10 Short Films To Check Out This Summer!

Thanks to video hosting platforms like Vimeo and YouTube, short films are easier to access than ever, and provide a way to enjoy cinema without the movie ticket price tag while also supporting independent filmmakers. Here are 10 short films that belong on your Summer watch list!

1. "Summer" (dir. Nolan Goff)

Roller rinks seem to be the epicenter of teen drama in cinema, and "Summer" is no exception. The film follows the stories of two high school graduates, a middle school couple, and even the owner of the rink they’re all in!

2. "Warpaint" (dir. Al Benoit)

If you’re looking for a short film centered around a sapphic pairing, "Warpaint" is the flick for you. Following 17-year-old "friends" Carey and Audrey, "Warpaint" tells a Summer love story set on the backdrop of the girls' parents' lake houses. 

3. "Chuj Boys Of Summer" (dir. Max Walker-Silverman)

Based on a true story, this student short follows the story of a teen migrant from Guatemala, Yakin, who only speaks his native indigenous language of Chuj. When he moves to Colorado, he feels out of place, but this beautiful film about finding belonging sees him bond with a group of other young immigrants who followed a dream just like him. 

4. "The Tent" (dir. Robbie Fatt)

Summer is the perfect time for a beachside camping trip like the characters in this short sci-fi flick embark on. But things go awry when one camper discovers his tent doubles as a teleportation device!

5. "Summer 78" (dir. J.C. Reifenberg)

Taking place in the 1970s, this is the perfect film to get your nostalgia fix with. The main character is a Star Wars-obsessed little boy who reminds viewers just how expansive the world feels when viewed through a child’s imagination.

6. "Polarised" (dir. Steve Fleming)

Fans of Elvis (2022) will get a kick out of seeing a young Olivia Dejonge, who played Prisiclla in the Baz Luhrmann biopic, lead this short comedy. Dejonge plays Beth, a scheming 12-year-old prankster who enlists the help of her little brother in her Summertime antics. 

7. "Last Summer" (dir. Oliver Williams)

For a more somber watch, check out this short film about two estranged friends spending the last day of Summer together and find some solace in the knowledge that no one is immune to struggling with life’s changes.

8. "Dance Of The Honey Bee" (dir. Peter Nelson)

For an animal-centric short, tune into this endearing documentary film! "Dance Of The Honeybee" by beekeeper Peter Nelson gives viewers an up-close and personal look into the lives of honeybees alongside insight into why the species is in danger. 

9. "Summer Hit" (dir. Berthold Wahjudi)

Get your rom-com fix in under 20 minutes with this award-winning short film! Following the story of two college students studying abroad, "Summer Hit" asks if Summer flings can ever really have a longer shelf life. 

10. "H.A.G.S. (Have A Good Summer)" (dir. Sean Wang)

Inspired by a yearbook, this documentary film, titled after the common yearbook sign-off, is a joyful nostalgic watch to add to your list! Centered around filmmaker Sean Wang, "H.A.G.S." allows viewers to tag along as he catches up with some old friends to see what they’ve been up to since they were tweens.