EDFF 2026 RUNDOWN: Short Film Block #1

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As a movie fan, I was really impressed with the El Dorado Film Festival’s dedication to short films – they consistently champion filmmakers from all over. This year’s selection felt particularly strong. The first block of shorts was a fantastic way to start the second day of the festival – eight diverse films, spanning all sorts of genres, and introducing some seriously talented new voices. It was a great experience!

Here are a few impressions out of the eight films included in the block…

“Patina” is a heartwarming and imaginative film by Jake Hull that beautifully mixes drama with science fiction. The story centers on 12-year-old Jackson (Charles John Wilson), who reluctantly visits his grandfather in a nursing home. There, he meets Patina (Casey Camp-Horinek), an elderly woman searching for her lost pocket watch. When Jackson finds the watch, he’s unexpectedly transported to the past and encounters someone who profoundly impacts his life. The film is a touching exploration of memories and the bonds they create.

VERDICT- 3.5/5

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As a film buff, I recently checked out “Fireflies in the Dusk,” and it’s definitely a unique movie! It’s a really quirky comedy about time travel and the clash between different eras. The story follows Charlotte, a Victorian-era woman pressured to marry someone she doesn’t love, while secretly falling for Zach, a modern guy. They communicate through this incredibly magical desk drawer that somehow sends letters through time! Things get really interesting when Charlotte actually travels to our time. Honestly, the plot gets a little messy and some of the jokes go on for too long, but it’s so chaotic and unpredictable that I couldn’t look away. It almost falls apart a few times, but that’s part of its charm!

VERDICT – 3/5

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Jonah Haber’s film, “We Were,” is a deeply moving story about life and love, told through the eyes of a man named David (Kevin Romano) who is grappling with heartbreak. The film takes us back to David’s childhood, showing his sweet connection with a girl named Janelle (Vivienne Cvetkovski), then to his first high school romance with Amy (Amanda Thamage), and later to his relationship with Mia (Jessa Richer) as an adult. After David and Mia break up, he’s left only with memories – both happy and sad – of the defining moments in his life. Haber explores these experiences with sensitivity and honesty, creating a film that will resonate with viewers.

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2026-02-28 19:57