10. MYSTERY BOX (Co-Written and Directed by Sonny Laguna)

Sonny Laguna’s “Mystery Box” is a 10-minute Lovecraftian inspired Horror film that centers around just that – a mystery box. After a day of fishing, all Moa (Lisa Henni) has to show for it is a mysterious metal box – which she places inside the shed and thinks nothing more of. She quickly discovers that getting rid of the box won’t be so easy, though opening it could prove to be much worse. Laguna shows improvement here in just about every facet. Utilizing cool aerial shots, nice panning, and a series of quick cuts. The music is atmospheric and the contents of the box serve as a great way for Sonny to show off the quality fx work produced by his production company Stockholm Syndrome Films.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8611502/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

9. POST MORTEM MARY (Written and Directed by Joshua Long)

“Post Mortem Mary” is a homegrown 10-minute Horror/Drama short by Joshua Long. It’s an 1840’s period piece that follows a mother and daughter (played by Melanie Zanetti and Stella Charrington) in their post-mortem photography business. The latest job sees them called to a rural farmhouse where the torch changes hands (so to speak) and a heedful Mary is left with the task of making the dead look alive. This is such a unique concept based around real businesses that did this kind of work all through the 19th century. The film boasts stunning cinematography from Ben Notts (Predestination and Daybreakers), sharp foley, and a score reminiscent of “The Witch”, compliments of Jesse Thomas. It’s great to see Zanetti back after her work on last years “Creeper”. Special mention goes to Kathryn Marquet for her emotional display in the opening of the short.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7633674/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

8. GOTAS (Written by Santiago Taboada and Directed by Sergio Morcillo)

“Gotas” is a 15 minute Spanish made Horror/Thriller, Directed by Sergio Morcillo. It’s “Suspiria” meets “Black Swan” when teenage ballet student Marta (Marina Romero),  reeling from the loss of her parents, begins experiencing bouts of internal pain. By the end of the night, the cause behind it is ultimately revealed. Daniel Borbujo’s stylish cinematography is heavy on the reds, Jesus Calderon’s score builds to frenetic bass and strings, and the makeup fx are impressive. It’s ultimately a deconstruction of the human psyche and it’s very well done.

(https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7583810/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

 

7. HANG UP! (Written and Directed by Richard Powell)

“Hang Up!” is the latest from the boys at Fatal Pictures – A production company consisting of Powell and longtime partner, Zach Green. These guys have become synonymous with thought-provoking genre filmmaking – namely of the horror persuasion. Hang Up is Powell’s 14-minute venture into more Drama/Thriller terrain, combining with underrated character actor Robert Nolan (in a more reactive based performance) for a really dark and unfiltered conversation. This one is all about the script and Powell’s writing, as an accidental butt dial leads to a husband finding out all the deep and dark secrets his wife has been keeping from him. Astrida Auza is left to carry the bulk of this one, doing so impressively with all of her delivery taking place off-screen. It’s simple but effectively shot, subtly scored, and a real eye-opener around the notion of truly knowing someone.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8630348/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_1

 

6. THE SERMON (Written and Directed by Dean Puckett)

“The Sermon” is a 12 minute English-made Drama/Thriller shot on 35mm, Written/Directed by Dean Puckett. It’s set in an isolated church community where a young woman named Ella (Molly Casey) is dealing with an identity crisis and a tragic set of circumstances. The problem is that her tyrannical priest father (Grant Gillespie), and her brother John (played by Oliver Monaghan) have their own set agenda which puts the tight-knit family on a collision course. The presentation is what I loved most about The Sermon. It looks and sounds fantastic, with a very 70’s aesthetic despite seemingly taking place at some point in the 1800s. The orchestral musicianship is superb, the acting is top-notch, and the externalized representation of having the “devil inside you” makes for a great climax.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7906240/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

