Here at Lucky Break News, we love short films. Not only have we (the founders) made several ourself over the years, but as a medium, they are easily digestible, bite-sized chunks of yummy filmmaking goodness.

Furthermore, they serve as a calling card for up and coming filmmakers, a glimpse into the future of the world’s untapped pool of talent. So that’s why we sat down to gather up the reviews of the Best Live Action Short Film nominations for the 97th Academy Awards; giving you all the juicy info on the filmmakers of the future, as well as where to watch these little pearls when (if not already) they are released to the world.

So strap in, this is going to be a wonderful ride through one of our favourite categories at the Oscars.

‘Anuja‘

‘Anuja’ is a 2024 American Hindi-language short film directed by Adam J. Graves. The narrative centers on a gifted 9-year-old girl, Anuja, portrayed by Sajda Pathan, who works in a garment factory in Delhi, India. When presented with a rare opportunity to attend school, she faces a heart-wrenching decision that will determine her and her sister Palak’s future. 

The film has garnered critical acclaim and several accolades so far:

• HollyShorts Film Festival (August 2024): Won Best Live Action Short Award.
• New York Shorts International Film Festival (October 2024): Secured the Grand Prize.
• Montclair Film Festival (October 2024): Received the Audience Award for Short Film.

Critics have praised the film’s storytelling and visual execution. Mark Jacob of ‘We Love Short Films’ rated it 5 out of 5 stars, stating that director Adam J. Graves “skillfully captures the essence of Anuja’s world, using striking visuals to convey her youthful resilience.” He further commented, “For anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling through film, this is an experience not to be missed.”

Jason Knight from ‘UK Film Review’ said in his review “It is a story about struggle, support, moving on to better things and making life-changing decisions and it deserves recognition.”

The short has recently been acquired by Netflix, and as yet a release date has not been confirmed, but keep an eye out for when it does drop, because this is surely not one to miss.

Writer & director
Adam J. Graves

‘I’m not a Robot’

‘I’m Not a Robot’ is a 2023 Dutch-language short film directed by Victoria Warmerdam. The narrative centers on Lara, a feminist who, after repeatedly failing CAPTCHA tests, embarks on a journey to determine whether she might actually be a robot.

The film has won several awards so far, including:

• Sitges International Film Festival (October 2023): Won Best Short Film in the Official Fantastic Selection. 
• Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (April 2024): Received the Méliès d’Argent Award.
• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (July 2024): Won the Best Short Film Award. 

We found the film to be a great mix of drama and dark comedy, exploring themes of identity in a truly unique way, and making us ponder as an audience member and fellow keyboard-tapping, office-based sedentary worker, am I a robot too? We were particularly fond of the timeless, almost 80s aesthetic, and the roaming steadicam shots that took us along the journey with Lara.

Critics have praised the direction, writing and phenomenal performances, especially that of Ellen Parren’s performance as Lara. ‘Indie Shorts Mag’ said “the film is transformed by Ellen Parren’s electric performance as Lara, the very fundamentals of whose existence is brought into question and whose response becomes the film’s title… Parren owns every syllable and breath of the word ‘feisty’.” ‘Festivalreviews.com’ praised “The choice to play a version of the Radiohead song “Creep” to frame the film at the top and end is smart, encouraging us to question if we really are all “special”, or replaceable by technology.”

The short film can be watched on YouTube here, and also The New Yorker here.

Writer & Director:
Victoria Warmerdam

‘The Last Ranger’

‘The Last Ranger’ is a 2024 South African short film drama directed by Cindy Lee. The film delves into rhino poaching and conservation efforts in South Africa’s Amakhala Game Reserve during the pandemic. It follows young Litha, introduced to the wonders of the reserve by the last remaining ranger, Khuselwa. Their journey takes a perilous turn when they are ambushed by poachers, leading to a battle to protect the rhinos and the revelation of a devastating secret.

