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.
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.
Total length of the screening 81 min. In original language with Czech and English subtitles.
The screening was supported by the City of Prague and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
