FINAL GIRLS BERLIN FILM FEST HITS THE HORROR GROUND RUNNING
By Mo Moshaty January 23, 2024
"Final Girls Berlin Film Festival showcases horror cinema that’s directed, written, or produced by women and non-binary filmmakers. We are committed to creating space for female voices and visions, whether monstrous, heroic or some messy combination of the two, in the horror genre." - The Final Girls Team
Beginning Wednesday, February 7th, ending Sunday, February 11th in Berlin, Final Girls Berlin FF is in it's 9th edition of curating the sharpest, scariest and most thought-provoking horror content from historically marginalized creatives. As producers of Nyx Horror Collective's "13 Minutes of Horror Film Festival", you know we're hot for the shorts programs, and FGBFF has everything we never knew we needed.
These shorts blocks are broken down beautifully and are sure to contain something for every cinephile! Can't make it to Berlin or haven't got time for an entire fest? FGBFF are offering VIMEO ON DEMAND! Click here!
The festival is also showcasing these incredible feature films:
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Gut-retching and wrenching grief horror, BOOGER - Written and directed by Mary Dauterman, US, 2023
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A case of forbidden love with, MY ANIMAL, Directed by Jacqueline Castel, Canada, 2023
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Adolescent Anarchy with TIGER STRIPES, Written and directed by Amanda Nell Eu, Malaysia, 2023
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Serial Chiller, THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY, Directed by Fhiona-Louise, UK, 1990
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The infectious, T-BLOCKERS, Directed by Alice Maio Mackay, Australia, 2023
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Carnival family horror, WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS, Written & Directed by Zelda Adams, John Adams & Toby Poser
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Eerily disquieting, SOMEWHERE QUIET, Written and directed by Olivia West Lloyd, US, 2023
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Thought-provoking, MY MONSTROUS MIRROR, Video Essays and Horror Memoir with Ariel Baska 2024
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The core-shattering, MY FATHER, THE DEVIL, Written and directed by Ellie Foumbi, US/France, 2021 &
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The...animating, BIRTH/REBIRTH, Directed by Laura Moss, written by Laura Moss & Brendan J. O’Brien, US, 2023
SHORTS BLOCK 1: WORKPLACE HORROR - FEB. 7TH
These wholly horrifying shorts reimagine the drudgery and dynamics of various
workplaces, transforming the humdrum workday into a terrifying voyage to hell!
Thread Tension (13:30) - Directed by Ruby Mastrodimos, UK, 2023
Overnights (9:09) - Written and directed by Shannon Brown, US, 2023
Chispa (12:00) - Directed by Karina Ripper, US, 2023
Ride baby ride (7:28) - Directed by Sofie Somoroff, US, 2023
The Score 97.9 (8:52) - Directed by Violet Shoshana Pask, Canada, 2023
Hope Chest (4:29) - Directed by Dycee Wildman & Jennifer Bonior, US, 2023
Ten of Swords (16:00) - Directed by Faye Jackson, UK, 2023
Ask For Help (11:01) - Directed by Gina DeAngelis, US, 2023
Sweet Tooth (25:40) - Directed by Josephine Hopkins, France, 2023 | German Premiere
**Synopses to Workplace Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 2: TECH HORROR - FEB. 7TH
In an age where deep fakes reign, social media wars rage, and AI grows eerily
proficient, the line between reality and fiction blurs. A shadowy block looms,
inhabited by influencers with a penchant for violence, technology with malicious intent,
and virtual realms that shatter the mind. Beware, for this is a realm that shall make you
question the very upgrades you seek. CW: Suicide
Mara (14:00) - Directed by Catharina Schürenberg, US, 2023
Influence (9:46) - Directed by Directed by Nate Laver, written by Rachel Thomas, US,
2023
Iris (14:51) - Written and directed by Lex Benedict, US, 2023
Carly (9:41) - Directed by Emily Lerer, US/Mexico, 2023
The Influencer (10:14) - Directed by Lael Rogers, US, 2023
Bowling 4 eva (14:19) - Directed by Aelfie, US, 2023 (CW: Suicide)
**Synopses to Tech Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 3: BLOOD TIES: FAMILY HORROR - FEB. 8TH
We're about to dive into the murkier corners of family life. Brace yourself for
head-spinning themes of desires gone rogue, family secrets, and murder.
