Shorts Program:
NSFW
Prepared to be unsettled. The directors in this program have exited off the mundane route and entered the realm of horror, each in their own macabre and playful way. The result is a collection of films with a sinister edge, filled with twists and bleak humour.
Derek Wallis and Jordan Connor pay homage to the wild genre films they love from the 1970s with a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling for the allure of fame in The Skimmer. Yuqi Kang ramps the tension and psychological horror by exploring oppression and rebellion in a mother-daughter relationship in the allegorical Thorn. Lindsay Owen Pierre merges comedy and suspense in unexpected and vengeful ways in the not-so-romantic Répercuté. Kenny Wong takes inspiration from the found footage genre and one-take-style films to haunt us, and a group of friends gathered at a cabin in Reunion. Aidan Cheetow leans into camp and kitsch in the absurd family film about saying goodbye to a beloved dog in Deadpan.
– Marina Hanna
Thorn
On the evening of an unseasonably warm Moon Festival, a Chinese immigrant mother goes about her ordinary routine of cooking dinner while controlling her daughter’s every move with a sharp tongue. But what is brewing beneath the surface? As night falls, a sinister figure emerges to threaten this small household.
The Skimmer
Ring….BRrinng….BBRRRIING!! Paul, a pool boy, picks up a telephone he has no business answering. The voice on the line invites Paul to a party in exchange for a favour. But Paul doesn’t realize what is truly at stake.
Reunion
Six friends gather at a cabin for their annual post-university reunion. One friend, Eric, an amateur videographer, documents their outing, as he always does. The weekend takes a turn when Eric is killed on tape by a masked intruder, an unexpected former schoolmate arrives, and the camera continues to record…
Répercuté
A man comes home to his lover on their anniversary expecting a romantic night of celebration only to find his lover has another plan in mind… revenge.
Deadpan
A family bids farewell to their beloved dog.
