinville, California, J.M Logan’s LUNCH LADIES, directed from a script by Clarissa Jacobson is a black-comic tale of Seretta (Donna Pieroni) and LouAnne (Mary Manofsky), lunch ladies at Melvin High School, whose lives are transformed when their burger recipe is the recipient of a culinary award via a letter allegedly signed by Johnny Depp, with the prize being his personal chef at a concert he is performing at.

Unfortunately, at present, they aren’t exactly going to make the first round of a Gordon Ramsey reality show based on their efforts at their school

The reality of losing their jobs becomes apparent when the principal threatens to replace them with vending machines within 24 hours for ‘Surprise Friday’. The sheer stress of this opportunity with Mr. Depp, coupled with the taunts of the students causes Seretta to take a darker path – and perhaps a surprise or two of her own….

Reminiscent of classic John Waters and HEATHERS, with a twinge of influence from Depp’s own performance in SWEENEY TODD (plus some other classic horror films which fans will note without pause) , LUNCH LADIES certainly has sufficient style and energy. Chris Ekstein’s cinematography captures the style and essence of many of the 1980s high school classics, whilst Antoni M. March nails classic Bernard Herrmann and Danny Elfman in a luscious score that compliments the shenanigans on screen.

Another amazing example of what can be achieved on limited resources.

Processed with Snapseed.

MARGUERITE

Winner of the Oscar Qualifying Best Live Action Short Award at Rhode Island International Film Festival and directed by Marianne Farley, Marguerite explores the contrast of young and old love in a story which focuses on the relationship between a woman, Marguerite (Beatrice Picard) whose health is failing in the twilight of her life and her carer, Rachel (Sandrine Bisson) who appears to be the only light in her life. Reflections on both her own past relationships, and the revelation that Rachel has got a lady of her own, entwine in a touching short that celebrates love.

THE OVERCOAT

A Kickstarter initiative, which was adapted and directed by Patrick Myles from the short story by Nikolai Gogol, THE OVERCOAT is a quirky, but hugely enjoyable film about a wimpy proof-reader called Christopher Cobbler, whose life is dulled down by a bad workplace because of the increasingly threadbare overcoat that provides one of the only sources of satisfaction in his life. However, his workmates tease him and ignore him, until he decides to take action…

Reminiscent of Terry Gilliam’s BRAZIL with Cobbler not unlike Jonathan Pryce, and shot in a style not unlike the Coen Brother’s HUDSUCKER PROXY and TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY, (thanks to Cinematographer Tom Turley) , it is also a bittersweet, amusing offering.

Please do keep your eyes open for these and catch them when you can. It is important that we support the smaller visions as well as the blockbuster visions which, if these talents get a shot, will doubtlessly move on to.

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Film and TV Journalist Follow: @Higgins99John Follow: @filmandtvnow