MONSTER CABARET 2026
Prague
It’s best not to turn up hungry to some dinners – especially when your date brings home a wounded monster instead of flowers. This year’s Monster Cabaret, the traditional Halloween selection of short horror films, opens the door to a world of family curses, supernatural forces, black humour and bizarre creatures, where even caring for the dying can be dangerous and not even Scottish bagpipes can offer salvation. This genre-diverse collection serves as a reminder that a proper dose of cinematic horror doesn’t require a feature-length film – sometimes all it takes is a few minutes, a splash of blood and plenty of imagination.
HUELLA (USA)
Director: Gabriela Ortega | Producers: Helena Sardinha, Rafael Thomaseto |
Star: Shakira Barrera, Denise Blasor, Carla Valentine |
Year: 2022 | Length: 14 min | Live Action |
When her grandmother's death unleashes a generational curse, a disenchanted flamenco dancer resigned to a desk job is forced to experience the five stages of grief through a visit from her female ancestors, pushing her to finally break the cycle.
THE LONE PIPER (USA)
Director: Matthew Kravchuk | Producer: Amanda Jabes |
Star: Amanda Bearmedicine, Max Macdonald, Matthew Woods |
Year: 2025 | Length: 9 min | Live Action |
In the midst of the French and Indian War, a company of hardened soldiers force their young bagpipe player into battle, only to discover that their enemy is not what they expected.
FULL MOON (USA)
Director: Thom Newell | Producers: Evan Dickson, William Day Frank, Jenny Lynn Newell, Trent Bruce, Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett |
Star: Courtney Bandeko, Sam Huntington |
Year: 2025 | Length: 9 min | Live Action |
When Francis is beckoned to a glory hole in a dank gas station bathroom, he gets more than he bargained for. Perhaps he should have realized it was a Full Moon!
STEAK DINNER (USA)
Director: Nathan Ginter | Producer: Will Noyce |
Star: Ruby Cruz, Lucy Idella |
Year: 2025 | Length: 8 min | Live Action |
Casey's attempted surprise dinner date gets derailed when Taylor, her girlfriend, reveals she has brought home a strange, wounded creature she intends to nurse back to health.
A GOOD DEATH (USA)
Director: Kaz Ps | Producer: Philip Berger |
Star: Tracie Thoms, Jenny O'Hara, Stefanie Estes |
Year: 2025 | Length: 11 min | Live Action |
When Amalia, a devoted death doula, arrives at the home of her new clients, she immediately begins to feel that something is very wrong.
LAST CHANCE (USA)
Director: Anthony Fanelli | Producers: Gina Comparetto, Lyndsi LaRose, Anthony Fanelli |
Star: Lyndsi LaRose, Gina Comparetto, Martha Prosper |
Year: 2022 | Length: 23 min | Live Action |
Set in Los Angeles in 1987, three girlfriends determined to have a wild weekend run out of booze and decide to break into their neighbor's house, quickly realizing they might be in over their heads - Starring Lyndsi LaRose, Gina Comparetto, Martha Prosper, and Billy Flynn.
THE CRADLE (USA)
Director: William Day Frank | Producer: Andrew S. Choi |
Star: Kat Foster, Bevin Bru |
Year: 2026 | Length: 11 min | Live Action |
Psychological horror film inspired by centuries-old European mythology. It tells the story of a distressed pregnant woman and the unlikeliest of spiritual guides: a modern-day witch who uses a "cradle" device to explore the interior consciousness of her subjects. But the process isn't always reassuring -- or safe. And the protagonist soon finds herself thrust into a surreal, nightmarish landscape where she struggles to gain inner clarity.
ZIP (CANADA)
Director: Ava Maria Safai | Producers: Christopher Alexander Cook, Brook James, Mandana Mehrghorbani, Ava Maria Safai, Caylee Watrin |
Star: Gelareh Ghodrati, Ashkan Nejati, Gus Tayari |
Year: 2023 | Length: 14 min | Live Action |
On her 16th birthday, singer-songwriter Melody awakens with a zipper sewn to her mouth. A story about the voiceless, who must fight to be heard.
Total length of the screening 95 min. In original language with Czech and English subtitles.
