Mangittatuarjuk (The Gnawer of Rocks)
Directed by Louise Flaherty
Two young women out for a walk follow a trail of coloured stones left on the ground, which leads them to danger. They are trapped in the lair of the Mangittatuarjuk, the Gnawer of Rocks. The women are terrified when they realize what the monster has been doing. The young women and their village must use the teachings of the elders to defeat the monster. • 14 minutes • Canada • Inuktitut
Thursday, April 30
Included in Opening Night programming, 6:30 PM
Peabody Essex Museum
New England Premiere
Darkroom
Directed by Matt Black
In his home darkroom, a crime scene photographer develops pictures of a gruesome murder. Disturbing blurs on the images distort the victim's face. Each new print comes out more unsettling than the last. • 8 minutes • United States • English
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
World Premiere
Full Term
Directed by Lizz Marshall
When a carefree couple visits Texas for a spicy weekend away, one woman’s sudden entanglement with the state laws turns her trip into a waking nightmare. • 10 minutes • United States • English
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
New England Premiere
Furry-Anxi
Directed by Ming-Jen Yu
A doll explores its surroundings, gradually becoming drawn to external objects, and eventually grows dissatisfied with itself, leading to a transformation. • 5 minutes • Taiwan
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
World Premiere
Once Upon a Time in the Apocalypse
Directed by Tiago Pimentel
In the fallout of nuclear war, totalitarian regimes reshape world order. Ernesto is hiding a secret, and when a government inspector shows up at his doorstep, a cat-and-mouse game unfolds — one that can only end in tragedy. • 20 minutes • Portugal • Portuguese
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
Prom Party Massacre
Directed by Manu Herrera
In a genre-bending musical full of teenage rebels, poodle skirts, and betrayal, a young gay man tries to woo his crush with a swinging prom party—but when popular kids start turning up dead, the partygoers discover a slasher killer amongst the student body! • 19 minutes • United States • English
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
Massachusetts Premiere
The Safety Games
Directed by Jeremiah Kipp
Fear is good. • 10 minutes • United States • English
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
Massachusetts Premiere
Undertone
Directed by Shaun Munro
A sound recordist captures strange sonic phenomena underneath their house and things... escalate from there. • 12 minutes • United Kingdom • English
Friday, May 1
12:00 Noon
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #1
Massachusetts Premiere
Regression
Directed by Melissa Vitello
After the unexplained death of her best friend, Wenonah becomes haunted by an eerie manifestation of the past, forcing her and her roommates to look at their deeper connections through past life regression hypnotherapy. • 108 minutes • United States • English
Friday, May 1
2:00 PM
Salem Access Television
Co-presented with Women in Film & Video New England
Kandie
Directed by Jasmine Osean Thomas
Getting ready for the launch party of her jewelry collection, an agitated Chloe conjures up her grotesque doppelgänger. As the party progresses, Chloe begins to unravel. But is this a disturbing alternate version of herself or a parasitic nemesis eating away at her mind? • 15 minutes (immediately followed by the feature Jump Scare) • United States • English
Friday, May 1
8:15 PM
Die With Your Boots On
New England Premiere
Jump Scare
Directed by Donnie Hobbie
The all-woman metal band JUMP SCARE retreats to a remote cabin to write their next album, only to be terrorized by the family of cannibals next door. • 102 minutes (presented with Kandie, 15 minutes) • United States • English
Friday, May 1
8:15 PM
Die With Your Boots On
Baby Bird
Directed by Aris Liang
Helen, a Chinese-American nanny, begins to lose sight of reality after her mother’s death and clings to the relationship she has with her young ward in the face of it. • 21 minutes • Canada, United States • English & Mandarin Chinese
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
Bloody Larry
Directed by Jillian Cantwell
On Halloween, Max and Benny stumble across the strange dataing app profile on a dating app of Lawrence “Bloody Larry” Meadows, a gay serial killer turned urban legend said to appear when summoned through a ritual mirror chant. Bloody Larry modernizes the slasher mythos through the lens of queer fear, digital intimacy, and the monsters we invite in. • 8 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
East Coast Premiere
Dance!
