If you have been following my journey with Horror Press, then you would know I’m a huge advocate for short films. (And if you listened to last week’s episode of the Horror Press Podcast, then you’d know how I really feel about filmmakers who look down on short films!) Oftentimes, short films force creatives into a corner, both creatively and fiscally. Some of the best art comes from limitation. Just look at Riccardo Suriano’s The Waking Call, a beautifully shot short film that looks 100 times its actual budget.
While I was excited to watch Catch a Killer and Killer Klowns from Outer Space, I was most excited to catch the three blocks of short films at Night Frights LA. When I met The Winchesters, I felt their true passion for bringing stellar horror to the forefront. When the credits rolled on the final short film from block three, I understood that they put their money where their mouths are. If my editor and I had unlimited time, I would review every single short film I had the opportunity to watch at Night Frights LA. Unfortunately, we don’t.
So, I took on the difficult task of whittling down every short film I watched to this list of my five favorites.
Our 5 Favorite Short Films From Night Frights LA 2025
5. Keep Coming Back // Short Film Block 2: Mental Carnage
Written by Dylan Garrett Smith, Travis Bacon (yes, that Bacon), and Kyle Kouri // Directed by Kyle Kouri
Paul (Kyle Kouri) attends an AA meeting to try to turn over a new leaf. But things quickly turn dark when Paul’s past comes back to haunt him. As it turns out, alcohol may be the least of the troubles for this AA group.
Keep Coming Back is a bloody blast that goes from 0 to 60 in a split second. This film was the shot of caffeine I desperately needed. It’s loud, brash, and mean. It takes you to the true depths that can come from a violent drunk and amps it up to an 11.
4. Knife // Short Film Block 1: Best In Blood
Written & Directed by Michael Kuciak
Have you ever wondered what a horror film looked like…from the perspective of the killer’s weapon? If you have, Knife aims to answer that question for you. This three and a half minute film is as quick and deadly as its title. In a Violent Nature may put the audience in the point of view of the killer, but Knife puts them in the point of view of the weapon. It’s a short, sweet, and effective piece that requires little elaboration.
3. The Last Thing She Saw // Short Film Block 2: Mental Carnage
Written by Brady Richards // Directed by Anthony Cousins and Rebecca Daugherty
(Yes, Frogman’s Anthony Cousins!)
Emma (Bailey Bolton) is housesitting for the owners of a gigantic mansion. Her day gets flipped upside down when two intruders (Agatha Rae Pokrzywinski and Nathan Tymoshuk) break in to try and get into a safe. Even though she doesn’t have any information on how to get into the safe, Emma finds herself at a crossroads. I don’t see a way out of this for Emma.
I remember catching this short film at either Final Girls Berlin Film Festival or Popcorn Frights some time ago, and I was stunned. My first thought was, “I bet this film would kill in an audience.” Boy, was I right. Hearing my fellow festivalgoers groan and squirm made me feel right at home. The Last Thing She Saw is grotesque and unique. It’s extremely hardcore and doesn’t pull a single punch with its content. And the practicals? My god. Extraordinary.
2. The Carvening // Short Film Block 1: Best In Blood
Written & Directed by Matthew R. Incontri
Two kids sit down and put on a VHS tape of a slasher film called The Carvening that follows a Jack O’ Lantern killer. But for these kids, the film hits a little too close to home.
Like Knife, The Carvening is basically a microshort. And still incredibly effective. At just two minutes and 53 seconds, it knocked my socks off. The film itself is animated, while the slasher film they’re watching is live action. It’s a unique blend that is as fun as it is wholesome. Incontri’s film is a brilliant aperitif that should be played before any horror film in the theaters.
1. Where the Shadows Feast // Short Film Block 1: Best In Blood
Written by Aaron M. Cabrera and Jerod Nawrocki // Directed by Aaron M. Cabrera
Children are vanishing at astounding numbers. Now, it’s up to a detective (Corey Allen) and a grieving mother (Alicia Blasingame) to get to the bottom of it. But they might not like what they find.
Where the Shadows Feast is a visual treat. It’s a black and white noir that has danger lurking behind every shadow. Cabrera and Naworcki’s script is beyond scary, but it’s horror icon Troy James that truly brings the fright to this fest. While I love the story, visual style, and worldbuilding here, I can’t help but say Troy James absolutely steals the show. The way he brings this horror to life is as astounding as always.
Actors like James and Javier Botet show that physical movement can do more than words ever could. Say what you will, but I think there is very little difference between the actors who play Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers. Seeing an icon like Troy James truly melt into the role of whatever this creature is like watching the Mona Lisa being painted. That’s not to say the only reason I picked Shadows as my number one is because of Troy James. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was a damn good reason to.