Fawaz Al-Matrouk's new short film, ANWAR is a sci-fi about a mother who chooses to live forever and a son who longs for heaven.

We see Anwar age from 8 to 18 to 80, while Mona, the mother remains eternal throughout, until he has a final moment of doubt, and she has a final moment of hope.

This film has a storyline that is compelling, thought-provoking and shows how the human mind and the human spirit can clash in the areas of belief.

The cinematography is beautiful using natural light in the outdoor shots that bring human, spirit and the element of nature together. ANWAR is the film that will spark intense discussions among every audience that sees it and you need to see this film when you get the chance.

I can see this film going a long way this year, so keep your eye on ANWAR.

#scifi #thriller #eternallife #heaven #aging #choices #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #kerrybishe #storytelling #actor #bondoncinema #cinema #cinematography #cinephile

Ethan Wu’s short film DEATH EDUCATION is about a high school teacher that has introduced a death education class for young students. On the traditional Tomb Sweeping Day, they bury unnamed ashes at a public cemetery where they contemplate and contextualize the meaning of death.

In China, death is a taboo subject, whereas in America it is not. But one can learn a lot from death and in some ways help us to understand that life is precious and it can be short for some and long for others.

The film DEATH EDUCATION is one that shows a somber respectfulness to those who have passed, and in this case they are unclaimed and unnamed. Only the Creator knows their names.

#deatheducation #mortality #funeral #cremation #burial #unclaimedcorpses #china #chineseburial #funeralhome #crematorium #film #filmmaking #filmdirector #documentary #filmdocumentary #documentaryshort 

Ladies and gentlemen, the film LOST IN THE SHUFFLE features two-time world champion magician Shawn Farquhar, this documentary explores the unique relationship between the art of magic and playing cards.

This is one of the most fascinating films I have seen as I love documentaries because it’s fun to learn new things. And this film is fun to watch.

There is mystery, intrigue, history and even a bit of wisdom from some of the world’s more renowned magicians who have used a deck of playing cards to entertain audiences around the world.

To learn more about this film and where to watch go to, LostInTheShuffle.Film and be amazed with childlike wonder. #magic #playingcards #slightofhand #cardshuffling #film #documentaryfilm #documentary #deckofcards #magician #magicians

Filmmaker Matthias Salzburger's newest short film CHLOE, premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September. It was granted a two-hour screening slot and Q&A event by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MIC).

CHLOE stars British-Indian Netflix talent Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton, One Piece) and is executive produced by Paul Berges (Bend It Like Beckham) and Ambassador Gurinder Chadha.

CHLOE is set in the nightmarish surroundings of Venice, Italy. Chloe, a young single mother, fights for the custody of her son Sammy after losing her home due to an assault offense she committed.

CHLOE flows from one scene to the next with confidence and captures the audience’s attention throughout the film. The beauty of this short film is it has the arc a short film needs, and hides the fact that it is actually a proof of concept for a future feature film.

The cinematography is feature film quality, the look, the feel, the storyline all play the perfect synergistic dance that brings to life the hardship of an immigrant single mother who’s only goal is to provide a safe, loving home for her son.

Actress Charithra Chandran gives a stellar performance as Chloe with strong emotion with an underlying fear of losing her son based on her own wrongdoings. Will she run or will she stay for her son? Well, when you get the chance to see CHLOE, I’ll let you make that decision.

#veniceitaly #chloe #shortfilm #shortfilms #filmmaking #filmmaker #venicefilmfestival #filmdirector #immigration #immigrant #motherson #family #singlemother #bondoncinema #cinema #cinematography #cinephile #discussingfilm 

The short film CONTACT HOURS is about a university caretaker's routine that is disturbed when he unlocks the door of a student's room who hasn't been seen for days. This tragedy prompts him to try and mend the ailing relationship with his son.

This film explores many facets on how suicide can affect those around those who choose this path. A person’s pain may end after the suicide, but those still living are left with pain, unanswered questions and guilt of never seeing the signs that led up to that person taking their own life.

CONTACT HOURS is a film that explores suicide, but also how to bring communication and healing of strained relationships.

The film is extremely well written and fills every hole when it comes to the serious subject matter.

Actor Kris Hitchen brings a stellar performance to the role of the caretaker and as a father who desires too improve his relationship with his son.

If any of you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, please ask for help. Find a suicide hotline immediately as help is available. We broadcast on a global level, but there are hotlines available in your area. Don’t delay.

And you suspect someone is dealing with something that could lead them down this life ending path. Offer help, a hug, a listening ear as you could be saving a life.

#shortfilm #shortfilms #contacthours #suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #film #filmmaker #filmmaking #bondoncinema #cinephile #filmdirector #screenwriter #drama #fatherson #family 

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS is based on a true story from the ongoing conflict between Ukraine-Russia. The film explores themes of human resilience, courage and sacrifice in the face of the cruel randomness of war. The story follows the courageous journey of Ivan, a 17-year-old Ukrainian boy, and his father, who find themselves trapped in a makeshift bunker as war rages on around them.

Ivan and his father, operating a makeshift hospital at the frontline of war, are tested when a platoon of Russian soldiers approach their hidden bunker, forcing them to make a difficult decision to protect their patients and their own lives.

