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Kanopy Short Film Favorites

By Sharon Weinberg

Discover wonderful shorts you can stream via Kanopy.

  • Illusions

    2018

    An early work from groundbreaking filmmaker Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), her short film features two Black women working in 1940's Hollywood and examines such themes as race, gender roles, discrimination, and representation. In 2020, it was selected by the Library of Congress for induction in the National Film Registry.

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  • The Silent Child

    2018

    Winner of the 2018 Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, a young deaf girl bonds with her new tutor who is supposed to prepare her for starting school. With terrific, authentic performances and a heartfelt script, the story lingers with you long after the ending.

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  • A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud

    2021

    In a roadside cafe, one early morning, an older man explains to a young boy what he has learned about love. Based on the short story by Carson McCullers, this well-executed film is Karen Allen's directorial debut.

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  • Salam

    2019

    Salam, a Lyft driver awaiting life or death news about a family member in Syria, picks up Audrey, a woman also in distress. Their conversation goes deeper than expected, and certainly more poignant upon reflection.

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  • An Irish Goodbye

    2023

    The story follows two estranged brothers as they come to terms with their mother’s death and one another. It won the 2023 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, and James Martin became the first actor with Down Syndrome to star in an Oscar-winning film.

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  • The Phone Call

    2017

    Sally Hawkins stars as a volunteer for a crisis center who takes a call from a mysterious man (voiced by Jim Broadbent). This is an unforgettable Oscar-winning film that explores loneliness, sorrow, empathy, and also hope.

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  • Jeremiah

    2019

    After a chilling encounter with a strange figure, an Asian-American high school football player finds himself facing his most deep-seated fears. A beautifully crafted narrative, Jeremiah premiered at Cannes and was nominated for the Queer Palm prize.

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  • Dear Mr. Shakespeare

    2018

    Turning a critical lens toward the play Othello, multidisciplinary artist Phoebe Boswell has created a powerful piece that examines racism then and now.

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  • The Paper Mirror

    2015

    This short documentary chronicles a two-year collaboration between portrait artist Riva Lehrer and author Alison Bechdel (Essential Dykes to Watch Out For, Fun Home). It's simply engrossing, with thought-provoking insight into each creator.

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  • Feeling Through

    2021

    Nominated for an Oscar in 2021, this film shows an unexpected, yet impactful, exchange between a teen in need and a DeafBlind man waiting to catch the bus home. The filmmaker based the script on a real event in his own life and collaborated with Helen Keller Services to make the film happen. It marks the first time a DeafBlind actor starred in a lead role.

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  • Luminaris

    2019

    Using a stop-motion technique to combine live actors with animated objects, filmmaker Juan Pablo Zaramella fashioned a very cool short. The story focuses on a man who works at a factory, making light bulbs day after day, while he longs for something different. A great choice for family viewing.

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