In 2023 we featured 43 films in our Kino Short of the Week series. Selections were of all genres ranging from horror to drama, from fashion to animation, and more.
As always, we featured films on a non-exclusive basis helping to support releases from Omeleto, Alter, Directors Notes, Straight 8, Vimeo Staff Pick and Dust, as well as supporting those filmmakers who chose to self-distribute on their own channels. BUT… this year we started taking our own YouTube channel more seriously. Ten of the 43 films were distributed directly by us. Our YouTube channel received 44.8k views with our most popular release “Influencia” Written & Directed by Ryan Rosenheim & Patrick De Vinck receiving over 30k views.
Three of the 43 film featured were Kino Originals, so even though we love them and the filmmakers who made them, it does feel a bit like patting our own back to include them in our Top 10, so only the remaining 40 films were eligible for our Top 10.
BUT… if you’d like to watch (or rewatch) our Kino Originals we figured we’d add them below.
Thanks to our Sponsor
who will be providing the top 5 filmmakers on this list with a FREE copy of Final Draft
Kino Originals
MAMA’S WATCHING
DO NOT TOUCH
HIDDEN INSIGHT
and now for our top 10
10. Shallow
Directed & Produced by PAUL ASHTON
Written by JOE JOHNSEY
Deep in a forest, Barry and Larry indulge in conversation that is by turns light-hearted and extremely topical, revealing surprising revelations, both good and bad, along the way.
9. RoButler
Written & Directed by JAMES BUTTON
Overworked in the email department at the a local Welsh council, Cwnt Jones purchases a personalised AI assistant in order to help make his life better- the RoButler.
8. Blinkers
Written & Directed by SOPHIA CAPASSO
This short film is about the cracks we don't see splitting in the rollercoaster of modern life and how two experiences of one night can be drastically dissimilar. Blinkers touches on the complexity of mental health and female friendships.
7. Fishwife
Written, Produced, & Directed by BETH PARK
In wild 18th century Britain a lonely woman discovers that her menstrual cycle is of interest to a stranger.
6. Influencia
Written & Directed by RYAN ROSENHEIM & PATRICK DE VINCK
A despondent young influencer wakes up on the beach hungover. As he readies himself for the day, more and more of his poverty is revealed. Mourning the loss of his mother, Cesar drinks himself into a stupor, listening to his mother’s old voicemail on repeat. After sobering up enough, Cesar sneaks onto a wealthy Malibu property to film a video with a Lamborghini.
5. The Fool’s Mate
Written & Directed by CIAN LLEWELLYN
Produced by JACK POLLINGTON
A couple’s relationship is at a cross roads - as he attempts to break up, she thinks he’s about to propose. But will an impromptu chess game finally force the truth to come out?
4. No Filter
Written & Directed by NATHAN CROOKER
Prduced by MAYA KORN & NATHAN CROOKER
Insecure twenty-something Beth struggles with her digital self-image until her friend Micah introduces her to a transformative filter. The digital magic boosts her online presence and attracts new admirers, but the allure comes with a dark and insidious price.
3. Other Half
Directed by LINA KALCHEVA, Written by LAURA JAYNE TUNBRIDGE, and Produced by MICHELLE BRØNDUM
As an Individual Being in a world comprised of Merged Couples, Ren longs to find his other half and become complete.
2. Crumbs
Directed by ROBOT CHOCOLATE (GABRIELA PLAČKOVÁ, ROBERT HLOZ)
Produced by ALEXANDRA KARA MORAVČÍKOVÁ
Tired of her husband’s noisy and messy eating, a wife starts a stop-motion battle and packs her bags. CRUMBS was made entirely in-camera for Straight 8's 2020 competition on one cartridge of super 8mm film with no post-production. Find out more about their unique filmmaking process in our interview below..
1. Portrait
Directed by KEIR SIEWERT
Produced by ALIX AUSTIN
Written by KEIR SIEWERT & ANONYMOUS
Based on real accounts, a model takes matters into her own hands to expose a serial predator in the photography world.
Honourable Mentions
Even though these films didn’t make our Top 10 we still think they’re pretty great and well worth a watch.
Oluwale
Out of Orbit
