While the Saturday evening block of short films at Portland Horror Film Festival 2026 wasn’t the last block of the fest, it was the last block that I screened. These five short horror films are very different from each other, making for an interesting block. Not to mention, this block had some of the most haunting, hilarious, and memorable stories to tell. This grouping is just further proof that the PHFF team really stepped it up this year to give audiences some of the best short films in the seven years I’ve been covering the festival.

MY SEVERED ARM – Written and Directed by Casey de Fremery

A woman trying to escape a deranged killer has her progress halted by dreaded YouTube ads. This was such a hilarious, clever twist on a classic summer slasher. The audience watches the final girl run into an abandoned cabin in the woods. To try and save herself, she pulls up YouTube tutorial videos, but between the ads and the paid sponsorships within the videos, it takes forever to view anything helpful. Not only is the premise funny to watch, it’s also a very modern issue that most viewers will relate to. The filmmaker was clever with how the videos and ads were shown, often having them appear in the cabin environment and, to a certain degree, interacting with the “real world.” The gimmick is perfect for a short film format, allowing for the joke to be taken right to the edge of being too repetitive. It adds a bit of visual interest, along with some killer practical effects to deliver the gore. Overall Rating: 4/5

INTO THE STAND – Written by Mackenzie Hamilton, Directed by Mackenzie Hamilton and Taylor Fuchs

A woman partying with her friends in the woods encounters a strange light while walking on the trail alone in the dark. Of all the short films shown at PHFF 2026, Into the Stand was the only one to genuinely scare me. It has a fairly simple setup with 20-something year olds camping and drinking together, but once the woman is alone in the woods, things take a turn. The filmmakers used a very eye-catching trick with a flashlight, placing the focus on certain points in the darkness while only giving small glimpses of the real horror. While, by the end of the film, it’s fairly clear what lurks behind the light, there is still enough mystery that leaves room to expand the plot into a feature-length film. It’s smart, terrifying, and sure to send chills down the spine. Overall Rating: 5/5

DANCE! – Written and Directed by Poorya Dehghan

This Iranian short film is so important and I’m thrilled it was included in the PHFF. It follows an Israeli soldier patrolling a destroyed, abandoned home in Gaza still filled with the spirits of the former inhabitants. With what’s happening in Gaza, it’s vital that stories like this are being told. Horror has a history of being a tool to work through real-world terror and Dance! continues that tradition. Not only is it a fascinating story with a satisfying end, it’s also beautifully made. The production design is especially impressive. The house in which most of the short film takes place is dirty, crumbling, and derelict. Everything even has a slight grey monotone to it, highlighting how all the love and warmth has left what was once a happy home. There are also some subtle yet well-done makeup effects to bring the ghostly family to life. Whether you’re a horror fan or not, this is a short film everyone should watch. Overall Rating: 5/5

CAT AND MOUSE – Written and Directed by Brady Cates

Trapped in a bowling alley, a young woman must outwit a dangerous masked killer. What makes this short horror film a standout is how it takes a classic slasher story and turns it into something completely different. The setup is fairly straightforward, but there are clues along the way all is not as it seems. It makes the shift in the plot fascinating, but it also might leave the audience with lingering questions. Because the short is only 12 minutes long, there isn’t a lot of time to answer all the questions, but hopefully Cates has the answers ready and will eventually reveal all in a longer format for the story. Halima Kamara makes for a fantastic final girl, showing both vulnerability and a commanding strength. Visually, the short is stunning. The bowling alley is a fun, classic throwback location and there is striking neon lighting used throughout. Overall Rating: 4/5

NURTURE – Written and Directed by Nick Snyder

In a rural Oregon farm, a couple tries to heal with the help of a mysterious flower after a miscarriage. This short is beautifully made. Broken into chapters, it tells the story of this couple without a single word of dialogue. Instead, the performances and certain images put together all the context clues to help the audience understand what happened to the couple and how they’re trying to heal. The visuals are striking. Not only is the farmhouse location in a remote part of Oregon gorgeous, but the film keeps the color saturation low until it shows the mysterious healing flower. The flower is a vibrant red, making sure it stands out in every scene. From start to finish the tale of these two people is heartbreaking, and the performances from both Travis Bilenski and Kailey Rhodes (Breakup Season) adds so much emotion to the short film, even without any words being spoken. It’s a haunting viewing experience with a final shot that will stick with audiences. Overall Rating: 4/5