By Juan Markos
Hollyshorts Nominated for Best Comedy
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 08/02/2025 I just watched the shortest short film I’ve seen so far: “Candy Bar,” an Australian film directed by Nash Edgerton. It was written by Damon Herriman and stars Zumi Edgerton, Damon Herriman, and Andrea Demetriades. The film is plain and simple—and did I mention, very short?
The plot revolves around a couple at the cinema, Brian and Sophie. Sophie decides to go to the bathroom and asks Brian to get her some popcorn and a candy bar. Brian exclaims that the prices are a rip-off.
(Spoilers ahead!) When he gets in line at the concessions, he’s greeted by a young girl who tells him he looks like her father. She asks him for a favor: she wants to know if he could say goodbye to her since she couldn’t say goodbye to her father, who passed away three weeks ago. He agrees to help her for some closure. She takes her snacks and walks away, saying goodbye to him, and he replies, “Goodbye, I love you.” Brian is visibly moved by this.
After ordering the popcorn and candy bar, Sophie returns from the bathroom and notices Brian crying a bit. He asks her if they could have a child, which shocks her. The cashier, played by Caitlin Burley, then informs him that his total is $67.00. He screams in disbelief, asking, “For what?” She lists off everything he’s purchasing and explains that the other items were meant for the girl.
Brian rushes into the theater, looking for the girl, who then flips him off. The story is funny, but I had an inkling of what was going to happen before it unfolded. I noticed that the cashier didn’t ask her for any money. I’m pretty sure Brian doesn’t want to have kids after this encounter, and it’s definitely going to be a memorable story for the couple.
I like how the film reinterprets the idea of “taking candy from strangers” and portrays an empowered little girl. However, it felt a bit predictable and was very short.
Candy Bar will be screened at this year’s Hollyshorts Film Festival. For tickets or more information please visit Hollyshorts.com
