There’s an enormous number of short films included in this year’s Local Sightings Festival, lucky me! I’ve probably said this many times before, but I seriously love shorts. I’d argue it takes quite a bit more planning, creative storytelling and ingenuity to make a quality short than a feature-length; especially one that stays with the viewer long after the 5, 10, or 20 minutes it shows on the screen. Below are a few of my favorites so far; I haven’t taken a precise approach to my viewing (like grouping them by type or genre) so it’ll seem a little more slapdash, but it also means I won’t limit my favorites to one per grouping… just the best of the best to share with you.
Kalinga (2021 | Canada | 28 mins | Kent Donguines)
Kalinga means care in Filipino. By far this short has been the most affecting as of this writing. A beautiful portrait of life as an immigrant caretaker in Canada from the viewpoint of the caretakers themselves and the families they left behind. Typically in these stories it’s the rich ignoring the blue collar employees they rely on, but this film digs deeper into the sacrifices and scars that become an integral part of the women who just want to make a better life for themselves and the loved ones they left behind.
The Rind (2021 | Canada | 7 mins | Alex Meunier)
Watching an abstract animated film (no matter the length) is basically a form of meditation, and The Rind was no exception. A gorgeously drawn flowing, shifting, soothing visual story that may or may not have a particular meaning for the viewer but allows your imagination to grow along with the unfolding scenes.
Girls Gotta Eat Dirt (2021 | USA | 6 mins | Peter Vogt & Delilah Cupp)
Empowering and fun, this short is a snapshot of three young women who love the thrill of mountain biking. Mostly consisting of sweeping views as the trio travel unbelievably steep and often precarious trails at insane speeds, this film just made me smile and also worry that one of them would end up with a broken arm.
All of these are available now through the Local Sightings Film Festival. Follow other updates from year’s festival via our Local Sightings 2021 coverage.