Experiencing Interruptions?

I'm Not A Robot

After failing an online "CAPTCHA" test while logging onto a website, Max faces an existential crisis when he believes he might actually be a robot...

  • Jason Speir
    Director
  • Jason Speir
    Writer
  • Kevin Eade
    Producer
  • Jason Speir
    Producer
  • Ben Speir
    Producer
  • Antony Hall
    Key Cast
    "Max"
  • Nicki Whitely
    Key Cast
    "Courtney"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Sci-Fi
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 12, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Just For Laughs Eat My Shorts
    Montreal
    Canada
    July 28, 2022
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Jason Speir

Jason is a Toronto-based writer, director, and producer with a passion for fusing genres to tell unique and meaningful stories. After graduating from Western University (BESc.), he worked as a professional engineer before pursuing a career as a writer.

His writing and directorial debut came with his comedy short film I’M NOT A ROBOT (2022). His original work has been selected as a Semifinalist and Top 25 Thriller & Horror Category at the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards (2020, LIE MAROON), and Quarterfinalist in ScreenCraft’s TV Pilot Script Competition (2021, THE GREAT ESCAPE).

Jason is a partner at the independent production company HYST Films, where he works as a writer, director, and producer, leading the creative development of original, narrative content.

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Director Statement

Is it just me, or are CAPTCHA tests like weirdly hard?

After an embarrassing run of fails while trying to log on to a website, the idea struck me: if these seemingly simple tests of typing in jumbled letters or clicking pictures of crosswalks are meant to weed out online bots, does that mean (from the internet’s perspective at least) that I’m a bot too?

And so, the premise for I’M NOT A ROBOT was born.

What if a normal dude, no matter how hard he tries, just cannot pass a CAPTCHA test and embarks on a ridiculous quest to prove whether or not he is in fact a robot?

This has a chance to be pretty funny.

The reaction to the premise is usually along the lines of, “Yes! Oh my God, I always fail those stupid things.” Trying to pass a CAPTCHA test and low-key struggling appears to be a universal experience, one that allows for everyone old enough to log on to a website to share in the humor.

As a fan of sitcoms like COMMUNITY (2009), I love when outrageous situations are taken way too seriously, and I wanted to do the same for I’M NOT A ROBOT. It didn't hurt that EX MACHINA (2014) is one of my favorite films, so when the opportunity came to both pay homage to and parody the Sci-Fi flick with a slightly lighter existential crisis, I knew what had to be done.

This story is a question of reality, where the reality is this question should never, ever be asked.

We hope you enjoy I’M NOT A ROBOT!