Author: Sherman Oaks Film Festival

2026 Official Selection: Feature Film – Horror

An emotional and physical horror film about a man living with Muscular Dystrophy and the metaphorical journey of dealing with his negligent nursing staff.

Program 08 – Crippled · Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 6:00 PM

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• Director(s): Zak Seidman
• Writer(s): Zak Seidman, Will Stocker
• Producer(s): Zak Seidman, Will Stocker
• Key Cast: Will Stocker, Logan Lark, Blair D’Amico, Patty Stocker
• Editor(s): Zak Seidman
• Cinematographer(s): Rob E. Bennett
• Production Designer(s): Ben Werfel
• Sound Designer(s): Rob Wolk
• Composer(s): Joe Cipriano, Will Stocker

Language: English

Runtime: 1h 9m

Country: United States

Los Angeles Premiere

Synopsis: An emotional and physical horror film about a man living with Muscular Dystrophy and the metaphorical journey of dealing with his negligent nursing staff.

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2026 Official Selection: Screenplay – Screenplay – Short Film

Screenplay Awards Ceremony · Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 2:00 PM

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Everyone in town knows who drove Bethany to her death. Her mother is the last to find out.

• Writer(s): Lia Martin

Language: English

Country: Not Specified

Bully follows Lilian McDonald, a meticulous single mother desperately trying to preserve the appearance of a stable family after the suicide of her daughter Kacy’s classmate, Bethany. As Lilian struggles to reconnect with Bethany’s grieving mother, navigate an investigation by Child Protective Services, and understand why her family has become increasingly isolated within the community, fragments of memory and subtle behavioral clues gradually expose a devastating reality.

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – Horror

During a breathwork session, a reluctant skeptic opens herself to “new energies” and lets in something far darker.

Program 22 – Thrilling Spotlight · Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 5:30 PM

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• Director(s): Erik Westerström
• Writer(s): Theo Wanderydz
• Producer(s): Konrad Patocs
• Key Cast: Hanna Ardéhn, Madeleine Ferraud, Victor Iván, Astrid Kakuli, Einar-Hugo Strömberg, Esther Andersson, Katja Ferm
• Editor(s): Joakim Andreasson
• Cinematographer(s): Robin Trolin
• Production Designer(s): Rasmus Alexander
• Sound Designer(s): Olle Södergran
• Composer(s): Jonathan Lytz

Language: Swedish

Runtime: 13m

Country: Sweden

Los Angeles Premiere

Synopsis: During a breathwork session, a reluctant skeptic opens herself to “new energies” and lets in something far darker.

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2026 Official Selection: Screenplay – Screenplay – Feature Film

Screenplay Awards Ceremony · Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 2:00 PM

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Some curses are justified.

• Writer(s): Ree Merrill

Language: English

Country: Not Specified

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Lacy has long since left Turkey Creek, Alabama, but decides to venture back for a childhood friend’s wedding. Four couples drive deep into the woods to a small group of cabins for a bit of rest and relaxation. But there is no rest for the weary, as an ancient witch, BISHOP GOOD NURSE, comes reigning terror on all. Time is running out as Lacy scrambles to figure out a way to save the few remaining friends she has left. But some curses are justified.

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – Animation

A man and a bird. Both dead inside.

Program 23 – Unconventional Spotlight · Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 5:45 PM

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• Director(s): Timothy David Orme
• Writer(s): Timothy David Orme
• Producer(s): Chris Carpenter
• Key Cast: Richard Farrell
• Sound Designer(s): Lanier Sammons
• Composer(s): Lanier Sammons

Language: English

Runtime: 9m

Country: United States

Los Angeles Premiere

Synopsis: On a rainy night in the heart of the city, a hooded, an unstable man engineers a dead bird with his own voice, in order to sing his own bird songs and ultimately get the perspective he needed.

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2026 Official Selection: Screenplay – Screenplay – Pilot / Web Series

Screenplay Awards Ceremony · Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 2:00 PM

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Three smart, sexy, slight messed-up women join forces to wreak vengeance on the rock star who hurt them all.

• Writer(s): Staci Greason

Language: English

Country: Not Specified

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Dani, Red, and Sasha have absolutely nothing in common, except the trail of tears bad boy rocker Peter left in his wake. When Dani starts a blog about killing her ex, she unwittingly sets the wheels in motion for the women’s paths to collide.

In a city where discarded muses are a dime a dozen, All the Girls in Town explores the cost of loving the wrong person and the true power of friendship in reclaiming the self.

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – Drama

In the wake of a terrifying encounter, an overwhelmed drag queen struggles under the weight of public attention.

Program 18 – Inspiring Spotlight · Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 3:15 PM

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• Director(s): Syra McCarthy
• Writer(s): Kyle Casey Chu, Roísín Isner
• Producer(s): Vee Godinez, Hillary Irene Pierce
• Key Cast: Kyle Casey Chu, Drew Benjamin Jones, Anna Dennis
• Editor(s): Ashley Rodholm
• Cinematographer(s): Sarah Simka Jaffe
• Production Designer(s): Rachel Groat
• Sound Designer(s): Shaun Farley, Skywalker Sound
• Composer(s): Katy Jarzebowski

Runtime: 15m

Country: United States

Synopsis: Akita the drag queen hasn’t left her apartment in days. Her inboxes overflow with messages of praise, concern, and… death threats? She lets in a film crew and recounts to a reporter about how Nazis stormed her Drag Story Hour. Inspired by Kyle Casey Chu’s true story.

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