It’s the new reality. Most of us are hunkered down in our homes and doing our best to practice social distancing. While we are doing all this sitting in our homes, there’s a whole lot of streaming films going on. In fact, the traffic from streaming in Europe has gotten so congested that local officials and streaming services agreed to lower the quality for 30 days in order to lessen the strain on Internet Service Providers.
It’s certain more and more people will choose to stay home in the coming days and weeks, so expect streaming to continue to surge. Because of this, and because of the very uncertain times we’re in, streaming services from all the arts have been extending a hand by offering free content. So we thought we’d start a running list of free short films you can watch short films Under Quarantine in your newfound free time!
We will be keeping this list updated for as long as quarantines remain in effect:
Quarantine Shorts
[Running List]
Mailchimp Presents SXSW 2020 Shorts
Where: https://mailchimp.com/presents/sxsw/
What: Thanks to a special partnership between Mailchimp and Oscilloscope, all of the SXSW 2020 short films that were supposed to premiere are now available online and in one place. There’s a lot to choose from here, but what unites them all is their independent spirit and quirky personality – both staples of SXSW films!
The New Parkway Theater’s Quarantine Film Festival
Where: https://www.thenewparkway.com/quarantine-film-fest/
What: This one’s for San Francisco area residents only, but an exciting opportunity nonetheless! Win an annual pass to the New Parkway Theater by making a short under 3 minutes, between March 16th and April 7th and that follows all “shelter in place” orders. Enjoy!
FilmFreeway’s The Quarantine Film Festival
Where: https://filmfreeway.com/QuarantineInternationalFilmFestival
What: This is perhaps the first, and the biggest, international film festival designed entirely around the nearly worldwide quarantine going on. Anyone can submit, but only 10 short films will be chosen and promoted. In true Oscar fashion, the talented crew behind this impromptu project will be giving out awards in several categories, including technical ones. You have until April 8th, so get to making a short!
Memory’s Quarantine Streaming Schedule
Where: https://memory.is/
What: The quarantine shorts will be televised! Memory, a highly curated film site, has decided to run an online TV channel of sorts and is providing a rotation of features, web series, and shorts from their back catalog from morning to night. Follow the link to the website and pop in whenever to see what’s playing.
Field Of Vision Documentary Consultation
Where:https://www.fieldofvision.org/field-of-vision-s-new-virtual-mentorship-consultation-service-for-the-documentary-community
What: The Academy Award-winning producers behind last year’s short doc “In The Absence” is trying to pay it forward during these tough times by offering virtual consultations with documentary filmmakers. This is your chance to talk through an existing project, discuss distribution or find out what you can do for your film while in isolation. All slots are currently full, but you can still get on a waiting list.
Talking Shorts’ My Darling Quarantine
Where: https://talkingshorts.com/festivals/my-darling-quarantine-short-film-festival
What: Every week, the great short film collective of Talking Shorts puts together a curated program of shorts with a Quarantine theme. You can then vote on your favorite of the bunch. The festivities include donation requests for important health and cultural organizations that are on the front lines during the COVID-19 crisis.
Youth Cinema Project Live Reads
Where: https://youthcinemaproject.org/
What: Created by the Latino Film Institute, live readings by professional film and television actors in the Los Angeles area will be given of screenplays written by Youth Cinema Project members. Even though the readings can no longer be held in a public gathering setting, they will instead happen via live streams. Tune in on Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of April.
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