Short film reviews from some of the best movies in the UK. Read reviews from some of the best short film critics. Short Film Reviews Welcome to the UK Film Review page for short film reviews . Here you will find some of the best and brightest sparks in a sea of cinema. Filmmakers from across the globe submit their short films to us to be reviewed, and our Contributors lovingly dissect them. If you would like one of our team to write a film review of your short film, please use the form on our Submit Your Film page Our short film reviews are written by passionate film critics across the UK and aim to highlight and promote terrific filmmaking when we find it. We are always honest with our reviews, so if you are looking to submit your short film for review, please do so knowing that we will not alter what we have said because you don't like it. There is a wealth of amazing talent in the short film industry, and we hope by writing film reviews about this underexposed creativity we can get your movies to a new audience...but we need your help. Please join in the chatter on our social media channels so that we can grow our community and share the joy. Use the buttons in the footer to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Subscribe to us on YouTube #supportindiefilm. The selection of short film reviews you see below are mostly for films submitted to us. In this instance, the filmmaker has requested us to watch and provide a short film review. Alternatively, visit our Latest Short Film Reviews page . Get Your Short Film Reviewed More Film Reviews Khemerican Lee Sinden Cancer Kid Nina Rawlingson Hindsight Finn O'Toole Homeless Lewis McLeod Head of a Camel Callum Ewing Silence Holly Baker A Few Moments of Happiness James Learoyd The Heir Of Time William Hemingway Leaving Ealing James Learoyd FarEye William Curzon Lasagna Run James Learoyd Mothmama Chris Olson Underpass William Curzon Golden Years William Hemingway Loving Silence William Curzon The Long Spring Holly Baker Dogbone Madeleine Lavers Good Guy William Hemingway Egg Thomas Manning 175 Jason Knight Hereafter Madeleine Lavers Midnight Rot William Hemingway Cuddle Jason Knight The Belladonna Lee Sinden Creatures of Habit Nina Rawlingson Load More Reviews What is a short film review? A short film review is often written by a movie critic and it's their opinion on a film that is less than sixty minutes long. Short film reviews still explore every aspect of a movie. How do I write a short film review? Writing a short film review needs to cover multiple aspects of the movie. Including the script, the characters, performances, cinematography, score & sound design, editing and so on. Sometimes we consider the piece only as a short film; whether it works in that format, other times we may think of it as a "proof of concept" for something longer, or perhaps a piece of a web series/TV show. These can be important to consider when writing a short film review. How long should a film review be? A film review should be as long as the house style. Some publications provide lengthier reviews than others. A general minimum word count would be 500. This may be also for SEO reasons, as short film reviews that are longer may be more likely to rank higher on Google. The important thing to remember is that the review should be well-structured, not full of bloated points to fill up the word count. How much money do film critics make? Film critic salaries depend massively on their publication. Many film critics are freelancers, meaning they get paid per review and sometimes this is based on word count. Making money through film reviews can be challenging. Video Short Film Reviews Below you will find a selection of short film reviews in video form! This is where one of the UK Film Review Critics records their review and we upload it to our YouTube channel (as well as TikTok and Meta Reels in some cases). A Place to Fall Down Short Film Review by Chris Olson A short film about coping with loss and grief, film critic Chris Olson gave A Place to Fall Down 4 stars. Watch his video short film review here to here from the man himself about his thoughts and feelings. OK/NOTOK Short Film Review by Patrick Foley In this short film review from Patrick Foley, he gives us his opinion of the brilliant movie OK/NOTOK. Set in a futuristic world where AI robots are available as companions (as long as you can afford the subscription), it's a riveting piece. Betrayed Short Film Review by Chris Buick Film critic Chris Buick offers up a fantastic video short film review for Betrayed. A movie about a girl with special powers who, with the help of her protective father, must elude those who would use her for nefarious means.

