The 29th annual Fantasia Film Festival has wrapped, and I’m already looking forward to what next year will bring. I’m still catching up on all the fantastic works showcased this year, especially the short films—and I’ve carefully taken the time to highlight the ones that truly stood out. This roundup features my five favourite Fantasia short films. Two were compelling enough to deserve their own dedicated posts: L’écrivain (The Writer) and Mother of Dawn—follow the links to read more about those.
Dreaming of a Whale
Premiered July 19, 2025
Dreaming of a Whale is a dreamlike short film written and directed by Shuzuku. This tale follows a young girl who hears a mysterious message on the radio—an emotional broadcast that is poetic and beckoning. Compelled by this cryptic signal, she sets out on a journey that leads her to the shoreline, where the truth behind the message and its narrator may finally surface.
Visually, the film is striking. The animation has a soft, textured quality reminiscent of early Studio Ghibli works. The colors and movement feel as though viewed by a soft lens, blurring the line between memory and imagination. Whether achieved through analog or digital techniques, this visual approach deepens the sense that we’re inside a waking dream.
The story itself feels intentionally minimal—more of a tone poem than a plotted narrative. We follow the girl not to get answers, but to feel what she feels. It reminded me of Queensrÿche’s “Silent Lucidity.” This song overlays perfectly with the film’s visuals because it delivers the yearning–that sense of needing to find that inner peace which exists in both works.
Ultimately, Dreaming of a Whale leaves you with a quiet hope—that both the girl and the disembodied voice on the radio find peace in their journey, whether it ends on land or beneath the waves.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Premiered July 28, 2025
Shrimp Fried Rice, a short film by Dylan Pun, is a hilarious farce that cleverly riffs on a classic Pixar culinary favorite. If you haven’t seen Ratatouille yet, what are you waiting for? The film’s “puppetcore” style really shines, featuring a foul-mouthed shrimp who teams up with his human to cook some seriously impressive dishes. For those unfamiliar with the term, “puppetcore” was coined by the directors of Frank and Zed during marketing for the Fantasia Film Festival. Since this short is also playing there, I hope viewers will catch the connection.
Without giving too much away, the story centers on two animals who cleverly manipulate their human chefs to prepare mean dishes. The diners are in on it and don’t seem to mind, even though the cooks aren’t thrilled. When these animals compete in a tense cooking show, the comedy really hits its stride. Both animals sit atop the humans’ heads and pull their hair to get them cooking—a funny, intense twist that had me laughing out loud. The film captures all the excitement of a real cooking competition but delivers laughs and surprises in just a fraction of the usual time.
The ending caught me completely off guard. When the title of this short film foreshadows the finale, all I can say is “oh my,” followed by a hearty chuckle—because revenge is definitely a dish best served cold. All in all, Shrimp Fried Rice is a fun, clever little short that’s definitely worth a watch—especially if you’re into food, puppets, or just good laughs.
Le Tour de Canada
Premiered July 26
Le Tour de Canada is a hilarious live-action short film with a unique cut-out animation twist, filmed mostly in front of a green screen. Ben Cockell and Zander Eke star as rival cyclists racing cross-country to Vancouver, BC. The plot is straightforward—a clear sprint to the finish line—but the real fun comes from the clever pokes at various provincial subcultures along the way. I chuckled more at what I recognized than trying to figure out the differences, especially when the race hit Winnipeg—a moment that instantly reminded me of Guy Maddin’s quirky style.
The race’s pit stop at a remote highway grocery store is pure chaos, with every contestant piling in and the madness evoking fond memories of watching the movie, Cannonball Run. While the story mainly focuses on the lead cyclists, brief glimpses of other eccentric racers add some fun, variety and color to the competition. The humor lies in the absurdity of the situations and the characters’ antics, making it a great watch for anyone familiar with Canadian culture or just in the mood for something offbeat.
As Canadians, all we can do is cheer everyone on—and laugh out loud at the surprising and fitting winner of the cup. Overall, Le Tour de Canada is a fun, quirky short that’s perfect if you’re up for some lighthearted laughs and a wild ride across the country. Definitely worth checking out!
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