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About the Author /

Obsessed with film, the internet and WordPress, Directors Notes is the place Rob gets to brings all his interests together and really geek out. When not writing for DN he can be found on Short of the Week or Vimeo.

Documentary

Hervé Demers Tackles Themes of Deindustrialisation and Community in Documentary Short ‘Once the Dust Has Settled’

Hervé Demers returns to DN to discuss his new doc short set in Asbestos, a former mining town in Quebec, which explores notions of community and identity.

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Animation, Premiere

How a Desire for Environmental Harmony Led Emily Halaka to Create Animated Fever-Dream Short ‘Organic Matter’

Emily Halaka joins DN to discuss how she used animation to promote harmony between humanity and the Earth in her delightfully surreal ecological short.

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Film Festival

The Best Short Films at SXSW 2024

A highlight of the annual festival circuit, we take a look at the 2024 line-up of SXSW and champion 10 short films you absolutely have to see.

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Animation, Music

How the Limitless Borders of Abstract Art Are Inspiring the Unmistakable Aesthetic of Tsz-Wing Ho

Animator Tsz-wing Ho joins us to discuss her recognisable approach to filmmaking and her collaboration with Max Cooper for 'Pulse at the Centre of Being'.

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Animation

A Horrifying Tour of Humanity Raises Questions of Free Will in Theo W Scott’s Animated Short Cuties

Theo W Scott talks to DN about his hope that its tale of "dumb characters butchering each other" throughout history will inspire questions of free will.

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Animation

The Worlds of Dreams and Reality Blend Together in KINEMUS’ Kaleidoscopic Vonfelt Animated Music Video ‘Je Pars’

Animators Michelle Brand & Toby Auberg return to DN with a music video that combines their individual 2D & 3D styles to create a distinct new look.

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The Song of a Lost Boy Short Film Daniel Quirke

Animation

Daniel Quirke Explains How Wax, Religion & DIY Instruments Inspired NFTS Short ‘The Song of a Lost Boy’

NFTS grad Daniel Quirke joins us to discuss his BAFTA-nominated stop motion short about a young choir boy's crisis of faith and journey to self-acceptance.

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salvation-has-no-name joseph Wallace

Animation

How Joseph Wallace Created a Modern Folktale with a Timeless Message in new Short ‘Salvation Has No Name’

Joseph Wallace returns to DN with his most ambitious work yet, a 17-minute stop-motion folktale exploring the refugee crisis and xenophobia.

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Nick Roney The Flute

Live Action

How “Being Trapped in a Perpetual Dick Joke” Inspired Nick Roney’s SXSW Award Winning Short ‘The Flute’

Dir. Nick Roney returns to DN to discuss prosthetic skin flutes and taking inspiration from the classic monster movie for his unforgettable dark comedy.

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Wild Summon Karni and Saul

Animation

“Pirate Filmmaking” Heads to Cannes in Karni&Saul’s Fishy Road Trip Short ‘Wild Summon’

Filmmakers Karni&Saul return to DN to discuss seamless blending live-action and CGI for their Cannes 'in Competition' love poem to nature short film.

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Salt and Pepper Shakers Meredith Moore SXSW Short Film

Film Festival

The Best Short Films at SXSW 2023

If you're heading to SXSW 2023 we've got a list of 10 short films that should be top of your watchlist.

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Drone Sean Buckelew

Animation

The Unintended Consequences of Technological Evolution are Unravelled in Sean Buckelew’s ‘Drone’

Sean Buckelew joins us to explain how the phrasing of an online headline inspired his narrative about an AI drone with a conscious.

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