From the recent success of “Bridgerton” season four to Netflix’s highly anticipated “Pride and Prejudice” series, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the Regency era. For fans seeking a refreshing and surprisingly progressive new period piece to obsess over, look no further than one of the Academy Award nominees for best live action short. In “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” writer-directors Julia Aks and Steve Pinder — previously known for their YouTube parody of Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music” — tell a one-of-a-kind, hilarious story that deserves a dang Oscar.
The 13-minute satirical short film begins in the heat of a love confession. Right as Mr. James Dickley (Ta’imua) is about to propose to Miss Estrogenia Talbot (Aks), he notices her red-stained dress, assumes she’s bleeding to death and runs to seek help from her family — mistaking her period for something much more gory. Estrogenia’s older sister Miss Labinia (Samantha Smart) urges her to hide her period from Mr. Dickley, so as to not scare him away. But Estrogenia decides to break convention and teach Mr. Dickley about the ins and outs of menstruation.
With dialogue filled with f-bombs and punny names, Aks and Pinder bring a contemporary, wacky edge to a traditional world. They craft the perfect satire, using comedy to destigmatize menstruation and remind audiences of the frightening reality of the gender gap in knowledge about women’s health. By situating the film in 19th century England, a time of strict social etiquette and suffocating gender roles, Aks and Pinder place misogyny under a microscope and force viewers to reflect its continual relevance. The choice to educate Mr. Dickley, rather than allow him to remain blissfully ignorant, pushes against standards set by traditional period pieces.
The setting also allows for beautiful cinematography and production design, putting it among the likes of Regency era classics like 1995’s “Sense and Sensibility” and 2005’s “Pride and Prejudice.” The film opens with breathtaking wide shots of the expansive English countryside, a staple in many Austen adaptations. When he sees that she’s bleeding, Mr. Dickley carries Estrogenia in his arms and brings her safely home, a nod to a similar scene between Mr. Willoughby and Marianne Dashwood in “Sense and Sensibility.” Additionally, production designer Dong Lei furnishes the Talbot home with dark wooden corridors and ornate gold decor, a reference to the Bennet family house in “Pride and Prejudice.” These parallels ground the story in a beloved film canon that makes its overarching message all the more inviting.
A win for “Jane Austen’s Period Drama” would be a win for comedy, a genre often overlooked at self-serious award shows. While other shorts in the category like “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva” explore dramatic plots with heavy-handed pulls at audience heartstrings, “Jane Austen’s Period Drama” dazzles as a refreshing celebration of joy. The film reminds us that laughter, too, can be an effective tool for social change.
The film ends in true Austenian fashion: a newly educated Mr. Dickley reaffirms his love for Estrogenia, who accepts his marriage proposal. Not only does “Jane Austen’s Period Drama” deliver on a comedic, meaningful satirical premise and a heartwarming love story. The ambitious film succeeds in every area and makes for an effortless ride of fun. Jane Austen would be proud.
“Jane Austen’s Period Drama” is available to watch on YouTube.
Contact SophieAnn DeVito at [email protected].