SPECIAL REPORT - Christina Critiques - GenreBlast Film Festival 2026: Part 4

Title: NEVER FINGERBANG A WENDIGO

Directed by: John Brennan

Country: US            Run Time: 10 mins

Synopsis: What should you NOT do when you have a broken heart and a belly full of liquor? Go near a tree, that’s what.

Favorite line: “She changed her fucking hair without asking me.”

Thoughts: The entire film is shot with VHS camcorders and it brings such a nostalgic and whimsy to it… then you remember the title. It’s silly, insane, and I couldn’t look away - which I feel says more about me than I am prepared to unpack at my therapist appointment.

Actor to watch for: Donald - Daniel Brennan

---

Title: NOT A CLUE

Directed by: C. Michael Whaley

Country: US            Run Time: 6 mins

Synopsis: Think you know how this short is going to end? I can promise you you have no idea.

Favorite line: “Who’s writing this shit?”

Thoughts: Talk about inventive. It feels like Whaley kept second guessing himself with the story and I loved it. Plus, having Michael Smallwood as a character and the tip of the hat to GenreBlast makes it all the more fun.

Actor to watch for: Rue - Rune Vaughn

---

Title: SURPRISE!

Directed by: David Zayas Jr.

Country: US            Run Time: 3 mins

Synopsis: Don’t open the door to anyone! Or anything! No matter how cute.

Favorite line: N/A (Silent movie)

Thoughts: From my extremely professional notes, “What was that - lol”. And that’s honestly the best way to capture this short. It’s short beautifully and the puppy is adorable. A cute, bloody short that will give you a chuckle.

Actor to watch for: Bitsy - Elizabeth Bays

---

Title: 1T MAKES NO CENTS

Directed by: Jonathan Riles

Country: US            Run Time: 1 min

Synopsis: Trump took the penny away. Hoard them!

Favorite line: “The penny costs the government…”

Thoughts: Trump, Mr. Krabs, and JD Vance walk into a bar… nevermind. I know you have heard that one before. With Riles, the viewer really never knows what to expect. I saw his name and knew I was in for something fun and odd (but in the best of ways). I cannot get enough of his filmmaking.

Actor to watch for: N/A

---

Title: BOOTSTRAPPED

Directed by: Joe Heath

Country: US            Run Time: 1 min

Synopsis: Time travel. So much time travel. And questions. Even more questions.

Favorite line: “Where did this come from?”

Thoughts: Coming in at a minute, one would think there couldn’t be much in the way of time travel. Well, you would be wrong. Heath hilariously shows the audience what can happen if past you has questions for present you but the answers aren’t easy. Funny, short, and extremely well shot.

Actor to watch for: Joe Heath

---

Title: FIND ENJOYMENT IN YOUR TOIL

Directed by: Richard Kleinschmidt

Country: US            Run Time: 4 mins

Synopsis: Life in an office can often be demoralizing AND bloody.

Favorite line: N/A

Thoughts: Much like Jonathan Riles, when I see Richard’s name, I know I’m in for a super duper insane treat. But he tricked me with this one - he added in a slew of social commentary for office life. Don’t let that fool you though; it is visceral, bloody, and at times a little too real even though it’s claymation. From my notes: “<3 Richard and his work.”

Actor to watch for: N/A

---

Title: NO FREE BRAINS

Directed by: Ciara Sergi

Country: US            Run Time: 7 mins

Synopsis: The damn dog ate his brains again. Off to the brain store!

Favorite line: N/A

Thoughts: Obsessed. That’s the first word that comes to mind with regard to this short. I would LOVE to know how much time was spent on the claymation and the paintings, and just everything. There are so many different scenes and the colorfulness and clever storytelling … just obsessed. Plus, the main character’s name is Lamb Chop and they wear “Tuesday” underwear. What’s not to love.

Actor to watch for: N/A