BardFest Film

About the Show

BardFest Film celebrates bold, cinematic storytelling inspired by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Discover short films inspired by the Bard’s timeless works with fresh voices, inventive styles, while exploring themes of love, power, ambition, and more.

Congratulations to our Official Selections! 

All films will screen Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 8:30pm.

Fine Knacks for Playwrights
Where does inspiration come from? Sometimes from unexpected places. When a key prop is missing for an upcoming performance, Will Shakespeare must venture into the distracting world of SHOPPING! The situations, people and things he encounters get filed away into his subconscious, perhaps to emerge in future works… This animated comedy is chock full of Shakespearean references and in-jokes with a whole new look at the Bard himself.

Hayden’s Bars
A drunken street interview with rowdy boys turns into a heartfelt riff on Hamlet’s soliloquy.

Restoring Romeo
Celebrated actor Charlotte Cushman wants to play Romeo, using Shakespeare’s original text. But most of the cast protest. They demand the cleaned-up Garrick version.

So Do I Wish The Crown
In this dynamic short film taken from Henry VI, Part 3, we meet Richard of Gloucester on the brink of initiating his mission to become the King. It’s a profound, insightful moment… and through this reinterpretation of Richard as a woman, we get a fascinating spin on an individual who’s in pain and struggling from body based trauma, and questioning her self worth and identity. But she won’t be stopped! The short monologue-style film was created by New Zenith, a film and theatre company devoted to exploring literature, theatre, and the arts to help us look within, and to better understand today’s mental health challenges.

Sweet Ophelia
Three University students have a collective breakdown over Shakespeare’s Ophelia.

Something is Rotten
A mob boss suspects foul play amongst her minions and has her henchmen help her get answers out of the accountant. Hilarity ensues.