Against the tide: On the appeal of the fiction art short film.

This article examines the distinction between classical and art short fiction films, focusing on how art shorts challenge viewers' conditioned passivity through narrative and aesthetic strategies such as ambiguity, dissonance, and co-creation. Unlike classical shorts, which follow clear, emotionally engaging narratives, art shorts employ techniques that encourage active viewer interpretation and self-reflection, often using slower pacing, narrative ellipses, and unresolved puzzles to create cognitive dissonance and a productive sense of confusion. The article illustrates these concepts through analyses of two art shorts—*Hiwa* (2017, Greece) and *It Can Pass through the Wall* (2014, Romania)—which use ambiguity and mood over plot to engage viewers in deeper contemplation. Ultimately, the fiction art short aims to evoke poetic energy by inviting viewers to participate in meaning-making rather than providing straightforward comprehension.