From Wikipedia: The Singers [Not to be confused with the full length movie The Sinners] is a 2025 American short musical comedy film directed by Sam A. Davis. The film, featuring a cast discovered through viral videos and street casting, includes Mike Young and Judah Kelly. Based on a 19th-century Russian story by Ivan Turgenev, it depicts an improvised sing-off by downtrodden patrons in a pub.
It had its world premiere in the Narrative Short Competition at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025. Netflix acquired the global streaming rights of the film on January 16, 2026 and released the film for global audience on February 13, 2026.
It tied with Two People Exchanging Saliva to win Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Summary
At a small blue-collar bar, a construction worker pesters other patrons for money and drinks. The bartender, tiring of his behavior and bragging, offers him a drink if he can out-sing an older regular, then extends the competition to the entire bar: the best singer in the venue will earn a hundred dollars and free drinks.
The patrons participate, with the exception of a younger man who is too shy to sing but reveals a beautiful voice while singing to himself in the bathroom before quietly leaving the bar. While the older regular indeed proves talented, the construction worker is also a skilled singer and pianist. The bartender then joins in the competition with a moving and emotional performance that brings some patrons to tears and inspires a group hug with most of the bar.
As the embrace ends, another patron steps forward, proving himself to be an unexpectedly gifted operatic singer as the competition continues.
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Get more info on this 18 minute long “Movie Short” here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singers
Starring: Mike Young, Chris Smither, Judah Kelly
Watch a clip here: https://www.netflix.com/title/82699221
Photo: Promo from Tribeca’s Facebook page: 652694061_18569135803006430_4724045449076496331_n