Bob peeks inside The Spirit Cabinet, a collection of 8 horror shorts at SIFF2025.
Every year, like most film festivals, the Seattle International Film Festival presents a myriad of shorts. This year, SIFF has 122 shorts among its offerings. Most are found within the 14 curated short blocks, usually collected by theme or genre. I love shorts, I assist programming for Crypticon Seattle’s film festival, and always attend Seattle’s own BoneBat Comedy of Horrors (hosted by SIFF every April) and Grave Plot Film Festival. Unfortunately, this session, I was only able to catch one block, and being me, it had to be the horror block: The Spirit Cabinet. It was a great selection, as every one of these shorts, eight films totaling 96 minutes, brings the creeps!
The First (d. Susan Ruth, USA, 15m)
In 1928, a young man is taken to a strange location in order by his father to keep tradition. Yes, when this starts, you know the reference of a boy taken by his dad to a fancy building filled with beautiful women. This is a horror block, so you know it’s going ot turn that on its head. Even if we’re all aware of a turn to come, it’s very well done and I loved where it went (and the effects that come with it). The short has a great look, in all its designs, and the cinematography. Beautiful use of the location. Sumptuous.
Five Star (d. Kai Hasson, USA, 13m)
A locksmith has trouble with a door on a late-night call, starring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, known as Appa from Kim’s Convenience! Hilarious short as Lee’s locksmith deals with a reversal: he’s tasked not to open a door, but keep it shut. The quest to do so, and earn a five-star rating, is filled with a fantastic comic build of set-ups and pay-offs.
Masks (d. Andre LeBlanc, USA, 14m)
In a more serious turn, a husband tries to communicate with a comatose wife through the use of masks. Masks often hide who we are, but how can they be used to bring out what’s underneath? Gets in quick on characters, growing them, and encasing us in their issues and lives, not going where I expected with more blood in a different way than expected.
Mr. Static (d. Mike Williamson, USA, 10m)
A woman is forced to watch murders until it drives her mad. This one was unnerving. The pervading unease ratchets up a notch every time the static of an old screen pops on (static!) with a voice saying “Watch this”. Gets under your skin.
My Boo (d. Stephanie J. Röst, USA, 8m)
A fun slice of modern dating… with an Edwardian ghost. A young woman talks about the ups and downs of dating a ghost. Very funny and several clever turns on the dating life.
Speak with the Dead (d. Stephanie Paris, USA, 13m)
My favorite of the bunch (but remember, I rather liked them all!) follows the Fox Sisters, real women 19th century in a fictitious story (outside of the false stories they peddled). The spiritualists end up over their heads in an 1850s seance, as the real undead want to say and do more than the sisters’ parlor tricks. Like The First, Speak with the Dead sells an earlier time very well. The build of tension and truths is beautifully done. Great effects as well.
Stargazer (d. Justin Robert Vinall, USA, 15m)
(Here I note I know many folks involved with this one) A family looks to the stars, and the stars look back. A nice slow beat leading some goo, but also solid character work and conversations for a surprisingly touching flick.
Sublime (d. Marie Heribel, Candice Yernaux, Juliette Buysscheart, Camille Leroy, Josephine Venderville, Martin Laurent, Lucas Fortrier, France, 8m)
A disturbing stop-motion (or stop-motion looking) tale of a doll dealing with the standards of beauty. This was lush, beautiful in decadence and decay. I was reminded of the Quay brothers in the design (and that’s a good thing – check out their film at this festival). Disturbing and shocking, Sublime is expertly done.
The Spirit Cabinet is presented through the Seattle International Film Festival, running in-person screenings May 15th – 25th and selected online screenings March 26th – June 1st. See Siff.net/festival for more.