Directed by Poorya Dehghan
A military officer escapes a patrol by going into an abandoned house in Gaza. However, the spirits of those killed in the house are waiting for him. • 8 minutes • Iran • Arabic & Hebrew
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
dont.4get2smile
Directed by Stefano Alessandro Pennisi
After receiving a chilling call about a classmate’s unexpected death, a social media–obsessed teen is followed by a mysterious account. Worried that it's all connected, she fears that the account’s reach extends far beyond the limits of her phone screen. • 10 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
Massachusetts Premiere
Lok
Directed by Mahmuda Sultana Rima
In a very rural village of Bangladesh, men suddenly start to disappear. The villagers start blaming the recluse 'witch' of the village who is known to practice black magic. But why is she making these men disappear? How is she doing it? • 4 minutes • Bangladesh • Bengali
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
Massachusetts Premiere
The Me in the TV
Directed by Gordon Phillips
After moving into a new apartment, a young woman discovers an old television broadcasting a live feed of her from an impossible angle. As the image begins to behave strangely, she realizes it may be more than just a broadcast—and far more than just her. • 7 minutes • Indonesia, United States • English
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
East Coast Premiere
Time Eater
Directed by Ryan Couldrey
SHF Alum
A grandmother suffering from undiagnosed dementia has her home invaded while she's babysitting her granddaughter. • 13 minutes • Canada • English
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
East Coast Premiere
Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done
Directed by PJ Germain
High school really sucks… and no one knows that better than best friends Aaron and Keith. When they crash the last graduation party of the summer, emotions fly high and the culture clash of teenagers involve playing a simple game with dire consequences. • 18 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
10:30 AM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #2
New England Premiere
Brian Won't Wear Condoms
Directed by Genna Edwards
An alternative contraceptive procedure tests the relationship between a wellness influencer and her skeptical best friend. • 11 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
Flickers
Directed by Alexa Jane Jerrett
SHF Alum
An elderly woman battles horrifying circumstances designed by her deteriorating mind —and in her darkest hours, flickers of her true self shine through. • 6 minutes • Canada • English
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
US Premiere
Mardazma
Directed by Amir Masoud Soheili
Two armed men, escorting arrested voters to their punishment, take an alternative route to evade the army. Their journey descends into chaos when they encounter Mardazma, a mythical Afghan jinn who tests their courage and morality in a battle between superstition, power, and fear. • 15 minutes • Afghanistan, Iran • Pashto & Persian
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
US Premiere
Meat Crayon
Directed by Richard Rotter
Kimberly‘s favorite teacher always brings her the best crayons. He just won’t say where he gets them. • 6 minutes • Canada • English
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
New England Premiere
Pelacaras
Directed by Ricardo Albarrán
After her husband’s mysterious disappearance, a mother hides the truth from her daughter, and silence itself becomes the horror consuming them both. • 10 minutes • United States • English & Spanish
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
Massachusetts Premiere
Trad
Directed by Dave Bekerman
A struggling influencer reluctantly pivots to tradwife content to dig her husband out of a financial hole and soon becomes trapped by the increasingly disturbing demands of her viral persona. • 12 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
New England Premiere
Very Prosperous Men
Directed by Josiah Walker
When a struggling door-to-door Bible salesman commits murder, he scrambles to dispose of the body while navigating a haunting consequence. • 26 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #3
New England Premiere
Avem
Directed by Luis Quijano
Struggling with a deep loss and being away from his home country, a young man begins to have a body transforma as he longs for a life of freedom. • 17 minutes • Mexico, United States • English & Spanish
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
Massachusetts Premiere
The Bound Prince
Directed by Christian Gridelli, Hunter Norris
