The 15 best short films to reflect upon
A selection of short films that invite reflection on the most diverse topics.
Teaching values in the classroom or in any situation is made much easier with fun and profound videos, short films that, despite their short duration, can leave a deep impression on our belief system.
Below you will discover 15 of the most interesting short films for reflection that we can show our children, siblings or even an adult we know who is still a little out of date with ideas.
15 short films to reflect on life.
Respect, tolerance, empathy, apology for diversity, acceptance of people whatever their race, gender and sexual orientation and many more values are what we can learn from the 15 short films that we will discover below.
1. The Porcupine
"The Porcupine" offers a different vision of the theme of loneliness, from the perspective of this animal that, due to its thorns, is rejected by the rest of its companions.The porcupine is rejected by the rest of his companions because of his thorns. However, thanks to empathy and friendship from his environment, he finally manages to be accepted, receiving a curious gift from his new friends.
2. Honesty
"Honesty", also called "Chess" is a curious short film that appears at the end of the Pixar movie "Bugs: A Miniature Adventure" from 1998, directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton.
The message of the short is, to be honest with the people around us, we must first be honest with ourselves.. This value is exposed through a game of chess, in which an old man plays against himself.
Who will win, who will lose, does he who cheats really win, is he a loser who does it by playing fair?
3. Day and Night
"Day and Night" is a short film directed by Teddy Newton about two very curious characters. One represents the day and the other represents the night and, depending on how they feel, the sky will be one way or another..
For example, when Day is happy, a rainbow appears in the sunny sky, while when Night is happy, fireworks will be seen in the night sky.
Although at first these two funny characters feel awkward together, as time goes by they learn to see each other's good side, and how day becomes night and vice versa. This short film conveys a message of learning to coexist with our companions and see their positive things.
4. Tamara
Created by House Boat Animation Studio, "Tamara" tells the story of a very special girl who wants to become a very special girl who wants to become a ballerina when she grows up..
Although Tamara suffers from deafness, this does not prevent her from fantasizing about dancing to the rhythm of music, because dance is something that she feels runs through her veins and, although she cannot hear, she feels the musical notes.
Thanks to her effort and desire to dance, her disability will not prevent her from realizing her dream, and this is the message that the short film intends to convey: fight for our dreams and face adversity.
5. Destination
"Destiny" is what, if it had materialized at the right time, would have become a classic in the history of cinema.
The original idea arose in 1945 thanks to the collaboration of filmmaker Walt Disney and Spanish painter Salvador Dalí, but due to financial problems at the company, the film was never made.but due to financial problems in the film industry after World War II, it was a dream they were unable to realize.
Fortunately, in 2003 it materialized as a tribute to Disney and Dali. An ideal short film for students of fine arts, since its dreamlike and surrealist theme, so much in the style of the mad genius Dalí, brings to life the great works of the artist from Figueras.
6. Little Birds
Another short film made by Pixar, in this case directed by Ralph Eggleston, which won an Oscar in its category. won an Oscar in its category in the year 2000..
In "Pajaritos", also called "For the Birds" we can extract several reflections on tolerance and the importance that each one of us have, besides respecting and accepting the diversity and peculiarities of each one of us. In our differences we can find virtues.
7. Cuerdas
"Cuerdas", by Pedro Solís García, is a small work of art from the 3D world. It has been recognized with the 2014 Goya Award for best animated short film..
This wonderful short film will teach the little ones the value of true friendship, respect and inclusion so that no child who is different will feel marginalized. Special children are not looking for a cure for their limitations, but for the acceptance of others, to feel loved and accepted.
8. The biggest flower in the world
"The biggest flower in the world" is based on a short story written by José de Sousa SaramagoPortuguese writer and Nobel Prize winner. This short film even had the collaboration of Saramago himself, who put the voice to the story and had his own character.
In this short film an apology is made for solidarity and human relations in a world where the only thing that seems to exist is a lack of ideals, individualism and little altruism, which eclipse other feelings.
9. The Butterfly Circus
In "El Circo de las Mariposas" a call for positive values is made.We are all aware of our own fears and anxieties, such as respect and dignity, but without forgetting the fears and anxieties that we all have. At some point in our lives, we have been haunted by worries, including the fear of not being accepted.
But sometimes, to be able to face these fears it is necessary to break the barriers that we often put ourselves, which are not the only obstacle that prevents us from being happy.
10. For four little corners of nothing
"Por cuatro esquinitas de nada" is a story in the form of a short film. a story in the form of a short film aimed at a young audience that promotes the idea of accepting people, no matter how different they are from us. We must be tolerant and supportive, and integrate into our environment those who, no matter how different they may be, are just another person in this vast world.
In this case, diversity is shown with geometric figures. In a world where everyone seems to be a circle, being born square is seen as a problem, but what do four little corners of nothing really mean?
11. Doll Face
Released in 2005, the short film is a critique of something that is still very relevant today: the influence of the media and its role in promoting female stereotypes..
Although thanks to the feminist struggle it has been possible to overthrow, at least in part, the canon of beauty imposed on women, there is still much work to be done.
As exposed in "Doll Face", there are more than a few who see women as mere dolls without the right to have an opinion or think for themselves. Toys for the use and enjoyment of men.
12. My little brother in the moon
"My little brother in the moon" is a touching story that brings us closer to the world of the people who brings us closer to the world of people who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).. The protagonist of this short film is a girl whose brother has autism. Her way of telling it is very special, emphasizing the idea that people should be respected.
13. Shh! Silence Helps Homophobia
"Shh! Silence Helps Homophobia" reflects very well how silence in the face of injustice, specifically homophobia, is a collaboration with the aggressor.
This short film explains how the best way to fight against intolerance is not by ignoring it, but by actively participatingbut to actively participate so that no one feels marginalized. Values such as respect and help are the ones that are part of this short film, emphasizing that one should never use violence or be racist.
14. Binta and the big idea
"Binta y la gran idea" is the brainchild of Javier Fesser, who tells the story of a Senegalese girl named Binta. The girl lives in a small village in the south of Senegal, near the Casamance River.
This story highlights values such as social justice, tolerance and solidarity, speaking of education for development. It also highlights how harmful counter-values such as racism and sexism are, negative values to which Binta, being a woman and black, can be a victim.
15. Swing of Change
"Swing of Change" is set in the New York of the 1930's. Its protagonist is a barber named Harry who, victim of the ideals of the socio-cultural context in which he lives, is at the same time the perpetrator of a crime, is at the same time the perpetrator of an injustice: racism.. Harry does not allow African Americans to enter his establishment.
However, one day, Harry will see his world change, and his racist attitude will evolve towards respect and equality of people, regardless of their skin color.
The app that gives you access to short films
If you are a cinephile and especially love short films, the Meyo app has been developed with you in mind.. In it you will find endless audiovisual material that will allow you to reflect on aspects of your life such as food, relationships, existence itself... a real discovery.
- Download Meyo now for Android and iOs.
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)