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Whispers of Redemption film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Ansu Njai, Jenny Rowe directed by Ranw Aso-Rashid. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Whispers of Redemption Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Mar 7, 2025 Directed by: Ranw Aso-Rashid Written by: Ranw Aso-Rashid Starring: Ansu Njai, Jenny Rowe Ranw Aso-Rashid's Whispers of Redemption is a sharply crafted little film with a lovely sentiment. Eric (Ansu Njai) is a young man who’s just lost his mother. With her ashes, he goes to the sea to find solace and meets Grace (Jenny Rowe) and her dog. She too has lost someone in her life, so she shares some important advice about how to keep living. There are many short films about loss, but audiences will appreciate the fact that – by the story’s end – this is far more a piece about moving on than it is about being stuck inside the pain; and the vast ocean before them serves as a lovely visual metaphor for the flowing, uncontrollable feelings our protagonist must come to accept. What we as the audience witness is simply a ten-minute, extended conversation about how we deal with mourning. It’s a deeply heartfelt piece of writing, yet it’s the filmmaking that really elevates the content... The cinematography is incredibly strong, as is the sound design. For the more technically minded viewer, the first thing you notice is how well-lit and professionally colour-graded these shots appear. All the colours complement the seascape wonderfully, with slight greens in the highlights providing a real cinematic look. The soft lens-work and impeccable composition then go a long way to draw the eye to the actors’ faces, which then too is nicely balanced in terms of light distribution. This is all high-end work, demonstrating an awareness of industry-standard aesthetics. What heightens the craft even further is the audio of the sea, birds, and even on-location sound. It’s crisp, but not too crisp. There’s an authentic, on-location feel about the sound which adds to the sense of realism and layering. When it comes to the performances, there are some interesting contrasts taking place. For instance – and it may not at all be the fault of the actors – but our two performers seem to be operating on slightly respective wavelengths. Both are, without a doubt, likeable and engaging screen-presences; however, while Njai opts for a toned-down, naturalistic mode of performance, Rowe is far more expressive and theatrical. Each performance works really well in isolation, but they don’t always gel together. I want to clarify that these are two obviously talented screen-actors who can convey genuine emotion confidently. What Whispers of Redemption offers is a peaceful, reflective viewing experience which allows one to take in the space and consider the messages being conveyed. While you could argue that the script is pretty explicit when it comes to its themes and morals – far more explicit than most screenwriters might allow – the dialogue is successful in conveying complicated emotions relating to mourning and changing in such a short space of time. In this way, the interaction is reminiscent of a short story more so than a work of film; yet the location, soundscape and colour really help to build a real sense of immersion. You’re there with the characters, observing what they’re observing, placing the emotion in a physical, textural context. About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Short film reviews from some of the best movies in the UK. Read reviews from some of the best short film critics. Short Film Reviews Welcome to the UK Film Review page for short film reviews . Here you will find some of the best and brightest sparks in a sea of cinema. Filmmakers from across the globe submit their short films to us to be reviewed, and our Contributors lovingly dissect them. If you would like one of our team to write a film review of your short film, please use the form on our Submit Your Film page Our short film reviews are written by passionate film critics across the UK and aim to highlight and promote terrific filmmaking when we find it. We are always honest with our reviews, so if you are looking to submit your short film for review, please do so knowing that we will not alter what we have said because you don't like it. There is a wealth of amazing talent in the short film industry, and we hope by writing film reviews about this underexposed creativity we can get your movies to a new audience...but we need your help. Please join in the chatter on our social media channels so that we can grow our community and share the joy. Use the buttons in the footer to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and Subscribe to us on YouTube #supportindiefilm. The selection of short film reviews you see below are mostly for films submitted to us. In this instance, the filmmaker has requested us to watch and provide a short film review. Alternatively, visit our Latest Short Film Reviews page . Get Your Short Film Reviewed Demzzz type beat Short Film Review Chocolate Chip Short Film Review A Plus Short Film Review Filmmaker Interview with Will Hawkes The Curious Clever and Collectively Convoluted Case of Detective Ebeneezer Maisonette   Short Film Review Hardwicke Circus: The Prison Gig Short Film Review Through the Stew Short Film Review Filmmaker Interview with Zehua Yang Isabella Short Film Review Finger Food Short Film Review Warrior: Predator Short Film Review A Hell of a Trip to Delicias Short Film Review No Tell! Short Film Review Last Rendezvous Short Film Review In The Moonlight Short Film Review Bridge Short Film Review Bird Drone Short Film Review Ain’t my Vibe Short Music Video Review Surprise Short Film Review A Happy Ending Short Film Review More Film Reviews Peekaboo William Hemingway Go Fund Me Patrick Foley Inappropriate James Learoyd Close of Play Jason Knight The Stork Patrick Foley The Tuvalet Bash William Hemingway Gnome Heist Chris Buick Parasocial James Learoyd Higher Knowledge Patrick Foley Hidden Wounds Jason Knight The Road Back Patrick Foley Fade In: To Murder Chris Buick Run To The River William Hemingway Wrists Tied James Learoyd Amaterasu Patrick Foley Flying Jason Knight Scratched Nail William Hemingway Forest 779 Patrick Foley Whispers of Redemption James Learoyd The Empty Jason Knight Changing Tune William Hemingway Falling Rocks Chris Buick Bunnyhood William Hemingway Liquor Bank Jason Knight The Networks of Street Signs Chris Buick Load More Reviews What is a short film review? A short film review is often written by a movie critic and it's their opinion on a film that is less than sixty minutes long. Short film reviews still explore every aspect of a movie. How do I write a short film review? Writing a short film review needs to cover multiple aspects of the movie. Including the script, the characters, performances, cinematography, score & sound design, editing and so on. Sometimes we consider the piece only as a short film; whether it works in that format, other times we may think of it as a "proof of concept" for something longer, or perhaps a piece of a web series/TV show. These can be important to consider when writing a short film review. How long should a film review be? A film review should be as long as the house style. Some publications provide lengthier reviews than others. A general minimum word count would be 500. This may be also for SEO reasons, as short film reviews that are longer may be more likely to rank higher on Google. The important thing to remember is that the review should be well-structured, not full of bloated points to fill up the word count. How much money do film critics make? Film critic salaries depend massively on their publication. Many film critics are freelancers, meaning they get paid per review and sometimes this is based on word count. Making money through film reviews can be challenging. Video Short Film Reviews Below you will find a selection of short film reviews in video form! This is where one of the UK Film Review Critics records their review and we upload it to our YouTube channel (as well as TikTok and Meta Reels in some cases). A Place to Fall Down Short Film Review by Chris Olson A short film about coping with loss and grief, film critic Chris Olson gave A Place to Fall Down 4 stars. Watch his video short film review here to here from the man himself about his thoughts and feelings. OK/NOTOK Short Film Review by Patrick Foley In this short film review from Patrick Foley, he gives us his opinion of the brilliant movie OK/NOTOK. Set in a futuristic world where AI robots are available as companions (as long as you can afford the subscription), it's a riveting piece. Betrayed Short Film Review by Chris Buick Film critic Chris Buick offers up a fantastic video short film review for Betrayed. A movie about a girl with special powers who, with the help of her protective father, must elude those who would use her for nefarious means.

Peekaboo film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Per Hampton, Kat Noland directed by Per Hampton. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Peekaboo Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Mar 28, 2025 Directed by: Per Hampton Written by: Per Hampton Starring: Per Hampton, Kat Noland A writer is having trouble coming to terms with the choices he made to ensure his success. Rex (Hampton) is a very successful writer with four best-selling books under his belt and a giant wodge of cash to go along with them. Sadly though, he has let his success be the main driver in his life and he now finds himself somewhere in his mid-fifties, stuck behind a desk and a laptop most hours of the day, without a partner or family around him to share the wealth. Now, Rex is finding that the edges of reality are beginning to blur, and from somewhere deep inside his characters have started to talk to him, telling him what to do. Rex can’t seem to pull himself away from his writing or his characters, no matter the time of day or night, and he’s beginning to get a little bit worried that he might be going mad. It doesn’t help that one night, while he’s out taking a walk to get away from the intense pressure of the blank computer screen, Rex witnesses a beautiful light show in the sky which turns out to be none other than a UFO. Once caught in the beam of light coming from the flying saucer above him, Rex then begins to see a dark ominous creature across the road, behind a tree, with big dangerous red eyes that are looking straight at him, right into his soul. Obviously, anyone that Rex tries to talk to about this doesn’t believe him, and he’s left alone again with his own thoughts and feelings about himself, but also with a new companion haunting his every step. Rex knows that he’s falling deeper and deeper into a dangerous situation, but what can he do to get himself out of it? Sadly, none of these things that are going on in Rex’s life seem to be directly linked to one another, and there are a lot of things about Rex’s relationship to himself, his characters, and in particular, Vincent, which are never accurately relayed to the viewer. Instead, what we are party to are a bunch of fast cuts to different