An anniversary gift leads two young lovers into a black hole of misunderstanding. “Love Machine,” directed by Michael Rees, is a squirm-inducing dark comedy about the delusions and insensitivities of a dysfunctional couple. What at first appears to be a straightforward relationship study soon dev...

An ode to the present moment capturing snippets of city life and visions of escape. “Observations of the Amazing World Around Us,” directed by Lee Phillips, explores what it means to construct our lives as a series of memories. A narrator poetically aims to reject this mode of living, instead hop...

While dealing with sexism and mistreatment at work, Lee finds solace in her relationship with her best friend, Evelyn. One of the more off-the-wall selections we’ve featured of late, this short feature (42 minutes) by Mitch F. Anderson is perhaps most notable for a striking absence — an on-screen...

After being fired as a school administrator, a man turns to modeling to spread the word of God. “Seth’s Prayer,” directed by Danny Scharar, is a ludicrous comedy about unblinking faith and Christian ambition. Canned from his job for trying to indoctrinate children with his religious beliefs, Seth...

A struggling stand-up comedian decides to make a comedy sex tape in hopes of getting famous. This rapid-fire mockumentary — created by and starring Mary Beth Barone, Tea Hacic, and Megan Patsel — follows along as Mary Beth pitches her idea and sets out to produce the tape, trying to maintain its ...

On a laid-back summer day, a young woman spends some time with her casual partner. Irmak Akgur directs “Limerence,” a slice-of-life portrait that flows in uninhibited vignettes. Minimally plotted but tonally sharp, Akgur’s film captures a couple of free spirits in their element — spending the day...

Two strangers meet by chance and form a romantic connection. Julissa Yasmeen Ramirez directs “Future Memory,” an experimental short (just over 1 minute long), shot on Super 8mm filmed primarily in close-ups of hands. Under a pressing electronic score, the young couple moves through New York City ...

In the midst of a sexual awakening, a religious teen finally musters up the courage to kiss her crush. “No Other Gods But Me,” directed by Alex Spott, is a sensuous comedy about lust and temptation delivered with glistening, hyper-saturated visuals. The devout Gemma spends her days praying to the...

Two buds take a weekend getaway to address one of their major personal problems; meanwhile, four girls have double-booked the same Airbnb. In Michael Rees’ “His Parents Never Taught Him,” we watch a misunderstanding unfold between hyperactive personalities of colliding friend groups. Kyle and Lia...

Over the course of a muggy summer day in New England, two friends meander from place to place, getting high and avoiding the aftermath of a recent family tragedy. “Out of Body,” directed by Miles Dixon, is a moment-to-moment observation of both the joy and aloofness of a youthful bond. Cam and Ry...

A man returns a letter meant for his neighbor but it’s not what it seems. In this satire by Johnny Frohman and Jeremy Levick, the topics of pandemic masking and modes of shaming are explored in prickly fashion. Wearing a bright yellow vest and double-masked, a man turns up at a woman’s door and s...

A man lives in a restaurant where he also works as a waiter. Ian Faria and Edy Modica direct “Waiter Movie: The Short,” a hilarious and oddly endearing portrait of a New York waiter who chops it up with patrons just as well as he waits tables. We meet our old soul Frankie, played by Modica hersel...