Day four of the 2026 Portland Horror Film Festival had a huge selection of short films. For the first block of the day, Short Films Block 3, the focus was on women in horror. Each of the seven short horror films shown were directed by women. While the shorts created by women weren’t limited to this one block, it’s nice that the festival chose to have a section of their lineup dedicated to women creating compelling works of horror. While all of these shorts were directed by women, the themes and styles presented are varied and feature a host of different horror subgenres.

A GOOD DEATH – Written and Directed by Kaz PS

A death doula arrives to work at a home and soon suspects her clients have something more nefarious planned. Right away, the mansion this short was filmed in sets the tone. It’s beautiful and old, but the production design makes the space feel slightly off and unwelcoming. The cinematography and lighting help to create that growing sense of unease. Audiences are also sure to recognize Tracie Thoms (Death Proof) starring as the death doula, Amalia, and fall for her compelling performance. A Good Death excels at building tension as the actions of the dying mother and her adult daughter become more and more strange. While the end does much to reveal the truth of what’s happening, many viewers will likely be left with some unanswered questions. For a short horror film, the unknown can help lead to a feature film further exploring the mystery, but within the confines of the short film format the lingering questions can be frustrating. Overall Rating: 3.5/5

SIHUAHUET – Written and Directed by Melissa Lazo

During a civil war, a young soldier becomes obsessed with a local girl rumored to be dangerous. This Panamanian short film was done entirely in black and white, helping to transport the audience back in time while also giving it some visual grit. The entire film is from the perspective of the young soldier as he constantly longs for a strange local girl. When he finally decides to take what he wants, whether the girl wants it or not, he finds out why the locals warned him about her. The visual style makes the short stand out and it creates a bit of interesting lore. It’s the kind of rural folklore that would lead to a fascinating feature-length film. The completed short comes across as a cautionary tale for men; don’t lay hands on a woman like you own her because you might come across one who bites back. Overall Rating: 3.5/5

PREY FOR US – Written and Directed by Zoe Kerr

In a town haunted by the “Bronson Butcher,” a young woman at a house party makes a connection with a handsome stranger. Kerr did something really interesting with her short horror film, creating a poignant feminist work of art. The costuming and production design makes it look like the film takes place in the 70s and there is some vibrant saturation that makes the colors really pop in the gorgeous cinematography. Throughout the short, the main character narrates what’s happening. She discusses how easy men are and how simple it can be to win them over. She also brings up the violence women face, typically from men. As the plot has its big reveal, there’s a brilliant line talking about the violence against women that is something to the effect of, “I couldn’t accept it, so I became it.” It really packs a punch in those final moments and sends a message most women will relate to. Overall Rating: 4/5

PARALYSIS – Written and Directed by Leticia Buchanan

A woman experiences sleep paralysis and discovers a malevolent entity lurking in her room. Those who have experienced sleep paralysis know just how terrifying it can be. This short gives it a bit of a religious spin, showing the protagonist watching a preacher on TV before finally going to bed. A highlight of the short is the demonic figure, played by Lola Strange. Not only does Strange give a great physical performance, making the demon sinister and frightening, but the makeup done to turn her into a demon looks pretty great. There is one element, specifically when the character is experiencing sleep paralysis, which is difficult to tell if it’s a continuity error or a stylistic decision by the filmmaker. While this uncertainty can take away from the short, it still effectively conveys the horrors of sleep paralysis. Overall Rating: 3/5

SACRA LUNARIA – Written by Mey Montero and Almudena García, Directed by Mey Montero

This Spanish short horror film takes place in the 17th century. It follows a family of women living in the wilderness during the Inquisition, a time when innocent women were prosecuted, tortured, and murdered. Right away, the visuals of this short are absolutely breathtaking. The costume and set design help transport the audience back in time. The cinematography is truly stunning and there is an absolutely gorgeous light effect that I would love to know how they achieved. This is a very feminist story, showing the strong bonds between women in the face of adversity. All of the actors are wonderful and there is a scene involving a chant/song/spell that is magical to see and hear. Sacra Lunaria is a standout at this year’s PHFF and I hope the filmmakers plan to turn it into a feature-length film. Overall Rating: 4.5/5

PENELOPE – Written by Heston Horwin, Directed by Fiona Rene

A demonic daughter awakens on the last day she has to create an army of undead for her father and realizes she’s taken her procrastination a bit too far. This short takes the type of humor found in Beetlejuice and The Addams Family, then turns it up to an 11. It’s creepy, it’s silly, and it’s definitely funny. What makes this short so endearing is that, while the titular Penelope is the daughter of the king of Hell, she still finds connection with a regular human. This human wanted to die, but she would rather he be alive than part of her undead army. There’s a surprising sweetness to the character and story that counterbalances the horrors and humor. Just like the story can lean silly, the visual elements also add a bit of cheesiness. This includes the makeup effects, production design, costume design, and color choices. It might be a bit too goofy at times, but overall this is an entertaining short film. Overall Rating: 3/5

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH – Written by Montserrat Luna-Ballantyne, Directed by Alexandria Collins

After the husband’s recent exorcism, a married couple heads to a rural getaway in an attempt to reconnect with each other. What makes this story so powerful is how the filmmakers used possession as a metaphor. When the husband was possessed, he was violent towards his wife. Now, with the demon gone, the wife is still unsure if she feels safe around the man she married. It not only helps to create this uncertainty and paranoia, but it also makes the audience wonder if they could move forward once violence entered their relationship. It also makes viewers consider whether the violence really came from the demon or if it was the husband all along. The story is powerful and thought-provoking and it also features a stellar performance from Yumarie Morales (American Carnage). Overall Rating: 4/5