May I Put You On Hold: A Customer Service Comedy

News Directory 3 has learned of an upcoming comedy short that blends everyday customer service frustrations with surreal afterlife bureaucracy, drawing attention from film festival programmers and critics alike.

The film, titled “May I Put You On Hold?” follows Liz, who, while navigating a routine customer service call, is accidentally transferred to the Afterlife. Trapped between death and hold music, she must navigate cosmic bureaucracy to return to the land of the living.

Directed by Ash Blodgett, the short has been recognized for its sharp social commentary wrapped in humor. Blodgett, an award-winning filmmaker, is known for spotlighting modern social issues through comedy. Her previous work includes the 2023 short “Good Grief,” which won Best Cinematography at the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival and earned her a $60K Panavision film grant.

In 2024, Blodgett was named Best Female Director at the Central Coast International Film Festival, further establishing her reputation in the independent film circuit. Her films have screened at notable festivals including Santa Barbara, Catalina, Sedona, and SIDEWALK.

The cast features Tara Jayn, Terry Li, Natalie Lynch, and Sam Manual, with Lynch also appearing in on-set behind-the-scenes footage shared by the production team. Blodgett has highlighted the relatability of the premise, noting that the fear of being stuck on helpline roulette is a widespread experience.

I loved this short comedy! It’s wonderfully shot and edited, and is gorgeous to look at. There is a lightness and airiness to the grade that really makes this pop. The story is massively relatable for most people, as the fear of being on helpline roulette is a real thing! But to accidentally die and find the afterlife just as badly organised as the real world is lovely to watch.

Ian Bignell | Festival Formula

The short has been selected for multiple festival screenings, including the Idyllwild International Film Festival in Idyllwild, CA (March 3–8 and February 11–16), the Dam Short Film Festival in Boulder City, NV (January 22), and screenings through The Great Film Club’s REEL Ladies Night in Los Angeles, CA.

These selections reflect growing interest in satirical takes on modern alienation, particularly within digital and bureaucratic systems. By framing the afterlife as an extension of frustrating customer service loops, the film uses comedy to critique systemic inefficiencies that mirror real-world experiences.

As Blodgett continues to build her body of work, “May I Put You On Hold?” stands as a timely exploration of how humor can reveal the absurdities embedded in everyday institutional interactions — whether on Earth or beyond.