KNIFE, a 3-minute Micro-Horror Short Film.

A slasher told from the point-of-view of the murder weapon.

Michael Kuciak is the writer-director-editor of DEATH METAL, and the writer-producer of FROM THE SHADOWS (starring Keith David, Bruce Davison, and Selena Anduze). He has directed music videos and short films, including the award-winning horror shorts KNIFE and STAIRS, and served as a producer and executive producer on several independent feature films. Before focusing on filmmaking, Mike was the Senior Vice President of Development for a literary management-production company. He is the founder and CEO of Blast Furnace Media, and a partner of Alt-House Productions. Mike is a reformed musician; he used to play bass in punk and metal bands in his hometown of Chicago. He now lives in Los Angeles.

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The Ancient Time Piece, 5min., UK
Directed by Justin Walker, Islien Walker
Lily, a teenage girl is stuck in a monotonous cycle, perhaps this is connected to an old eerie clock she found in her family’s basement, a clock that was still ticking when she found it…. how long had this ancient Time Piece been ticking!

https://www.instagram.com/illy_pheebs_productions2012

Get to know filmmaker Justin Walker:

What motivated you to make this film?

My daughter Islien (co-director and lead actress) wrote the short story The Ancient Time piece when she was 11 years old, now she is 13….the short story was published in the compilation book ‘The glitch twisted tales’ which resides in the national library, London UK. Myself and my daughter had discussed making a short film based on her story for sometime… eventually we commenced production this summer.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Haha, well shooting only took 2 days, post production, editing, effects, score sound design took approximately 2 months.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Time Reflective

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Well being amateur/smartphone filmmakers who produce short films on a zero budget you are always working with restrictions and limitations…..often you ‘think’ big during concept/pre production but find in reality you have to work within your means….however you do tend to be more creative due to these restrictions. The major obstacle is finding the time between my full-time job and family life to shoot and complete post production is always a challenge. Obviously there is a challenge in having the final product look a quality piece/semi-professional on limited resources.

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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtEe_5Vpqzo

Omar & a group of boys manage to escape the Sudan Civil War & make it to America after experiencing the most horrific fight for their lives.

What is your screenplay about?

It’s about the Sudanese civil war. The lost boys of Sudan and highlights the terror the orphans went through. Based on true events.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

action/adventure also war if those count as one.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

a story that is not often told from a country where stories are not often highlighted. Tells the story of how to overcome loss and the power of community in that process. Something people can relate to on a global scale via current events.

How would you describe this script in two words?

survivors guilt. Two brothers going on parallel journeys and struggling through a catastrophe.

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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2VAxv7qARQ

Lee is hired to bring the seducer of a young woman to daddy for his particular vengeance. Daddy is an Arizona drug baron. The seducer works for daddy’s Mexican partner. Then too many people with guns and the wrong ideas intrude. And the job just got complicated.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

I will place the logline here for reference:

A down-on-his-luck enforcer is hired to bring a young woman’s seducer back to Daddy for a particular vengeance. Daddy is an Arizona drug baron. Seducer works for Daddy’s Mexican partner. Then too many people with guns jump to half-baked conclusions. And the job just got complicated.

And now, what is the story really about. And that is that people often draw the conclusions they want to, and will not be dissuaded by facts. They will rely on preconceptions and assumptions, and jump to the most comfortable, palatable conclusions. The cliche line would be “go with your gut”, the $20 version would say “cognitive bias”.

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A secondary idea is the danger of mixing personal beefs with business (especially when the action is based on those faulty assumptions).

Our protagonist, Lee, the above-mentioned enforcer, tries to figure out what is really going on while others are going off half-cocked (with loaded guns).

Those are the ideas that underpin the story. Or we can just enjoy the action, the guys, the gals, the guns, the big old cars, and maybe even spot the hommage à Peckinpah – think The Getaway meets Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (the vibe, not the plot points).

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

a) Action

b) Crime, in the sense that all the characters are involved in crime or related to criminals, and law enforcement

c) Contemporary western, in its setting, and the number of wannabe gunfighters

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Because, if done right, it would be a fun 110 mins, with enjoyable characters in a crazy action-packed situation.

And those who choose can ponder the deeper meanings of the film.

