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Short Films

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Watch Kevin Lewis’ Viral Short Horror Film ‘Remain Calm’ Now

Initially, surviving a horror scenario seems incredibly difficult. However, a new cinematic nightmare, the short film Remain Calm, from Blue Eyed Jack Films and Salty Ghost, introduces an exceptionally twisted rule. Specifically, putting on a brave smile keeps you completely safe. Otherwise, feeling anxious will absolutely guarantee your immediate, gruesome death. Writer and director Jake Lewis crafted this intense project. The gripping fourteen-minute story has become a massive internet sensation and has now gone viral, and rightfully so. Fans are already begging for a full-length feature film adaptation. Star Power Meets Practical Horror This terrifying project features an impressive cast, including comedy legends Pauly Shore and Nick Swardson. Legendary monster actor Doug Jones also joins the ensemble. Smile at the Monster The film begins with two employees struggling to find something ot talk about. When a tall man in a suit (Jones) enters with an eerie grin. Suddenly, the employees’ night takes a terrifying turn as they learn that something has

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 21, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: When She Sings and Moryow (Dark Nights Film Fest)

When She Sings (U.K., 2026) Official synopsis In a dreary, British seaside town, a talented artist is haunted by a sinister mermaid, and terrorized by a coven of strange locals.  Review When She Sings is a classic example of fine folk horror cinema. Director Paul Holbrook invests his short film with a sense of dread throughout as artist Fay Corr (Laura Bayston, who cowrote the screenplay with Holbrook) is harassed by local townsfolk speaking in mysterious short bursts as she grieves over the death of her sister. Cinematographer James Oldham wonderfully captures the beauty of the coastal setting and the bleakness of Fay’s world, with Composers Hannah Cartwright and Ross Tones aiding greatly with the short’s mood.     Moryow (U.K., 2026) Official synopsis A recovering addict, desperate to escape her past, finds herself on a cursed fishing boat headed into a Lovecraftian nightmare where the depths of the ocean feed on her darkest sins.  Review Writer/director Ted Wilkes weaves

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Joseph Perry
Oct 20, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Matapanki, The Thing Inside Her, and Paper Cuts (Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2026)

Matapanki (Chile, 2026) Official synopsis A punk kid gets superpowers from alcohol and tries to reshape society, but a violent error sparks global tensions with him at the center.  Review “Punk’s not dead!” goes the battle cry, and writer/director Diego Fuentes follows that spirit with his action comedy/fantasy feature Matapanki. Punk rock fan Ricardo (Ramón Gálvez) accidentally discovers a bottle of the titular fictitious drink and finds that ingesting the beverage gives him superpowers. With nods to Spider-Man, the film takes him on an origin-story journey where he is reluctant to use his powers despite his friends’ encouragement. Naturally, nefarious forces are at work, which Fuentes uses to skewer local and international political figures and movements. He also uses colorful animation and drawing effects to complement Cinematographer Vicente Correa’s impressive black-and-white work. Fueled with punk soul, a driving soundtrack, and all-in performances, Matapanki is a unique slice of genre-cinema fare.     The Thing Inside Her (Canada, 2026) Official synopsis After removing

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Joseph Perry
Oct 19, 2026

Sydney’s Dark Nights Film Fest: Reviews and Previews Including The Turkish Coffee Table, Monkey, and Ol’ Silus

Sydney, Australia’s Dark Nights Film Fest takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2026. We reviewed some of the Australian shorts screening there, and now we’ll take a look at the feature The Turkish Coffee Table and some more of the short films featured there. Synopses are from the festival’s official website. For more information, visit https://www.darknightsfilmfest.com/. First, I reviewed The Turkish Coffee Table for a previous film festival, but I’ll present that review again here. It’s spoiler free, so no worries about reading it before watching. THE TURKISH COFFEE TABLE (Turkey, 2025) Official synopsis A couple’s argument over a coffee table spirals into chaos when a simple mistake turns into a desperate web of lies, panic, deception, and the terrifying consequences of trying to cover up the truth. Time to remind you of the darkness underlying everything, one that forces you to look into the void with elegance, wit and sympathy. Review Director Caye Casas gave cinephiles perhaps the strongest

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 9, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Dark Nights Film Fest Australian Shorts

Sydney, Australia’s Dark Nights Film Fest presents fear fare from around the globe on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Among its many selections are some terrific homegrown shorts. Here are capsule reviews of some of the Australian short films screening at the festival, all of which come recommended. For more information, visit https://www.darknightsfilmfest.com/. They Kill By Night One  of the many things seasoned fright-fare fanatics have learned is to be leery of fellow motel guest. Cowriters/codirectors Grace Uther and Sam Uther deliver an excellent example of this in the shocker They Kill By Night. Jodie (Arnijka Larcombe-Weate) and Aiden (Christopher James Baker) check into a motel room, but will they check out safely? Jodie meets next-room neighbor Jack (Mitchell Bourke) in the parking lot, and They Kill By Night is off to the races with plenty of surprises, action, and the red stuff. This is a fantastic short with super performances, direction, and production values that deserves to get the feature-length

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 8, 2026

Columbus, Ohio’s Nightmares Film Festival Delivers the Fear with Its 2026 Lineup

Columbus, Ohio’s Nightmares Film Festival enters its second decade with a mouth-watering selection of fabulous fear fare from October 15–18, 2026. From occult terror to home invasion horror to intriguing documentaries and beyond, the fest has something for horror fans of all stripes. Following is the official press release. Nightmares Film Festival (Oct. 15 to 18) today revealed its 2026 program, opening its second decade with a celebration of the boldest, freshest and most surprising work keeping genre dangerous.  “It’s our eleventh year, but we’re thinking of this as year one of a new decade of Nightmares,” said co-founders Jason Tostevin. “We’re celebrating the innovation, imagination and camaraderie that fuel the best of genre film.” Dubbed the “Cannes of horror” (iHorror), Nightmares is part summer camp for horror lovers, part annual reunion for some of the world’s top genre creators. Taking over the world-renowned Gateway Film Center, the festival will bring fans, filmmakers, screenwriters, press and industry reps together for

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Sep 28, 2026

Lily Collias will Lead the Cast of ‘Ignore It,’ An Adaptation of the Viral Short Film

Lily Collias (Cape Fear) has been tapped to star in Ignore It, the upcoming feature film adaptation of creator Sam Evenson’s viral YouTube horror short, Variety reports. Backed by Anton and Temple Hill Entertainment, the film is a powerhouse production from the team behind Smile. The creature feature marks Evenson’s feature directorial debut. It will […]

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Sep 4, 2026

Our Sinister Six: A Half Dozen Tribeca Genre Films We Can’t Wait to See

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, takes place June 3–14, 2026 in New York City, and plenty of horror, thriller, and science fiction offerings are on tap. Here are five features and one short film that have our attention here at Horror Fuel. Film descriptions and information are from the Tribeca website and official press announcements. Keep watching for our Tribeca reviews once the fest gets rolling! Turn It Up! An indie rock band struggling to make its mark finds a possible meal ticket in an infectious new guitar riff. Unfortunately, it’s also a cursed melody that just so happens to open a portal to another, much scarier dimension. (Our featured image for this article is from Turn It Up!.) Director: Sam Scott Writers: Sam Scott and Gwenlyn Cumyn Cast: Gwenlyn Cumyn, Justine Nelson, Xavier Lopez, Julian Richings Genre: Comedy, Horror, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction https://tribecafilm.com/films/turn-it-up-2026 Crooks After Faye and Johnny stick up a local gangster’s poker

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Joseph Perry
Jun 1, 2026

Portland Horror Film Festival Reveals Fear-Filled Lineup for Its 2026 Edition

Portland Horror Film Festival holds its 11th annual edition from June 3-7, 2026, at Portland, Oregon’s Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater. The fest also offers a virtual version for those who wish to watch from the comfort of their homes. Either way, you’ll be treated to a top-notch selection of scare fare from around the world. Following is the official press announcement. The 11th annual Portland Horror Film Festival returns June 3-7, 2026, bringing five days of independent and international horror cinema to Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater. This year’s festival will feature a special 45th Anniversary screening of My Bloody Valentine with director George Mihalka and Rue Morgue Executive Editor and “Faculty of Horror” co-host Andrea Subissati, and a live performance by Aurelio Voltaire, alongside a massive lineup of feature films, short films, premieres, and special events celebrating the best in contemporary horror filmmaking. Known as Portland’s premier festival dedicated to all genres of independent

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
May 22, 2026

Our Frightening Four: A Quartet of Recommended Panic Fest Short Films

Screenland Armour and Downright Creepy present Panic Fest 2026, which kicks off March 9–13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. With nearly 150 features, long form shorts, and short films on tap, there is plenty to choose from. I have had an early peek at the following shorts and can recommend that fright-fare aficionados 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. The Scene (director Daniel Meyers) With the hope of discovering a new lead, a detective revisits the scene of his partner’s brutal murder. Yet, the longer he stays, the harrowing truth begins to reveal itself . . . Link below includes a trailer. Our featured image for this article is from The Scene. https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e0592 Hell’s Half-Acre: Sojourn (director Nicholas Nicastro) Hell’s Half-Acre is a true-crime Western inspired by the haunting case of the Bloody Benders — America’s first family of serial killers. Set

