On The Circuit

Hundreds of short films are released on the festival circuit yearly. We review those that spoke most to us here.

Barlebas

The Chant of Resistance

Through exploring faces and expressions, Dutch filmmaker Malu Janssen focuses on the consequences and not the reasons of witchcraft accusations. In Barlebas, women are singing to the rhythm of resistance.

Films On The Circuit

Zima

A Christmas From Hell

Review by Ebba Yttermyr

Through sketch-like animations, Tomek Popakul and Kasumi Ozeki skilfully capture teenage rage and rural isolation in contemporary Poland.

Films On The Circuit

A.I. Poetries of Female and Non-Female Beings in Gas Stations at Night

The Human Factor Behind A.I.

Review by Agnès Houghton-Boyle

Though conceived long before artificial intelligence became the popular force it is today, Cristina Iliescu’s debut short offers a compelling reminder of our latent responsibility in the teething stages of machine learning.

Films On The Circuit

Until I Lie Still

A Solved Mystery Gone Wrong

Review by Ionna Micha

Yana Eresina’s family drama on toxic masculinity and femicide forces us to solve puzzle after puzzle.

Films On The Circuit

A Kind of Testament

You Are Being Watched

Review by Michiel Philippaerts

In his short film debut, Stephen Vuillemin explores parasocial relationships, highlighting the pervasive feeling of surveillance that has become increasingly prevalent in our digital age.