By Joan Amenn

For the next round of my reviews from HollyShorts Film Festival, I’m covering those films featured by the Alliance of Women Directors. The are some great short films here so enjoy reading all about them below.

Choices

Writer/Director: Kameishia Wooten

Actors: Nay Nay Kirby, Nandi Nfr Ka, Maxainanna Saintilus, Keith Arthur Bolden

Teenage girls face such enormous pressure from society to be everything and often don’t feel like they have anyone to confide in and trust. Magnify this by about twenty at least if those girls are young women of color which is why “Choices” is so beautiful in its simple affirmation of its characters’ agency over their lives. Handled with grace and gentle humor, this film is a lovely study of the value of shared strength and friendship. Short and sweet but profound and touching, “Choices” lingers in your memory after the final credits.

Random Check

Directed by Monique Sorgen

Written by Sara Al Roshoud

Actors: Sara Al Rashoud, Sandra Saad, Reid Miller

No one enjoys going through security at the airport, but if you are a person from a certain set of countries visiting the US in the last twelve years or so, the scenario can be much worse than just an inconvenience. “Random Check” states that it is based on true events and it is a harrowing story of harassment and bigotry perpetrated on two innocent women. How these two try their best to work around the blatant profiling they endure, not to mention the extortion, is horrifying and wholly believable. Great performances, perfect cinematography and a crackling script make this a not to be missed tour de force. Highly recommended.

Clinical

Writer/Director: Lauren Ciaravalli

Actors: Kahyum Kim, Sarah Jes Austell, Grace Hinson

Hayley (Kahyum Kim) and Alina (Sarah Jes Austell) met at their therapist’s waiting room. That doesn’t quite make them friends but it’s a start. Their shared angst of being in their thirties and somewhat adrift in existential dread is not a new concept by any means but the sincere performances of Kim and Austell make up for a script that retreads old themes. “Clinical” is amusing but not cloying, however it is a little tired despite the best efforts of its two strong leads.

There Can Be Light

Writer/Director: Angela Cohen

Actors: Jordan Delgado, Suliana Solano, Tyler James White, Mariel Martinez, Tiago Santos

Teenage suicide is a heartrending subject for any film but “There Can Be Light” goes far in showing the devastation such loss can take on those who lose someone they care for. The runtime prevents a deeper dive into the subject that it deserves but it give a touching portrayal of the helplessness and guilt that accompanies grief and confusion. Most of this is conveyed by Jordan Delgado as Olivia in a genuine and moving performance. While the ending is a little too neatly resolved, “There Can Be Light” is a strong reminder of the importance of keeping communication going with the young people in our lives.

Stitched

Director: Lorena Lourenço

Writer: Pratima Mani

Actors: Pratima Mani, Vick Krishna

“Stitched” is a funny dark comedy about dating, searching for the perfect partner and family expectations. The opening is particularly hilarious and then it takes an unexpected turn into some macabre territory. Pratima Mani, who also wrote the script, is spot on as Leela, a smart, opinionated, and independent artist. She is frustrated from not finding a compatible partner and takes matters into her own hands, literally. It’s great fun but the ending is a little bit of a letdown. If you like classic horror films, you’ll appreciate “Stitched.”

How to Catfish Your Ex

Director: Madeline Mack

Writers: Madeline Mack, Julie Balefsky

Actors: Julie Balefsky, Kerris Dorsey, Peter Molesworth

A recurring theme of many of the films in this division of the film festival is that dating in the year 2023 is a nightmare. Julie (Julie Balefsky) cannot move on from her recent break up and has become obsessed with spying on her ex. How she finally finds closure is an amusing story but the plot isn’t quite convincing. There is an obvious hole that becomes distracting as the film unfolds but Julie Balefsky is charming in her pursuit of her lost love.

Judy-ism

Director: Emily Lerer

Writer: Emily Nash

Actors: Emily Nash, John Noble Barrack, Sheri Effres, Jonathan Fishman, Stephanie Sherry

Even when you find the perfect life partner, there are speedbumps on the road to happiness. Sometimes those bumps are parent shaped. In this very funny, very Jewish film, Judy (Emily Nash) comes to terms with her lifelong issues with her overbearing mother Nancy (Sheri Effres) and what her heritage means to her. Lovingly skewering the demands of a traditional upbringing in the Jewish faith, “Judy-ism” leaves us wanting to know the next chapter in Judy’s life when the end credits roll. Recommended.