5. Everybody's Gotta Love Sometimes (2023) by Sein Lyan Tun (Myanmar)
“Everybody's Gotta Love Sometimes” delves into a Myanmar refugee's life in France, bravely tackling intimate desires and past trauma. Sein Lyan Tun's candid storytelling explores the complex interplay of instincts and trauma, through Ko Latt's acting. The 14-minute short is visually captivating, with standout performances and competent cinematography, while the impressive editing by Ella Dixon adds dynamism and depth, in an overall splendid work. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
4. Seen (2022) by Shinji Hamasaki (Japan)
Shinji Hamasaki directs a delightful, even if somewhat dark short, in which he manages to communicate a number of very realistic and pointed comments, in the 24 minutes the movie lasts. The way appearance affects the life of people is obviously the most central one, in a remark that shows the shallowness of the majority of people, who can barely see beyond appearances. The various way bullying works, which actually extends to the life stories of both protagonists, is also commented upon, with the role social media play in the whole concept being highlighted in the most pointed way possible, as much as the lack of privacy SNS and smartphones have brought. That people find themselves going to extreme measures to change their appearance is also depicted, although through a metaphor, as much as the futility of such deeds. Lastly, the depiction of Fumi's exhaustion while drawing manga and the fact that she is awake in the dead of the night, which is how she meets Tatsuya, conclude the rather rich context here through a subtle remark on how the particular industry works. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
3.Hito by Stephen Lopez (Philippines)
“Hito” is a great short, another testament to the heights of entertainment filmmaking can reach when artists allow their imagination free, in an aspect that seems to become a trademark of Filipino cinema. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
2. Foreigners Only by Nuhash Humayun (Bangladesh)
Mostafa Monwar has emerged as one of the most prominent talents of Bangladeshi cinema, and he proves it here as Hasan once more, with his inner struggle, frustration, and resolve all being excellent portrayed, even if with a slight pinch of excessiveness. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
1. Cross My Heart and Hope to Die by Sam Manasca (Philippines)
“Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” is an excellent film, a masterclass in (short) filmmaking, and a testament to Manasca's directorial abilities. Now we just have to wait for her feature debut, “The Void Is Immense on Idle Hours” which is currently in development. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
