Our annual Queer Horror Shorts night in collaboration with ‘t Hoogt accompanied by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
What terrifies who, and why?
Fans of the genre will not be surprised to hear that horror, at its core, is inherently queer. It disrupts the status quo and exists outside of what is considered ‘normal.’ In the media, what is meant to frighten us has historically been queer coded, and the monsters of our collective imagination share similarities with queerness itself: they shock, challenge, and defy easy classification. However, the genre has been reclaimed by queer creators, who are now at the forefront. During the annual QFFU Horror Shorts night, we aim to highlight, celebrate, and showcase this genre that unsettles those comfortably confined within societal norms while providing solace to those who do not feel at home in a patriarchal heteronormative world. This year the night is again accompanied by a Q&A with the creators.
Depronima — Mickey Minnaar (The Netherlands, 19 mins.)
During a party in a remote forest, three friends are threatened by a dark energy that strikes when you are at your most insecure and unstable. A coming-of-age graduation film about recognizing inner pain in yourself and others. Do you dare look the monster in the eye?
CW: gore
Papergirl — Jack Warren (USA, 5 mins.)
In this queer horror short shot on 16mm, gender dysphoria gives way to terrifying metamorphosis when a lonely partygoer discovers that their skin is turning to paper. “I wanted to tell a trans story that avoided the tropes of a traditional coming out narrative,” Warren said, “instead leaning into the slow burn of alienation and the euphoria of self-actualization.”
CW: gore
Flesh Nest — Andrew Huang (USA, 9 mins.)
A nine-part sci-fi video illustrating a post-apocalyptic digital purgatory. Originally conceived as nine looping video projections for gallery exhibition, this experimental animation is the condensed short film version. Featuring excerpts from multi-layered cybernetic wastelands inspired by the apocalyptic panoramas of Bosch & Bruegel paintings.
Mom, If I Were a Vampire — Deborah Devyn Chuang (Taiwan, 17 mins.)
Wen, an insecure teenage girl dislikes her disapproving mother, and vows to be nothing like her. When she meets a cool school girl with that couldn’t-give-a-damn attitude, she becomes infatuated and follows her down a rabbit hole. A short that explores vampirism—a subject not commonly seen in Taiwanese cinema—as euphemism for queerness.
CW: Sexual assault
Piercing Touch — Olga Melcer (The Netherlands, 4 mins.)
Despite knowing better, a butch lesbian cannot seem to get over her violent ex. No matter how hard she tries to get (or stay) away, the elevator keeps returning her to the same floor. A short horror about toxic relationships and the difficulty of doing what’s right for you.
Gender Reveal — Mo Matton (Canada, 13 mins)
Rhys, a dedicated people pleaser, winds up at their boss’ gender reveal party with their two partners. The trans throuple soon realizes that they are dealing with more than they were prepared for and their ability to survive the event comes into question. A dark comedy about a fantasy of many and a nightmarish extension of reality for others; a never-ending spectacle that just gets worse and worse and worse.
CW: gore