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Apr 27, 2026

More from Short Films

Watch Kevin Lewis’ Viral Short Horror Film ‘Remain Calm’ Now

Initially, surviving a horror scenario seems incredibly difficult. However, a new cinematic nightmare, the short film Remain Calm, from Blue Eyed Jack Films and Salty Ghost, introduces an exceptionally twisted rule. Specifically, putting on a brave smile keeps you completely safe. Otherwise, feeling anxious will absolutely guarantee your immediate, gruesome death. Writer and director Jake Lewis crafted this intense project. The gripping fourteen-minute story has become a massive internet sensation and has now gone viral, and rightfully so. Fans are already begging for a full-length feature film adaptation. Star Power Meets Practical Horror This terrifying project features an impressive cast, including comedy legends Pauly Shore and Nick Swardson. Legendary monster actor Doug Jones also joins the ensemble. Smile at the Monster The film begins with two employees struggling to find something ot talk about. When a tall man in a suit (Jones) enters with an eerie grin. Suddenly, the employees’ night takes a terrifying turn as they learn that something has

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Oct 21, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: When She Sings and Moryow (Dark Nights Film Fest)

When She Sings (U.K., 2026) Official synopsis In a dreary, British seaside town, a talented artist is haunted by a sinister mermaid, and terrorized by a coven of strange locals.  Review When She Sings is a classic example of fine folk horror cinema. Director Paul Holbrook invests his short film with a sense of dread throughout as artist Fay Corr (Laura Bayston, who cowrote the screenplay with Holbrook) is harassed by local townsfolk speaking in mysterious short bursts as she grieves over the death of her sister. Cinematographer James Oldham wonderfully captures the beauty of the coastal setting and the bleakness of Fay’s world, with Composers Hannah Cartwright and Ross Tones aiding greatly with the short’s mood.     Moryow (U.K., 2026) Official synopsis A recovering addict, desperate to escape her past, finds herself on a cursed fishing boat headed into a Lovecraftian nightmare where the depths of the ocean feed on her darkest sins.  Review Writer/director Ted Wilkes weaves

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 20, 2026

Spoiler Free Reviews: Matapanki, The Thing Inside Her, and Paper Cuts (Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2026)

Matapanki (Chile, 2026) Official synopsis A punk kid gets superpowers from alcohol and tries to reshape society, but a violent error sparks global tensions with him at the center.  Review “Punk’s not dead!” goes the battle cry, and writer/director Diego Fuentes follows that spirit with his action comedy/fantasy feature Matapanki. Punk rock fan Ricardo (Ramón Gálvez) accidentally discovers a bottle of the titular fictitious drink and finds that ingesting the beverage gives him superpowers. With nods to Spider-Man, the film takes him on an origin-story journey where he is reluctant to use his powers despite his friends’ encouragement. Naturally, nefarious forces are at work, which Fuentes uses to skewer local and international political figures and movements. He also uses colorful animation and drawing effects to complement Cinematographer Vicente Correa’s impressive black-and-white work. Fueled with punk soul, a driving soundtrack, and all-in performances, Matapanki is a unique slice of genre-cinema fare.     The Thing Inside Her (Canada, 2026) Official synopsis After removing

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 19, 2026

Sydney’s Dark Nights Film Fest: Reviews and Previews Including The Turkish Coffee Table, Monkey, and Ol’ Silus

Sydney, Australia’s Dark Nights Film Fest takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2026. We reviewed some of the Australian shorts screening there, and now we’ll take a look at the feature The Turkish Coffee Table and some more of the short films featured there. Synopses are from the festival’s official website. For more information, visit https://www.darknightsfilmfest.com/. First, I reviewed The Turkish Coffee Table for a previous film festival, but I’ll present that review again here. It’s spoiler free, so no worries about reading it before watching. THE TURKISH COFFEE TABLE (Turkey, 2025) Official synopsis A couple’s argument over a coffee table spirals into chaos when a simple mistake turns into a desperate web of lies, panic, deception, and the terrifying consequences of trying to cover up the truth. Time to remind you of the darkness underlying everything, one that forces you to look into the void with elegance, wit and sympathy. Review Director Caye Casas gave cinephiles perhaps the strongest

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 9, 2026

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Dark Nights Film Fest Australian Shorts

Sydney, Australia’s Dark Nights Film Fest presents fear fare from around the globe on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Among its many selections are some terrific homegrown shorts. Here are capsule reviews of some of the Australian short films screening at the festival, all of which come recommended. For more information, visit https://www.darknightsfilmfest.com/. They Kill By Night One  of the many things seasoned fright-fare fanatics have learned is to be leery of fellow motel guest. Cowriters/codirectors Grace Uther and Sam Uther deliver an excellent example of this in the shocker They Kill By Night. Jodie (Arnijka Larcombe-Weate) and Aiden (Christopher James Baker) check into a motel room, but will they check out safely? Jodie meets next-room neighbor Jack (Mitchell Bourke) in the parking lot, and They Kill By Night is off to the races with plenty of surprises, action, and the red stuff. This is a fantastic short with super performances, direction, and production values that deserves to get the feature-length

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Oct 8, 2026

Columbus, Ohio’s Nightmares Film Festival Delivers the Fear with Its 2026 Lineup

Columbus, Ohio’s Nightmares Film Festival enters its second decade with a mouth-watering selection of fabulous fear fare from October 15–18, 2026. From occult terror to home invasion horror to intriguing documentaries and beyond, the fest has something for horror fans of all stripes. Following is the official press release. Nightmares Film Festival (Oct. 15 to 18) today revealed its 2026 program, opening its second decade with a celebration of the boldest, freshest and most surprising work keeping genre dangerous.  “It’s our eleventh year, but we’re thinking of this as year one of a new decade of Nightmares,” said co-founders Jason Tostevin. “We’re celebrating the innovation, imagination and camaraderie that fuel the best of genre film.” Dubbed the “Cannes of horror” (iHorror), Nightmares is part summer camp for horror lovers, part annual reunion for some of the world’s top genre creators. Taking over the world-renowned Gateway Film Center, the festival will bring fans, filmmakers, screenwriters, press and industry reps together for

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Sep 28, 2026

Lily Collias will Lead the Cast of ‘Ignore It,’ An Adaptation of the Viral Short Film

Lily Collias (Cape Fear) has been tapped to star in Ignore It, the upcoming feature film adaptation of creator Sam Evenson’s viral YouTube horror short, Variety reports. Backed by Anton and Temple Hill Entertainment, the film is a powerhouse production from the team behind Smile. The creature feature marks Evenson’s feature directorial debut. It will […]

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Sep 4, 2026

Our Sinister Six: A Half Dozen Tribeca Genre Films We Can’t Wait to See

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, takes place June 3–14, 2026 in New York City, and plenty of horror, thriller, and science fiction offerings are on tap. Here are five features and one short film that have our attention here at Horror Fuel. Film descriptions and information are from the Tribeca website and official press announcements. Keep watching for our Tribeca reviews once the fest gets rolling! Turn It Up! An indie rock band struggling to make its mark finds a possible meal ticket in an infectious new guitar riff. Unfortunately, it’s also a cursed melody that just so happens to open a portal to another, much scarier dimension. (Our featured image for this article is from Turn It Up!.) Director: Sam Scott Writers: Sam Scott and Gwenlyn Cumyn Cast: Gwenlyn Cumyn, Justine Nelson, Xavier Lopez, Julian Richings Genre: Comedy, Horror, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction https://tribecafilm.com/films/turn-it-up-2026 Crooks After Faye and Johnny stick up a local gangster’s poker

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jun 1, 2026

Portland Horror Film Festival Reveals Fear-Filled Lineup for Its 2026 Edition

Portland Horror Film Festival holds its 11th annual edition from June 3-7, 2026, at Portland, Oregon’s Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater. The fest also offers a virtual version for those who wish to watch from the comfort of their homes. Either way, you’ll be treated to a top-notch selection of scare fare from around the world. Following is the official press announcement. The 11th annual Portland Horror Film Festival returns June 3-7, 2026, bringing five days of independent and international horror cinema to Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater. This year’s festival will feature a special 45th Anniversary screening of My Bloody Valentine with director George Mihalka and Rue Morgue Executive Editor and “Faculty of Horror” co-host Andrea Subissati, and a live performance by Aurelio Voltaire, alongside a massive lineup of feature films, short films, premieres, and special events celebrating the best in contemporary horror filmmaking. Known as Portland’s premier festival dedicated to all genres of independent

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
May 22, 2026

Our Frightening Four: A Quartet of Recommended Panic Fest Short Films

Screenland Armour and Downright Creepy present Panic Fest 2026, which kicks off March 9–13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. With nearly 150 features, long form shorts, and short films on tap, there is plenty to choose from. I have had an early peek at the following shorts and can recommend that fright-fare aficionados 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. The Scene (director Daniel Meyers) With the hope of discovering a new lead, a detective revisits the scene of his partner’s brutal murder. Yet, the longer he stays, the harrowing truth begins to reveal itself . . . Link below includes a trailer. Our featured image for this article is from The Scene. https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e0592 Hell’s Half-Acre: Sojourn (director Nicholas Nicastro) Hell’s Half-Acre is a true-crime Western inspired by the haunting case of the Bloody Benders — America’s first family of serial killers. Set

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Apr 27, 2026
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