by Victoria Potenza, Staff Writer

This year, the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival curated several great shorts blocks for attendees to view throughout the week. Shorts blocks are always some of the most interesting events to attend at any film fest. You often find a variety of new and interesting filmmakers, many of whom could be creating your favorite feature films in a few years. Many of the filmmakers and other folks who worked on the shorts were also in attendance, so you often get to hear some stories that really highlighted their creative process and gather some insider knowledge on how they put these creative pieces together.

BHFF this year had themed blocks including; 2 “Home Invasion” blocks, “Laugh Now, Die Later” (horror comedies), “Slayed” (queer horror), and more. I was lucky enough to check out the “Slayed” block as well as “Nightmare Fuel”, featuring some of the creepier shorts being featured. Here are some of the highlights.

Chaperone (dir. Sam Max, 2022)

It is strange to find a horror film that is both beautiful and heartbreaking, but that is exactly what Chaperone is. Russell Kahn and Zachary Quinto star in short about two men who enter into a contract but the parameters do not become clear until the end. The short plays up on Quinto’s career which often has him playing more villainous and devious characters but also gives him the opportunity to let his true charm shine through. He and Kahn have great chemistry on screen which makes their story all the more aching. Sam Max plays up on aspects of BDSM and LGBTQ+ culture which turn this into a unique and poignant story. Max has a great eye and his next projects are sure to be just as intriguing.

Sleep (dir. Alexandra Pechman, 2022)

Sleep really cuts to the core of creating satisfying horror stories that women can truly relate to. The main character is convinced that someone is in the house but her partner convinces her that it is in her head and that it is just her own trauma coming up. So who is right? Playing up on the tropes of women not being believed like in films such as Rosemary’s Baby and What Lies Beneath, Pechman creates a satisfying story about a woman who just wants to be able to trust her gut.

Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You (dir. Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair, 2021)

Ghosts, classical music, secluded castles, and lesbian love affairs, Ghrioghair has it all in her short Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You. After her disturbed lover dies, a composer becomes obsessed with communicating with her again through her musical compositions. This is beautifully shot and has plenty of memorable imagery that draws upon gothic horror as well as classic tales of troubled women like The Yellow Wallpaper. It is creepy, steamy, and also a moving look at grief.

Aftertaste (dir. Christianne Cruz, 2022)

Aftertaste draws on Chinese folklore and mixes it with modern day restaurant culture. After the death of her mother, a woman realizes that she might have to take on her mother’s role in dealing with “hungry ghosts”. This is another great looking film that’s set design and focus on food conjures images of Brian Fuller’s Hannibal series. The central performances of Isabelle Hahn and Sydney Malakeh are great. Hahn also recently appeared in the new V/H/S/99 and is clearly making her way into the genre film scene. The addition of Eastern folklore is also very intriguing as the idea of hungry ghosts is not something we see too often in the west. This is a short that could easily expand into a feature or even a show.

Night Shift (dir. Ali F. Mostafa, 2022)

Night Shift is an Arabic film that plays with the werewolf story. An ambulance driver returns to work after the mysterious death of his wife. While on the night shift with his partner, they run into a supernatural being that takes them on adventure through the night. The lead (cast details not found) who plays the wolf is fantastic, he exudes a humor and charisma that make him an incredible screen presence. Not having seen much horror from the United Arab Emirates it was also an interesting look into a particular culture that plays with a horor trope many know well.

The Cradle (dir. Massimo Meo, 2022)

This is a 3 minute short that is begging to be a feature length film. A witch prepares herself to take on an angry mob who interrupts her while making breakfast. There is not much else to say than that, considering how short the film is. However, the overall aesthetic, set design, and effects are so memorable and unique that it truly deserves recognition.

Otherkin (dir. Dawson Taylor, 2022)

Georgina Campbell (Barbarian) is in need of a normal stay with people! Campbell stars in this short in which she decides to meet her biological parents for the first time. As they get to know each other things begin to seem off and she struggles to escape before things take a dark turn. Otherkin stands out for one of the most terrifying creature effects. There is already something creepy about someone in a big animal costume in a normal situation, so its use as a haunting presence is very effective.

Ringworms (dir. Will Lee, 2022)

Ringworms was truly the standout short in the “Nightmare Fuel” block. A young woman accompanies her boyfriend on a romantic trip to the cabin, but when she finds out he is planning to propose she is plunged into doubt. This doubt attracts a cult who hope to use her in their sinister plans. It is clear this was made by fans of the genre. It is easy to think of films like The Evil Dead and grindhouse cinema when watching this. It is another feature that has a great look and the practical effects are wild. Give Will Lee the opportunity to turn this into a feature film and let him create all the effects he wants.

Hideous (dir. Yann Gonzalez, 2022)

Hideous was the stand out feature of the “Slayed” shorts block. Hideous is a musical horror feature that stars Oliver Sim playing “The Artist” who tells the story of his childhood, his monstrosity, and the quest for acceptance. Hideous is another moving and truly beautiful short that also has hilarious gross out effects. The short comes from director Yann Gonzalez who’s feature Knife+Heart is one of the best modern takes on the giallo film. The music is incredible (and the album is available on Spotify if you are itching to find it) and the combination of effects and soft lighting make it both an incredible feature and music video. If you want to find a queer horror short that is truly unique look no further than Hideous.

There are plenty of other shorts that rocked the festival this year so make sure to take a look at the Brooklyn Horror Film Fest programming and keep an eye out on the availability of these shorts as well as these rising filmmakers.