The Best Short Films in 2025 According to UK Film Review Critics

The short film format is the crucible of cinematic genius. It demands not only a singular vision but a ruthless efficiency of storytelling. For a film to earn a five-star rating from UK Film Review is to declare it a masterpiece—a work of art that is as flawless as it is unforgettable. This year, the quality of submissions has been staggering, yielding a definitive list of 20 short films that represent the absolute pinnacle of global and independent filmmaking.

These films are not mere stepping stones; they are complete, powerful statements that traverse every genre, from brutal social commentary to haunting folk horror. If you want to know where the most exciting talent is operating right now, this list is your guide.

These films find universal truth in the most intimate human experiences, using brevity to amplify emotional resonance.

• 29 de Febrero: Chris Buick called this poignant Spanish short a “rare blend of emotion and drama” that is a “sobering depiction of the harshness of growing well past your best years,” balanced by a sense of hope.

• Falling Rocks: Chris Buick also championed this authentic drama, praising its focus on strained friendships in rural Northern England and its ability to capture “that palpably growing distance” between old friends.

• Hidden Wounds: Jason Knight highlighted this powerful drama about a war veteran who, though home, is mentally “still in the battlefield,” acknowledging the film’s powerful commentary on post-war trauma.

• Make Believe: Jason Knight celebrated this drama about a young mother and daughter struggling in England, noting how the film captures the difficulty of their lives and the depth of their bond.

• Safe: Jason Knight praised this “powerful short drama” for exploring complex social issues through the eyes of a helpline counsellor, emphasizing the vital work and important subject matter addressed.

The short film is an ideal vehicle for cultural critique, delivering powerful messages with wit and uncompromising focus.

• Bury Your Gays: Holly Baker deemed this a “terrific satire” that cleverly dismantles a damaging queer trope, using irony and comedy to highlight cinematic injustice.

• Wish You Were Here: Chris Buick celebrated this for delivering a “delightfully dark and humorous twist on our perceptions of modern-day internet culture,” starring an adorable pensioner whose online actions make the viewer feel “oddly complicit.”

• Is This The Bed We Lie In?: Holly Baker reviewed this as a controversial but tender exploration that “questions marital values,” using “delicate performance styles” to explore the complexities of love and personal freedom.

• Good Luck Fuck Face: Chris Olson highlighted this film as a hilarious “tale of relationship revenge” where two friends plot the downfall of a cheating husband, finding humour in modern relationship breakdowns.

• The Secret Assistants: William Curzon hailed this short as a “scathing indictment of the film industry and how it continuously exploits underprivileged artists,” showcasing a fierce power play in a job interview setting.

From psychological dread to folk terror, these films proved that high-concept genre stories can be masterfully executed in a short runtime.

• The Dog: Matt Trapp praised this “complex character study” of a vet struggling with her emotional burden, noting the “dark, brooding atmosphere” and horror elements used to build a “crushing” institutional environment.

• Grima: Jason Knight hailed this as a “very well-made short with plenty of scares,” driven by a terrifying teacher and the primal dread of the sound of nails on a chalkboard.

• Honey: Jason Knight noted this short psychological horror thriller, set in 1978 Wales, succeeds in creating atmosphere and suspense through its isolated location and eerie premise.

• The Lantern Man: Patrick Foley reviewed this as a “short horror based on English folklore” where the protagonist is haunted by visions, leaving the viewer to ponder whether the true terror is real or in the mind.

• The Axe Forgets: Patrick Foley highlighted this short for its profound depth, noting that it takes inspiration from an ancient African proverb to examine those who cause destruction but move on without consequence.

These films earned their five stars through spectacular technical execution, innovative form, or flawless conciseness.

• A Wanderer’s World: Jason Knight celebrated this documentary for its visual triumph, calling it a “mesmerising and thoughtful journey” that captures the vast, “wonderful” beauty of the British countryside.

• The Craftsman: Jason Knight lauded this as a “beautiful short animated film” that tells an inspiring, true account of a great-grandfather’s creative achievements with remarkable artistry and voice-over.

• Wavelength: James Learoyd found this to be one of the “more beautiful animated short films this critic has ever seen,” calling it a “transcendent fusion of poetry and design” that is highly evocative.

• In Absence: James Learoyd stated that it would be “difficult to fault Paul Nevison’s In Absence for really any aspect relating to the technical department,” calling the 24-minute drama on memory and loss “perfect” from an audio-visual standpoint.

• Flying: Jason Knight noted this as a triumph of conciseness, a three-minute short that “tenderly explores the relationship between a woman and her son” using a simple conversation about superpowers to great emotional effect.

These 20 five-star short films from 2025 are a powerful indicator of the talent emerging in independent cinema. They are films that deserve to be seen, studied, and celebrated. We urge all discerning viewers to dive into our archives at UK Film Review and experience the full force of these unmissable works.

(Films Included In This List Were Selected from January 2025 up to November 13th).