Mayhem Film Festival is delighted to announce the 16 films that will make up this year’s Short Film Programme. The festival will take place at Broadway, Nottingham on 15-18 October 2025.
Mayhem initially started as a single selection of shorts over 20 years ago, and short films remain at the heart of the festival. This year’s edition will feature two Short Film Programmes. The 22nd edition’s shorts line-up includes a World Premiere, an International Premiere and five UK Premieres, with work from filmmakers making their first appearance at the festival, as well as long-time friends of Mayhem. For the fourth year running, the team worked with The Nottingham Horror Collective’s Emily Malone to curate the programme.
The 16 films from this year’s line-up are:
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE #1
Bait
Dir. Martha G. Ayerbe, Spain, 16m25, with English subtitles
On a hunting trip, young Martín accompanies his father and his father’s boss.
Stuck [World Premiere]
Dir. Jan van Gorkum, Netherlands, 10m43, with English subtitles
A visit to her brother Daan takes a dark turn when Emma discovers that he has become rooted in a field on his farm.
TAMIFLU [UK Premiere]
Dir. Rae-kyung Park, South Korea, 19m59, with English subtitles
One day, out of the blue, an enigmatic ‘woman’ appears in the neighbourhood, wandering aimlessly. Ji-yeong, a pharmacist, finds herself concerned by the woman’s disheveled appearance and tries to offer help, only to be outright rejected. Despite the unease and fear that seize her, Ji-yeong can’t shake her sympathy for the woman. Eventually, her sympathy pulls her down a path that leads to an irreversible conclusion.
Chäir
Dir. Chris McInroy, US, 6m18
Carl just wanted to sit down. The chair had other plans.
Wax [UK Premiere]
Dir. Alexandre Forgues, Canada, 15m18, with English subtitles
A university student ignores a growing ear infection, spiralling into psychological distress as finals approach and the pressure mounts.
Itch
Dir. Joe Savage, UK, 10m47
Despite suspecting she’s caught something other than feelings from their first date, Jules arrives for a second date at the home of the awkward but charming Thomas, until a strange phone call sends the evening spiralling out of her control.
Tongue [UK Premiere]
Dir. Da-seul Lim, South Korea, 15m, with English subtitles
After enduring her husband’s incessant chatter, a wife finally decides to cut out his tongue.
Pimple
Dir. Fernando Alle, Portugal, 4m17, with English subtitles
A young boy’s pimple bursts, leading to a bloody disaster.
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE #2
Dammen
Dir. Grégoire Graesslin, France, 14m59, with English subtitles
Two young women are enjoying the wild surroundings of an isolated lake. It’s a sunny day.
Future of… Land
Dir. Scott Coello, UK, 8m48
The end is near as the animal world is in revolt.
Night Feeds
Dir. Rana Roy, US, 15m56
A mother drowns in postpartum as a night-nurse unnerves her and war floods her screens. Is the madness in her mind or the world around her?
Striya [UK Premiere]
Dir. Paige Campbell, US, 8m42
When young Gele transforms into the fearsome female vampire of Jewish legend, her father fights to convince the town’s rabbinical court to let his daughter live.
Nail-Biter
Dir. Joseph Burch, US, 17m33
An anxious nail-biter confronts her overbearing mother about their family curse, a finger-devouring creature that preys on those who bite their nails, just as the monster arrives to take her as its next victim.
Man Eating Pussy
Dir. Emily Lawson, Canada, 12m29
A dying man seeks the ultimate release: a birth in reverse.
Would You Rather [UK Premiere]
Dir. Sophie O’Donovan, Ireland, 11m20
After recovering from a mental breakdown, a young woman shows up uninvited to a friend’s gathering, where a game of Would You Rather threatens to push a woman over the edge.
A Shitty Smile [International Premiere]
Dir. Alex Gargot, Spain, 5m53, with English subtitles
At a red light, two strangers confess their darkest secrets through their car windows before the light turns green.
A limited amount of Full Festival Passes and individual tickets remain available. For more information, and to book passes, please visit their website.
Bloody Flicks 