HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! Written and directed by Cory DeMeyers, The Picnic runs for less than 2 minutes. A guy (Dominique Columbus) and a girl (Sari Sanchez) are on a picnic. This first date sees the two asking basic get-to-know-you questions. He asks her about her hobbies. Though slightly embarrassed by it, the lady answers that she’s into karate. The man asks her if she could beat him up.
“…first date sees the two asking basic get-to-know-you questions.”
The Picnic establishes a lot very quickly. DeMeyers is very economical in what he focuses on and how much to let audiences fill in. Admittedly, it is very odd that anyone would be “embarrassed” by taking martial arts classes, but that is the only real stumble the short takes. The actors are good, the punchline is unbelievably funny, and the whole thing feels realistic in a silly sort of way.
The Picnic is cute and enjoyable. The extremely short runtime means it does, and cannot, outstay its welcome. There is only one joke, but what a punchline.
The Picnic screened at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival.
"…only one joke, but what a punchline."
