Short Film: Tom Clancy's The Division

"Escape" by Ubisoft

Here are four short movies from four separate Youtube channels paying tribute to Tom Clancy's The Division.

Inspired by the groundbreaking video game and created in collaboration with innovative
YouTube powerhouses CorridorDigital, RocketJump, and Devin Supertramp, Ubisoft proudly presents Tom Clancy’s The Division: Agent Origins. This thrilling live action video series follows the lives of four agents of The Division as they’re activated and leap headfirst into the fight to save New York City.

Short Film: Rope A Dope 2

"Rope A Dope 2 - Groundhog Day Battle - Wake, Fight, Repeat... AGAIN!" by Eric Jacobus

Two years ago, Eric Jacobus and The Stunt People released a must watch short film called "Rope a Dope."  Part two of the saga is just as crazy and fun as the first.

Short Film: Go Bag

"Go Bag" by Red Giant Films

"Go Bag" is an action-packed short film about a spy caught in a struggle for her life.

"A spy fights for her life with the only weapon available: a stranger’s carry-on bag."

Fan Film: Metroid: The Sky Calls

"Metroid: The Sky Calls" directed by Sam Balcomb for Rainfall

"Rainfall Films and director Sam Balcomb present a live action short set in the Metroid universe, starring Jessica Chobot (Nerdist) and America Young (Halo 5). Learn more about Rainfall here: rainfall.tv

[ This non-profit film is not associated with or endorsed by Nintendo or its subsidiaries ]

The classic Nintendo franchise, Metroid, envisioned through the lens of 60s-70s science fiction cinema such as 2001, Alien, and Solaris: this was the concept for Rainfall’s most recent production. Instead of using a modern approach, a style was developed more in tune with the themes that inspired the first Metroid game in 1986: isolation, exploration, and the wonders of deep space.

We hope you enjoy our take on the adventures of Samus Aran."

Fan Film: The Flow Awakens

"Star Wars Parkour Battle - The Flow Awakens" by Ronnie Street Stunts

"The Flow Awakens as Jedi’s and Sith use their powerful parkour and lightsaber skills to fight to the death"

Fan Film: Predator: Dark Ages

"Predator: Dark Ages" Written and directed by James Bushe

"Set during the Crusades, the faith & fighting skills of a group of Templar Knights is put to the test when they encounter the Predator. Their battle is the thing Myths and Legends are born from."

Fan Film: Harley Quinn vs. Zombies

"Harley Quinn vs. Zombies" by Matthew Talamantes

Harley Quinn takes on a horde of zombies in this fun fan film directed by Matthew Talamantes. Actress Aly Fritz gives a very solid performance as Suicide Squad star Harley Quinn.

"Harley Quinn vs. Zombies is a fan film in which Harley ventures on her own to a recent zombie outbreak for what she considers to be a dream vacation. In the midst of her zombie slaying adventure she comes across a group of civilians who are desperate for a hero, but instead get Miss Harleen Quinzel."

Short Film: Strawberries

"Strawberries" by Rowan Spiers-Floyd

"Strawberries" is a fight scene that plays out as though it were ripped out of a comic book action movie.  It hints at a story without ever explicitly revealing detail.  However, despite being almost entirely bereft of dialogue and backstory, "Strawberries" still manages to demonstrate an excellent grasp of cinematography and storytelling, offering a window on a world of potential.

"A young woman with unique abilities and her enigmatic care taker await a long expected call. However his agenda may divided them forever.

Strawberries is a short scene study about a young girl with unique powers and her caretaker, an enigmatic man with an unknown agenda. Set in a not too distant future, the film was designed not as a complete narrative, but rather as a glimpse into a larger story and world. With minimal dialogue, the short uses rich textures, cinematography and pacing to help convey the story."

Short Film: Singularity

"Singularity" directed by Samuel Jorgensen

"Singularity" is a super compact short science fiction action film that was financed through KickStarter.

"In the midst of a war between humans and sentient androids, a Delta Force team must battle a dangerous enemy to rescue the US President."

Short Film: Filthy but Fine

"Filthy but Fine" Directed by Arthur Metcalf

"Filthy But Fine" is an adrenalin-fueled animated short film that follows a young man as he embarks on a crazy adventure in which he has to make an important delivery in under four minutes.  Along the way, he is met with all kinds of obstacles keeping him from making this delivery on time, some of which are easily recognizable geek-culture references like Tron and Batman.  It reminds me of the opening scene from Snow Crash, which is a high compliment in my book.

Video: THE WALKING DEAD

"WHAT EVERYONE WANTS FROM THE WALKING DEAD" by Animation Domination

If all you want is action instead of 45 minutes of "Blah, blah, feelings, relationships, blah." This is the version of The Walking Dead for you.

Short Film: Action Hero's Guide

"The Action Hero's Guide to Saving Lives" Directed by Justin Lutsky

Written by Brett Simmons, Opie Cooper

"The Action Hero's Guide to Saving Lives" is a parody of the tired clichés of the action movie genre. In it, Ace Mulligan, a fake action movie hero, undertakes a mission to save the girl from the claws of the evil villain with hilarious results.

"If At First You Don't Succeed... You Must Be Ace Mulligan!

When lives are on the line... When there's danger at every turn... When clichés run amuck... Sometimes the best thing to do is call Mulligan! Ace Mulligan! Starring PATRICK WARBURTON, “The Action Hero’s Guide To Saving Lives” is a laugh-out-loud action-comedy that takes you behind the scenes of Ace Mulligan’s perilous and not-always-successful mission to stop the bad guys, get the girl, and save the day. It’s not always easy being an action hero!

