BAFTA Shorts 2014

If it’s striking visual statements you’re after, head along to see this compilation of nominees for the Bafta awards for Best British Short Film and Best British Short Animation. But if you value original ideas and rich characterisation, you may come away just a little disappointed. In the former category, the best film definitely won: only eight minutes long, ‘Room 8’ takes a single headspinning idea and plays merry havoc with it. The animated winner, ‘Sleeping With the Fishes’, is charming if a little bland. Elsewhere, it’s a mixed bag: ‘Orbit Ever After’ has a strong cast and impressive special effects but the story never quite comes together, while ‘Island Queen’ never persuades us to like its smug characters. The two longest films are both very enjoyable: crime drama ‘Keeping Up With the Joneses’ and Ken Loach-ish tragedy ‘Sea View’ are powerfully acted and emotionally compelling. The most eye-scorchingly beautiful work of the lot is ‘Everything I Can See From Here’, a kaleidoscopic colour explosion which, frustratingly, struggles to make sense.