The Portland Horror Film Festival 2024 lineup featured some amazing short films. While we didn't catch them all, we wanted to share our thoughts about some that really stood out for us. Head over to this article to learn more about Portland Horror Film Festival.
All Kinds of Animals directed and written by Becky Sayers
Synopsis: Experienced hiker Hannah has an unexpected encounter after reaching the summit.
Review: All Kinds of Animals focuses on the details of things you think will be important and when the climax/reveal happens, it blindsides you. At only eight minutes, it delivers a punch worth waiting for.
Amygdala directed and written by Oskar Johansson
Synopsis: A mother and her daughter move into an old family house. The daughter struggles to adjust to the house and, to the mother’s great horror, begins feeling an increasingly strong pull towards a locked door upstairs.
Review: While this short film is void of color, it isn't void of life. Amygdala is beautifully shot and well crafted. The Lovecraftian flavor is evident. It's intense yet the narrative flows effortlessly. The eerie sound design and music takes it over the edge.
Carnivora directed by Felipe Vargas and written by Vee Saieh
Synopsis: When their mother vanishes, two estranged sisters are forced to caretake for their catatonic grandma… Only to realize that grandma isn’t grandma at all.
Review: We reviewed this short film at the Seattle International Film Festival. Check out our thoughts here.
Come Back Haunted directed and written by Logan J. Freeman
Synopsis: A reclusive woman’s carefully constructed life shatters when a blood covered child runs out of the woods, claiming her mother is trying to kill her. She assumes a long lost motherly role to protect the girl, but discovers other things lurking in the dark, trying to get in.
Review: Come Back Haunted is a journey and experience. At 12 minutes, you're taken on a roller coaster of suspense and tension that leaves you with a tremendous pay off. Toby Poser gives an excellent performance and was actually the PHFF Best Performance winner. This short film does great with its characters and story, even at such a short runtime.
Dark Mommy directed by Courtney Eck and written by Courtney Eck and James Gannon
Synopsis: Ben is the only night shift 911 operator in a small town. His bubble of self-isolation is only ever punctured by drunks or prank calling kids, but tonight Dark Mommy has her own intentions for Ben…and the rest of the town.
Review: This is another film we watched at SIFF. That review can be found here.
Eat Me directed and written by Vu Mai
Synopsis: Veruca has an insatiable hunger for…love. She satisfies her appetite by serial dating…one killer mate at a time.
Review: Eat Me takes something that many of us experience, dating, and flips it on its head in a bloody magical way. We are all for unhinged women onscreen and Eat Me delivers it.
Disturbance directed and written by Leonardi Guzman
Synopsis: Teresa comes home to find her bloody roommate on the floor holding on for her life. Suddenly she realizes the killer is still in the house.
Review: When a short film leaves you wanting more, you know it's a good one. And Disturbance does exactly that. With the right balance of wonder and fear, this short film is one to watch out for on the festival circuit.
It Came from Within directed and written by Queenie Zhang
Synopsis: Amelia is struggling to understand a new disease that only infects women, and must regain control of her body before time runs out.
Review: It Came from Within is another short that gives you only a taste and leaving you to want more. Loved the concept and the delivery. The performances were so well done and we were fully invested. It only has a five minute runtime and it packs a heavy punch. Great performances and practical effects.
My Scary Indian Wedding directed and written by Ramone Menon
Synopsis: A cursed Bridesmaid is forced to track down and marry her soulmate to escape the wrath of a malevolent demon called The Manglik.
Review: The storytelling and the performances really set My Scary Indian Wedding apart. Instantly, we could understand the dynamics of the characters just from visuals. And that's good writing. The journey to the ending was fun and bloody. Loved the use of practical effects and gore.
The Battle of Grovers Mill directed and written by Nolen Sternkopf
Syopsis: An aspiring journalist faces the unimaginable when news of a nearby crash site comes over the radio. Based on “The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells and the Orson Welles / Mercury Theatre on the Air radio play of the same name.
Review: The creativity, effects, and overall look of this short film was amazing. Shot on their phone, Sternkopf delivers an entertaining and visually stunning short. The black and white was a great choice and immerses viewers into this world.
Strange Creatures directed and written by Nicholas Payne Santos
Synopsis: Desperate to see her brother again, a young woman visits the site of his death.
Review: Strange Creatures delivers seven minutes of sitting on the edge of your seat. One of the few short films that was scary and delivered on the anticipation of fear. Great shots, practical effects and lead performance.
The Flacalta Effect directed and written by Rochée Jeffrey
Synopsis: When a a zombie apocalypse hits LA, Keesha and Toya debate whether or not they should fight to survive in a world that doesn’t appreciate Black women.
Review: The Flacalta Effect, a horror comedy, balances both of those well. Right away, we understand what is at stake for our main characters and we want to see them survive. The comedic banter between the sisters is genuine and true to their characters. The short film also featured great effects and camera shots. The Flacalta Effect is The Blackening meets Evil Dead. We would love to see this as a feature.
The Gourd, The Brad, and The Ghostly directed by Jillian Terwedo-Malsbury, written by Rob Knoll & Annie McGrath
Synopsis: After causing a tragic accident on Halloween night, Brad is haunted by his guilty conscience as he takes the elevator down to the scene of the crime. Is he heading to the lobby… or straight to hell?
Review: Winner of the PHFF's Funny Bone Award, The Gourd, The Brad, and The Ghostly was indeed, hilarious and equally spooky. This was truly an elevator ride from hell, or to hell- we don't know. The writing, performances, and cinematography were exceptional. It's lead, David J. Castillo, was truly a stand out in this film.
The Thaw directed and written by Sarah Wisner and Sean Temple
Synopsis: In 19th century Vermont, a young woman’s parents drink sleeping tea in order to survive the harsh winter, but an early thaw leads to horrifying results.
Review: The Thaw was one of the longer short films in the PHFF lineup at 17 minutes, but it definitely didn't feel like it. The writing, dialogue, shots, setting, practical effects, the overall tone, was so well done. Stunning to watch, this film could be felt under your skin. There were great performances from each of the characters, including Toby Poser again. Viewers are transported back in time with its use of black and white coupled with the wardrobe and dialogue. Such a unique concept and Temple and Wisner delivered.
Thirsty Thursday directed and written by Jeff Oliver
Synopsis: When a sacred ritual is interrupted by a clueless frat boy, a coven of Black witches are forced to teach a deadly lesson.
Review: Thirsty Thursday has probably our favorite final shots of all time. This film is thought provoking, comical, and gripping. It deals with some great themes such as consent, especially for Black women, something I personally could identify with. Everything about this was art and one I'd love to see more of.
There were dozens more short films presented at Portland Horror Film Festival that we didn't get the opportunity to watch. Check out the PHFF website to see what films we didn't cover and follow their creators! Support indie horror filmmakers and support the PHFF. Hope to see you there next year!
Which short film are you looking forward to watching?