time-frames, a lot of Rex talking to himself in front of the computer and in mirrors and such, and some jarring sound-effects to express that something dark is happening. None of this is well-presented and none of it makes sense in relaying what on earth writer, director and star, Per Hampton actually seems to think is going on. Thankfully, the cinematography from Jon Schweigart is of a high quality, allowing the film to breathe and settle into its narrative without the viewer having to worry about the visuals, and the expression of ‘the Being’ which eventually latches onto Rex is really, genuinely creepy. However, in terms of positives for Peekaboo , that’s about it. The story is garbled and confused, the acting from Hamilton himself (basically the only character on screen) is pretty hammy, and the direction and writing needed to create a split-character narrative just isn’t there. At only ten-minutes long, there’s not a lot to get into in Peekaboo , and so it’s not so bad that the film is actually missing a lot of things needed for its narrative. As a creepy visual horror, it does its job well enough, but in terms of linking that with the story and the character we see on screen, nothing really seems to fit. Whether Hampton wanted to make a psychological thriller or an out-and-out creature feature is unclear, but unfortunately the confusion between the two, as well as between the character and his own narrative, means that he doesn’t succeed at either. About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Filmmaker Interview by Chris Olson Hi Ranw, great to be interviewing you. Please tell us a little bit about you and your filmmaking? Great to be here—thanks for having me! My name is Ranw Aso-Rashid. My journey into filmmaking has been anything but traditional. I originally studied Biomedicine at the University of Westminster before becoming a qualified science teacher and later Head of Department at a secondary school. But storytelling has always been a passion of mine. At 19, I made my first micro-short film on an iPhone. Later, while teaching, I started making films with my students, which eventually led me to establish AR Studios. Since then, I’ve written, produced, and directed 10 films, including Whispers of Redemption, The Silent Choice (a KINO Original currently on the international festival circuit), and Our Little Act of Rebellion, an international co-production. At AR Studios, I’m fortunate to work with incredible industry mentors, including development consultant Deborah Sheppard, script consultant Pete Daly, and Executive Producer Marcus Liversedge. Our ambitious documentary slate is now entering production, with support from Oscar-nominated producer Hanna Polak and BAFTA-nominated executive producer Clare Richards (Founder of We Are Doc Women). Beyond my work as a filmmaker, I also serve as a judge for the BIFA-qualifying KINO Film Festival and the British Short Film Awards. Filmmaking, for me, is about telling stories that challenge perspectives and leave a lasting impact. I’m always looking for bold, meaningful narratives that push boundaries. Tell us about your new film, Our Little Act of Rebellion. How would you describe the plot of the movie? At 75, Konstantine spends his birthday reminiscing over old photographs with his caregiver, Eleni. But when he stumbles upon a picture of Aysha—a woman he met in a private music club in 1974—memories he thought were long buried begin to resurface. What starts as nostalgia soon unravels into something deeper, revealing a past intertwined with political turmoil, forbidden love, and the secrets hidden within music. As the echoes of that fleeting yet powerful connection grow stronger, Konstantine is drawn back to the club that once changed everything. But some stories aren’t finished yet. Why did you want to make this film? I was drawn to this story because it weaves together themes of forbidden love, political tension, and personal memory—elements that resonate across cultures and generations. At its heart, it’s a deeply human story about connection, loss, and the way the past lingers in unexpected ways, especially regarding experiences that have remained hidden until this film came along. Unlike many filmmakers, especially producers, I am risk-focused rather than risk-averse. I actively seek out bold, challenging projects rather than shying away from them. Knowing how complex this film would be—both as a story and as an international co-production—only fueled my determination to make it happen. I also saw it as an opportunity to push myself, working with a reasonably sized professional crew while ensuring underrepresented stories reach a wider audience in mainstream indie cinema. It sounds great! What were the challenges getting it made? Every film comes with its challenges, and this one was no exception. Time always seemed to be slipping away—long shoots, tight schedules, and the constant race against the clock. There were moments when shots needed to be changed, and I had to ensure the crew stayed on track to keep to our schedule. But, honestly, I thrive in high-stress situations, and I approached these challenges with humor and a calm mindset, which helped keep the momentum going. I made sure to personally know the crew by name, thank everyone for their efforts, and keep the camaraderie with the cast strong. They were absolutely superb, and maintaining that positive energy throughout the process was key. The live music scenes were particularly time-consuming to set up, but I leaned on my teaching background to break down clear instructions for the crew, ensuring everyone knew exactly what we were