2023 Official Selections
Here they are! The Official Selections for this year's festival. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers, and a huge thank you to the panel of judges who worked hard to narrow down an excellent batch of submissions! Of course, a big THANK YOU to all of the filmmakers who decided to submit.
"21st Century Seance" (13:30)
Directed by: Caroline Carver, United Kingdom
A found footage mockumentary about three flatmates who are attempting to contact the dead.
Directed by: Caroline Carver, United Kingdom
A found footage mockumentary about three flatmates who are attempting to contact the dead.
"All Your Women Things" (13:30)
Directed by: Madison Bloom, USA
Anna, an obsessive designer at a corporate lingerie company, becomes transfixed by the flesh of her fit model, Candace. But while examining this alluring new textile, she uncovers a more intimate—and grotesque—source of inspiration.
Directed by: Madison Bloom, USA
Anna, an obsessive designer at a corporate lingerie company, becomes transfixed by the flesh of her fit model, Candace. But while examining this alluring new textile, she uncovers a more intimate—and grotesque—source of inspiration.
"Anya" (05:52)
Directed by: Chris Davies, USA
When a sinister entity emerges from the forest on a 1970s Halloween night, a young woman's true motives are revealed - and her future is decided forever.
Directed by: Chris Davies, USA
When a sinister entity emerges from the forest on a 1970s Halloween night, a young woman's true motives are revealed - and her future is decided forever.
"Clasp" (10:56)
Directed by: Kayleigh Arnold, USA
A waitress at a diner becomes infatuated with one of the establishment's regular customers, doing whatever it takes to win his affection.
Directed by: Kayleigh Arnold, USA
A waitress at a diner becomes infatuated with one of the establishment's regular customers, doing whatever it takes to win his affection.
"Day of the Deb" (09:30)
Directed by: Rachel Whittle & Matthew Garvin, USA
Just because it's the end of the world doesn't mean you best friend can't make it worse for you.
Directed by: Rachel Whittle & Matthew Garvin, USA
Just because it's the end of the world doesn't mean you best friend can't make it worse for you.
"Don't Bother the Neighbors!" (06:32)
Directed by: Jeff Gorcyca, USA
Jay gets more than he bargained for when he goes upstairs to tell off his noisy neighbors.
Directed by: Jeff Gorcyca, USA
Jay gets more than he bargained for when he goes upstairs to tell off his noisy neighbors.
"Escalation" (15:00)
Directed by: Christian Bachini, Italy
Chris, a paranoid and self-centered man, is happily avoiding all human contact, preferring to escape from reality in whatever's on TV. When a friend reaches out to him to confront him about his past promises, Chris has to decide what kind of person he is inside, or it may just eat him...alive.
Directed by: Christian Bachini, Italy
Chris, a paranoid and self-centered man, is happily avoiding all human contact, preferring to escape from reality in whatever's on TV. When a friend reaches out to him to confront him about his past promises, Chris has to decide what kind of person he is inside, or it may just eat him...alive.
"Fierce" (08:07)
Directed by: Sam Quinn, USA
A man stalks a woman with a divine secret.
Directed by: Sam Quinn, USA
A man stalks a woman with a divine secret.
"Follower" (13:49)
Directed by: Scott W. Perry, USA
A survivor of a cult is interrogated by a determined detective to understand the disturbing mindset of the cult's activities and its evil leader.
Directed by: Scott W. Perry, USA
A survivor of a cult is interrogated by a determined detective to understand the disturbing mindset of the cult's activities and its evil leader.
"Fuse" (07:56)
Directed by: Will Dennies, United Kingdom
An electrician finds himself stalked by a ghostly presence as he attends a night call at an elderly woman’s house.
Directed by: Will Dennies, United Kingdom
An electrician finds himself stalked by a ghostly presence as he attends a night call at an elderly woman’s house.
"Greed & Gore" (15:00)
Directed by: Adam Kirkey, Canada
After a bank robbery doesn’t go exactly as planned, a crew of five pick a last minute safehouse to lay low with their take and a hostage. But the safehouse isn’t so safe…
Directed by: Adam Kirkey, Canada
After a bank robbery doesn’t go exactly as planned, a crew of five pick a last minute safehouse to lay low with their take and a hostage. But the safehouse isn’t so safe…
"Gummies" (05:28)
Directed by: Renetta G. Amador, USA
A tomboy transforms the gender trappings of her room to show her cruel mother how sugar and spice don’t equal nice.
Directed by: Renetta G. Amador, USA
A tomboy transforms the gender trappings of her room to show her cruel mother how sugar and spice don’t equal nice.
"Harvey & Linda, A Knives' Tale" (09:05)
Directed by: Derrick Spruill
Linda is going through a transition in her life, which is to become a better version of herself. Up until now this meant leaving her former life as a serial killer behind. Someone who has seen Linda through the good and the bad is her loyal knife, Harvey, who documents Linda's change and is withholding a secret himself.
Directed by: Derrick Spruill
Linda is going through a transition in her life, which is to become a better version of herself. Up until now this meant leaving her former life as a serial killer behind. Someone who has seen Linda through the good and the bad is her loyal knife, Harvey, who documents Linda's change and is withholding a secret himself.
"Karmen" (10:31)
Directed by: Jayleen S. Perez, USA
A strong Latina woman plots revenge against her abusive husband.
Directed by: Jayleen S. Perez, USA
A strong Latina woman plots revenge against her abusive husband.
"Middle City" (12:00)
Directed by: Airon Armstrong
In a city ruled by Orcs, Elves, and Men, the last of a band of sisters risk all for the life of one of their own.
Directed by: Airon Armstrong
In a city ruled by Orcs, Elves, and Men, the last of a band of sisters risk all for the life of one of their own.
"Part-Time" (10:41)
Directed by: Anthony Misiano
Everyone’s got a back-up gig these days. As Skip’s job interview starts to sink, the truth about his other occupation begins to surface. “PART-TIME” delivers surprising turns and unforeseen chills, while asking the timeless question, “what if you were a carrot?”
Directed by: Anthony Misiano
Everyone’s got a back-up gig these days. As Skip’s job interview starts to sink, the truth about his other occupation begins to surface. “PART-TIME” delivers surprising turns and unforeseen chills, while asking the timeless question, “what if you were a carrot?”
"Perfection" (03:20)
Directed by: Francisco Yael Ascanio Pacheco, Mexico
An obsessive-compulsive man who has a mania for symmetry and a quiet woman live happily on the outskirts of a town until she suffers an accident that makes her lose her right leg. Obsession will ruin everything. (Animated)
Directed by: Francisco Yael Ascanio Pacheco, Mexico
An obsessive-compulsive man who has a mania for symmetry and a quiet woman live happily on the outskirts of a town until she suffers an accident that makes her lose her right leg. Obsession will ruin everything. (Animated)
"Petunia" (06:08)
Directed by: Miriam Olken, USA
An innocent couple takes a tour of their first house.
Directed by: Miriam Olken, USA
An innocent couple takes a tour of their first house.
"Play Dead" (07:05)
Directed by: Angie Hansen, USA
Two geocachers make an unexpected discovery.
Directed by: Angie Hansen, USA
Two geocachers make an unexpected discovery.
"Resurrection" (04:15)
Directed by: Hungyu Kuo, USA
In the afterlife, a brave girl bumps into something horrible from her past. The strangest conversation unfolds between two broken hearts, one with rage and prejudice, the other with guilt and unspeakable bitterness. The quest to understand each other's opposing perspectives unexpectedly leads them to find true love.
