Como Dos Desconocidos (Like Two Strangers)

This short film is about a guy meeting his ex at the mall. There's awkwardness, shy smiles, and very few words, but you can tell that there's still some sparks between these two.

Definitely squee-worthy, and it overall made me gush. Just the kind of film to make you feel all warm inside on a day like Valentine's Day.

(English subtitles are available as closed captions for this one, so watch it now! Then again, maybe you'd prefer a love story involving geeks? Or have you been pushed into the horrible place that is the friendzone?)

Pecera (Fishbowl)

This short film is about a woman dealing with a number of "unfair dismissals" in her company. It also features the story of a woman who may or may not be dismissed herself... But how either scenario will end is anyone's guess.

Curious short film, and quite an interesting way to tell a rather open-ended and thoughtful situation.

(English subtitles available for this one, so why not watch Pecera now? Or are you tired of the office and would rather experience an idyllic situation?)

Recursos Humanos

This short film is about a man from human resources who is to interview a new face. While this situation may show the discomfort some applicants may feel when questioned by an HR personnel (particularly an inappropriate one), this also gives a hint of vindication for them, too.

Lovely film deserving of a slow clap. If you're interested in knowing more about this short film, here's a video on how it was made.

(Watch it now, since it's got English subtitles available. By the way, Prescindibles, a film by the same director, is another short film that features an HR-related role, though that deals with the termination process.)

Praga

This short film is about a man going to Prague to meet his ladylove. Besides a bittersweet undertone of meeting your true love and experiencing the possible pain of separation, this story is told amidst a studio-made backdrop (not shot on location, but they made it work) and a lovely soundtrack.



Praga, on YouTube

Directed by Juan Sebastián Valencia

Merry Little Christmas

This short film is about the abuse a mother and daughter undergo through the hands of a man. Told with a number of bloodstains and visions of monsters, this movie shows the horribly terrible life of those who experience domestic abuse.

This one affected me very much. It's honestly very brutal, so steel yourself before watching this.

(By the way, El Orden De Las Cosas is another heart-breaking film that tackles domestic abuse.)


Director's website (Martín Lerma)


Merry Little Christmas, on YouTube

Directed by Manuel Marín & Ignacio Martín Lerma

Chico Y Chepe

This short film is about two brothers, Chico and Chepe. They have been living on their own for a while, but they are about to meet some people who will change their lives forever.

Simple flick, but cute.



Chico Y Chepe, on YouTube

Directed by Herson Ortega

SOI420

This short film is about a weed dealer who plans to move with his girlfriend to Colombia. While everything is about set for the planned migration, things get messy as Luciano decides to take on one more job before leaving.

Indie in origin, but anchored in the sad reality of illegal dealing and relationships.



SOI420, on YouTube

Directed by Sergio Guerra

El Valor Del Dinero (The Value of Money)

This short film is about a man who is trying to buy a new "life". Since "life", apparently, is too cheap, the sales agent tries to sell him various other items instead, like a "conscience" and a "suicide".

This film is interesting in that it tries to note the supposed value of morals, ideals, and other intangibles. Food for thought, and an interesting social commentary.



El Valor Del Dinero, on YouTube

Directed by Raúl Gutiérrez

Ceviche

This short film is about a doctor and his son, one diagnosed as mentally imbalanced. While it tells the story of an old man worrying about his child, it also dabbles into talk of religion, madness, and reality.

Curious storytelling, but plenty of thought-provoking dialogue here.



CEVICHE (w/Subtitles) from Martin Proaño on Vimeo.

Directed by Arturo Virzi

Speechless

This short film about lesbians and the friends they fall in love with is part-movie, part-documentary. It features the story of two friends falling asleep on the same bed, while it also has snippets of live interviews with lesbians talking about their personal experiences.

I suppose human relationships, even those between women, aren't ever easy. (Here's another film about, in turn, a guy falling for his lady friend.)



Speechless, on YouTube

Directed by Sara del Pino

Buenas Noches (Good Night)

This short film is about a grandmother bidding her granddaughter good night. However, there seems to be a lingering sinister presence at night that the young girl knows about... Something the grandmother may just discover, too.

This is reminiscent of Ignacio Rodó's Tuck Me In, an award-winning short film of the same nature.


*There are English subtitles for this, which you can enable as captions on the video.


Buenas Noches, on YouTube

Directed by Mariano Cattaneo

En Espera (On Hold)

This short film is about a rural girl who is traveling to the city. Set amidst a number of scenic backdrops and everyday sights, this movie will show not just the beautiful sights of Ecuador, but also the startling reality of life for some children there.

Producer's website

On Vimeo:


EN ESPERA (directora, guionista y productora) from Gabriela Calvache on Vimeo.

Directed by Gabriela Calvache


On YouTube:

Un Novio De Mierda (A Shitty Boyfriend)

This short film is about a guy stopping by his ex-girlfriend's house to "say hi". The lady doubts his reasons for coming, especially after his length of stay in the washroom, but the ending might just wrap it up for us. Maybe. Amusing, though.


Facebook page
Director's website

On Vimeo:


Un novio de mierda from Borja Cobeaga on Vimeo.

Directed by Borja Cobeaga


On YouTube:

RS-1281

This short film is about a human who is examined by an android. The test - to prove that he is, indeed, "human". While providing a backstory of how humans will inevitably ruin the Earth, this film also allows for thought-provoking dialogue on what makes humans different from robots.

Official blog
Producer's website



RS-1281, on YouTube

Directed by Rubén Arnaiz

Desanimado (Unanimated)

This short film is about a man who thinks he is different from everyone else - particularly because he thinks he's a cartoon character.

Told with bits of animation and an interesting monologue of a man who is not sure if he fits in with the world, this film made me think about how isolated people can be when they feel "too" different from others.

Official website
Facebook page

On Vimeo:


Desanimado (with English subtitles) from Emilio Martí López on Vimeo.

Directed by Emilio Martí López


On YouTube:

Separata (Audition Piece)

This short film is about a woman wanting to audition for a certain role. However, there's more than just an audition piece here; there are also other issues, such as the question of relationships, the right lines, and playing roles.

Great acting, interesting ending, lovely picture.

Producers' website

*There are English subtitles for this, which you can enable as captions on the video.


Separata, on YouTube

Directed by Miguel Lafuente

El Día Después (The Morning After)

This short film is about a boss and her female employee talking about what happened last night. It's just a simple conversation, but their body language offer more than what their words have to offer. Cute.

On Vimeo:


El Día Después from Chus de Castro on Vimeo.

Directed by Scott Cleverdon & Assumpta Serna


On YouTube, with English subtitles:

La Mesa Servida (The Table Is Set)

This short film is about a man who steals pigs, supposedly to eat with his wife. Set amidst a town where very few people get to eat meat, this story goes from odd to downright silly as the days pass by.

Note: NSFW due to some sexual scenes, but what an ending.



La Mesa Servida, on YouTube

Directed by Kenya Márquez

La Loteria

This short film is about a man's green card, and the girlfriend he can choose to bring with him - provided he marries her. With beautiful shots, amusing back stories, and great storytelling, this short film made me smile and hope.

Official website
Facebook page
Director's website

On Vimeo:


La Loteria from Shahir Daud on Vimeo.

Directed by Shahir Daud


On YouTube:

El Viaje (The Trip)

This award-winning short film features two boys stumbling upon a man who has, to put it as they have, "gone on a trip". With the story told in beautiful black-and-white, we look at the story of an overdosed drug addict through the eyes of these young kids. Such a hearty end note.


On YouTube:


El Viaje, on YouTube

Directed by Toni Bestard


On Vimeo: