Tick
Written & Directed by Ashlea Wessel
2018, Canada
Set in a bleak near-future, a young woman with biological characteristics that make her a feared outsider tries to avoid capture by government agents.
Auteur Wessel, who previously made the horror short Ink (2016), delivers a fresh take on a familiar horror antagonist that demands to be watched more than once.
Tick also cries out for feature-length treatment.
Hang Up!
Written & Directed by Richard Powell
2018, Canada
While at work, a husband accidentally overhears an intensely disturbing phone conversation involving his wife of many years.
Hang Up! is the latest outstanding short-form work from auteur Powell, starring his favorite lead actor Robert Nolan.
Powell is the director of a number of unique, acclaimed horror short films under his Fatal Pictures banner with producing partner Zach Green including Consumption (2008), Worm (2010), Familiar (2012) and Heir (2015).
NSFW
Written & Directed by Cosmo Wallace
2015, England
A blogger attempts to trap a pedophile by posing as a young boy online and setting up a meeting in the woods that has unexpected consequences.
At 30 minutes, NSFW is a slow-burn short film debut that memorably rewards its viewers.
M is for Marble
Written & Directed by Zac Blair
2013, New Zealand
One tiny out of place item causes a lethal chain of events in Blair’s clever short that channels the feel of Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado’s debut feature Rabies (2010)-that of a nightmarish downward spiral lurking just under the surface of everyday life.
M is for Marble was originally an entry in the ABCs of Death 2 contest.
The Flea
Written & Directed by Ben Steiner
2008, England
Loyalty becomes a life-or-death issue for a pair of estranged friends who used to share a grisly occupation in this atmospheric short film.
A very fresh approach to a familiar subject, The Flea presents the least romanticized take on a monster-killing Savant character you are ever likely to see on film.
Steiner also made the 2014 film festival hit short The Stomach-an award-winning tale of a spirit medium with a bizarre talent.
The World Over
Written & Directed by Heath C. Michaels
2018, USA
A young couple finds a mysterious key in their home followed by a hidden keyhole.
They use the key and discover an increasingly disturbing parallel world that’s not quite a mirror image of their own.
Great stuff from creator Michaels in his highly accomplished short film debut.
Arzok
Written & Directed by Ian SBF
2019, Brazil
A primitive cave-dwelling man ventures out into the world and makes some startling discoveries.
Fans of Rod Serling will appreciate this well-made excursion into the realm of mind-bending sci-fi horror.
Lunatique
Written & Directed by Gabriel Kalim Mucci
2016, Brazil
After an unspecified apocalyptic event, a survivor arms herself and leaves the relative safety of her shelter for a dangerous journey into the ash-covered remains of a destroyed city.
Creator Mucci, who frequently collaborates with horror short veteran Carlos G. Gananian (Akai), is planning a feature-length version of this bleak and very ambitious short film.
Akai
Written & Directed by Carlos G. Gananian
2006, Brazil
Brazilian auteur Gananian creates a memorable and atmospheric take on a familiar horror genre antagonist in this dark short film.
If Matthew Garrett-maker of the disturbing Beating Hearts-made a vampire short film, it would likely feel similar to this particular work.
Akai shows Carlos G. Gananian’s tremendous growth in the wake of his previous horror short films Behemoth (2003) and Coagula (2005).
He went on to make the shorts Am/Fm (2014) and Sol (2017).
Midnight Clear
Directed by Joe Russo
Written by John Jesenky & Joe Russo
2017, USA
Veteran horror short filmmaker Russo abandons the more whimsical tone found in some of his previous work like Take-Out (2009) and Peeping Tom (2010) for this dark, outstanding piece that cleverly moves in unexpected directions.
Midnight Clear makes an ideal double-feature pairing with Brandon LaGanke’s Play House.