The Solution

A math professor, rejected over and over again for publication, finds herself supplanted by her genius-level teaching assistant, and resorts to drastic measures to re-assert her authority.

Narrative • Thriller/Horror/Drama • USA • 2025 • 17 Minutes
Director: John Klein & Steve Kniss
Writer: Ben Kurstin
Producers: Ben Kurstin & Tin Nguyen
Executive Producers: 54 Scripts Productions
Cinematographer: Ben Kurstin
Editor: Ben Kurstin & Amber Ray Snyder
Composer: Alexa Borden & Connor Cook
Cast: Diana Simonzadeh, Jocelyn Zamudio, William Ryder
Festivals: St. Louis
Alumni: John Klein, Steve Kniss and Ben Kurstin have had several films play here, including Never Not Yours, Static Space, Happily After
Local Connection: Chicagoland based production. 
Public Contact: John Klein
Email Address: adultchildrenfilms@gmail.com

Clean Girl

A TikTok-obsessed woman copes with a recent breakup, all the while something’s lurking under her floorboards…

Narrative • Comedy/Horror/Thriller • USA • 2025 • 14 Minutes
Director: Emily Kent
Writer: Emily Kent
Producers: Teresa Fabbricino, Thembi Nkosi, Josh Park
Cast: Selene Winter Rose
Festivals: Another Hold In The Head, Poppy Jasper,

You Get What You Pay For

As a suicidal man hands over serious cash to a stranger as part of an exchange, it’s clear that everything is not what it seems. Hired killings are on the menu, but just who is pulling the strings?

Narrative • Comedy/Drama • United Kingdom • 2025 • 10 Minutes
Director: Jeff Low & David Kolbusz
Writer: Jeff Low & David Kolbusz
Producers: Tom Ford
Executive Producers: Hanna Bayatti
Cinematographer: Joao Padua
Editor: Saam Hodivala
Composer: Siren
Cast: Simon Lennon, Herin Seo, Anna Mawn

Quiet Tonight

Donnie and Lydia discuss a an impossible dilemma while desperately trying not to wake the thing in the next room.

Narrative • Horror/Drama • USA • 2025 • 19 Minutes
Director: Thomas Nicol
Writer: Mathew Green
Producers: Thomas Nicol, Mathew Green, Nat Dykeman
Cinematographer: Kal Kociss
Editor: Thomas Nicol
Composer: Eric Watkins
Cast: Mathew Green, Kimmy Schofield, Clint Andrae
Alumni Connection: Director Thomas Nicol directed The Venus Gambit (LCFF 2024), which also starred Matthew Green. 
Public Contact: Thomas Nicol
Email Address: tdnicol@gmail.com

The Nest

A shy young luthier, Aurore returns to work in the family’s prestigious workshop. As she reunites with her beloved mother, she uncovers a monstrous family secret. What seemed like a safe haven may in fact be the most insidious of traps. Will she find the strength to break free from her mother’s nest?

Narrative • Fantasy • France • 2025 • 7 Minutes
Director: Aurélien Coquery, Léa Kermanach, Soline Mauguin, Abel Tixador, Jean Baounon, Romane Selter-Fiette
Writer: Aurélien Coquery
Producers: Philippe Meis (Supinfocom Rubika)
Editor: Aurélien Coquery
Composer: Aurélien Coquery
Public Contact: Patrick De Carvalho
Email Address: patrick2carvalho@gmail.com

Pelacaras

After her husband’s mysterious disappearance, a mother hides the truth from her daughter, and silence itself becomes the horror consuming them both.

Narrative • Thriller/Horror • USA • 2025 • 10 Minute
Director: Ricardo Albarrán
Writer: Ricardo Albarrán
Producers: Ricardo Albarrán, Jonathan Moeller, Ricardo Ramirez
Cinematographer: Jonathan Moeller
Editor: Ricardo Albarrán
Cast: Mia Cruz, Jocelyn Orozco
Local Connection: Chicago-based filmmaker / production
Festivals: Chicago Horror Film Festival – Best Chicago Horror Short
Public Contact: Ricardo Albarrán
Email Address: 3amfilmsx@gmail.com

Don’t Watch This

A woman slowly realizes she’s a character in a movie. As she spirals in terror, everyone around her dismisses her as delusional-unaware that she’s the only one who knows we are watching.

Narrative • Drama/Science-Fiction • USA • 2025 • 15 Minutes
Director: Daniel Pineros
Writer: Daniel Pineros
Producers: Daniel Pineros, Lina Sanchez, Justin Potter
Cast: Natalie Polisson, Keoki Trask
Festivals: Poppy Jasper, Winter Film Festival, Filmquest

The Woman In The Bed

An elderly woman awakes to discover she is unable to speak or move. Trapped in her bed, she soon realises that she is not alone.

Narrative • Horror • United Kingdom • 2025 • 5 Minutes
Director: Victor Mellors
Writer: Tom Mellors, Kate Mellors & Victor Mellors
Producers: Sam Gruskin, Victor Mellors, Kate Mellors
Cinematographer: Oli Ledwith
Editor: Victor Mellors
Cast: Sue Maund, Jenny Wall, Bruce Allinson
Public Contact: Victor Mellors
Email Address: victorasmellors@hotmail.com

Blindsided

A blind schoolteacher struggles to survive through a nightmarish night when an alien spaceship crashes and unleashes a monstrous predator. This unique horror short film features an all low-vision cast and places the audience in the POV of a blind protagonist who is only able to hear what happens around her.

Narrative • Sci-Fi/Horror • USA • 2025 • 8 Minutes
Director: P. Patrick Hogan
Writer: P. Patrick Hogan
Producers: Ana Krista Johnson
Cinematographer: James Suter
Editor: Patrick Hogan
Cast: Crystal Loverro, Florence Wilder, Jamey Lewis
Festivals & Awards: Chicago Horror Film Festival – Best Sci-Fi Horror Film
FilmQuest – Best Sound
Slamdance, LA Shorts, Dances With Films: NY
Public Contact: Patrick Hogan
Email Address: patrick@jhdanger.com

Twofer

Narrative • Horror/Thriller/Suspense • USA • 2025 • 6 Minutes
Director: Jenny Waldo
Writer: Noel Thompson
Producers: Sommer Garcia Saqr
Cinematographer: Marianne Parker
Editor: Jenny Waldo
Cast: Monica Mansy, Adrian Gonzalez
Public Contact: Jenny Waldo
Email Address: finding.jennywaldo@gmail.com