Overly Honest Reviews Lauds Travel Plans
- Jul 18, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: May 3
Film critic Chris Jones recently took a close look at Zoey Sidwell’s short film Travel Plans in a review published by Overly Honest Reviews
Writing after the film’s screening at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, Jones focuses on the film’s quiet tension and the way it builds impact within an extremely compact runtime.
“...the kind of short film that weaponizes brevity, using its compact runtime not to rush through a narrative but to unearth discomfort."
Jones' review also emphasizes how the film’s premise unfolds through suggestion rather than explanation, allowing the audience to piece together the story themselves.
“The script barely spans a few pages, but the weight of what happens in that space will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
The review ultimately praises Sidwell’s approach to directing, highlighting the restraint and control behind the film’s tone:
“The direction is confident, never rushed, with a clarity of tone that’s rare even in more seasoned filmmakers.”
Jones concludes that the short serves as a strong introduction to Sidwell’s voice as a filmmaker:
"Travel Plans isn’t just a strong debut—it’s a signal of intent. Sidwell has a voice, a vision, and a fearlessness in approaching the kind of stories many would rather ignore. It’s a quiet triumph, the kind that leaves a lasting impression, not through resolution, but by handing the audience a question and letting them sit with it."
Read the FULL REVIEW HERE >>
Jones, Chris. “A Bride, a Secret, and No Easy Answers.” Overly Honest Reviews, July 18, 2025. https://mailnewsgroup.com/ohmr/a-bride-a-secret-and-no-easy-answers/