THE ASH: SAFE HAVEN

The Ash: Safe Haven
Directed by Marty Stalker
Written by Spence Wright
2017, Ireland

As a wave of volcanic ash cripples the countryside, a young boy is left with an elderly caretaker and must face the deadly side-effects of the environmental disaster.

The Ash: Safe Haven-intended to launch a feature film-is a very well-made, heartfelt look at a life-shattering event highlighted by the great cinematography of Angus Mitchell.

 

 

WHEN THE TIME COMES

When the Time Comes
Directed by Jondaniel Cornett & Jonathan Frey
Written by Jondaniel Cornett
2022, USA

Having previously made the horror short films Dodah (2019) and Skopein (2019), Jondaniel Cornett delivers what is by far his most accomplished work with When the Time Comes.

An extremely well-acted, emotional journey into a post-apocalyptic setting, When the Times Comes makes a great pairing with Aaron McCann & Stefan Androv Radanovich’s Perished, Ben Howling & Yolanda Ramke’s Cargo and Alex Horwitz’s Alice Jacobs is Dead.

FISH OUT OF WATER

Fish Out of Water
Written & Directed by Kirsten Carthew
2015, Canada

In a wintry post-apocalyptic world, a young woman fishes on a frozen lake for her only source of food.  When another survivor arrives on the scene, the woman’s solitary way of life stands to change permanently.

Those who like their apocalyptic cinema on the frigid side should watch this accomplished short as a double-feature with Daniel Byers’ Ice Man.

Auteur Carthew’s futuristic feature film Polaris has its world premiere at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival.

ICE MAN

Ice Man
Written & Directed by Daniel Byers
2019, USA

A survivor known as “Ice Man” battles a band of cannibals in a snowy, post-apocalyptic world.

Auteur Byers creates a very memorable short, successfully channeling Richard Matheson’s classic novel I Am Legend along the way.

Byers had previously made the period zombie short Bloodyback (2016) and is currently in post-production on the feature film Banishment.

NARROW

Narrow
Written & Directed by Anna Chazelle
2020, USA

Auteur Chazelle stars as a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world being pursued by a creature that presents itself in different guises.

Narrow makes the most of its clearly limited budget and, also doing its job as an industry calling-card, has landed Chazelle her first feature directing job on an Elmore Leonard adaptation.

EPOCH

Epoch
Written & Directed by Rich Lee
2018, USA

A woman travels through a ravaged, post-apocalyptic America, stopping to gather supplies.

Her encounter with two survivors leads to some unexpected revelations.

Epoch‘s production design and art direction are spectacular and its visual effects team does a tremendous job creating the film’s devastated road-trip backdrop, which is one of the most impressive you will ever see in a short film.

ENGINEERS

Engineers
Directed by Tyler A. Williams
Written by Tyler A. Williams & Dean Tardioli
2016, Canada

This short’s abandoned factory setting helps deliver the atmosphere as Tyler A. Williams gives viewers an enigmatic but compelling glimpse into a post-apocalyptic world, channeling a bit of the classic Frankenstein story along the way.

FREMDE

Fremde
Directed by Tim Dunschede
Written by Marc Vogel
2018, Germany

In a post-apocalyptic world, a family makes a home in an isolated bunker in the forest.

After nursing a wounded stranger back to health, their world is disrupted by the arrival of a band of marauders.

Director Dunschede delivers a slow-burn viewing experience with great atmosphere and very solid acting throughout.

ALICE JACOBS IS DEAD

 

Alice Jacobs is Dead
Written & Directed by Alex Horwitz
2009, USA

A scientist works at creating a cure for a devastating disease, concealing a dangerous secret along the way.

This take on the potential end of civilization focuses on the relationship between its two lead characters, with just enough of the outside world on view to effectively provide Alice Jacobs is Dead with its grim backdrop.

The performance by veteran actor Adrienne Barbeau is excellent.

THE HORIZON PROJECT

The Horizon Project
Directed by Scott Belyea
Written by Zack Mosley
2013, Canada

Uninfected survivors of a devastating pandemic are thrown into a nightmare scenario while being transported to a safe haven in this extremely relevant short film.

Director Belyea also made the apocalyptic short film Children of the Dark (2011).

The Horizon Project makes a great double-feature with Ashlea Wessel’s Tick.