Big Man’s Pride is a short comedy built around a simple joke, stretched to its breaking point. Framed as an old-timey silent film—complete with vintage music and period styling—the piece uses form as function, masking the technical limitations of an early-model iPhone while leaning fully into its lo-fi charm.
The story unfolds as a group of unseen voices call out numbers from behind a fence, daring curiosity to take hold. One by one, the count rises—until the “big man,” unable to resist, peers through a hole to see what’s on the other side, only to be promptly poked in the eye and added to the tally. It’s a visual punchline about pride, curiosity, and the inevitability of learning things the hard way.
Per the competition’s parameters, shot entirely on an iPhone 3, the film turns constraint into comedy, using stylization and timing to let the joke land cleanly.
Big Man’s Pride won The Seattle Times’ “3-Minute Masterpiece” Film Festival, recognized for its inventive execution and ability to do more with less.