Film reviews and movie trailers for new movies, indie cinema and short films.Read a film review or watch a trailer on our website. LATEST MOVIE REVIEWS UK Film Review is a film reviews website based in London, UK. We promote films and movie trailers from around the world and support indie films that would usually find it hard to find the spotlight against the bigger films of cinema. From the latest blockbusters, to small indie cinema, we tackle as many films as we can. Reviewing them from all aspects, not just how many digital landscapes they blow up using CGI. We also review short films in the UK and internationally, helping filmmakers to promote their movies and raise their profile. If you would like to have a short or indie film reviewed by us, please submit all info using the button below. Take a look around, enjoy the spoils of filmmaking, film festivals and artistic expression. Our merry band of film critics are constantly hard at work, writing film reviews, or watching movie trailers for some of the most exciting movies coming out in UK cinemas. So to keep their morale up, please be nice...or at least funny if you choose to troll. Because, in the immortal words of Rick Moranis in the movie Spaceballs, "Keep firing A**holes!". By the way, on this film reviews website, you may see several references to Spaceballs. If you have not seen that classic Mel Brooks film, you MUST seek it out and tell us what you think. SUBMIT YOUR FILM Are You a Film Podcast Fan? Film critics Chris Olson and Brian Penn host a monthly podcast for all types of film fans! Whether you like the latest blockbuster releases, or streaming is your thing - we have you covered. We even review short and independent films on the podcast. Our final review is usually for a "Nostalgia" pick - something from the past worth revisiting. Previous picks for this have included Jaws, The Fly, and Good Will Hunting. Search UK Film Review Podcast wherever you like to listen and join our global community of film lovers. Get Reviewed On Our Podcast Film Reviews from UK film critics LATEST REVIEWS Khemerican average rating is 4 out of 5 Cancer Kid average rating is 4 out of 5 Hindsight average rating is 5 out of 5 Homeless average rating is 3 out of 5 Head of a Camel average rating is 3 out of 5 Silence average rating is 4 out of 5 A Few Moments of Happiness average rating is 4 out of 5 Crooked Miles average rating is 3 out of 5 The Heir Of Time average rating is 2 out of 5 Leaving Ealing average rating is 4 out of 5 Sunny Dancer average rating is 3 out of 5 Baby Doe average rating is 5 out of 5 Featured Film News FILM NEWS The Latest Film Trailers MOVIE TRAILERS Paper Tiger Ink The Social Reckoning Focker-in-Law Heart of the Beast Klara and the Sun Filmmaker Interviews INTERVIEWS

Khemerican film review by UK film critic Lee Sinden. Starring David Klaut, Sam Puefua, Kevin Vann, Tiger Sheu, jason Chu and David Chlom directed by Jimmy Chhiu. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Khemerican Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Lee Sinden | Posted on: Sep 22, 2026 Directed by: Jimmy Chhiu Written by: Dan kerry Starring: David Klaut, Sam Puefua, Kevin Vann, Tiger Sheu, jason Chu and David Chlom This is a short film looking at Cambodian Gang life in the USA. The title is an amalgamation of Khmer which is the ethnic group of Cambodia and their official language and American. The film opens up with two young Cambodian-American teenagers discussing their future while setting up for the morning shift at the family Donut shop. Soon their peace is destroyed by the very life they are both trying to escape from. This is an introduction to the world of Cambodian gangs. This is an adrenaline charged picture that really makes the audience fear what will happen next. The score starts softly and then slowly builds to a heavy beat to complement the pace of the action that Is unfolding. This is an emergency situation which is being driven by a pretty scary individual with a formidable presents. The performances throughout are outstanding. The audience will really believe what is happening and fear for those involved. The tension amongst the main characters is palpable as barriers develop , so does the fear. This appears to be a debut film for David Klaut as Sovankary the teenager trying to keep a clean life in helping his father run his Donut shop. This is a mature performance showing great skill in reacting to everything that is going on. Klaut is able to convey the stress that his character is under as the situation becomes more and more perilous. This is supported by the performance of Sam Puefua who plays the gang member Monk. Puefua shows real menace with this character, helped by his physical presence in each scene. The danger they all face feels real and there is no let up in the action. The physical aspects of each performance are choreographed well and the audience is treated to each characters viewpoint, as the camera moves around the scene. Overall this is superb casting. The director Jimmy Chhiu skilfully navigates each scene in what is a claustrophobic environment. The close up camera work adds to the tension, making the action that much bigger and elevates the threat that each character is under. The opening scene develops the background of the two teenagers. The character Bountha is striving to improve his life and Sovankary is resigned to a future at the shop because this is the only life for those born of refugees. What starts off as an everyday shift soon derails into violence. Chiuu works the script well and has a good eye for location for both internal and external sets. The choice of musical score is perfectly chosen. The writer is able to present a snapshot of what life is like for gang members in the U.S. They have developed each character and in a short time we learn their background. Even those that don’t make it on screen have an impact on the situation. The audience learns about the family dynamic and the battle Sovankary has to stay on the right side of the law and away from danger. The dialogue sounds authentic which really helps the actors deliver on their performances. This is a well polished film with some superb performances. It is a mixture of relentless action where the audience will struggle to catch their breath and calm thoughtful dialogue. It is a scene from your worst nightmare and unfortunately scenarios like this are all too common. The viewer will have plenty to contemplate when the film stops rolling. