Each year Abertoir invites filmmakers from across the globe to submit short films for the Abertoir Short Film Competition. As always, the response has been phenomenal and it’s not possible to show all of the amazing entries.

There are two awards on offer. The first being the Audience Award for Best Short Film, and the second is the Méliès d’argent awarded to the best European short film.

As part of Abertor’s role in the Méliès International Festivals Federation, our short film competition will award a Short Film Méliès d’argent. This is an internationally recognised prize specific to the Federation and is a testimony to the talented filmmakers in Europe. The winner of our Short Film Méliès d’argent will go forward to the final lineup at Sitges for the prestigious Méliès d’or Award for the Best European Fantastic Short Film. All our European fictional short films are eligible.

Films IN THIS SESSION ARE:

Part 3
Beyond the Sea, Grandma is Thirsty, Precious, Speak with the Dead, Terminus, The Birdwatcher, The Face, The Fairy Moon, Unravelling, Voyeur

Beyond The Sea

Dir. Vladimir Scavuzzo
Italy, 6mins

After a wild night, a lifeguard is working on a deserted beach when he spots a child drowning in the waves. The lifeguard runs to save him, but as soon as he enters the sea, the child seems to disappear and reappear, each time further away from the lifeguard. Will he be able to save him?

Grandma is Thirsty

Dir. Kris Carr
UK 2025, 15mins, subtitled

All George wants is to stop getting pushed around by the local bullies. So when a pair of weird twins offer to introduce him to their grandma — who can “make him big & strong” — he jumps at the chance. One problem: she’s 600 years old and keeps herself young the unnatural way.

Precious

Dir. Sean Frost
UK 2025, 14mins

When an insurance clerk discovers a mysterious shop where priceless antiques can be purchased in exchange for years of his life, he’s forced to contemplate the true value of his youth.

Speak with the Dead

Dir. Stephanie Paris
USA 2025, 12mins,

In 1850, the Fox sisters hold a seance for a wealthy couple who want to call on their deceased son’s spirit to give them closure. When the girls’ parlour tricks backfire, the audience begins to catch on.

Terminus

Dir. Ashley Butcher
Belgium 2025, 10mins

When Gary’s voice-activated GPS begins to take on a more self-aware persona, it initially offers solace, guiding him to serene locales to ease his mounting stress. However, as their exchanges grow more intimate, the GPS takes a dark turn, probing the intricacies of Gary’s strained marriage and planting seeds of violent ideas.

The Birdwatcher

Dir. Ryan Mackfall
UK 2024, 14mins

Investigators visit the site of a strange disappearance – a solitary birdwatching hut, deep in the forest. This story is about the dangers of cutting ourselves off from ‘the other’; that which we choose not to engage with or understand.

The Face

Dir. Andreas Mortensen
Sweden 2025, 8mins

Mia tries to break up with Tim, but isn’t honest about her feelings. Instead she lets a sock puppet do the talking. But at night, the reason why she’s afraid of being blunt is made apparent when Tim’s true face, the way only she sees him, is revealed.

The Fairy Moon

Dir. Craig Williams
UK 2025, 12mins

In a small English town, a man’s life unravels after a troubling roadside encounter with a sinister stranger. A darkly comic tale of the unexpected, inspired by the folklore of the pagan god Pan.

Unravelling

Dir. Aimie Willemse
UK 2024, 8mins

Fiona tries to care for her chronically ill grandmother Maeve as she struggles to retain her autonomy. As her invisible illness begins to physically manifest into a malignant entity, Fiona is forced to confront her worse fears.

Voyeur

Dir. Maryam Hashempour
Iran 2024, 6mins

A girl enters a coffee shop while waiting for her friend. An unknown number sends her a photo of her, taken just before she enters the coffee shop. The unknown person sends the photo several times until…