Callus
Written & Directed by Ciaran Hickey
2023, Ireland
A father must defend his daughter-afflicted with a monstrous birth defect-from superstitious villagers who blame her for the blight on their farmland in this very well-made short.
Auteur Hickey also made the horror short films The Boy Murder (2015) and Terrible Things (2021).
The Ash: Safe Haven
Directed by Marty Stalker
Written by Spence Wright
2017, Ireland
As a wave of volcanic ash cripples the countryside, a young boy is left with an elderly caretaker and must face the deadly side-effects of the environmental disaster.
The Ash: Safe Haven-intended to launch a feature film-is a very well-made, heartfelt look at a life-shattering event highlighted by the great cinematography of Angus Mitchell.
Blight
Directed by Brian Deane
Written by Matthew Roche
2015, Ireland
A young priest makes his way to a remote island village to help a couple deal with their demonically possessed, pregnant daughter in this very well-made, atmospheric short.
Director Deane also made the dark short films Foxglove (2015) and At Arm’s Length (2021).
Blight makes a great double-feature with Peter Czikrai’s A….