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Lee Sinden Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film Feature by Callum Ewing, James Learoyd and Tom Manning Best Film Callum For me, Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece is Princess Mononoke, a film that combines spectacle with a morally complex story. It delivers a nuanced environmental message without dividing its characters into simple categories of good and evil. Lady Eboshi seeks to destroy the forest to mine iron, yet she provides sanctuary for society’s outcasts, while the forest spirits become enraged and vengeful in their defence of the natural world. This moral ambiguity creates a tragic cycle of violence in which both sides have compelling motivations. The film is among Miyazaki’s most visually stunning works, as well as his most visceral and violent. Joe Hisaishi’s beautiful, haunting score elevates it into a tragic epic. Its fragile, bittersweet ending acknowledges that conflict will continue. With its uncompromising stakes, powerful themes, flawless pacing, and immense scale, Princess Mononoke represents the peak of Miyazaki’s work and demonstrates how hand-drawn animation can transcend the medium. No wonder James Cameron took inspiration for Avatar! Honourable Mention: My Neighbour Totoro James James’ favourite Miyazaki is his 1989 family classic Kiki’s Delivery Service. It is also, for him: the best movie of the 1980s, the best movie about growing up, the best movie to contain aspects of fantasy, and (the big one) the best animated movie of all time. Kiki's Delivery Service - Official English Trailer There is no protagonist more lovable, and whose journey more relatable, than that of Kiki – a witch who, on her thirteenth birthday, must leave home and find a town to occupy (all with the companionship of her black cat Jiji). There she is also to find work of some kind, and she does in the form of her own delivery service for a quaint bakery where she resides. As Callum said so eloquently on our episode of the podcast, “it’s about burnout”. Specifically, it’s about your first encounters with disappointment, self-doubt, and depression – and yet it might be the most life-affirming of all Hayao Miyazaki’s movies. It’s the children’s film that teaches the most complex and emotionally mature lessons (about accepting your ups and downs, moving on from failure, learning that you won’t be loved or understood by everyone); and yet it does so in the most whimsical, optimistic terms. One of those rare movies I would be okay with watching once a day for the rest of my life. Tom The film that stands out as being the best Hayao Miyazaki film to me is also one of my favourite films of all time, Spirited Away. The only word that can really describe this film is magical. It epitomises everything that makes Studio Ghibli great with its fantastical world seen through the eyes of a child and some of the greatest side characters you’ll ever see. There’s No Face that represents the greed of humanity and the pitfalls of capitalism; Haku the dragon, and, of course, Kamaji in the boiler room. Spirited Away Official Trailer Spirited Away was the first Ghibli film that I watched, and immediately I fell in love with this magical world. There are few films that are able to create a world as rich and creative as this, and it’s no surprise this is one of Ghibli’s biggest films. I never get tired of watching this film, and there’s so much to take out of it from each viewing. It shows just how powerful animation can be as a medium in film too. Most disappointing/Least favourite film Callum One of my more controversial opinions after watching most of Miyazaki’s films is that I prefer his work from the 1980s and 1990s to his films from the 2000s. Although Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle are classics and fan favourites, they do not engage me as much as something like Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro, or Kiki’s Delivery Service. Despite their magnificent themes and craftsmanship, I find Spirited Away and especially Howl’s Moving Castle a little too strange. Howl's Moving Castle Official Trailer Howl’s Moving Castle is the film I connected with least because its narrative struggles under the weight of too many abstract ideas. The film is based on Diana Wynne Jones’s book, but it also serves as Miyazaki’s creative response to the outbreak of the Iraq War. For me, this makes it feel disjointed as it tries to balance dreamlike fantasy with an anti-war message. The rules of its dream world are also difficult to follow, and it features some of the weakest antagonists in a Miyazaki film. Although it remains enjoyable, particularly for its visuals, the narrative does not work for me as well as those of his other films. James This is the first director covered on the podcast who, in James’ eyes, does not have a ‘worst’ film in the conventional sense. Howl’s Moving Castle is his least favourite – or, let’s say, the one that lacks the emotional connection of all the rest. The humour is slightly clunky and, out of all his large-scale fantasy epics, this is the work that lacks propulsion. This