Poster for Time Was, directed by John VonMutius, AFIN 2019

Micro Short

Time Was

Directed by John VonMutius

AFIN 2019 Semi-Finalist

  • 2019
  • 5m
  • USA
  • English
  • Sci-fi
  • Horror
First-time filmmaker

AFIN members rate and talk about this film. Sign in

Comments from members, below

Stills

1 frame

Part of this film's cast or crew? Let us know to add or correct credits, genres or details. Filmmaker sign-in opens with the claim email at Awards Night, 19 September 2026.

Credits

Cinematography

Music & Sound

Synopsis

A young woman learns the perils of wasting too much time on her smartphone when she discovers an app that offers to buy her wasted time - an app that doesn’t work entirely as expected.

What makes this one special

  • Award-winning elsewhereShort & Sweet Film Festival
  • Programmed at 5 other festivals
  • A first-time filmmaker

Also selected at

1 award, 4 official selections across 5 other festivals

  1. WinnerShort & Sweet Film FestivalWinner: Budget Under $5,000 · Fountain Green, Utah, United States · 2019
  2. SelectionAtlanta ShortsFestOfficial Selection · Atlanta, GA, United States · 2019
  3. SelectionGasparilla International Film FestivalOfficial Selection · Tampa, Florida, United States · 2019
  4. SelectionLove Your Shorts Film FestivalOfficial Selection · Sanford, Florida, United States · 2019
  5. SelectionVero Beach Wine + Film FestivalOfficial Selection · Vero Beach, FL, United States · 2019

Recorded by the filmmaker on their entry.

Director's Biography

John VonMutius, filmmaker portrait provided to AFIN. John VonMutius Director

As a child, John VonMutius chose the Oxford English Dictionary for light reading. He assembled puzzles and dismantled electronics during his formative years to satisfy his curiosity. With gusto, he sought out solutions for the mundane problems and answers for the burning questions facing him every day. This quest for knowledge led VonMutius to a very early career in graphic design, an intoxicating blend of creativity and organization. But static images weren’t enough. Once he discovered video production, it was like a moth to the flame. He jumped in and began honing his craft, telling stories through a highly satisfying combination of live action, motion graphics, and sound design. In filming, he found a home at the intersection of teamwork, problem-solving, and technical achievement. After a decade of robust corporate and commercial production, VonMutius officially stepped into the filmmaking world as an editor, cinematographer, and director in 2018 with his directorial debut, Time Was.

Placings

Recognised in this category at AFIN 2019, as announced that season.

  • Best Visual Effects Semi-Finalist

From AFIN members

No comments yet.

AFIN members can rate this film and comment on it. Sign in or see membership.

AFIN 2027

Entries for 2027 are open

On FilmFreeway since Sunday 1 November 2026. 22 awards, and every film can be up for several.

↑↓ navigate · Enter open · Esc close