THE PRESENT (Los Angeles International Film Festival Los Angeles USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

The Present—short film—shows exceptional ability, not often seen, to cross international boundaries and touch the human heart. Unforgettable. Great portrayal. Outstanding work for all involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A young boy finds an unexpected way to move into sunshine and outdoor play.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to the entire team from the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Postproduction at the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a WOW! short film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FIRST COMES LOVE (YouTube Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

First Comes Love—a Ringling College of Art and Design short film—portrays children at play mirroring adult realities. The animation well done. The concept is fresh, original, and rings true.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

During recess a preschooler finds himself engaged, married, and a father much to his bewilderment.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Daniel Ceballos for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It works for both the child and the adult.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GUS (Anima Mundi Video and Film Festival Rio De Janeiro Sao Paulo Brazil 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Gus—short film—poses two interesting questions...how does one solve a problem when one can’t even define the problem and, even if defined, there is no known solution that yet exists on earth? Then, this small short film artfully answers both questions in a most beguiling way. The storyline alone would carry this short. The addition of relatable characters and good animation are just a welcome plus. This film may be enjoyed by the child and adult.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A caveman and his son receive the comforts of fire and cooked food.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrew Martin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael and Shirley Martin for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The short film is well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LOST IN TIME (YouTube USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Lost in Time—short film—has a fresh approach to one of the many ways one may acquire inner discipline and sweetly suggests that sometimes it can take a lifetime to obey the invitation to keep one’s peace. The storyline has good cohesiveness. The supporting artwork uses a softer approach than a typical CGI presentation.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A young, undisciplined temple boy finds, after years of searching, what he needs to succeed spiritually.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to the animation team of Yohan Blazquez, Alba Cazes Barry, Meline Delage, Valerian Delamare, Vincent Ferrer, Jonathan Louis, Audrey Marion, and Antsa Ratsimbason for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This short film entertains on many levels. It relies on a strong Asian presentation in storyline, animation, art, and musical scoring.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DECAF (Vail International Film Festival Vail Colorado USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Decaf—short film produced by The Animation School—has excellent animation, well-defined characters, an interesting and unique plotline. It’s sweet, lovable and worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A highly energetic dog decides to feed his friend coffee to increase energetic play time.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to The Animation School team of Saeed Adams, Thaband Chuene, Carike Cronje, Alexander Dewar, Mahendrie Govender, Christopher Masuabi, and Stefan van der Sandt, for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This short film delivers a cute message that can be well-appreciated by an adult audience. The younger child will most likely not catch the story’s impact, but will enjoy the play between the two friends.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPRING (South by Southwest Film Festival Austin Texas USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Spring—short film by Blender Animation Studio—shows tremendous creative CGI animation skill. Add that visual feast to well-chosen, universally appealing characters; terrific musical scoring; well-timed storyline with just the right amount of drama; and you have an unusual, high-quality featurette on par with the best creative work of any production studio in the world.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A girl and her dog work as a team to bring spring to life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andy Goralczyk for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Ton Roosendaal for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth several watches.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ASTROSINGE (YouTube Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Astrosinge—Laval University student-produced short film—uses simians to tell its very human story. It’s a cute, comical, cohesive story that completes itself with a nicely timed conclusion.

Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube

Storyline

A new janitor creates havoc in a space rocket’s control room.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to the Laval University team of Maxime Decelles, Kéven Bolduc, François Alfonzo, Édouard Diamant-Robert, Gabriel Lebel-Bernier, Benjamin Puech, Quentin Schneider, Mika Denéchère, Antoine Barthod, Jahanzaib Chugthai, Charles-Édouard Faber, Martin-James Doyon, and Frédéric Godbout for creative efforts in making this short film.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The artistry, music, and storyline work well together.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GEOFF (YouTube Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Geoff—short film—has tremendous potential for expansion into a full-length animated film. Excellently executed, it has unlimited re-watch value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Geoff loves beans and makes a life work of solving the challenges involved in eating them.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Damon Duncan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Amanda Chambers for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This short film works at the highest levels of quality and entertainment value. Very well done short film with an exceptionally sweet story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ANSWER (YouTube Release United Kingdom 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Answer—short film—delivers a cute parody of Rhonda Byrnes’ film The Secret. There’s so much more that could have been done with this idea. Unfortunately, the lack of depth affects this short film’s quality.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A young man discovers an answer to making life easier.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Animators Florent Rubio and Xin Zhao for animation efforts.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For purposes of studying ability of graduate animators, it works; but, overall, the short film Heinz Geoff  works at a higher entertainment level.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ONE SMALL STEP (San Diego International San Diego California USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

One Small Step—short film—gives credit to the power of a loving parent to fuel successful accomplishment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A father consistently gives support and credence to a young daughter’s dreams.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Shaofu Zhang for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. An inspiring watch for both adults and children, it successfully bridges universal values. This short film easily deserves a second watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SMALL SHOEMAKER* (YouTube Release France 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Small Shoemaker—great short film—sports a good storyline, well-defined characters, and satisfying conclusion.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A small shop owner faces competition that affects sales.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Gilead Alais, Terry Bonvard, Charley Carlier, Romain Cislo, Pierre-Yves Lefebvre, Philip Lim, Benjamin and Karen Mariotte Nawfal for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline needs explanation for younger children, but gives an opening to explain how larger businesses affect small business.

*Also Known as: The Little Shoemaker

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

COIN OPERATED (Released to the Edmonton International Film Festival, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Coin Operated—excellent short film—delivers a time worn message in a completely new way. Good job for creative thinking. Watch it through the ending credits for final impact.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A lifetime dream, built on the impossible, finds its maturation date and materializes into a reality.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Nicholas Arioli for directing effort.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This short film works at every level.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CHATEAU DE SABLE (World-Wide Release 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Chateau De Sable—cool animated short film—provides interesting discussion time after viewing. The film uses interesting metaphors, fresh animation, no trite or copycat storyline here. Innovative.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Sand men protect a pearl to which they have assigned value against a force beyond their capability of stopping until an even larger force emerges.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Quentin Deleau, Lucie Foncelle, Maxime Goudal, Julien Paris, and Sylvain Robert for directing effort.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The concept is fresh, original. Provoking.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FAT (YouTube Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Fat—short film—has odd concept without necessary tie-ins to understand why the farm animals are gaining weight and why they are floating around like balloons in the air. This short film, produced by three students, has credible animation with good coloration, but lacks a storyline and good characterization of animated personalities.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Farm animals, tractors, and humans begin to gain weight and float like balloons in the air.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Yohann Auroux Bernard, Sebastien De Oliveira Bispo, and Gary Fouchy for directing effort. Thank you to Noah Sacré fsor background music.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While this is not an outstanding short film, exceptionally young children will enjoy the coloration, floating farm animals, and easy music. Be aware of inappropriate scenes between some farm animals and farmer that some parents may find offensive.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TAKE ME HOME (YouTube Release Thailand 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Take Me Home—heartfelt short film—has universal appeal as it establishes and captures that unique bond between human and dog. The characterization is beautifully done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A young beagle puts his best paw forward in a plea for adoption.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Nair Archawattana for story and design. Thank you to Producers Anwei Chen, Jessica Lado, and Kate Selzer for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It works at every level. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SLIMTIME * (Villeurbanne Short Film Festival Villeurbanne France 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Slimtime—good short film—has beautiful coloration, a sweet storyline, and explores appreciation for uniqueness of the individual.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A man and his overweight wife wait patiently for admittance into a futuristic weight loss clinic.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to animators Bertrand Avril, Pierre Chomarat, and David Dangin for their animation effort. Thank you to writer Ruan Smit for a good storyline. Thank you Pixelsmith Studios.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a well done short film.

Also known as Lose Weight.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers