Recommended by Paul Donnelly

DeVon tries to show us that there's nothing bad about the big bad wolf. He makes his supposedly dastardly behavior sympathetic and relatable. A wolf just wants to be understood and accepted for who he is. And maybe given a little stew. It is both funny and poignant that this is too much to ask.

This stunning monologue gains power from its lyricism as well as from its underlying warning. It is a tribute to the impact of this piece that the simple word iridescent brought tears to my eyes. There is an urgent message offered to those who are willing to listen.

A raw and gripping exploration of family history and family dynamics emerges through a power struggle over the honest way to honor a son/brother's memory. Both these characters are clearly drawn and their conflict has high emotional stakes. Mary has lost one child and risks losing another. The moving conclusion offers a glimmer of hope that she will not. Powerful stuff, skillfully rendered.

What a darkly funny spin on the conventions of romantic comedy. The source of jealousy is a witty surprise and the narrative just becomes funnier and funnier from there. This is an imaginative, novel, and thoroughly engaging Valentine's Day treat.

Family history in all its complexity resonates through this captivating portrait of a family dealing (and not dealing) with the loss of a patriarch. Each of the five characters is vividly drawn and their relationships play out compellingly. I, for one, am not entirely sure if Dot's coming to the funeral or not right up to the end.

"Mr. Flippers" and "Ling-ling" break free from the confines of the zoo (in one case literally, in the other metaphorically) and explore one another's real identities in this clever comedy. Even the pandemic is played for giggles. From their initial shock to their eventual bond is a laugh filled journey right up to the both humorous and poignant end of their time together.

Donald Baker has such fun with double entendres in this very funny ... ah ... short, and the audience will, too. He tackles a rarely spoken of, frequently thought of, topic with engaging humor.

Awwwww. The very funny premise of this piece, a man's dependence on his sock puppet, is both funny and touching in its execution. Asa just wants to do right by his best friend, but Mr. K seems unable to find Asa's ministrations sufficient to make him want to go on. The conclusion is surprisingly moving.

This is a unique and uniquely rendered love story. Zach's longing is as tangible as the object of his longing is intangible. I was carried along by the intensity of his feelings and the power and unpredictability of the unseen object of his obsession.

Two brothers connect over family history (the good and the bad) and a nearly lost holiday tradition in this affecting short. A lovely view of the Christmas holiday.