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Vagabond in Red: Iquitos, 52min., USA

Directed by Tom Lonero

A recovering addict and filmmaker from Pittsburgh sets off across Peru on a personal healing journey in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Shot entirely solo with modest gear, Vagabond in Red: Iquitos blends raw handheld imagery and poetic narration to explore the human condition through history, culture, social issues, and resilience. Legendary Amazonian landscapes provide the backdrop, but it’s the people Tom meets along the way who reveal quiet truths about survival, faith, and connection. This is not a luxury travel film—it’s a lived-in journey into what remains when the world goes quiet and we start listening again.

https://www.hardmonkeyproductions.com/

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Shanaya's Path, 54min., Netherlands
Directed by Frank Röhrig
Shanaya’s Path follows the intimate journey of Shanaya, a young person from Darjeeling who identifies as a woman and dreams of transitioning despite immense social and familial resistance. Since gender norms are rigid and visibility for trans people is scarce in her home town, Shanaya leaves for New Delhi, but her desire to become her true self is met with hostility, shame, and fear.

http://frankrohrig.com/

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Our Threatened & Endangered Species: Allegheny Woodrat follows the Pennsylvania Game Commission and partners as they fight to save one of the state’s most elusive mammals. Once common across the Appalachian Mountains, the Allegheny woodrat has declined for decades due to habitat loss, disease, and the disappearance of its ancient ally—the American chestnut tree.

What motivated you to make this film?

Allegheny Woodrats is Episode II in a series on Threatened & Endangered Species. These films aim to educate folks on the challenges surrounding species conservation, and what people can do to get involved and actions they can take at home to help all wildlife. Wildlife conservation and management is complex, involving hard work, creativity, tenacity and human politics. If we tell the story well, we can ensure all of our native species persist into the future—because people will not protect what they don’t understand and they certainly won’t protect what they don’t know.

The efforts surrounding saving the Allegheny woodrat are complex and involve partnerships across state lines, with varying agencies, non-profits, institutions and universities. There are over 15 groups involved in seeing that this species persists into the future. But the challenges the species’ face is multi-faceted: from the effective extinction of the American chestnut, to habitat fragmentation that cascades into genetic isolation, inbreeding and population loss, and finally the increasing raccoon population as a result of habitat fragmentation. To save a species, we must address all of the challenges. The effort, creative thinking and dedication to our wildlife fills me with hope. Despite all the things going wrong with conservation on a bigger scale, these stories are so impactful and clearly state that we can and will affect change if we just act even in small ways.

I am driven to make a difference with the films I produce. Documentary film is a powerful tool that helps change hearts and minds—even for species or issues for which are foreign to many people. This species is a particular challenge because of the stigma in its name: it isn’t ‘just a rat’ and I hope this piece sheds some light on the importance of all wildlife, despite the name we have assigned them.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I started documenting field work with woodrats—actually translocations—in August of 2020. So, shooting took place over five years with the bulk of it taking place in 2024. I began editing full time in late summer 2024, and tried to do re-shoots and all the interviews in early 2025. Altogether the editing process took 18 solid months.

I am one person and do all of the things: from research to writing, shooting and editing, it’s a monumental task of dedication.

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ACT 1 - DISCIPLE: EPISODE I OF THE HARMONY SAGA, 26min., USA

Directed by Brad Reinhold

The first act, reinterpreted by the director, of the award winning feature film Saga screenplays. Disciple; Episode I of the Harmony Saga is set 80,000 years after the disappearance of Earth. A Galactic Church rules the galaxy, enforcing dogma. Freedom fighters seek liberation. Samantha Sacre, a disciple of the Church, encounters something that will change the course of history forever, and must reconcile what she has learned with how she was taught and raised. This is only the beginning, and, as Sam says, "The best is yet to come." This mythopoetic journey into the far future challenges us to look beyond the surface of our realm, through the lens of a future civilization, and ask, "what does it all mean?"

https://www.instagram.com/brad.reinhold

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Wukong Couriers, 15min., USA

Directed by Peter Gabriel Gagnon

An unwitting bicycle messenger is chosen as the mystical hero to save the city from an ancient horror.

www.instagram.com/wukong_couriers

Hannah Ehman chats with actor Kage Yami on the making of the award-winning film. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kageyami11/

Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/

Watch Hannah’s commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman

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A broken home, a broken mind. Will love overcome the difficulties Alyssa and Richard face?