5. SOCKMONSTER (Written and Directed by Wesley Alley)

Wesley Alley’s ridiculously entertaining Horror short “SockMonster” is by far and away the most micro of the films on this year’s Top 10 list – clocking in at just 4 minutes. Technically the film came in at the very back-end of 2017 but I didn’t watch and review it until the beginning of this year, so it’s making the list. Anne (played by Step Up alumni Briana Evigan) is dealing with her grief by sitting on the floor of her laundry sipping away on a bottle and contemplating her own life. The cycle of washing concludes but she has no idea what awaits her on the other side of the door. The camera work is interesting, Briana plays it perfectly, Rob Reider’s mostly somber piano score is fitting, and the closing moments are truly shocking and fantastic. You’ll never look at your washing quite the same again!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6963860/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

4. WE SUMMONED A DEMON (Written and Directed by Chris McInroy)

“We Summoned A Demon” is a 6-minute Horror/Comedy short that comes courtesy of Chris McInroy. In similar over the top fashion to that of McInroy’s previous outings in “Death Metal” and “Bad Guy #2”, WSAD ensures that chaos ensues when two friends (played by Kirk C. Johnson and Carlos Larotta) summon a demon with the hopes of bartering for “cool points”. It’s well shot, the score is quirky, and the performances are a lot of fun. It all rests on the physical comedy which resonates firmly, and the special fx work is impressive for both the demon design and the copious amounts of blood splatter.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7285002/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

3. CATCALLS (Written and Directed by Kate Donlan) 

“Catcalls” is an 8-minute Horror/Thriller short from Ireland, Written and Directed by Kate Donlan. A man (played by Martin O’Sullivan) trolls the streets late one night looking to get a cheap thrill and decides to flash a couple of young women. It turns out to be a huge mistake, as he finds himself being hunted by someone or something. Piers McGrail’s gorgeous cinematography had me on board from the outset, with plenty of diverse techniques on display in the short run time. There’s nerve-jangling tension generated through Steve Lynch’s rising score, and the combination of practical and digital fx work makes for a wonderful conclusion.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7921128/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

2. ROUND TRIP (Written and Directed by Ren Thackham)

“Round Trip” is yet another homegrown short that truly impressed this year. It’s a 6-minute Action/Crime/Comedy set in the rural outback. The story revolves around a young Constable (played by Danny Bolt) and his unpredictable prisoner, Ned (Lee Priest). The pair gets lost on a lonely stretch of dirt road and they begin to experience something quite mysterious. Thackham’s narrative is superb and it’s begging to be further explored. Each of the performances is impressive, the cinematography is fantastic, and the edit is tight. One highlight is a wonderfully conceived car stunt, add to that the unpredictable direction Round Trip takes and you’ve got a truly memorable journey that you’ll want to take again and again.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7862806/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

 

1. HERE THERE BE MONSTERS (Written and Directed by Drew Macdonald)

Drew Macdonald backs up winning last years best short film (for Creeper) this time with the 14-minute Horror/Thriller short, “Here There Be Monsters”. Here There Be Monsters is another extraordinary Australian film about a tormented school girl named, Elki (played by Savannah Foran McDaniel), who falls asleep on a bus ride home and awakens to find herself fighting for survival against something that lurks in the shadows. Every aspect of Macdonald’s films is exceptionally polished. The shot choices help build the tension, the score and sound design are intense, and Steve Boyle’s creature design is as good as anything you’ll see in Hollywood. Topping it all off is young Savannah McDaniel’s performance. Here There Be Monsters is a thrill ride from start to finish and although any number of these shorts could challenge for number one, Drew’s remains the best film I saw in 2018.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8192236/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

AWARDS

Best Actor- Kirk C. Johnson (We Summoned A Demon)

Best Actress- Savannah McDaniel (Here There Be Monsters)

Best Supporting Actor- Lee Priest (Round Trip)

Best Supporting Actress- Kathryn Marquet (Post Mortem Mary)

Cinematography- Susan Lumsdon (Round Trip)

Sound Design- Erin McKimm (Here There Be Monsters)

Original Score- Benjamin Hudson (The Sermon)

Special FX-  Steve Boyle (Here There Be Monsters)