Chill Bucket Production’s 4th Annual Below the Line Film Festival - 2025
Click the poster/title for the reviews of selected shorts from this year’s festival!!!
Selected Short Films
Ball Lightning
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Bathtub
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Filmmaker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hi, Anxiety!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I Am Duck
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Method & Madness
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Scapegoat
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Veil of Sadness
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Welcome to Theatre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ball Lightning
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: ASIFA and Leslie Art and Design
Rating: NR / Run Time: 19 minutes
Language: English
Director: Trina Baker
Writer: Trina Baker
Starring: Trina Baker
“An embrace from her was like falling into down pillows.”
During one summer, Trina (voiced by Baker) is sent to visit with her grandmother and her friend Gusta, a refugee who survived World War II and immigrated to the United States in the 1960s. Through Trina’s narration, we learn about Gusta’s tragic past and the life she led as the Iron Curtain rose, including the loss of her daughter. In a sense, Trina becomes Gusta’s adoptive daughter, and the contrast between Gusta’s nurturing presence and her grandmother’s stern demeanor becomes clear. As Gusta’s story unfolds, we see how her history shaped her and how Trina absorbed lessons of resilience, survival, and love.
Baker masterfully blends two animation styles. Scenes of Trina’s joyful time with Gusta are rendered in bright, watercolor-and-sketch visuals, while Gusta’s traumatic past is depicted in heavy, dripping oil paints of black, gray, and white, conveying the harsh realities of Soviet-occupied East Germany. This intimate short merges personal memory with historical context, creating a moving tribute to love, perseverance, and the bonds that shape us.
All in all, Ball Lightning is a powerful, poignant short that celebrates the strength of found families and the enduring influence of those who guide us.
Review by Cinephile Mike
The Bathtub
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: Astrolabi Films
Rating: NR / Run Time: 19 minutes
Language: Catalan
Director: Sergi Martí
Writer: Sergi Martí
Starring: Abel Folk and Paula Jornet
“I’m not up for these adventures anymore.”
After a long, tiring day, all Ramon (Folk) wants is to relax in a steaming hot tub and contemplate his next steps. Just as he begins to unwind, his phone rings. Frustrated, he answers to hear the upbeat voice of Clara (Jornet) on a telemarketing call, trying to sell him a life insurance policy. Despite his efforts to end the call, she persists until his shouting causes her to break down. From this moment, an unexpected connection forms. Ramon is a bookshop owner, Clara dreams of illustrating children’s books, and through their conversation—from his tub to her bedroom—they begin to find common ground and understanding, though certain choices could carry serious consequences.
Martí navigates a delicate line between comedy and drama, starting in one tone and seamlessly transitioning to the other. In just 18 minutes, the film explores the challenges of honesty—and how it can be transformative. The dynamic between Ramon and Clara is captivating, less romantic and more akin to a father-daughter bond, beautifully underscored by Roger Subirana’s score. This short offers a poignant glimpse into the human spirit, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, light persists.
All in all, this touching film leaves you hopeful and wishing there were more to the story.
Review by Cinephile Mike
The Filmmaker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: Pirambeira-Mar
Rating: NR / Run Time: 7 minutes
Language: Portuguese
Director: Elcio Cabral Melo
Writer: Elcio Cabral Melo
Starring: João Paulo Saragossa, Lua Sara, Bruna Piccoli and
Marilua Azevedo
“There are a lot of jobs for the film to be ready. There is a lot of work for the film to be cool.”
Making a film isn’t just about principal photography—it’s about editing, sound, retouching, and most importantly, funding. Melo’s short follows a director (Saragossa) calling “Cut” while his collaborators—the Stage Managers (Sara and Piccoli) and the Percussionist (Azevedo)—hold out their hands, waiting for their payday. Beyond production, the film explores the financial challenges of navigating the festival circuit, highlighting the struggles of independent filmmakers around the globe.
Filmed in one continuous shot by cinematographer Gustavo Scatena in a black-box theatre, the short blurs the line between a plea and a music video. Saragossa’s infectious performance brings energy and heart to the story, while Azevedo’s percussion score punctuates both the humor and the heartbreak. Melo captures the realities of filmmaking in a way that is both poignant and playful, creating a reflective and entertaining experience.
All in all, The Filmmaker is a clever, energetic short that celebrates the creative process while reminding audiences to respect—and fund—the art they enjoy.
Review by Cinephile Mike
Hi, Anxiety!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Rating: NR / Run Time: 5 minutes
Language: English
Director: Eva Fulco
Writer: Eva Fulco
Starring: Eva Fulco and Kasra Shirdel
“Wake up, it’s time to play with your favorite emotion.”
“You need to focus on what’s important now.”
Devil in a red dress takes on a whole new meaning as Man (Shirdel) is constantly confronted by his Anxiety (Fulco). Popping up at the worst moments, Anxiety reminds him of every fear and stress he’d rather ignore. No matter how he tries to escape—swimming, hiking, or drinking—Anxiety is always there, shifting costumes to match each circumstance, echoing the relentless nature of inner turmoil.
Fulco brilliantly distills the experience of anxiety into five minutes, while Shirdel delivers a clever, silent performance. With no dialogue, his body language and expressions convey frustration, desperation, and humor, making us laugh even as we empathize with his struggle (and will make you possibly reach for a drink as well). In her directorial debut, Fulco shows a deft touch for timing and tone, balancing comedy and insight while allowing the core performance to shine.
All in all, Hi, Anxiety! is a short that transforms a universal struggle into a funny, heartfelt, and instantly relatable experience.
Review by Cinephile Mike
I Am Duck
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: Cartuna!
Rating: NR / Run Time: 19 minutes
Language: English
Director: Nick Zweig
Writer: Nick Zweig
Starring: Marianna Hersko, Ben Bishop, Michelle Bao, Richard Michaels
and Nick Zweig
“Hey, got any bread?”
A duck (voiced by Hesko) is sent into a new universe with one clear goal: they…want…bread. Hungry and single-minded, Duck’s quest proves more complicated than expected. Strolling across a desert landscape, they stumble into Owl’s home (voiced by Bishop), disrupting their orderly life in search of sustenance. When bread isn’t found, Duck consumes a cluster of mushrooms growing from the floor, triggering a mind-bending trip that propels them into the orbit of a cosmic being (voiced by Michaels). In this otherworldly realm, Duck confronts encounters from their past, gradually realizing that perhaps bread isn’t the most important thing after all.
Zweig’s 2D animation is laugh-out-loud funny and evokes the offbeat spirit of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. On first watch, it may seem like a simple, goofy tale about a bread-obsessed duck, but the stark black, white, and gray visuals sharpen focus on deeper philosophical questions—ones not easily answered. The voice cast is delightful, and the film takes audiences on a whimsical yet reflective journey.
All in all, I Am Duck is a clever, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful short that will leave you laughing while pondering what truly matters in life.
Review by Cinephile Mike
Method & Madness
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: Squeaky Wheel Entertainment and
Greater Than the Sum
Rating: NR / Run Time: 11 minutes
Language: English
Director: Anna Russell
Writer: Keaton Morris-Stan
Starring: Julia Maggiola, Keaton Morris-Stan, Kerry Malloy and Emma Kassel
“It’s up to these young women of our society, much like a wolf pack, to keep us in line.”
Rachel (Maggiola) takes her niece Kira (Kassel) to a hotel for an event tied to the new book The Societal Life of Wolves and Women by Greg Lands (Malloy). As they check in, Rachel is observed by Melissa (Morris-Stan). That night, Rachel prepares for a confrontation with Lands, hiding a gun inside her copy of the book. When she arrives at the hotel for the book signing, Melissa intervenes, guiding Rachel to a room where a guest is restrained and a confession is sought. The stage is set for a tense showdown between the two women and Greg. Why is Rachel so hellbent on getting revenge on Greg?
Star and writer Morris-Stan crafts a compelling story of female empowerment and revenge. While the premise is familiar, the framing through the book and the gender dynamics give it a unique edge. Director Anna Russell manages the trio effectively, highlighting the tension and stakes while leaving us craving more. Though the resolution feels a touch brief, the short offers a glimpse of the power and nuance Morris-Stan brings as a storyteller.
All in all, Method & Madness is a gripping, smartly told short that leaves you wanting a deeper dive into its world and characters.
Review by Cinephile Mike
The Scapegoat
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: MAAD Movie
Rating: NR / Run Time: 9 minutes
Language: Persian
Director: Ali Fard
Writer: Ali Fard
Starring: Amir Shams, Fatemeh Sadeghi, Nima Ghasemi,
Mahnaz Ansari, Mahdi Omidi, Sobhan Rouhnezhad and Hosein Dousti
“I grabbed his leg and threw him to the ground with all my strength.”
On a stormy afternoon, in the aftermath of a tragedy, a widow (Sadeghi) recounts her version of events to a police investigator (Sham) while her son (Ghasemi) looks on, his expression betraying that he’s near a breaking point. She tells of pulling the now-deceased from a ladder, pouring hot oil over him, and leaving him for dead. As she speaks, tears threaten to break through, each word laced with anguish. Once she’s escorted away, the investigator turns to the son, expecting their stories to align—but subtle inconsistencies begin to emerge, stirring unease.
In just nine minutes, Fard builds a taut, gripping chamber piece that leaves you desperate to know both what came before and what will follow. The thunderclaps and gusting winds amplify the emotional storm playing across Sadeghi and Ghasemi’s faces, both delivering honest, lived-in portrayals of characters on the edge. Cinematographer Hassan Aslani intensifies the immediacy by shooting the film in one continuous take, his agile camera movements—zooming, panning, tilting—tracing the mounting tension with precision. The result is a short that feels alive, raw, and wholly in the moment.
All in all, this short plays like a scene pulled from a powerful narrative of struggle and survival.
Review by Cinephile Mike
A Veil of Sadness
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: Lighthouse Ladies LLC
Rating: NR / Run Time: 8 minutes
Language: English
Director: Anton Maxwell Burek
Writer: Anton Maxwell Burek
Starring: Saffron Rose Cooper and The Trickster Bruises
“You can’t change the room in the middle of your booking.”
An artist (Cooper) has one hour to create a masterpiece, checking into a bare room with only beige walls and a curtain for inspiration. Attempting to reason with the distorted voice of management (Burek) proves futile, until a mysterious figure (The Trickster Bruises) appears shrouded in black. Their presence challenges the woman, eventually forcing her to confront her own mental landscape and the self-imposed constraints she navigates.
Cooper delivers a committed performance, capturing the tension and chaos of a mind in turmoil. The Trickster Bruises adds a memorable, enigmatic energy, heightening the short’s surreal quality and gives a smile akin to the horror franchise. Writer/Director Burek experiments with form and psychological exploration, creating a disjointed yet intriguing portrait of the millennial struggle to find meaning and creativity in a complex world.
All in all, the film is an ambitious, thought-provoking short that offers a glimpse into the artistic mind under pressure, leaving the audience both unsettled and reflective.
Review by Cinephile Mike
Welcome to Theatre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Film
Film Production Company: Theatre Revolution
Rating: NR / Run Time: 15 minutes
Language: English
Director: Annetta Marion
Writer: Gabrielle Fox
Starring: Michael Raymond Fox and Sean Weil
“Does anyone read submission guidelines?”
As we begin returning to the world of live theatre post-pandemic, two producers, Ted (Fox) and Mickey (Weil), sit down to revive their festival that’s been waiting in the wings. Reviewing submissions with titles like Pundumbic, Kung Flu Fighting, HannukOVID, ROM COM, and Covetiquette, they debate the strengths and weaknesses of each piece—and the writers behind them. Through these discussions, we glimpse the minds of Ted and Mickey and see how not every insight lands comfortably in today’s “woke,” post-COVID world. As some plays make the cut and others don’t, tension builds, leaving us to wonder if this festival is truly the best path forward.
Writer Gabrielle Fox and director Annetta Marion craft a clever, sharply observed comedy that skewers toxic male behavior while finding humor and even hope in the chaos. The dialogue between Ted and Mickey is intercut with glimpses of the plays themselves—or imagined critiques of their creators—producing absurd, laugh-out-loud moments. Fox and Weil share excellent chemistry, evoking a modern-day Statler and Waldorf energy, all set to a brisk 15-minute runtime elevated by James Sizemore’s lively score.
All in all, Welcome to Theatre challenges viewers to question their own perspectives in a society often tangled between what is right and what is simply expected.
Review by Cinephile Mike