Conversation with the Film Team of the Horror Film “TRIpolar”

Director Rogelio Robles, Actor Paul Fisher, DP Matthew Miller

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Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6Xi_bkTbE

When a troubled teen’s wish to make everyone disappear comes true, she risks losing them permanently and must rely on an unlikely ally to save her town – the school bully.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

It’s about a teenage girl who gets bullied at school and is in a very dark place at the beginning of the story. She gets in a fight with her mother and in the heat of the moment, she wishes everyone would disappear. Little does she know that her wish instantly becomes true. She has to navigate through her new world and come to terms with herself and the other people in her life before she can move on.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

coming of age, fantasy, drama

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I think a lot of young people can relate to the feelings of isolationism, grief, and trauma early in life that this movie presents. The lead character also deals with a lot of loneliness. Sometimes that loneliness is desired and wanted and sometimes it makes her wish for someone to be with her. It shows that our feelings are changing on a daily basis and don’t evolve in a neat linear pattern. I think ultimately what this movie expresses is that having these feelings is normal and takes time to sort out. Hope is around the corner even in our darkest hour.

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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6h3AqETajg

Inspired by the Great Fire of Chicago 1871 following the investigation of Mrs O’Leary, a woman the newspapers blamed for starting the fire that spread all the way to Lincoln Park.

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

My screenplay is about Catherine O’Leary, the Irish milkmaid unjustly accused of starting Chicago’s “Great Fire” of 1871. As she fights to clear her name, she discovers the true culprit of the fire and faces an agonizing choice.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Historical fiction; thriller.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

“Mrs. O’Leary” should be made into a movie because it’s about a 19th-century “cancel culture” that 21st-century audiences would recognize. The story transcends region and period. “Mrs. O’Leary” is set 155 years ago, and yet the Chicago world of 1871 isn’t so diffrent from our own — a world where vulnerable people are “othered” due to their homeland or accent and where they can wither under stronger forces that are determined to cast blame for a social problem.

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Melbourne Hopak is part of the Lehenda Film series. The origins of Lehenda’s film series can be traced back to the global Covid-19 lockdowns—a time when theatres were dark, stages silent, and traditional forms of cultural expression temporarily out of reach. Faced with the absence of live performance, we turned to film as a new medium to preserve and express our identity as Australian Ukrainians.

What motivated you to make this film?

The idea for the Lehenda film series was born in during the Covid-19 lockdowns—a time when theatres were dark, stages silent, and our traditional forms of cultural expression temporarily out of reach. Being based in Melbourne, which was said to be the most locked down city in the world we turned to film as a new medium to preserve and express our identity as Australian Ukrainians.

Our first project emerged from the golden wheat fields of Avoca, Victoria—a quiet yet powerful setting that echoed our connection to land, heritage, and memory. What began as a necessity quickly evolved into something much deeper: a cinematic exploration of who we are, and what it means to carry Ukrainian culture in an Australian landscape.

Moved by the response to that initial work, we expanded our vision. We chose to reimagine Hopak, Ukraine’s most iconic and spirited dance, within the urban heart of Melbourne. This contrast between the rural and the metropolitan, between tradition and reinterpretation, became the cornerstone of our approach.

These films are not just documents of performance—they are cultural artefacts. They preserve memory, convey identity, and explore the dualities that shape our diasporic experience.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

We revisited the idea when we were in a bit of a creative slump earlier this year (2025) and we filmed it in late June. A lot of the pre work we had done in 2021 when we tried to film it, but the COVID restrictions still didn’t allow us too. We ended up starting with a rural piece which was achievable at the time, and we picked up where we left off with this film in April this year.

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Temporal Takedown, 8min., Norway
Directed by Martin Sofiedal
A woman with mysterious time freezing powers infiltrate a dirty car workshop in hopes of gaining information about a nefarious gangster. The mechanics are not compliant to her request and an epic and time-bending fight ensues.

https://www.instagram.com/directorsofiedal/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I love action, especially close quarter hand to hand action (The Raid-films are a big influence). I want to do a proper action film in that vein, but prior to this short film I had only dabbled in action set-pieces. I wanted to challenge myself and really spend alot of time to do a really proper action set-piece. It is always easy to say you want to do a an action film, but if you don’t have any experience with it it is harder to sell yourself as an action-director. So I wanted to do this short film as a sort of proof-of-ability in a sense, mostly proving to myself that I am able to do it. If I succeeded is another story, I will have to let the audience decide that part

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

From inception to finished film it took roughly two years, but it must said that this was a major side project for everyone involved, so we had to work on the film whenever everyone had time. Had it been a fully financed film I imagine the time would be significantly shorter.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Temporally kickass

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Scheduling. When you do a film like this, with big ambitions but basically no budget, you have to rely on peoples time, which is challenging when you work with talented and busy people, both in front and behind the camera

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was really fun, it is always great to hear people respond positively to your work, and here you get to hear specific things people respond to. A compliment is always nice, but a specific and analytical compliment is even better. You feel even more seen that way, since you put some much time and effort in details whenever you make a film, and to hear people see those details and explain how it made the film experience greater because of them is really lovely.