Produced entirely from concept to screen in just under 6 1/2 weeks and shot in 4 nights. This ambitious, micro-budget short was made possible through collaboration with a talented and dedicated cast and crew."

Video: MAD MAX: OUT OF GAS

"MAD MAX: OUT OF GAS" by The Warp Zone

The world of Mad Max is awesome, but you do have to ask yourself, where do they get all of that gas to drive those fancy muscle cars and rigs? The Warp Zone wondered the same thing and they have an idea for the next Mad Max film: Everyone has finally run out of gasoline.

Short Film: STRINGS

"STRINGS" Written & Directed by Jimmy Loweree of UnbundledUnderground

"Strings" is a dark short film that tells a story succinctly without a lot of explanation.  The crisp, clean cinematography and slick fight choreography compliment a very cool concept that will leave you wanting more...

Even if you tried to guess it beforehand, I'd wager you still won't see this ending coming.

Strings is an intense short film about a captive woman who is kept sedated for a very good reason. She is extremely valuable, and the battle to free her will determine her fate.

Shot in two days in Los Angeles, it was a test to see how ambitious the team could be with limited resources.

Short Film: Kung Fury

"Kung Fury" Written and Directed by David Sandberg of LaserUnicorns

"Kung Fury" is a completely over-the-top eighties-style action comedy that was funded through Kickstarter early last year.  In it, Kung Fury, a Kung Fu master-slash-renegade cop, travels back in time to kill Hitler.  The events that ensue are the very epitome of "good bad" movie tropes.  The only thing missing is Bruce Campbell.

The film's campaign was launched in December 2013 was backed by more than 17,000 people for a total of US$630,000 in funding.

"During an unfortunate series of events a friend of Kung Fury is assasinated by the most dangerous kung fu master criminal of all time; Adolf Hitler, a.k.a Kung Führer. Kung Fury decides to travel back in time, to Nazi Germany, in order to kill Hitler and end the Nazi empire once and for all. Kung Fury is a visually spectacular action comedy that has it’s foundation in 80s cop movies."

Fan Film: PREDATOR: Dark Ages

"PREDATOR: Dark Ages" Written and directed by James Bushe

"Predator: Dark Ages" is a fan film based on the Predator franchise.  In it, a group of Knights Templar find themselves hunted by the Predator.  11th century Templar Knights may not have the weaponry that Arnold Schwarzenegger had in the original film, but it's still entertaining to watch them try to take on the creature.

"Set during the Crusades, the faith & fighting skills of a group of Templar Knights is put to the test when they encounter the Predator. Their battle is the thing Myths and Legends are born from."

Short Film: The OceanMaker

"The OceanMaker" by Lucas Martell of Mighty Coconut

"The OceanMaker" is a short film set in a world where the lakes and rivers have run dry, leaving clouds as a critical source of water.  When air pirates come to poach local clouds, a lone pilot is forced to defend them in order to survive.

The animation took a year and a half from start to finish. However the bulk of the work was done during a 7-week “working vacation” on an island in Belize. 

"After the seas have disappeared, a courageous pilot fights against vicious sky pirates for control of the last remaining source of water: the clouds."

Short Film: State Zero

"State Zero" by Andrée Wallin

"State Zero" is a suspenseful short action film set in a science fiction future.  The short follows a team of four soldiers sent on a routine mission to investigate an old surveillance tower that has dropped offline. The only problem? The mission takes them to the post-apocalyptic wasteland that used to be the capital of Sweden.  You just know all hell is about to break loose, but waiting for it to happen will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The 16-minute short film, from first-time director Andrée Wallin, seriously looks like a snippet from a $100 million sci-fi summer tentpole. The story is tense, and Wallin does an excellent job of setting the stakes and an uncomfortable sense of dread. Considering how many short films are getting snatched up by major studios, I expect to hear that Wallin is working on a feature-length version any day now.  Hollywood could do (and often does) much worse.

"In the near future, the capital of Sweden has turned into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. we join four soldiers on a routine mission in ‘zone 3’, with the assignment to investigate an old surveillance tower that just went offline. That’s the setting in first-time director Andrée Wallin’s short film. With Andrées direction, renowned visual concepts and designs, this short film is something extraordinary. Shot in London with an international cast, exteriors shot in Stockholm and incredible CGI and VFX by Bläck, this looks like an excerpt from a big budget blockbuster."

Short Film: Whispers

"Whispers" by Andreas Kyriacou

"In the Cyprus of the economic crises, George is a comic book employe near nervous breakdown. In his worst of moments the dream of a lifetime becomes a reality... real super-hero powers!

“Whispers” is the first super-hero themed short film shot in Cyprus and was produced exclusively with the help of a modest crowd-funding campaign. The movie traveled to various film festivals worldwide and was featured at Malta Comic Con & Cyprus Comic Con."

Short Film: POESI FÖR FISKAR

"POESI FÖR FISKAR" by CRAZY PICTURES

I could pretend to offer an analysis of this short film, but I don't understand what this film is about any more than you will when it's over. It's best you just sit back and enjoy the ride.  It's a gloriously fast, crazy mess of an action movie, and whether it's meant to be a parody or a serious attempt at film making, I can't say, only that it's very entertaining.