My head is still spinning from Panic Fest 2026, much like Regan in The Exorcist (minus the possession). And I’m far from done! What impressed me the most was the talent of writers and directors making short films. From concepts to execution, the filmmakers are undoubtedly ones to watch. The new wave of horror tastemakers promises some of the most gripping and exhilaratingly terrifying stories making festival rounds this year.
In the first volume of short films, you’ll find sci-fi, crime/thriller, body horror, and everything else in between. Keep these on your radar!
Obey
Directed by Jordan Wippell
Filmmaker Jordan Wippell takes direct aim at pet influencers with Obey. Mom2theMax (Paige Phillips) has built an insanely loyal following by inviting viewers into the life of Max (OpieQ), her dog. A popular TikTok trend is teaching dogs how to use reply buttons—to beg for food, treats, walks, and the like. When a tragic accident results in Max’s death, things quickly turn sinister, and a dark entity demands an apology for needless exploitation. Mom2theMax learns a hard lesson about the innocence of animals and how we, as a culture, have no problem using pets for monetary gain. Obey is dark, twisted, and hilarious (that BITCH! button will live in your head, rent-free).
The Scene
Directed by Daniel Meyers
The Scene is not what you think. Daniel Meyers twists the bones and bends the back (thanks, Hocus Pocus!), metaphorically speaking. When a detective is brutally murdered, his partner (Galway McCullough) launches into a full-scale investigation and returns to the crime scene, combing every inch of the home, just in case any clues present themselves. But the longer he stays, the more the truth slowly reveals itself. The Scene keeps its cards close to the vest, and thank goodness, the finale is to die for. Blending commentary on influencers, exploiting tragedy, and corruption by those in power, Meyers’ new short is thought-provoking and relentless.
Halfway Haunted
Directed by Sam Rudykoff
Billed as Beetlejuice for the housing crisis, Sam Rudykoff’s Halfway Haunted is a hoot and a half. Jessica (Hannan Younis) is fully on the struggle bus these days. Crushing debt and an exponentially rising cost of living aren’t her only problems. A ghost (Kristian Bruun) sets up shop in her basement and likes to cause chaos around the house out of sheer boredom. Real estate agent Stephanie (Sugar Lyn Beard) breathes down her neck, letting her know that in two months, the house will be demolished and a new, slick apartment complex built in its place. Something has got to give, and when the ghost offers a solution, all their problems could just go away. Halfway Haunted feels ripped from the classic horror/comedies of the ’80s and ’90s, with a charm all its own.
Lady Puritan
Directed by Justin Streichman and Gustine Füdickar
To say Lady Puritan is experimental is a severe understatement. Justin Streichman and Gustine Füdickar bend space and reality through the eyes of a young woman haunted by her Puritan ancestor. Her psychological decay spills out into the camera lens, fully immersing the viewer into the vat of disturbing ooze. Lady Puritan weighs itself down with a tremendous emotional foundation and begs the question: are we responsible for the sins of our ancestors? A sticky visual heightens the woman’s collapse and leads to some of the wildest and most ambitious imagery of 2026.
Cockroach
Directed by Paolo Mancini and Daniel Watchorn
With a title like Cockroach, you expect a creepy-crawlie creature-feature—and writer/directors Paolo Mancini and Daniel Watchorn deliver all the goopy nastiness you could desire. Beth (Jenny Raven) and Sergio (Mikey Lipka) want a child more than anything. When their baby steps into the world, parenthood is all they could have wanted. Well, except for the postpartum depression, anxieties, and sleepless nights. Beth and Sergio’s mental state crumbles before their eyes, but new parenthood isn’t the only thing they must fight. Within the walls of their apartment, an intrusion of cockroaches proliferates until the cement and plaster can no longer contain it. Cockroach delights in the icky stickiness of birth and the monstrous exoskeleton that harbors something truly sinister.
Bloodbuzz
Directed by Daisy Bata
Biases exist in the world as flawed characteristics that force us to question perceptions and expectations. In Daisy Bata’s Bloodbuzz (no, it’s not a slasher), a young woman believes that body-snatching mosquitoes are taking over the world. She lands on the doorstep of an older man, who remains cautious even though what she says seems to be plausible. Her step-brother shows up and claims she’s a conspiracy theorist (think 4chan or Reddit), throwing a wrench into what we, as the audience, should believe. Bloodbuzz contains twists, turns, and delightful practical effects.
Ekelbrode
Directed by Benjamin Pierson
A one-location horror/thriller, Ekelbrode leans into a character-driven narrative that’s so tense, you’d need a searing-hot butcher’s knife to cut through it. We’re introduced to two characters, both on a wartime mission. Their morals stand at opposing ends of the spectrum. The audience is forced to confront their own beliefs about war, following orders, and ethical considerations. Pierson invites the viewer into a claustrophobic and moody setting that lingers on your skin. The atmosphere plays as just a vital piece to the greater puzzle, indicating that there’s far more at stake than even we know.
