Day 2 of the Portland Horror Film Festival had a smaller lineup of short films. Yet these shorts still delivered a range of memorable tales of horror. The festival always ensures each short film block has a mix of everything to please audiences. From traditional scares, creepy laughs, and even the most nightmarish of awkward social gatherings, this grouping has some truly memorable stories to tell. One thing is for sure, PHFF never fails to entertain film fans and horror lovers alike.

DADDY (Bumper) – Written and Directed by Simeon Gregory

This bumper short might be just one minute long, but it’s certainly a memorable viewing experience. It depicts a father walking outside with his young son, but a sinister supernatural force threatens to ruin a perfect day. Right away audiences will be struck by the short film being entirely shot from the father’s POV. It adds to the sense of danger, as it feels like the viewer is experiencing everything first hand. The brief story evokes fairy tales of changelings, which is helped by the fantastically creepy performance from young Asher Gregory. Overall Rating: 4/5

A SEAT AT THE TABLE – Written and Directed by Lanese Love

This single-location horror short depicts a lone person forced to complete a series of gruesome tasks by two mysterious figures. A Seat at the Table has some truly unsettling imagery with no real dialogue. It relies on the visuals to tell the story. In some ways it works quite well, creating a short film that is disturbing and intriguing. At the same time, the story leaves something to be desired. It throws audiences into the thick of the unknown with little to no context, which will undoubtedly lead to some confusion and unanswered questions. That being said, many will surely be curious to see the story expanded upon to better understand the bizarre horrors. Overall Rating: 2.5/5

THE RED STONE (LA PIEDRA ROJA) – Written and Directed by Jaime Jasso

I’m a sucker for archaeological horror, so this Mexican short film was right up my alley. Taking place in the early 1900’s during a time of political turmoil, an archaeologist unboxes a recent discovery only to unleash nightmares trapped within. Right away, a standout element of this short is the visuals. The set alone leaves quite an impression. The inside of the archaeologist’s home looks like you’ve stepped inside a high-end, gothic haunted house attraction with gorgeous lighting, giving everything an ominous feel. At times the CGI appears a bit cheesy, but the horrors are still striking. It’s a creepy tale with great performances audiences will love. Overall Rating: 3.5/5

LOVE AND THE ALL NIGHT HORROR SHOW – Written and Directed by Gregory Derasmo

What starts out as a romantic dramedy montage quickly turns sinister when a man looking for love goes on a date with a maniac. This is quite a quirky short that shifts from a fairly cheesy story of loss and dating to a gory nightmare. Adding to the absurd feeling for the short is the editing and interesting choice of music. It allows for some fun before the terror really begins. The practical effects are great, the performances are surprisingly endearing, and there is a clever nod to The Shining horror fans will love. The killer might be problematic, but it’s easier to accept considering the almost entirely queer cast of characters. Overall Rating: 3/5

LUMBERJACK – Written and Directed by Colin Stryker

Filmed in the Pacific Northwest, Lumberjack follows a couple trying to keep the romance alive on an overnight romp through the woods. While there, they encounter a menacing lumberjack looking to chop more than trees. There are two things that make this short film incredibly enjoyable. First, the two main characters feel fully developed and relatable. Second, Stryker uses subtle imagery to build up the suspense. Through brilliant lighting, the audience will catch glimpses of the sinister lumberjack long before the couple notices him. It all leads to a finale that is both absurdly funny and downright creepy. With a compelling story and a big finish, this is a short film horror fans will love. Overall Rating: 4/5

SHE DEVIL – Written by Allie Perison & Matt Almquist, Directed by Allie Perison

Social gatherings and meeting people for the first time can already be uncomfortable, but She Devil takes it to a new level. When a young woman meets her girlfriend’s new group of friends, who refer to themselves as the “femmes,” the night takes a dark, cult-like turn. This short is girly, powerful, and completely demented. It shows the more sinister side of the girl boss mentality and just how easily one strong-willed leader can influence everyone in their friend group. The lead being more on the “butch” side emphasizes the hyper-femininity of the gathering, making it feel dangerous. Bringing the story to life is stunning lighting that plays a part in the storytelling, plus wonderful performances from Paula Andrea Placido (Shameless), Taylor Owen (Veep), and Phoebe Voss. Overall Rating: 4.5/5

BABUSHKA – Written and Directed by Jon James Smith

One of the longer short films at the festival, Babushka tells the story of evil nesting dolls that appear and lead to horrific events. This was one of the more horrifying tales shown at PHFF. It incorporates themes of generational trauma and domestic violence with a supernatural twist. The plot keeps much of the truth a mystery, but leaves enough clues for the audience to understand what unfolds. Not only is the story completely captivating, but the visuals add to the horrors. This includes subtle imagery hidden in the background, horrific makeup design, and cute yet creepily painted nesting dolls. It works very well as a short, but audiences will likely hope to see this story expanded into a feature length film. Overall Rating: 4.5/5

SHE STAYS (ELLA SE QUEDA) (Preceding Short) – Written and Directed by Marinthia Gutiérrez

This short film from Mexico was shot entirely on film. It follows a young woman on a night out as she faces a life-changing decision. There’s something about this short that feels as though it’s from a different time, filled with surrealistic elements. While it starts out in black and white, the short switches to color once the horror ramps up. There isn’t necessarily a lot of plot, but the visuals and the vibes this filmmaker has created bring up thoughts of sisterhood and taking a bite out of the patriarchy. One thing is for sure, Gutiérrez is at the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a fascinating film career. Overall Rating: 4/5