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Conversation with the co-writer/co-director and star of the award-winning short film MEMORIA OBSCURA. Connor takes a deep dive as his experiences working as an actor in Los Angeles and auditioning for roles, and how he collaborated with co-director David Christopher Nelson on this film.

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Memoria Obscura, 5min., USA
Directed by David Christopher Nelson, Connor Ryan
In a world where memory erasure is a legitimate industry, the underground black market known as Memoria Obscura serves as a hub for stolen and repurposed memories.

Get to know Connor Ryan

What motivated you to make this film?

My motivation comes from multiple aspects. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with Dave, which was a major reason. Beyond that, I want to create films I believe are currently missing in the industry and bring back the 80s–90s cinema I grew up with.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

About a year and a half.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Connor: Bad Ass

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Connor: The biggest challenge was the final scene. Dave and I spent months refining it to get the look and ending just right. Once Dave composited the background, everything clicked, and we successfully landed the ending.

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Nothing Sticks, 1min., Netherlands
Directed by Roze Elisa, Kuba Szutkowski

What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make something funny that we can all relate to – awkward dates and missed opportunities. I signed up for a 1-min film challenge, got selected and developed the awkward dance between the two along the way.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to
make this film?

About 2 months. The actual sourcing a crew, filming, editing and making it ready only took a month.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Missed opportunity

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Getting the perfect crew in the timeline we had: a month. I wanted this to be as good as it could be, and we all know that the crew makes the movie. I ended up with incredible people, and I am very grateful.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?

So fun!! Really glad to hear the words “relatable” and “funny”. That was actually what we wanted and seeing that people can relate is a blessing and a curse (we all want you to have good dates!).

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Come the Nightfall, 23min,. USA
Directed by Tom Michaels
A wealthy licentious offers a lift to a beautiful femme fatale in the middle of a deserted road with a shocking aftermath.

http://www.orzelfilms.com/

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My project, “Pieces of Me”, is a self-reflection of my emotional journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance. There are always moments in life where we feel confident we can complete something, but then encounter an obstacle and feel self-doubt. Eventually, we accept the weaknesses in ourselves, overcome the obstacle and gain confidence again.

What motivated you to make this film?
Coming from a medical background, it took a tremendous amount of effort to transition into the design and animation field. There were many moments when I struggled to keep up with other artists and questioned
whether I belonged in this industry. That emotional vulnerability during periods of transition is what inspired the film. It became a way for me to express how self-identity can shift, break, and ultimately reform through
personal experiences—showing that every struggle contributed to shaping me into the stronger person I am today.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Took me quite some time! I illustrated and animated the textures, and this part of the process required the most effort. Overall, the film took about three months to complete.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I guess the biggest challenge was figuring out the transitions. I designed each frame individually based on the script, so connecting them in a way that felt coherent and emotionally fluid was difficult. I ran into
several technical hurdles when animating, which added to the complexity.

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Film Synopsis: After serving time in prison for a crime that shattered her family, a mother returns to reconnect with her estranged daughter for the first time in fifteen years, only to realize that her daughter is on the verge of moving overseas to start her own family.

Project Links

•  Instagram

1. What motivated you to make this film?

It initially started with me, wanting to challenge myself to craft a short film with emotional depth and compelling characters. As a director, I am always interested in exploring relationships on-screen in unconventional settings. I also had almost nothing to show for my work before that other than a short 3-minute scene I directed during COVID, so I was eager to prove myself. After brainstorming, I became interested in exploring the theme of forgiveness and the relationship between a mother and a daughter. As the script developed, I felt a deep connection to the story, and that further pushed me to make the film.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The screenplay itself took me almost 10 months to write and re-write. The pre-production and production were about 6 months due to so many scheduling conflicts, and post-production for about 6 months. So almost two years! 

NAFKOT - YEARNING, 70min., Israel, Documentary
Directed by Malka Shabtay
An Israeli Anthropologist traveling throughout Amazonia to meet the descendants of the Moroccan Jews who immigrated to this region since 1810. Together they are sharing their unique story of resilience and persistence in this special part of the world, as well as their daily lives and their deep feelings towards their Jewish origins, which sometimes still exist only in their hearts.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I worked with the community two years before we did the film. i did my research to understand their story..and after two years they were ready to share their story with the world.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Since we started the shooting until completing it took very intensive two years.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Life mission

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle is to do a film with a hidden community, oppressed and full of fear. to get their trust and collaboration and belief that the film will help in their struggle.

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