Refinery29 partnered with TNT to create a slate of films all directed by women — and they're all at your fingertips. The short films, which run about 75 minutes in total, are available across numerous platforms via TNT's distribution model starting 8th September. You can watch the films on Roku, Amazon Firestock, Apple TV, Xbox One, and TNT's website. The films were also screened at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Shatterbox Anthology is Refinery29's effort to promote women in the film industry, which is still mostly dominated by men. In 2017, only 11% of the top 250 films had women at the helm. To change this statistic, Refinery29 — in collaboration with TNT — put women at the charge of eight short films. Most of these directors are first-timers; women who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to take on a movie of their own. Ahead, get to know the eight movies that appear in the 2018 Shatterbox anthology.
End of the Line
Directed by:Jessica Sanders, a documentary filmmaker who was nominated for an Oscar in the short form documentary category in 2002.
What's it about? End of the Line is based on a short story by Aimee Bender called Willful Creatures. It follows a man (Bret Gelman, who will soon appear in HBO's Camping) who purchases a very tiny man ( The Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg) and keeps him in a cage.
French Fries
Directed by: Janine Sherman Barrois, the executive producer of Claws and the upcoming Madame C.J. Walker.
What's it about? French Fries takes on modern marriage as shifting values wreak havoc on a married couple. The film stars Rebecca Naomi Jones ( American Idiot on Broadway) and Carl McDowell ( Ballers).
Are You Still Singing?
Directed by: Gilly Barnes, a decorated director of music videos, commercials, and shorts like this one for Vanity Fair.
What's it about? The film follows a woman who's recently started work as a singing telegram. It stars Joey Ally, a director herself, and Ian Harding, best known as the teacher from Pretty Little Liars.
One Cambodian Family Please For My Pleasure
Directed by: A.M. LUKAS, also known as Anna Martenucci, who directed the 2014 film Hollidaysburg.
What's it about? Set in the mid '70s, One Cambodian Family follows Franka (Emily Mortimer), a Czechoslovakian immigrant who would like to harbor a family of Cambodian refugees at her home in Fargo, North Dakota.
Godmother
Directed by: Allana Harkin, a producer and correspondent for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee on TBS.
What's it about? Lauren Ash of Superstore fame plays a young woman who's about to become a godmother — despite her excitement, she may not be ready for it.
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Directed by: Yara Shahidi of Grown-ish fame.
What's it about? Shahidi's film, which she also wrote, follows a Black child throughout their day in Los Angeles. As the day progresses, the main character must shift — literally; you'll see when you watch the film — to match what society demands of them.
CTRL
Directed by: Ivy Agregan, an accomplished visual effects supervisor and producer.
What's it about? CTRL takes place amid a cyber "war" that's been infected by a computer virus. Jamie Chung ( Gotham, Once Upon a Time) and Shiva Negar ( American Assassin) star as opposing agents.
Curated
Directed by: Gillian Jacobs of Community fame.
What's it about? In Curated, a young couple (Ahna O'Reilly and Danny Pudi) visit a late grandparent's home only to discover some sinister secrets about the deceased family member.
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