was a project Miyazaki entered as director only later in the pre-production process, perhaps explaining why it lacks the personal, self-reflective edge of all his other movies. AND YET: Howl’s Moving Castle remains a masterclass in modern technical animation, demonstrating a level of craftsmanship that – were it not helmed by Miyazaki – would surely stand as any other director’s crowning achievement. But in terms of this man’s body of work, Spirited Away is the masterpiece that will always scratch the itch that this doesn’t quite manage to. Tom As we discussed in the podcast, there really isn’t a bad Miyazaki film, and my least favourite is still a film that I enjoy. But, something has to be here and I’ve chosen Porco Rosso for my least favourite of Miyazaki’s films. Porco Rosso official film trailer With Ghibli films, in general, the connection you have with them is one of the most important things and I just felt that I struggled to properly connect to this one. I’m probably due a rewatch and, of course, this has one of the best lines in any Ghibli film, ‘I’d rather be a pig than a fascist’. Where this film falters for me, is with the romance arc surrounding Fio and how the pilots fawn over her. It’s just a little bit uncomfortable and reduces an interesting character to this one-dimensional situation. The score is still great and it’s always fascinating to see Miyazaki’s love of aviation on the screen with fantastic sound effects and beautifully crafted planes. It’s a film that I wish I liked more which I think is why it’s fitting to be my least favourite. Most overlooked Callum Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is my choice for Miyazaki’s most overlooked film. His second feature predates Studio Ghibli, so it is often absent from box sets and missed by casual audiences. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind official trailer Based on Miyazaki’s own manga, the film is a science-fiction epic influenced by novels such as Frank Herbert’s Dune and J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Its post-apocalyptic setting may deter viewers seeking something more whimsical, and its dense world-building can sometimes overwhelm, but its ambition remains impressive. The film also establishes the blueprint for Miyazaki’s later work: Nausicaä is a fierce, independent heroine who inspires characters such as San; its environmental themes explore conflict between humanity and nature without reducing it to good versus evil; and it marks Miyazaki’s first collaboration with Joe Hisaishi, whose magnificent synthesiser score enhances the film. Nausicaä’s success gave Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki the resources to found Studio Ghibli, while its artistic vision shaped the studio’s future and proved that Miyazaki could become a major animation director. Honourable Mention: Castle in the Sky James The Wind Rises is James’ pick for Most Underrated. Despite its critical acclaim, it’s simply not discussed enough in movie circles – especially considering that until The Boy and The Heron was announced, there may have been a sad reality in which this ended up being his final film. The Wind Rises official film trailer The Wind Rises is Miyazaki’s most personal work in so many ways, crystallising his love of aeronautical engineering, his fascination with the conflicted father figure, and – perhaps most importantly – it's about the act of creation, and all the pains and doubts that come with it. It’s one of the most beautiful films about the creative process as I’ve ever seen; but here, it’s a process placed in a historically and personally destructive context. His only animation that doesn’t contain any elements of the fantastical is, in fact, one of his most imaginative and free-flowing. There are maybe just one or two movies in my lifetime that I consider more moving than this one. Tom The most overlooked Miyazaki film has to be Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which is one of Miyazaki’s earliest works and is one of his best. I only watched this film for the first time recently but it immediately struck me as being one of the most interesting looks into what a post-environmental collapse world would look like. It begins with this sci-fi western-style opening, which immediately hooked me and then Miyazaki introduces the Ohms which I think are my favourite parts of this film. They are these misunderstood creatures that the characters are scared of, apart from Nausicaa who is the only one to understand them. This follows quite a familiar trope in Miyazaki’s work where the child main character is the only one to understand either the villain or a force that everybody else dislikes. It’s an incredible film that has a lot to say about the damage we have inflicted on the planet through war and climate change. It also explores aviation in a way that Miyazaki hasn’t done since with the gliders that Nausicaa uses being fantastic to see too. It’s a brilliant film that deserves a lot more love especially when being talked about amongst the best of Studio Ghibli. Listen to both episodes of The Films of Hayao Miyazaki below:

★★★ Directed by: Martin Darondeau, Bertrand Usclat Written by: Bertrand Usclat, Martin Darondeau, Pauline Clement, Clemence Dargent Starring: Pauline Clement, Julien Frison, Laurent Stocker, Marina Hands Film Review by: Jason Knight A comedy drama feature directed by Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat, written by Usclat, Darondeau, Clemence Dargent and Pauline Clement and starring Clement, Julien Frison, Marina Hands and Laurent Stocker. Things are not going smoothly at a Parisian theatre. It is the day that stage actress Nina (Clement) will have her directorial debut and the Culture Minister will be attending. The play is William Shakespeare's Macbeth, and the lead actress has just informed the crew that she will be unable to be there in time. So poor Nina finds herself having no choice but to take her place and play the part. As if this were not enough, Nina has to deal with other issues that include actress Emilie (Hands) cheating on her partner, actor Philippe (Stocker), with another actor, named Antoine (Frison), stage equipment malfunctioning, and her former partner (Nicolas Chupin) bringing their baby at the theatre and making her look after him. The narrative is a sort of race-against-the clock plot, with the story beginning at 6pm and Nina trying to resolve all sorts of problems in order to save the show, which starts at 9pm (every half an hour, the time is shown on-screen). The whole thing is reminiscent of the 2014 Oscar-winning film Birdman, with the entire story taking place inside the theatre, multiple characters being explored, some well-executed tracking shots, and music by Clement Ducol that includes drumming. A variety of issues arise as things move on and Nina has to deal with them (she is the director after all), and what ensues is drama, awkward situations, disputes, and thoughtful moments. Comedie Française Official Film Trailer As the main character, Nina is a likeable individual, a caring mother with a passion for her profession. Now she has found herself in a challenging position, having to overcome obstacles while also discovering herself. Stocker stands out as an obnoxious man, a disrespectful actor, unaware that his partner is having an affair. Nadine (Daniele Lebrun) is another interesting character, a veteran actress who is also a drug user. An intriguing subplot is the one involving Issa (Sefa Yeboah), a friendly young usher who evidently should be performing on stage. This feature explores the world of theatre, what it is like working in this industry, be it as a performer or another position, including director, stage manager or make-up artist (the latter being approached via Sephora Pondi's character). From a different perspective, this is a story about self-esteem, self-discovery, self-reflection, family values and working towards a goal. A somewhat short film (one hour and ten minutes) that manages to be funny and dramatic. The appearance of a certain famous French playwright adds significant quality, and so do the costumes by Chloe de Nombel. Comedie Francaise will be in UK Cinemas from 9th October.

★★★ Directed by: Joscha Bongard Written by: Joscha Bongard, Nicole Rüthers Starring: Maja Bons, Bea Brocks, Liliom Lewald Film Review by: Thomas Manning Babystar is a German film directed by Joscha Bongard that feels eerily familiar in 2026. It’s a film that strips back the pretence and façade of a social media influencer family and examines the alienation caused by late-stage capitalism. It follows the teenage daughter, Nunki (Maja Bons) with her mother, Stella (Bea Brocks) being a make-up influencer and father, Chris (Liliom Lewald) being a fitness influencer. It’s a family dynamic that anyone who has spent an evening doomscrolling social media will immediately recognise and relate to. But what happens to those who are born into this type of family, where every moment of their life, from the very birth to their daily yoga session, is filmed and recorded on Instagram or TikTok? This is a question that Bongard asks in Babystar, and he ends up giving an interesting study into this life. The film opens with a selection of security camera footage that immediately sets the tone to the surveillance and image-focused world this is set in. This is a technique that recurs as Nunki attempts to stay connected to their family even when she leaves it. The score from this opening scene is beautiful, with an orchestral choir creating an atmosphere that is unsettling enough to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As the film progresses, it becomes clearer that the façade of their perfect family is hollow and Nunki becomes increasingly depressed and isolated. This accelerates with the announcement that Stella and Chris are looking to have another child, which causes Nunki to spiral into feelings of abandonment. This reaches a climax with a particularly disturbing scene in a restaurant that causes Nunki to move into a hotel away from her parents. Babystar Official Film Trailer This character development is where the film slightly falters, narratively. Maja Bons plays the character of Nunki fantastically, but the writing of her character feels rushed at points and hypocritical at others. After witnessing the damage this influencer life is causing her, she still continues to participate in it and take advantage of others. This perhaps speaks to Nunki’s inability to form genuine human connections through the isolation this social media life has caused her. One of the most interesting parts of this film is the relationship Nunki has with her AI avatar that her social media team had been developing. Nunki continues to use this avatar as a form of therapy, but it always remains hollow and highlights Nunki’s inability to connect with people on a personal level. This is seen when mirroring this relationship with her relationship with Julie (Joy Ewulu). In early scenes, it appears that there is a connection between the two for a genuine friendship yet as the film progresses, this friendship ends up centring around her brand and becoming about her social media. In many ways, this film is about Nunki trying to break from the cycle of being a brand and, instead, try to find herself as a person. The ending gives an indication that this can be possible, but at points Babystar only scratches the surface of its critique on this influencer world. It is, however, a thought-provoking and poignant film for today’s society. Babystar will be in UK Cinemas from 25th September 2026.