Lunch Box (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

2026 HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

A group of students spend recess each day competing for a Lunch Box full of snacks. When a new student arrives, the tides begin to turn on the team which typically claims victory.

The cinematography makes the film feel authentic and immersive. There’s something almost dizzying about the cinematography, and that allows viewers to remain present in the action throughout the duration of the film. Cinematography is something that often astonishes me as I attempt to analyze filmmaking. I frequently struggle to put into words what I’m seeing on screen in terms of the camera work—and I believe that directors of photography walk a thin line between superb and mediocre in this realm. Lunch Box is exemplary of this sentiment, as being too free with the camera could have shifted the tone of the film in a negative direction and forced viewers to question the validity of what they saw before them. Again, the ability of this team, particularly that of Director of Photography Charles A. Kennedy Jr., to create a sense of realism in something that could otherwise be deemed a bit silly is impeccable. 

Moreover, in terms of that potential silliness, Lunch Box, again, follows children playing football during recess for the simplest of prizes. There’s something charming about the premise of Writer-Directors Sean Billings-Almendarez and Romeo Okwara’s film, as it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but rather leans into the juvenility of playground shenanigans. The film wants to be fun, reminiscent of those days we fought over inconsequential things that we once believed to be the ultimate prize. Billings-Almendarez and Okwara do a splendid job of transporting viewers back to that aforementioned time in their lives, reminding them of the innocence that once had a hold on all of us. 

What will so greatly disconnect viewers from Lunch Box is the inauthenticity of the acting. The cast is young, and it’s clear that they lack the experience necessary to effectively present viewers with emotion. While the cinematography works to immerse viewers in the film, the action of the young talent does just the opposite. It’s hard to blame the actors for what they bring to the table, as they are only just learning the art—however, it’s just as challenging to overlook it. 

I say this every year, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it again this year: HollyShorts remains one of the best film festivals that I have the pleasure to [virtually] attend each year. While Lunch Box isn’t flawless, it possesses the same vigor that has been a staple of this festival for years. A powerful narrative and impressive technical aspects lead the way for this splendid film—another welcome addition to the HollyShorts oeuvre. 

Written & Directed by Sean Billings-Almendarez & Romeo Okwara. 

Starring Cam Healy, Julian Puckett, Kai Szopa, Benjamin Carro, Tyler Nunnery, etc. 

7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE