Eclectic Shorts by Eric Leiser(2006)

The Lord of the Rings(en)

The Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.

Niggun(en)

After a long journey through the stars a space archaeologist and an outcast rabbi are about to find the lost and mythical Earth… or at least what's left of it.

The Life and Death of Frida Kahlo(en)

A 1975 short documentary that focuses on the events that molded Frida Kahlo's life.

Sun Scream(en)

Sun Scream tells the comedic tale of a down-on-his-luck vampire named 'Pippin', and his last-ditch efforts to sell at least one bottle of sunscreen before facing the wrath of his ferocious boss 'Cy the Cyclops'. Luckily for Pippin, the truck of an extremely sunburned farmer breaks down in front of his stall on the hottest day of the year. However, 'Billy' ain't no bumblin' yokel, and Pippin will have to do everything in his power to prove his product will protect anyone, even a vampire, from the sun's deadly rays.

The Great Philips Review(en)

Puppet animation of Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra performing. A Puppetoon animated short film.

Jasper and the Haunted House(en)

Jasper and the Haunted House is another George Pal Puppetoon about a black boy and his troubles. This time, the scarecrow switches a sign that leads Jasper to a haunted house instead of a deacon's place where he brings a pie.

Mère Ubu(de)

Père Ubu(de)

Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia(en)

Michael Palin discovers the story of 17th-century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi. He unearths not only her paintings, but a complex and difficult life.

Run Wrake's Guide to Animation(en)

Run Wrake is an English filmmaker, animation director, and music video director. He studied graphic design at Chelsea College of Arts before completing a master's degree in animation at the Royal College of Art in London. In this interview for the BBC's Channel 4, he describes some of his films, their inception, and their production. He also comments on technological and cultural developments that have changed how animated films are produced and perceived.

Look Closer: The Rise and Fall of Robert Benfer(en)

In 2013, online clay animator Robert Benfer scammed hundreds of fans out of thousands of dollars and has continued to become less of the independent film icon he used to be, though his unique influence on video creators remains to this day. This film not only sheds light on how Benfer's films impacted young filmmakers, but also how a talented independent artist can fall from grace no matter how obscure they are.

Omega(de)

The end of evolution awaits us in a wasteland dominated by bizarre trash formations, dust and rock. From the scattered remains of a long forgotten culture an electric ecosystem rapidly evolves into the ultimate form of existence.

A Dreamer's Search(en)

In 1918, Rockwell Kent leaves New York City with his eight-year-old son and travels to the rugged wilderness of Alaska in search of inspiration. Kent settles on a remote island, isolated and free to do his work. He befriends an old prospector whose stories energize his pursuit. As he struggles with internal turmoil, his son’s innocence and willingness to face failure inspire Kent to dig deep inside himself and begin again. Father and son’s connection blossoms as they embrace the wilderness experience together. Surrounded by the quiet magnificence of Fox Island, Kent creates the drawings and paintings that will catapult his career to national success and turn his dream into reality.

SHARKS: The UnFINished Cut(en)

animated and storyboarded by one person over three years, this rough Work in Progress cut gives an incoherent but hilarious peek at a low budget animated comedy!

Create or Die(en)

In an industry that is becoming increasingly competitive, what drives indie filmmakers to keep creating their art, even when there is no promise of money or fame? CREATE OR DIE explores the insatiable passion to create despite the overwhelming odds through the lens of South Carolina writer and filmmaker David Axe, as he and his band of cast and crew head out into the backwoods of Georgia to shoot his low budget passion project ACORN. But when tragedy strikes on set, doubt and tension threaten to bring an end to their production and their dreams.

But Milk Is Important(en)

A man with social anxiety gets followed by a naive and clumsy creature. Terrified the man tries to escape, unaware that the creature is actually a helper with slightly unconventional methods.

Visiting Van Gogh(de)

David Hockney: Joiner Photographs(en)

David Hockney is unquestionably one of the most passionate and versatile experimental artists on the contemporary scene. In the late 1970s the British artist developed a pioneering concept which also changed his perspective on painting – his “joiners”. In this film, the artist himself talks about this photographic approach, a kind of Cubism-inspired photocollage which explores the space-time continuum. Hockney allows the viewer to share in the creative “joiner” process and leads us step by step into the universe of his artistic creativity.

From the Ashes: A LEGO Star Wars Story(en)

Following the discovery of a serious threat to the Clone Army of the Republic, a unit of civilian volunteers is dispatched to quell the Separatist scheme. Meanwhile, a young man with a special gift struggles to find a place of belonging in the galaxy. "From the Ashes" is a fan-made, feature-length LEGO stop-motion Star Wars film.

Lisa Limone and Maroc Orange: A Rapid Love Story(et)

Main hero is a singing boat refugee – orange boy Maroc. He dreams about freedom. Lemon girl Lisa collects singing seashells and dreams about love. Lisa’s father is a businessman, owner of a ketchup factory and tomato plantation. He loves money. And so the opera begins: Poor Maroc escapes from his homeland and defying stormy waters take a boat across the sea to the “promised land”. Upon arrival he is forced into being a slave worker in a tomato plantation instead of freedom, democracy, wealth and parties he had hoped for. Despite the initial let down our orange boy is destined to gain happiness – selfish Lisa falls in love with him and sets him free. We see an orange revolution – houses are blown up and tomatoes are made from ketchup, all in the name of democracy! Movie that is full of rebellion and love has happy ending – we will see sour-sweet culmination of lemon girl’s and orange boy’s love.