Welcome to a recurring series of short film reviews here on Moon Glimmer Magazine.
In Conspectu: Short Film Journal Vol. 1
Short films often serve as a testing ground for filmmakers. They allow experimentation. They allow risk taking. They often explore ideas that would not fit into feature length film.
I will share thoughts on a selection of shorts I have watched. The goal is simple. Highlight interesting finds. Give quick impressions. Offer ratings. No deep breakdown. Just discovery focused viewing notes.
Most of them can be seen online and if so, I will link to them.
So for this first round, I will take a look at three interesting movies from three different countries.
Wait, Your Car? (2025, USA)
Director: Reece Feldman
Writer: Reece Feldman
Production Company: Fair Oaks Entertainment
Genre: Psychological Horror, Fantasy
Runtime:
15min
Did a car attack a girl in this short film? The story leaves that uncertain. It builds around trust between friends. It asks whether you believe what you are told.
The film is very well made. The camera work is strong. The sound design stands out. Overall, the production quality is high.
The story brings to mind Christine, you could say. That was a nice touch.
Rating: 9/10
Check it out here:
With a title like this, it feels like a joke at first glance. It is not.
The story follows a man who discovers that the urinals in a restaurant function as a time machine. It becomes a warm short film with an emotional tone.
Most of the film takes place in very few locations. That restraint makes the execution even more impressive, especially given the short runtime of eight minutes. Worth mentioning is that one of the directors, Haris, also plays the lead role himself and he is very convincing.
Funny sci-fi story.
Rating: 8/10
Check it out here:
Shadows of the Past (Nepal - 2023)
Director: Sanish Maharjan
Writer: Sanish Maharjan
Production Company: BITB Productions
Genre: Drama, Psychological Horror
Runtime: 12min
This film was made during a time when the director was studying at film school and was created "as part of a genre filmmaking assignment." Set in Nepal with dialogue in Nepali. That alone is really interesting, since it is not every day I watch movies from Nepal.
The story begins with the loss of a father. We follow a daughter who experiences a presence she cannot explain.
The tone shifts from what you expect to be a thriller into a serious drama. The focus turns toward heavier subject matter, including suicide. I really was not expecting the movie to go this deep.
Well made. I will definitely look into what more this director has done.
Rating: 8/10
Check it out here:
IMDB
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As always the world of short films continues to surprise me. More reviews will follow in future roundups.
In Conspectu is Latin for "in view" or "before the eyes." A reminder that films can reveal more when we look closer. This first collection explores stories that are not always what they first appear to be.
Article written by: Sonny Mikszath
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