Die Laughing Shorts | HorrorFest International 2026

HORRORFEST INTERNATIONAL PROUDLY PRESENTS THE "DIE LAUGHING" SHORTS BLOCK

Get ready for 7 horror comedies that prove there’s plenty of room for laughs in the dark. From zombie Christmas chaos and killer cake to ancient gods, open-mic mayhem, undead spouses, this block mixes gore, absurdity, and dark humor into one wildly entertaining lineup. Expect plenty of laughs, weirdness, and a few moments that will make you cringe.

Some of these films may contain mature content (Language, Adult Themes, Blood, Gore, and Violence)

The films in the "Die Laughing" Shorts Block are as follows;

It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead

9 Min | USA | Utah Premiere

Directed by John Bell, Dan Bell

Written by John Bell, Dan Bell

Produced by John Bell, Dan Bell

Cast: James Stewart, Judith O’Dea, Donna Reed, Duane Jones

Synopsis: Christmas and horror collide in a comical mashup that finds George Bailey discovering that it’s a not-so-wonderful-life after a horde of flesh-eating ghouls come to town.

The Candle

9 Min | USA | Utah Premiere

Directed by Ren Ariel Sano

Written by Ren Ariel Sano

Produced by Ren Ariel Sano, Logan Mack

Cast: Daisy Lopez, John-Michael Sedor

Synopsis: Have your cake…And it eats you!

Voicemail

8 Min | USA | World Premiere

Directed by Benjamin L. Brown

Written by Benjamin Brown

Produced by Benjamin Brown, Jared Tipton

Cast: Alec Gillis, Andrew J Katers, Robyn Ashley Dennis, Camila Abrantes

Synopsis: A woman receives a disturbing message but when she goes to the police for help, they don’t believe her. But then, most people wouldn’t.

The Deep Vessel

20 Min | USA | Utah Premiere

Directed by Sean Cruser

Written by Tyler Beveridge

Produced by Tyler Beveridge, Sean Cruser, Karl Redgen, Murphy Martin

Cast: Murphy Martin, Aisha Kumari, Ed Ackerman, Murphy Martin, Tyler Beveridge, Keith Szarabajka

Synopsis: In an effort to complete their sophomore album, an artistically drained folk band follows in the footsteps of metal legends and decides to summon an old Norse God, only to realize divine help comes with chaotic consequences.

Open Mic

9 Min | Spain | Utah Premiere

Directed by Jano Pita

Written by Jano Pita 

Produced by ACT Madrid, Jarana Films, Alberto F. Peláez, Lucía Azcoitía

Cast: Bianca Kovacs, Lucía Azcoitía, Paqui Horcajo, Héctor Jenz, Carmen Gambín, Tatiana Riera, Javi Mata Robles

Synopsis: Nitescu’s gig at an open mic night degenerates into a lurid spectacle with laughter and cheers in this slice of icky horror from Jano Pita.

A Hand to Hold

15 Min | United Kingdom | Utah Premiere

Directed by Philip Clyde-Smith

Written by Eliza Power

Produced by Greg Mills, Georgia Mills

Cast: Murray McArthur, Shane Casey, Frances Barber, Frank Bourke, Lisa O'Connor, Katherine Moran, Jimmy Tarbuck

Synopsis: An unfortunate series of grotesque happenings occur after an elderly Irish woman finds herself attached, literally, to her deceased husband in this horror/jet black dark comedy.

The Sentry

18 | Cambodia, Norway, USA | Utah Premiere

Directed by Jake Wachtel

Written by Jake Wachtel

Produced by Jake Wachtel, Sok Visal, Alan R. Milligan

Cast: Daniel Raymont, Dara Phang

Synopsis: In this subversive twist on the spy thriller, a suave western agent’s mission goes off the rails when a Cambodian security guard refuses to become just another casualty. What begins as a casual throwback to classic espionage fun soon unravels into an unexpectedly heartfelt road trip movie.