doing. Seeing the crew and cast working in harmony was incredibly rewarding. Despite the long hours, I found it all fun—there's something exhilarating about being in the thick of it. I remember when we wrapped at nearly 2am on July 31st, I still had the energy to shoot! But, of course, we had to wrap eventually. What stage is the film currently in? The film finished post-production in February 2025, and is about to begin its festival journey, courtesy of KINO London. Our world premiere will take place in Athens this summer, followed by a special screening in London later this year. For those eager to get a first look, we’ll also be releasing the official trailer on our social media channels soon. We’re currently in talks with ERTFLIX for a Greece-territory acquisition, as well as discussions with distributors for global distribution. After completing its festival run, the film will be available on demand via Vimeo and other key distribution platforms before eventually being fully publicly available online. Why do you make movies? I make films because stories are the most powerful way to connect us—to our emotions, to each other, and to the truths we sometimes struggle to face. At the heart of my work is human fragility—the raw, unfiltered moments that shape us. My stories often come from the many students and young people I have taught, coached, and mentored. Their struggles, dreams, and resilience have profoundly influenced my storytelling. I want to give voices to experiences that might otherwise go unheard, to explore sensitive topics with honesty, and to challenge genre conventions in ways that feel fresh and daring. I am heavily inspired by Frank Darabont’s screenwriting, the visceral, unapologetic storytelling of Quentin Tarantino, and the way Christopher Nolan elevates narrative through music—how a single note can change everything. There is always a part of me in the stories I write, produce, and direct. Each film is, in some way, a reflection of something deeply personal. And ultimately, telling these stories isn’t just thrilling—it’s cathartic. It’s therapeutic. My journey into filmmaking began in the classroom, at Friern Barnet School, with the support of my headteacher, Simon Horne. I started making films with my students, and that experience changed everything for me. Watching young people gain confidence, discover their creative voices, and see new career possibilities because of filmmaking—that was the moment I knew this was what I had to do. To this day, I’ve had over 130 students involved in my productions, gaining work experience, volunteering, receiving mentorship, and even landing their first paid jobs. That impact, that ability to shape lives through film, is what drives me. I make movies because I believe in the power of storytelling—not just to entertain, but to inspire, challenge, and transform. What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in filmmaking? The best advice I can give is simple: just start. Film school can help, but not essential. I did biomedicine at university and have learnt my way into the industry. Only do it if you're passionate though. Don’t wait for permission, don’t wait for the perfect camera—use your iPhone, your Android, whatever you have. Make films with your friends. Experiment. Learn by doing. The more you create, the more you’ll grow. Go to networking events. Find people who are passionate about what you love. Surround yourself with those who push you to be better. And if you’re serious about getting into the industry, reach out to AR Studios. We’re highly connected in the independent film scene, not just in the UK but increasingly in Europe and the USA. We’ve provided countless opportunities for young filmmakers to connect with experienced Heads of Department and industry professionals—people who can help you take that next step. But beyond that, understand this: filmmaking is an incredible but tough industry. Don’t enter it expecting to make friends in the personal sense—protect your boundaries, know your worth, and be mindful of who you let into your creative space. Educate yourself on the challenges and issues within the industry, and always stay informed. Read up on what’s happening in film every week using online outlets. Knowledge is power. Above all—keep making work. No one’s going to hand you a career. You build it, one film at a time. Who would you love to work with and why? I would absolutely love to work with Colman Domingo. As an actor, he brings an incredible depth to every role he plays, and his performances are always layered with so much truth and intensity. What really draws me to him is not just his talent, but his dedication to storytelling—how he fully commits to his characters and elevates every project he’s part of. I also deeply admire the way he helped bring Sing Sing to life. His involvement went beyond acting—he was part of the creative process, working to ensure the film was made with authenticity and heart. That kind of passion for storytelling and commitment to meaningful projects is something I resonate with. Working with someone like him, who not only delivers powerhouse performances but also understands the bigger picture of filmmaking, would be an incredible experience. What's next for you? Next, I’m diving deeper into TV development. I’m currently working on three TV series, one of which is an adaptation of Our Little Act of Rebellion. It’s a project I’m incredibly excited about, and I’m in talks with a potential co-producer to bring it to life. On top of that, a major streamer has officially solicited the submission of the project, which is a thrilling next step.

