Screenland Armour and Downright Creepy present Panic Fest 2026, running April 9–13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri, with a virtual version running April 9–19. With nearly 150 features, long form shorts, and short films on tap, there is an abundance of shock cinema from which to choose. I have had an early peek at the following shorts and can recommend that fear-fare fanatics put them on their need-to-see lists.
Following are the official Panic Fest descriptions for the shorts. Click the links for more information, including tickets. For full Panic Fest information, visit https://panicfilmfest.com/.
Pearls (director Alistair Train)
Tony and Linda are struggling to grow their family. When Tony is forced to face his fertility issues, he turns to a mysterious oyster dealer, Marvin, whose oysters deliver more than their promise of virility. (The featured image for this article is from Pearls.)
https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e054a
Bloodbuzz (director Daisy Bata)
Amid a bug-infested heatwave driven by climate breakdown, a troubled conspiracy-obsessed teen on the run is taken in by a reclusive farmer. But when her manipulative stepbrother arrives, it’s not only the mosquitos she will have to survive.
https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e04c2
The Recluse (director Matt Webb)
In early 2025 a breach at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory puts residents of Oak Ridge and surrounding counties at risk. During a mandatory curfew imposed by local officials, a man reluctantly allows strangers who show up at his doorstep to spend the night waiting inside, and it quickly becomes evident that things are not as they seem. Link below includes a trailer.
https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e058e
Forever, Liam (director Guillermo de la Rosa)
Alejandro and Paula’s young relationship takes a dark turn when her parents reveal a family secret: they live with the preserved corpse of Paula’s grandfather, caring for it as if he were still alive.
You can view the trailer at https://www.instagram.com/p/DWTt0duEXPL/.
https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e04f8
