On the 19th of May, Cannes 64th Critic's Week premiered their first round of the short film competition. This program included five different films from various genres, the projects shown were as follows:

Alişveriş by Vasile Todinca. This film follows the story of Tatiana, an unemployed woman struggling to make ends meet. When her lack of funds threatens to jeopardize her housing situation, she must sell personal belongings to make her dire rent payment. Director Vasile Todinca uses Tatiana’s situation to comment on the struggle of life under capitalism and how far one must go to survive in a declining market.

L’mina by Rands Maroufi. This documentary explores the real life experience of those living in the small, former Moroccan mining town of Jerada. Despite coal mining being ceased in the town nearly 24 years ago, those living in Jerada still rely on mining as a way of life. This film follows the struggle these individuals face as they undergo grueling work to keep their community afloat.

Bleat! by Ananth Subramaniam. Bleat! finds the cross section between a religious allegory and modern metaphor when an elderly couple discovers their male goat, intended as a religious sacrifice, has somehow fallen pregnant. In unexpected ways this film explores gender and self expression, as well as the weight of religion on personal life. 

Wonderwall by Róisín Burns. Wonderwall tackles the delicate point of view of a child living through heavy real world struggles. Amid employment strikes and class inequality, nine year old Siobhan has a childlike naivety driving her to focus on the biggest issue of all— will Oasis beat Blur in the Top for Pops competition?

God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles. This animated short follows Ariel and Paul on a train ride where they encounter a strange woman who claims she speaks to God. The conversation turns dark when these three touch on subjects which evade human knowledge. Director Jocelyn Charles conjures up many questions in this beautiful short, leaving the audience pondering on themes of deep existentialism.