Get ready to be thrilled, horror fans! The Horror Section and WeShort have just announced the winners of their inaugural HorrorShorts competition, a global search for the next big voices in horror short films. This initiative aims to unearth fresh talent and develop original stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The competition saw an incredible response, with over 100 submissions pouring in from filmmakers across the globe, including Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many more. The judges, comprised of teams from The Horror Section and WeShort, had the tough task of selecting the best from this pool of talent.
Here's a glimpse into the winning scripts:
- 1st Place: "Burn It All" by Domenico De Feudis & Giulio Rizzo. This chilling tale follows a young couple who buys a vineyard, only to confront a mafia monster just released from prison. The grand prize? A whopping $25,000 to fund both the rights and the full production of the short film.
- 2nd Place: "Locust Grove" by Chris Guerrero and Ryan Dee Gilmour. A desperate couple hires a witch to perform a dangerous healing ritual in the East Kentucky hills when their daughter is given months to live. They'll receive $10,000 to help with rights acquisition and co-production.
- 3rd Place: "Teacher Andy" by Giulia C.Borges and Federico Fasulo. A kindergarten teacher on the verge of menopause struggles with her class until a dark power is granted by an old metronome. The prize includes $2,500 for the complete rights package, excluding production.
These winning scripts will be produced as official WeShort Originals. But that's not all – there's a chance for them to be developed into full-length feature films by The Horror Section, a media company founded by Eli Roth, known for his work in the genre. Production is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
But here's where it gets interesting... The competition also highlighted some other promising scripts:
- "Grindhouse Nation" by Nestor López Ferreira
- "Fillers" by Adam Ethan Crow
- "Where Goes the Night" by Daniela De Francesco
- "The Exhibition" by Lauren Kent
- "No One’s Home" by Alexander M.Edwards and Matteo Andreolli
- "Canceled" by Camilo De Cabo
- "The Bodycount Challenge" by Justin Gilbert
Alex Loprieno, Founder & CEO of WeShort, shared that the competition was born from a partnership with Eli Roth, with the goal of discovering new talent and original ideas. He emphasized the eagerness of filmmakers to share their work.
Eli Roth himself added that the competition offers a platform for bold, original ideas and supports the filmmakers' visions.
Loprieno also mentioned the challenge of selecting the winners, highlighting the value in each project. He congratulated not only the winners and finalists but all the filmmakers who dared to submit their work.
What do you think? Are you excited about these new horror stories? Which premise grabs your attention the most? Do you think short films are a good way to discover fresh talent? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's discuss!
