Shorts Bloom in June: 12 to Watch from Toronto & Palm Springs

A scene from Nick Park’s “Wallace and Gromit:  A Matter of Loaf and Death.”  Image courtesy of Canadian Film Centre.

“Sparks” – This 24-minute adaptation of an Elmore Leonard story stars Carla Gugino as a tattooed rocker whose house burned down and Eric Stoltz as a man with a lot of questions. The short marks the impressive directorial debut of Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“(500) Days of Summer”), who beefs up what could be a living room-set one-act play by cutting away to stylish imagery that contribute greatly to the short’s flashy sensibility.  Stay for the closing credits, which show Gugino singing on stage at the Troubadour.  (Screening in both Toronto and Palm Springs)

“The Spine” – Academy Award winner and Canadian national treasure Chris Landreth (“Ryan”) is back with another signature animation piece. This top notch 2009 offering is a 15-minute story about a man whose spine is falling apart, along with his marriage.  (Screening in Toronto)

“This is Her” – From New Zealand helmer Katie Wolfe comes this audacious and hugely entertaining 12-minute film about a woman in the midst of giving birth who foretells what the future holds for herself, her daughter, and her cheating husband.  (Screening in both Toronto and Palm Springs)

“Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death” – Nick Park’s beloved claymation duo are back in a 29-minute adventure in which a deranged serial killer targeting bakers is on the loose.  Romance and danger are in store for both man and canine.  Fans of the iconic twosome are guaranteed a rip-roaringly good time.  (Screening in Toronto)

“The Williams” – In this amusing 14-minute French comedy by Alaban Mench, a long friendship is tested when a bridegroom asks his best friend to take care of his newly-adopted dog.  The problem is both friend and dog share a name.  Needless to say, hilarity ensues. (Screening in Palm Springs)

For more of indieWIRE’s coverage of short films, click here.