Tea is a 2024 American shortdrama film written, directed and co-produced by Blake Winston Rice and starring Michael Gandolfini and Olivia Nikkanen. Actress Gabriella Piazza serves as a co-producer, while filmmaker Patty Jenkins serves as an executive producer.[3] It premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2024 to positive reviews from critics.[4]
The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2024 where it competed for the Short Film Palme d'Or, before embarking on a festival run to qualify for the Best Live Action Short Film shortlist for the 97th Academy Awards.[5] The film was released on Vimeo on July 7, 2025 as a "Vimeo Staff Pick."[6]
Reception
Lisette Lanuza Sáenz of Fangirlish wrote "It could have gone for comedy or it could have gone for melodrama. Tea, instead, does neither and it lands firmly in the middle with a very real tale of human connection in the middle of a very scary situation."[7]FilmCarnage.com called it "a sweet and surprisingly charming short film. Taking some of the classic elements of romcoms and coming-of-age flicks and creating something original yet familiar. It’s filled with personality, the directorial style is strong and it has a great colouring. As well as being brought to life by a superb pairing in Michael Gandolfini and Olivia Nikkanen, who create characters you could happily keep watching for a full feature."[8] Ryan Silberstein of Moviejawn wrote "The writing and direction from Blake Rice is as important to Tea's success as Gandolfini’s performance. Rice’s approach to the story emphasizes pathos but also executes the situational irony to maximize comedy. It is sometimes a difficult balance to strike, and many shorts opt to lean into comedy, saving the emotional punch for the final beat, but Rice threads the needle through all 12 minutes here."[9]
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