It may be barely February, but the Oscars buzz always begins early. What will win, what will flop, who will give the best acceptance speech.
Boooring. I love movies, but all the hype and hyperbole can get a little out of hand.
Want to clear your mind of all that nonsense and enjoy films in a different way?
Check out IndieFlix (a new service that’s free with your library card), where you can stream thousands of independent and short films. Animation, documentary, comedy, horror, foreign, drama, food and western – and everything in between.
There’s enough variety to make you feel charmed, intrigued, disturbed and amused, sometimes all at once.
Take these examples.
“The Girl on the Wall” combines live-action and animation to tell the story of a graffiti man who is in love with the graffiti girl across the street.
“Big Plans” is an animated short about a crafty kid building a cardboard machine to vend apples, aided by a creative baby.
“Grills Gone Wild” takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Florida Barbecue Championship.
“It’s a Treat” is a five-minute speed dating awkward moment. Why not compare a beautiful woman to roast lamb?
And “UnArmed Robbery” is a short about a one-armed man trying to rob a liquor store.
There are also plenty of films with blood and action, or drama and sweeping scenic vistas.
These films may not be in the running for the Oscars, but plenty of them have won festival awards all around the world. Vote on your favorites, or just watch for pure enjoyment.
ImagineIF Libraries encourage exploration, fresh ideas and self-discovery. Learn more at www.imagineiflibraries.org.