Since its premiere at the Pan African Film Festival on January 7, 2024, ‘The Last Ranger’ has garnered significant acclaim, including:

• Pan African Film Festival: Best Narrative Short Film
• San Diego International Film Festival: Best Short Narrative
• Toronto International Women Film Festival: Best Narrative Short
• LA Independent Women Film Awards: Best Narrative Short and Best Youth Actress for Liyabona Mroqoza
• Cleveland International Film Festival: The Clover and Maggie Award and Audience Award Runner-Up
• HollyShorts Film Festival: Finalist for Best Film

‘Film Threat’ described the film as a “heartfelt tribute to the unsung heroes who protect our most vulnerable creatures,” highlighting its stunning African landscapes and focus on conservation efforts during the pandemic. ‘Salute Your Shorts Film Festival’ called it a “profoundly moving cinematic experience,” praising its “visual poetry,” compelling narrative, and strong performances.

There are however some mixed reviews from the general public on IMDB and Letterboxd, with some reviews criticizing its “soap opera style” and noted that it leaned toward “Oscar bait”.

The only way to tell for yourself is to go and watch it when it is fully released, as of yet it’s hard to tell when this may be, but for now, you can catch the trailer here.

Director:
Cindy Lee

‘A Lien’

‘A Lien’ is a 2023 American short drama directed by brothers Sam and David Cutler-Kreutz. The film portrays a young couple confronting a perilous immigration process during their green card interview.

Prior to being nominated at the 97th Academy Awards, ‘A Lien’ has also been recognised at:

• Austin Film Festival 2023
• Seattle International Film Festival 2023
• Vancouver International Film Festival 2023
• Flickerfest 2023
• Salute Your Shorts 2024: Special Jury Award
• Washington Film Festival 2024 – Grand Prize Narrative Short

The film’s release is incredibly timely, reflecting the lived experience of many people attempting to immigrate into the US, and something that is only expected to become harder under the new president. This sentiment is echoed by the reviewer at ‘We Love Short Films’ who said “Its release during this politically charged moment serves as a reminder of the human cost of draconian immigration policies. It’s not just a film; it’s a mirror reflecting the injustices faced by countless families.”

The performances as well as the cinematography are also applauded in this same review from ‘We Love Short Films’: “Andrea Gavazzi’s cinematography skillfully captures the couple’s vulnerability through intimate close-ups and stark lighting.”

This is one that is very much on our MUST watch list, and we think it should be on yours too; and you can catch it here.

Writer & Directors:
Sam Cutler-Kreutz and David Cutler-Kreutz

‘The man who could not remain silent’

This 14-minute Croatian film is based on the true events of the 1993 Štrpci massacre, in which Serbian paramilitary forces removed 24 Bosnian Muslims from a train and executed them. The story highlights an act of bravery by Tomo Buzov, a man who stood up against the oppressors despite the life-threatening circumstances.

Key accolades include:

• Cannes Film Festival 2024 – Short Film Palmes d’Or
• European Film Awards 2024 – Best European Short Film
• Euro Balkan Film Festival 2024 – Best Short Film

Critics have praised the film for its tense atmosphere, authentic depiction of human moral dilemmas, and the power of its central theme: the consequences of silence in the face of evil. Slijepčević’s background in documentary filmmaking informs the film’s realism, with meticulous attention to detail and an intimate single-carriage setting that amplifies the tension.

IndieWire said “Slijepčević transforms a historical tragedy into an exploration of moral courage, raising questions about what it means to act against injustice when doing so comes at great personal cost.”

Whilst, Eye For Film said “The idea that evil thrives in silence is not a new one, but it is brought home with emotional punch… Slijepčević keeps us guessing, bending the narrative in unexpected ways. Beyond showing an act of heroism, it demonstrates how easy it is to instinctively be complicit, even if you believe you would not.”

The film can be caught on Arte here.

Writer & Director:
Nebojša Slijepčević

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Well that’s it folks! What a lineup of films from around the world, truly an international category. We’re eager to see who takes home the Oscar on March 2nd and can’t wait to follow the career journey of the winner.

Stay tuned to find out who wins the coveted prize here on Lucky Break News.