December 28th is National Short Film Day, marking the day that the world was first introduced to short films. In 1895, the Lumière Brothers presented a program of ten short films to a small audience at the Grande Café in Paris. Although each film was only about fifty seconds in length, audience members marveled at how these short films helped them see the world in a new way. Today, short films continue to entertain and educate audiences all over the world. This list commemorates five early short films available online that may change the way you look at the world.
A Trip to the Moon (1902)
14 min.
George Méliès' fantastical short is often referred to as the first science fiction film, following a group of astronomers who travel to the moon and encounter a group of Selenites on the moon’s surface. Its lavish production design and use of special effects was groundbreaking for the time and remains a theatrical and visually stunning classic.
A Trip to the Moon is available to watch free on YouTube as well as HBO Max.
Regen (1929)
14 min.
Dutch filmmaker, Joris Ivens’ experimental documentary is a poetic tribute to the city of Amsterdam. The film explores the city through photographs taken before, during, and after a sudden rainstorm. An example of the “city symphony” genre that became popular in the 1920s, the city is the main character of the film, rather than a backdrop.
Regen is available to watch free on YouTube.
Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)
18 min.
Maya Deren’s experimental film explores a woman’s mind moving from dream to reality. The surrealist film is known for its repletion of key motfis and images, like a long driveway, a knife in a loaf of bread, and a cloaked figure with a mirror for a face.
Meshes of the Afternoon is available to watch free on Vimeo and Amazon Prime.
La Jetée (1962)
28 min.
Chris Marker’s short film utilizes French New Wave sensibilities within a science fiction premise. In a dystopian future, a man is forced to confront his memories of World War III in a time travel experiment. La Jetée is known for its repeated use of still images.
La Jetée available to watch free on YouTube.
Mothlight (1963)
4 min.
Stan Brakhage’s experimental short film was created without the use of a camera. A collage film, Mothlight was made by taping moth wings, flower petals, and blades of grass to 16mm film strips. The result is a gorgeous meditation on light and the natural world.
Mothlight is available to watch free on YouTube.