Fireline has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Oscars.

The role prison labour has in combating forest fires is rarely highlighted in the media, but with Robin Takao D’Oench’s gripping short FIRELINE, they are put firmly in the spotlight. The drama follows incarcerated firefighter Otto Reyes (Bobby Soto) as he desperately tries to call his daughter against the backdrop of an uncontrollable wildfire.

This action filled short packs a lot in its concise running time, taking the audience through an array of emotions from beginning to end. The firefighting scenes are as nail-biting as one can expect, matching bigger features with a Hollywood budget, but behind the bravado is a very human story of a man simply wanting to connect with his daughter.

A striking aspect of this film is its incredible production values that convincingly captures the intensity of being engulfed in a fiery landscape. This further helped by the stunning cinematography from Ming Jue Hu who effectively conveys the danger that firefighters put themselves through.

FIRELINE shares an untold but essential story about the men and women who risk their lives tackling these violent infernos. It’s an impressive short from D’Oench who promises a bright future and I can’t wait to see what else lies for this talented filmmaker.