"THE ASSIGNMENT" Wins at Chicago Cinema Awards

Presidential Productions
Dec 31, 2022
2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Awards, Festival Success and Critical Response

Following its completion, THE ASSIGNMENT has enjoyed a strong international festival run, earning awards, nominations, and critical praise for its cinematography, brave performances and confident reinvention of classic thriller tropes.

The film premiered on the festival circuit to immediate recognition, with THE ASSIGNMENT awarded Best Thriller Short Film at the Chicago Cinema Awards, and James Cunningham awarded Best Director, affirming its impact within the genre space.

Further recognition followed with THE ASSIGNMENT selected as Best Short Film Finalist at the London International Film Festival, nominated for Best Horror Short at Play Short International Film Awards, and as Finalist at the prestigious Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions in 2022.

THE ASSIGNMENT screened to audiences widely on the international film festival circuit; receiving Official Selection at Paris Shorts Film Awards, Riservati Pictures Film Festival in London, New York Istanbul Short Film Festival, Anatolia International Film Festival, Film Basement Horror Film Awards in Los Angeles, and Studio 66 Film Nights in the production's hometown of Melbourne, Australia, among many others.

Critical response to THE ASSIGNMENT has been incredibly positive for the independent short film among genre-specific reviewers, with many highlighting the film’s ability to balance suspense, psychological intrigue and homage within its tight runtime.

Respected critics at Short Films Matter awarded the film 'Four Stars', describing THE ASSIGNMENT as “slick, modern and unapologetically provocative,” noting how the film deftly evokes classic thriller motifs while exploring the dark side of human psychology through its central premise. Reviewers specifically praised the way Cunningham builds tension through visual storytelling and thematic clarity, allowing audiences to engage deeply with the narrative’s moral questions and emotional stakes despite the film’s brevity.

Similarly, UK Film Review gave THE ASSIGNMENT a solid 'Three Stars', comparing the film’s visual approach and narrative calculation to its slasher and suspense influences. "Cunningham allows the audience to explore and think about the possibilities of defining a hypothetical perfect murder," says Film critic Swati Verma, who observed that cinematography and shot composition — including long, thoughtful takes and dynamic tracking — draw viewers into the thriller’s emotional landscape, while the brave performances of Francis Ryan and David Kara effectively anchor the story’s psychological conflict.

Across critical platforms, commentators have also pointed to the film’s thematic depth and willingness to provoke thought beyond genre expectations. Reviews emphasise how THE ASSIGNMENT invites audiences to reflect on the nature of violence, complicity, and the human psyche, rather than merely delivering genre thrills, making it a standout in contemporary short filmmaking and a compelling addition to international festival programs.

At just over nine minutes, THE ASSIGNMENT proves that scale is no barrier to ambition. It stands as a sharp, unsettling work that distils decades of thriller history into a compact, modern statement — one that reinforces James Cunningham’s reputation as a filmmaker unafraid to explore darkness with intelligence, discipline, and style. THE ASSIGNMENT features mature themes, strong violence, some coarse language and nudity.

THE ASSIGNMENT is coming soon for streaming on video-on-demand.

For more information visit presproductionsco.com/the-assignment