There are no guilds representing short filmmakers but there are a couple of organizations that give out awards for live action short films; however, there aren’t many and their selection criteria are all over the place, so we’ll mostly be on our own with this category. Below are our predictions in Best Live Action Short Film.

Best Live Action Short Film

Winner Predictions

The After
Invincible
Knight of Fortune
Red, White and Blue WLPP
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar TL

Runner-Up Predictions

Knight of Fortune WL
Red, White and Blue TL
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar PP

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Wesley Lovell: While heartbreak doesn’t always win the day in Live Action Short Film, I think with the current political climate, Red, White and Blue‘s devastating, yet hopeful premise has all the right stuff to win. Knight of Fortune is reminiscent of past winners with a funny, yet tender story. I wouldn’t count out any of them, but unless voters want to award Wes Anderson for an emotionless, yet creative short production, Red, White and Blue has the best shot at the win.
Pete Patrick: Wes Anderson’s Netflix-available The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is easily the most popular, but the beautifully acted topical drama, Red, White and Blue is the most meaningful and should win.
Thomas La Tourrette: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is the likely winner. It is theatrical, striking, and fun. The big-name cast have fun with their roles, and it is perhaps the perfect amount of the whimsy of Wes Anderson. Sometimes a full movie of his twee sensibilities can be too much. I do not see any other film winning this. Red, White and Blue about a woman from Arkansas seeking an abortion in another state will pull at the heart strings and a late twist does shock. The After and Invincible held attention while watching them but did not stay in mind afterwards. Though perhaps my favorite is Knight of Fortune about a man who feels unable to open the coffin of his late wife. There are some uncomfortable moments and some laugh out loud ones. It would be a fitting winner, but nothing will stop Henry Sugar from getting this prize. It deserves the prize, but it was fun to see what little known directors could do for a fraction of the cost of production.

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