Shorts Program 10: Folk Horror
Sunday 11th February / 13:00 / City Kino Wedding & Online
Shorts Program 11: Folk Horror (83 mins)
Many of the folk legends and tales in this international block have endured for so long because they’re compelling and scary as hell. You’ll find supernatural masks, malevolent demons, and plenty of subversive “good for her“ moments here.
Content warning: animal abuse, domesic abuse
Nian (6:27)
Written and directed by Michelle Krusiec, US, 2023 | German Premiere | Available online
A Chinese American girl stands up to her racist bully armed with a Chinese demon mask and the help of the Nian, a mythological creature said to eat rotten children.
The Pencil (10:24)
Directed by Thomas Calvin Schultz, Written by Madina Baimakhanova & Thomas Calbin Schutz, Kazakhstan, 2023 | European Premiere | Available online
Sara, a struggling artist who discovers a unique pencil that can solve all her problems. But her dreams turn into a nightmare when a malevolent demonic creature from Kazakh legends gets unleashed.
Mosquito Lady (13:20)
Directed by Kristine Gerolaga, US, 2023 | German Premiere | Available online
Gemma, a sheltered Filipina American teenager, has been hiding her pregnancy for far too long. As abortion restrictions make it impossible for her to get help without telling her parents, she turns to a dangerous solution. Gemma seeks out a manananggal, a fetus-eating creature from Filipino folklore, to make a deal, but their encounter doesn’t go as planned.
Days of Spring (11:13)
Written and directed by Arianne Hinz, The Netherlands, 2023 | German Premiere
11-year-old Roos invites best friend Ella to join her enigmatic group of friends in their mysterious games. But there is a catch. As the stakes get higher, Roos must ask herself whether she can accept the group’s increasingly disturbing demands. The chilling short film Days of Spring looks at the price of conforming and the sacrifices of treading our own path.
Content warning: animal abuse
Heirlooms (16:59)
Directed by Devina Sofiyanti, Indonesia, 2023 | German Premiere | Available online
A woman tries to escape from a wrapped ghost, Pocong, by hiding in a man’s house. Later, she realizes that man is scarier than the Pocong itself.
Content warning: domestic abuse
Valley of Souls (15:00)
Directed by Edileuza Penha de Souza & Santiago Dellape, Brazil, 2023 | German Premiere | Available online
A Black family tries to defend their land against invaders but gets caught between a mischievous witch and a tortured spirit eager for revenge.
A Dire Strait (21:26)
Written and directed by Liang-Chun Lin, Taiwan/US, 2023 | International Premiere | Available online
When postpartum care becomes torture for the Taiwanese mother, Demi realizes she needs to escape the family.