Paintbox

A short comedy drama written and directed by Tahmid Choudhury and starring himself, along with Corey Fraser, Ebony Skerritt and Oliver Keaton.

There isn't really a plot here. Instead, this film explores the life of a British teenager named Michy (Fraser), following him as he engages in a variety of activities including working a dull job at a cinema, skipping school with friends and fellow students Wasim (Choudhury) and Pascal (Keaton), having a word with his mother (Skerritt) and attempting to go on a date.

This short also places the viewer inside Michy's mind and it does so by having him inside a room that appears to be windowless and doorless, with paintbrushes and paint containers scattered around and the walls covered in paint, depicting things that seem to be related to his life, such as music notes and a calendar. Evidently, this is the titular ''paintbox'' and it appears to be where Michy's inner thoughts take place, as the film cuts to this ''place'' and provides a better understanding regarding this character by having him address the audience and describe his opinions about himself and situations he has to deal with.

The events are told through Michy's perspective and revealing how he perceives things not only as a person but via his mind too, thanks to the paintbox. The general impression of Michy is that he is a well-meaning guy, a typical teenager really, trying to pursue romance, hanging around with friends, having trouble dealing with responsibilities and struggling to comprehend himself. Skerritt plays his supportive and loving mother, who also wants him to acknowledge the fact that he needs to learn how to be responsible. As for Wasim and Pascal, Choudhury and Keaton portray them as fun-loving schoolboys.

This short deals with themes many teenages would identify with, such as school, friends, dealing with parents and going on a date. Friendship, parenting and support are vital elements in this film, primarily though, the screenplay explores teenage anxiety and what goes with it, including self-reflection low self-esteem, facing responsibilities and self-discovery.

With emotional and gentle music by Toby Longhurst, this is a comforting viewing that communicates the message that people must believe in themselves, that they must believe they are capable.