A road-weary comedian falls down a hole of paranoia as she begins to suspect her hotel room's bible is part of a demonic cult's grand design. • 12 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
East Coast Premiere
The Chosen
Directed by Brady Richards
SHF Alum
Reed is troubled by a vision forcing him to do bad things, but nobody believes him. Maybe this new therapist will understand? • 8 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
East Coast Premiere
Hide
Directed by Brenden Hubbard
Still reeling from an incredible loss, a father and daughter cling to a bedtime routine keeping them safe in a town where an unfathomable horror visits its inhabitants night after night. • 16 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
HVAC
Directed by Jackson McKeehan
In a blue-collar Missouri town, a 13-year-old HVAC apprentice grappling with confusing desires becomes entangled in a surreal, dangerous encounter at the local theatre—where longing and innocence bleed together in one irreversible night. • 11 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
New England Premiere
The Lone Piper
Directed by Matthew Kravchuk
In 1759 during the Seven Years' War, a Scottish bagpipe player and an Indigenous girl struggle to cope with the horrors of war. Using folklore as a medium, this period project discusses the ever-present themes of colonialism and xenophobia. • 10 minutes • United States • English & Niitsíʼpowahsin (Blackfoot)
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
Massachusetts Premiere
Prey For Us
Directed by Zoe Kerr
After a house party, a woman leaves with a charming stranger, only to share unsettling truths that shatter their perceptions of each other. • 6 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
East Coast Premiere
Vowels
Directed by Rafael De Leon
Ava needs to record a self-tape but her speech impediment keeps getting in the way. • 5 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
2:30 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #4
New England Premiere
Blood & Guts
Directed by Carlye Rubin, Katie Green, Tina Grapenthin
The lines between real life and reel life are muddied in the story of the Adams, an unconventional family who makes independent horror films. While they may vomit blood onto one another, lack boundaries, and make frequent use of the f-word, they also face what every family must: change. • 80 minutes (presented with This is Book Club, 20 minutes) • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
3:30 PM
Hawthorne Hotel Library
This Is Book Club
Directed by Robyn Okrant
When lonely, socially anxious Jane joins a book club to make friends, she soon discovers that middle-aged women in sweater sets can be savage. At first drawn to the unnervingly perfect leader, Jane begins to suspect that in this cul-de-sac kingdom, fitting in might be the most dangerous thing of all. • 20 minutes (immediately followed by the feature Blood & Guts) • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
3:30 PM
Hawthorne Hotel Library
East Coast Premiere
Deep Hallows
Directed by Beto Marquez
The small town of Furnas Fundas hides a secret far older than its pastures, forests, or inhabitants. During a heated election marred by scandals, the town drunk Bartira must face a dark force that has returned to turn the town into a true bloodbath. • 116 minutes • Brazil • Portuguese
Saturday, May 2
4:30 PM
Peabody Essex Museum
World Premiere
Lily’s Ritual
Directed by Manu Herrera
Four friends travel to an isolated house deep in the forest to perform a witchcraft initiation ritual and complete the circle of the four elements. What begins as a white witchcraft ritual in harmony with nature soon turns into a diabolical nightmare. • 105 minutes • Spain • Spanish
Saturday, May 2
5:45 PM
Salem Access Television
Co-presented with Boston Underground Film Fest
The Barn Part III
Directed by Justin M. Seaman
Years after the events of The Barn Part II, the group is still left in fear that the evil three might come back to finish the harvest once and for all. Stars Courtney Gains and Kelli Maroney. • 100 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
8:00 PM
Die With Your Boots On
East Coast Premiere
Blood Shine
Directed by Emily Bennett, Justin Brooks
SHF Alum
In her remote country home, a religious zealot takes a young filmmaker captive, claiming her sadistic rituals will change him into a god. • 100 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
8:15 PM
Salem Access Television
SHF Showcase
Frankie, Maniac Woman
Directed by Pierre Tsigaridis
SHF Alum
After years of wanting to look like those who grace the covers of magazines, Frances Ramirez ends up making headlines in a different way. She is soon to be known as the Maniac Woman. • 96 minutes • United States • English
Saturday, May 2
10:00 PM
Die With Your Boots On
East Coast Premiere
Creature of the Deep
Directed by Angus Reardon
While visiting home, a queer college freshman is brought by her parents to meet a reclusive elderly uncle who controls the family's estate. • 11 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
New England Premiere
Maeve’s Mirror
Directed by Paul E. Odgren
Maeve's reflection in her bedroom mirror begs to be set free into the real world. • 6 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
Noctis Monstorum
Directed by Patrick J. Rahall, Ashes Homon-Rahall
A man battles an annual onslaught of horror to protect the children of his neighborhood. • 5 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
World Premiere
Shift
Directed by Bridgette Cannell
Alone in the wilderness, a resilient forest ranger faces a sinister presence stalking her through the night, testing her resolve and sanity in a chilling battle for survival. • 8 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
Some Dark Matter
Directed by Molly Fisher
Following the sudden passing of her father, Chiara navigates a series of mysterious, alarming events. • 10 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
Massachusetts Premiere
Stomach It
Directed by Peter Klausner
While struggling to emotionally detach from the deceased, a crime scene cleaner believes a monstrous presence is toying with him. • 13 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
New England Premiere
The Victoria Kruger Show!
Directed by Alec Klusza
When Victoria Kruger finds herself hosting a late-night talk show with no memory of who she is, reality and television blur as she unfolds the mystery behind her existence • 20 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
East Coast Premiere
Tick
Directed by Sam Permar
On a blissful beach day, a young affluent couple develops an odd, circular rash. As their denial blooms, so do the mysterious symptoms. And as time distorts, the transformation begins... • 14 minutes • United State • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
New England Premiere
Witch Hunt Theatre presents "Where's Your Limit?"
Directed by Taylor Stark, Ty Hendrix
Welcome to Where's Your Limit?: everyone's favorite gameshow! You'll love the host, you'll love the prizes, you'll pray you got it right... • 15 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
11:30 AM
Salem Access Television
World Premiere
Breeder
Directed by Sapphire Sandalo
A woman on the fence about having kids becomes hunted in her home by a demonic horse-man. • 7 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
East Coast Premiere
Gimme
Directed by Steven Schloss
On the first night of Hanukkah, a grandfather and his estranged granddaughter are pulled into a sinister game of dreidel. • 14 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
Has Anyone Else Lost Their Body?
Directed by Randall Snare
The comments on a reluctant influencer’s first viral dance video overflow with people claiming to lose their bodies after watching it. • 15 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
World Premiere
Into the Stand
Directed by Mackenzie Hamilton, Taylor Fuchs
Tree planters Quinn and newly sober Rosa return to camp for another summer in the wilderness. Tempted to drink, Rosa heads into the forest to clear her head. Quinn goes after her and as the forest closes in, she questions if there is something else out there. • 15 minutes • Canada • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
East Coast Premiere
Prey
Directed by Pax Nelson
After an unfortunate car accident, Devin finds himself face to face with a vengeful moose who will not stop at any lengths to hunt him down. • 3 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
New England Premiere
Shift
Directed by Lucca Vieira
A self-conscious teenage girl will do anything to look perfect. When she begins injecting herself with a mysterious cosmetic drug, her body soon takes a monstrous turn. • 16 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
New England Premiere
The Man Upstairs
Directed by Wendy Wang
After being kidnapped, Julian wakes up in a stranger’s basement, where another child already lives—and where survival means playing along with the man who calls himself “Dad.” As the boys form a fragile bond, they plot an escape from a twisted domestic nightmare. • 18 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
1:45 PM
Salem Access Television | Shorts Block #5
East Coast Premiere
The Mid-Night Driver
Directed by Alex Cherney
When a young girl summons a driver using a seemingly innocent ritual, she must fulfill his demands if she ever wants to get back home in 1992 Long Island. • 80 minutes • United States • English
Sunday, May 3
3:45 PM
Salem Access Television
New England Premiere