This film is one of the best I have seen and not only is it nominated for a BAFTA Award, but could well end up going for the Oscar in 2026.

The cinematography of ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS is cinematic, dramatic and brings the audience into the chaos of war. You see it, you feel it and you can’t escape it. You end up in the very shoes of Ivan. You feel his apprehension, you see his courage and bravery rise up from his timid beginning.

The sound mixing of this film is the best I’ve heard in the last year and I’d give it an award for that accomplishment.

Actor Oleksandr Rudynkskyy brings an Oscar-level performance, or should I say BAFTA award winning performance that is truly a joy to watch.

When you get the chance to see ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, and you are a lover of film. You’ll love this film and it will inspire you to become a better filmmaker.

#bafta #baftaawards #shortfilms #shortfilm #russiaukraine #ukraine #bravery #courage #resilience #sacrifice #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproducer #cinema #bondoncinema #cinematic #cinematography #oscars 

Ladies and gentlemen, the Oscar nominated short A LIEN is a film with a message. The story follows a couple and their daughter into the immigration office in New York City to legally obtain a green card. They all have passports and everything is going to plan until ICE shows up to arrest immigrants who are literally going through the process legally.

This film brings up an issue that is nothing short of being the Gestapo and removing the rights of people who want to be a part of the American Dream, again by obeying and following the legal process.

A LIEN will make you think and understand we need to change the system. If your desire is to be part of America, there should not be fear attached to it.

As a film, A LIEN does everything right. The fast-paced camera work, the sound mixing and even the colorization bring the audience into the chaotic mess of the immigration process.

When you follow the characters, Sophia and Oscar Gomez, you feel their nervousness, tension, fear, confusion, and their grip on the American Dream being tested by a legal system. Cinematographer Andrea Gavazzi’s stunning camera work is a thing of magic and captures the importance that this film was designed to convey.

The American Dream should be apple pie and ice cream, not handcuffs and a gotcha moment.

A LIEN deserves its Oscar-nomination and in just under a month, we will see if it takes home the gold.

#immigration #oscars #academyawards #ice #shortfilm #shortfilms #filmmaking #filmdirector #cinema #cinematography #legalization #visa #passport

Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith who is an award winning film festival strategist & founder of The Film Festival Doctor.

She creates film festival strategies for filmmakers, so their films can be seen by audiences around the world.

Rebekah and her team have helped their clients win over 2,500 awards and have secured hundreds of festival screenings including the Locarno, Tribeca, Palm Springs, Sundance, Cinequest & BFI London Film Festivals to name a few.

Ladies and gentlemen, Rebekah Smith is known worldwide as The Film Festival Doctor with a successful track record in helping filmmakers find the right festivals for their film as well as creating a successful strategy.

If you are a filmmaker and you are overwhelmed with all that goes into creating a successful film festival campaign, go to TheFilmFestivalDoctor.com to learn more and contact her and her team.

#filmfestivals #filmfestival #cannesfilmfestival #tribecafilmfestival #sundancefilmfestival #hollyshorts #london #USA #UK #oscars #academyawards #BAFTAs #BIFA #BFILondon #berlinale #viennafilmfestival #rotterdam #cinequest 

Michael L. Taylor is the founder of Vitamin 1 and a former U.S. Special Forces Green Beret and international security expert, internationally known for orchestrating what is said to be the greatest escape in history of Carlos Ghosn (Goan), the former CEO of Nissan and Renault, from Japan in December 2019.

Michael has a long career in elite military service, including experience in counterterrorism, covert operations, and high-risk extractions, which honed his skills in tactical planning and unconventional problem-solving.

After leaving the military, Michael transitioned into private security, specializing in risk management and international security consulting. He was hired by Carlos Ghosn’s associates to execute the complex plan that involved smuggling the high-profile executive out of Japan, where he was awaiting trial on charges of alleged corporate misconduct. The operation saw Ghosn concealed inside a musical instrument case and flown from Japan to Lebanon, a country without an extradition treaty with Japan.

#greenberets #carlosghosn #greatescape #counterterrorism #securityexperts #nissan #renault #soldier #riskmanagement #tacticalplanning #extrraction #film #lifelesson #japan #japaneseprison #prison #lebanon

Ladies and gentlemen, Back of the Net is a pertinent short film exploring the journey of Maya, a passionate young footballer torn between her aspirations to go professional, and her care responsibilities to her grandmother, who was once a skilled footballer of her time, but now dealing with dementia.

I love this short film. The cinematography is perfect, the framing of the characters and scenes flow from frame to frame telling the story in such way we can clearly understanding the emotion and mindset of each character.

I love films that showcase a character who has a desire or dream they want to accomplish and in many cases, no one is there to encourage them as life sometimes gets in the way.

But there is inspiration in this film with the grandmother’s who memory is slowly fading, but is still able to encourage Maya to go after her dreams.

I see this film going a long way in 2025 and every audience will remember this film for a long time.

#shortfilm #shortfilms #football #soccer #femalesports #sports #dementia #alzheimers #footballer #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #cinema #bondoncinema #cinematography #screenwriter #storytelling