“Best Actor”

★★★★

“Lawrence delivers a performance which will make you totally invested in the film and watch with total focus.”

After the death of his wife, Ben brings her back to life in an unconventional way. A film made during the COVID19 pandemic, which deals with themes of isolation and loss.

This short drama from directors David James Holloway and Samuel Lawrence is a powerful and original film which tackles a challenging topic in a subtle and charming way. It’s not only impressive as a film but also in its execution. It’s a film that will bring a smile and a tear to audiences.

Samuel Lawrence also stars in this short which is likely due to the constraints of filming during the pandemic, but you wouldn’t think it. Lawrence delivers a performance which will make you totally invested in the film and watch with total focus. It suits the tone of this film perfectly. Less is more in this case and isn’t dialogue heavy. It’s subtle and poignant in a way which only builds a bigger connection for the character. He expresses a range of deep emotions during the film, all of which feel authentic and real. Lawrence expresses his emotions without going over the top which creates more depth in the character. Superb performance!

With the surge in lockdown films, it’s refreshing to see one that doesn’t feel as though it was filmed during this period. It works as a whole and doesn’t feel limited in its scope. The message is bold and challenging to get right, but the use of animation is a brilliant way of telling this. Director David James Holloway handled the animation and clearly demonstrates a wide range of ability and artistic ability. Not only is the animation quality of high standard, but they fit within the scenes seamlessly. The interaction between Ben and Tasha is powerful to see on-screen.

This short film demonstrates perfectly how creativity cannot be limited by vision. It’s small in scale by nature but tells a dramatic and heartwarming story in a way which audiences won’t anticipate. It’s an exceptional piece from talented filmmakers.

— APEX Film Awards