Randomly bumping into members of the outlet whilst walking in opposite directions to different screenings has been one of my highlights of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). I loved being able to quickly ask what hidden gem they discovered, what thought-provoking documentary they felt inspired by, or what star-studded premiere they were so excited to go to. However, not a single person mentioned that they were going to see one of the seven short cuts programmes on offer.
I am super passionate about giving shorts the platform they deserve, having had my first experience with them at SXSW London, which went wonderfully. I managed to catch the seven shorts in the Short Cuts 2025 Programme 04, and here are my thoughts.
More Than Happy dir Wei Keong Tan
Wei Keong Tan’s More Than Happy is a musing on what it means to love through the lens of queer love, hearing snippets of conversations between couples on a date that explore societal progression, budding romance, and lovers’ quarrels. From the sketch-like animation to the muted colour palette, Tan evokes a hazy atmosphere, effectively mirroring how our train of thought wanders.
Unfortunately, the fragmented conversations do not have the desired effect, with each feeling incomplete and unexplored to its full potential. What hinders this short further is that the performances from the voice actors fell flat due to the monotone line deliveries. A missed opportunity to deliver a powerful message to its audience.
Dust to Dreams dir Idris Elba
Dust to Dreams marks Idris Elba’s directorial debut. Set in Lagos, the short follows Bisi (Constance Olatunde), a shy, aspiring singer who is set to inherit her mother’s nightclub following the news of her illness. Elba, along with writer Mo Abudu, delves into a story that reshapes the harmful stereotype of the “absent black father” whilst reminding audiences that talent shines through above all else. Considering a big name like Elba’s is attached to the project, I wonder what the reasoning was behind making this a short. The narrative would have benefited from giving the characters more time to blossom on screen, with it currently leaving viewers wanting more.
Year of the Dragon dir Giran Findley-Lui
Chinese news broadcaster turned actress Fiona Fu stars in the latest short directed by Giran Findley-Lui, Year of the Dragon, where we follow a day in the life of a mother on her son’s birthday. Although the story quickly paces through heavy plot points, Findley-Lui utilizes the strength of Fu’s non-verbal characterizations of Beatrice to pull focus to the narrative being a character study first and foremost. She dissects the bounds of unconditional love seen in motherhood, as well as perfectly presents the various masks that women present to the world. It is her performance that carries the short.
Ali dir Adnan Al Rajeev
Adnan Al Rajeev adds short director to his long list of cinematic prowess with his debut, Ali. A young boy named Ali (Al Amin) registers for a singing competition, where girls are forbidden to participate, held at his local village, in hopes of leaving for a better life. Incorporating elements of body horror and mysticism, Rajeev plays with the binary labels of femininity and masculinity in his stunning cinematography and soft colour grading. The star of the show is Amin in his breakout role, who is singing himself in all scenes of the film in a way that defies reality.
Fiction Contract dir Carolyn Lazard
Childbirth is the most terrifying and exciting event to witness for everyone involved: the mother, the partner, and the hospital staff. Carolyn Lazard’s documentary short, Fiction Contract, spotlights the important work at Elmhurst Hospital in New York in ensuring that the proper training is carried out for birthing patients of color through the use of the Healthcare Simulation Fiction Contract. At times, it is anxiety-inducing to witness, yet an important watch to educate ourselves and support the research that is going into this unfortunately undervalued field.
Chín dir Solara Thanh Binh Ðǎng
In her fifth short, Solara Thanh Binh Ðǎng’s Chín is a meditation on women’s autonomy, both emotionally and physically, through the eyes of Lê (Hayley Ngoc Mai). Every shot looks like it was taken straight out of a Monet painting, with the dreamy, pastel cinematography visually expressing Lê’s youthful, and perhaps naïve, outlook on relationships. The duran fruit, which plays a pivotal role in the narrative, being a metaphor for what makes a woman is cleverly interlaced into Mai’s character. It aids in challenging the stereotype surrounding arranged marriages through her own, reclaiming the sense of freedom that is not often depicted for women on this topic. This is truly a sight to behold.
To the Woods dir Agnès Patron
A personal favorite, Agnès Patron’s To the Woods, is a hollowing yet cathartic tale of how a sibling bond goes beyond the constraints of impermanence. With the glaringly noticeable absence of dialogue, Patron relies on the painting-style animation to convey the story, whilst carrying an emotional depth that can be understood by audiences. This is flawlessly achieved with the help of the devastatingly gorgeous score. A stunning portrayal of how one’s dreams eat away at one’s conscience and can be used as a way to process one’s toughest emotions.
List Courtesy of Nandita Joshi
Feature Image Courtesy of TIFF
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