Directed by: Hungyu Kuo, USA
In the afterlife, a brave girl bumps into something horrible from her past. The strangest conversation unfolds between two broken hearts, one with rage and prejudice, the other with guilt and unspeakable bitterness. The quest to understand each other's opposing perspectives unexpectedly leads them to find true love.
"Retro Freaks" (1:30:17)
Directed by: Michael Goldermann & David James Ryan, USA
They collect toys. She collects souls. A group of friends must stand together to take down the demon, Princess Acula, before it is too late.
Directed by: Michael Goldermann & David James Ryan, USA
They collect toys. She collects souls. A group of friends must stand together to take down the demon, Princess Acula, before it is too late.
"Silas" (10:33)
Directed by: J Soren Viuf, USA
A teenage girl reanimates the corpse of her dead boyfriend... unfortunately he's not the person he used to be.
Directed by: J Soren Viuf, USA
A teenage girl reanimates the corpse of her dead boyfriend... unfortunately he's not the person he used to be.
"The Dark Odyssey 2: Ice Nexus" (11:22)
Directed by: Michael Lavine, USA
A skeptical astronaut discovers a lost spaceship and gets tangled up in a dangerous journey to a mythical space-time portal, the Ice Nexus, in search of the Inventory of the Mind, essential knowledge for ending the Eternal War. (Animated)
Directed by: Michael Lavine, USA
A skeptical astronaut discovers a lost spaceship and gets tangled up in a dangerous journey to a mythical space-time portal, the Ice Nexus, in search of the Inventory of the Mind, essential knowledge for ending the Eternal War. (Animated)
"The Overkill" (16:50)
Directed by: Joanna Tsanis, Canada
A proposal... to die for.
Directed by: Joanna Tsanis, Canada
A proposal... to die for.
"The Stranger" (1:36:19)
Directed by: Veena Sud, USA
A naive, young ride-share driver is thrown into her worst nightmare when a mysterious Hollywood Hills passenger hitches a ride one night.
Directed by: Veena Sud, USA
A naive, young ride-share driver is thrown into her worst nightmare when a mysterious Hollywood Hills passenger hitches a ride one night.
"They're Everywhere!" (06:56)
Directed by: Hudson James Williams
A young woman survives a brutal workplace attack, only for no one to believe her monstrous account of that night.
Directed by: Hudson James Williams
A young woman survives a brutal workplace attack, only for no one to believe her monstrous account of that night.
"Tradition" (03:58)
Directed by: Sabrina Ariss
Doting parents teach their young daughter the family Halloween tradition.
Directed by: Sabrina Ariss
Doting parents teach their young daughter the family Halloween tradition.
"Vital Instruments" (17:05)
Directed by: Greg Kase, USA
In this dark fever dream, a botched pawn shop robbery sends desperate brothers Walter and Pete, and their newly employed getaway driver Cutty, hobbling to a safe house that was supposed to be abandoned. Instead, they find shackled women in critical need of their help.
Directed by: Greg Kase, USA
In this dark fever dream, a botched pawn shop robbery sends desperate brothers Walter and Pete, and their newly employed getaway driver Cutty, hobbling to a safe house that was supposed to be abandoned. Instead, they find shackled women in critical need of their help.
"Waka Chicka Waka" (04:25)
Directed by: Ryan Clausen
Things take an unexpected turn when two young women hire a skeezy plumber to fix the kitchen sink.
Directed by: Ryan Clausen
Things take an unexpected turn when two young women hire a skeezy plumber to fix the kitchen sink.
"Wicked Image" (08:48)
Directed by: Caitlin Scherer, USA
Lucifer, Satan, and the Devil meet with a corporate PR agent to rehabilitate their images — which includes reminding the world that they're women. However, they quickly discover that the PR agent is more evil than they are.
Directed by: Caitlin Scherer, USA
Lucifer, Satan, and the Devil meet with a corporate PR agent to rehabilitate their images — which includes reminding the world that they're women. However, they quickly discover that the PR agent is more evil than they are.