★★★★ Starring: #Demz, #RoryWaltonSmith, #TeniOsho Directed by: #Shayaan Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Demzzz Type Beat , directed by Shayaan follows three gang members as they make themselves known across the city, inflicting violence on those that attempt to cross them. However, for one of the members, he becomes haunted by those he has killed, and we witness the conflict between the loyalty to his crew and his conscience. With a few twists and turns Shayaan creates a dark and gritty short film and exposes the dangerous corners of the city and those that fight to become top dog at all costs. What really stood out within this short film was the editing, from the beginning the audience are met with a very enticing scene as our main character is walking towards the screen and another character is running backwards in slow motion. Very intense and dramatic and completely gripped me. The locations in every scene were similarly noteworthy, looking up at the city and taking it all in the vastness and striking buildings, contrasted by the underground dark and gloomy car parks with the broken lights adds a lot of depth to the story. The acting was a bit of a mixture, many of the scenes were convincing and reflected that hard exterior of a gangster. However, there were times when that masked slipped and points where we needed that strong, no-nonsense attitude which did not always seem to come across. For the main character, this is where that blend of toughness and fear was prominent and necessary, the character himself had many layers than what meets the eye. This was a very interesting storyline and character to pick apart, as you go deeper into his conscience you can see that there is more to him that is complex as he battles with what’s right and wrong but also keeping up this tough persona which makes for a perfect main character to follow. A very hard-hitting short film with great characters that make you want to invest more. Director Shayaan has really elevated this piece with his use of dynamic editing which really added his own uniqueness and created an original flare, these simple touches are what shapes your own stamp to your work and sets this film apart from the rest.

★★★ Starring: #AshleyLarson, #JakeMoon, #CristenStephansky, #ClareWilliams, #AndyZibritosksy Directed by: #JimHails Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Chocolate chip a crazy an absurd short film that shows the effects of how bad pregnancy cravings can get! However, this might be a slightly exaggerated interpretation, but the emotions are very much the same. Director Jim Hails creates a series of surreal scenes and introduces us first to the character Sarah Wilson, a young woman who is heavily pregnant eating snacks and watching TV late into the night. An advertisement for a chocolate chip cookie appears on the screen, this is all she can focus on and becomes fixated with feeding this hunger. After much deliberation she decides to make the journey to locate some cookies, however, along the way Sarah is met with some extraordinary scenarios. One word to describe this film would be trippy, there is an edge to this film that makes it unique and even have a retro feel to it, from the style in which the TV adverts were filmed to the locations such as the small diners and laser tag spot. The film is left to the audience to determine whether this is a hallucinogenic nightmare or an anxiety driven storyline from the perspective of Sarah. It’s an attempt to convey just how deep her emotions run from the viewpoint of a pregnant woman. As Sarah attempts to scout out the chocolate chip cookies, she has a strange encounter with a robber, who demands all the money from the till but also all the chocolate chip cookies in the joint. A disgruntled Sarah abides but can’t help but think this is completely unfair and takes it upon herself to track down this cookie thief and take back what’s rightfully hers! This film may seem a little far-fetched to some, but it does make for a funny and engaging storyline. The acting seemed overexaggerated in some scenes, but this was to match the overall craziness and did still work well. I did really enjoy the way this short was filmed the look and feel of the film did have that retro vibe which ultimately felt quite comforting in a strange way, but coupled with the crazy storyline it gave the film a twist and want to engage more with the characters and ultimately find out how this story ends for poor Sarah and her strong desire for a simple chocolate chip cookie. Jim Hail certainly pushes the boundaries of absurdities and Chocolate Chip  reflects this madness in every sense. The cinematography, locations and actors really helped to develop Hails own flare to build a very strange short film that boggles the mind and question reality, as well as really crave a chocolate chip cookie!