We’ve been watching and featuring short films for awhile now. And even though we love every single film we feature, there are a few that hold a special place in our hearts. These are the stories that give you a certain emotional response or make you reconsider your perspectives. They are the ones that just stay with you long after the first view. 

All films on this list are available to watch for free on our app, just download in the Apple AppStore or Google Play. You can use the ‘Discover’ tab to find specific films.

1. The Candidate

The Candidate was one of our favourites long before one of its actors became the Duchess of Sussex. We have to admit: Meghan Markle did catch our eye when we first saw ‘The Candidate’, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it was her performance in this film that secured her the role of Rachel Zane in Suits. But outside of the strong acting performances, the main reason this is one of our favourites is the combination of a strong script, interesting storyline twist and its excellent cinematography. This film sets the bar of what a short film can be: completely engaging and tense, with production values that could match an original Netflix production. A jealous sales executive receives an intriguing visitor from a mysterious organisation. Could there be a solution to his frustration?

2. P I R A N H A

This is one of our latest additions. Yet it instantly made this list. The film won ‘The Best Postmodern Film’ award at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival. It was inspired by the global financial crisis, and the London riots that followed shortly after. The writer/director Elcid Asaei was looking at the similarities and contradictions of how both events were treated by the mainstream media, in which the rioters were vilified and the bankers were let off the hook. This film makes a statement about this phenomenon, and a wider assessment of the detrimental side-effects that the neo-liberal global economic order has had on our world. 

3. Above the Waist

This is the very first short we ever featured. We went to an event in London for young up- and coming filmmakers and were shown this touching story. Initially the film feels like a light comedy about two friends fooling around shooting an online dating profile video. But as the film progresses, you feel that something isn’t quite ‘right’. The filmmakers brilliantly maintain a level of suspense until the great reveal. Every single person we’ve shown ‘Above the Waist’ was moved by this story, and how it showcases the importance of real friendship.

4. Sevilla

This Dutch Snoovie turned out to be one of our highest rated shorts. Many people that try our app end up mentioning this film as one of the standouts. The film does a lot in just 11 minutes. Every minute keeps you captivated. There’s an unease from the first couple of moments, but you don’t fully understand why. They use flashbacks between the ‘present’ and the ‘past’ brilliantly, and while we kept trying to guess what happened in between the two periods, we could have never predicted the actual climax. Follow this group of twenty-somethings on their road trip to Sevilla and discover why the trip was made twice. Among other festivals, this film was screened at the International Short Film Festival Clermont-Ferrano.

5. Mentiroso

Mentiroso brought a smile to our faces the first time we saw it. It’s a story driven by teenagers discovered through a small talent agency in Mexico. They did an amazing job, you can sense the genuine ‘teen experience’, and there is something quite touching about the reason why a young boy would willingly let him self be branded the ‘town liar’.

6. Eight

8 Brilliantly shows the futility of war. And it does so without employing a single word of dialogue. Quite a feat. It won the ‘Best Short Film’ award at the 8th edition of the Montfilmfest Giochi di Cinema de Casalborgone. It employs a very original way of storytelling that resonates with any audience in any language. It doesn’t need any words or subtitles. You just ‘get’ it.

7. Jet

Jet is an unfortunate man whose best-laid plans are foiled by a little girl. It combines high paced action with dark comedy. Thematically, it looks at irresponsible gun use in the United States. It is extremely well filmed and acted and you should definitely give it a watch.

We could go on and on listing the many films we love, but this article would become way too long. So we decided to stop at number 7. There are many more films to discover through our app.

If you are a filmmaker with a great short film yourself, do submit to us so we can add it to the lineup. Snoovies is free for both filmmakers and viewers, we’re purely in it for the love of film.