Lamb (15:00) - Directed by Sinéad O'Loughlin, Ireland, 2023
Primogeniture (3:08) - Directed by Savanna Menzel, US, 2023
The Thaw (16:31) - Directed by Sarah Wisner & Sean Temple, US, 2023
Aviya (4:00) - Directed by Aviya Hanina, Israel, 2023
Stump (17:47) - Directed by Silva Kuusniemi, Finland, 2023
Schluckauf (Piecemeal) (14:04) - Directed by Maxie Le Dévéhat & Marcel Schuhardt, Germany, 2023
Where The Witch Lives (14:00) - Written and directed by Marial Sharp, Canada, 2023
Blind Spot (6:49) - Directed by Alexandra Mignien, Canada, 2023
Said of a deer that’s shed its antlers (19:51) - Directed by Salomé Crickx, Belgium, 2023
**Synopses to BLOOD TIES: Family Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 4: ABSURD AND SURREAL HORROR - FEB. 8TH
The underworld and our deepest thoughts are always looming, and sometimes things
get so wacky that you'll be left scratching your head and wondering, "What the fuck
is going on here?!" Some carry deep, meaningful messages, while others are simply
kooky and off-the-wall rides through pure chaos.
Either way, these shorts will leave you feeling like you just took a wild trip!
Poppy’s Saturn (14:35) - Directed by Nicole Tegelaar, Canada, 2023
Hellmark (12:51) - Directed by Jessie Doucet, US, 2023
Baby Yoga (7:27) - Directed by Megan Chumbley, US, 2023
Gertrude and Yvan Party Hard (9:22) - Directed by Louise Groult, France, 2023
FCK’N NUTS (11:55) - Directed by Sam Fox, US, 2023
Sorry sorry (8:47) - Directed by Ella Crowley, Australia, 2023
Amanita Muscaria (8:47) - Written and directed by Hajdi Đukić, Serbia, 2021
All Is Lost (7:00) - Written and directed by Carla Pereira & Juanfran Jacinto, Spain, 2022
**Synopses to Absurd and Surreal Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 5: QUEER HORROR - FEB. 9TH
Welcome to the haunting realm of queer horror, where the tides of terror take on
diverse forms. From the dystopian confines of group dynamics to the abyss of grief
from the unsettling terrain of body dysmorphia and even to the brink of apocalyptic
thoughts, these films unflinchingly explore sticky subject matter.
Possum (15:00) - Directed by Daisy Rosato, US, 2023
Pool Party (8:00) - Written and directed by Ellie Stewart, Canada, 2022
Deprivation (10:27) - Written, produced and directed by Caitlan Arthur, US, 2023
The Journey Home (3:00) - Written and directed by Noah Lei Underwood, UK, 2023
Smooth (19:47) - Directed by Sepi Mashiahof, US, 2023
Glory, Hole (17:00) - Directed by Hiram Harrington, UK, 2023
Skin (10:00) - Directed by Cyrus Gainer, Produced by Faoileán Cosgrove & Chris David, US, 2023
**Synopses to Queer Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 6: LE PETIT MORT - FEB. 9TH
Sex is adjacent to body horror and we all know the conundrum the terror and
vulnerability that lie within each. These films, presented in partnership with the Porn Film
Festival Berlin, explore the breeding ground for psychosexual terror.
CW: Explicit scenes, Sexual Assault
Chrysalis (10:39) - Directed by Oran Julius, US, 2023
You’ll Be Sorry (13:00) - Directed by Maryann Peony, Germany, 2023
Tail (18:39) - Written and directed by Yichien Lee, Taiwan/US, 2023
The girl with the haunted vagina (12:15) - Directed by Samantha O'Rourke, UK, 2023
Karada (14:02) - Directed by Oscar Lopera, Produced by Nirvana Hernández, Venezuela, 2023
Vibrator Girl (13:12) - Directed by Kara Strait, US, 2023
**Synopses to Le Petit Mort Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 7: BODY POLITICS - FEB. 10TH
Our bodies, not entirely our own, are subject to the gaze and control of the ruling society.
In these unsettling and distressing films, the archaic norms and values of society reign
over reproductive rights, natural bodily functions, and the conduct of the oppressed.
CW: Sexual Assault
Only Yourself to Blame (9:13) - Directed by Noomi Yates, UK 2023
Volition (18:00) - Directed by Ashley George, US, 2023
Gravid (14:30) - Written, produced and directed by Laura Jai Smith, UK, 2023
Pissen aufs Patriarchat (Piss on Patriarchy) (9:32) - Directed by Lena Fakler, Germany, 2023
Growing (17:44) - Directed by Agata Wieczorek, France/Poland, 2023
3pm Thursdays (6:23) - Written and directed by Michele Kaye, Canada, 2023
**Synopses to Body Politics Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 8: ECO HORROR - FEB. 10TH
These tales of dread, of plastic demons and unstable climates, have seeped into our
collective consciousness. Though these films may be a mere reflection of reality,
their tales of existential peril are not as distant as we would hope.
Unborn Biru (18:52) - Written and directed by Inga Elin Marakatt, Norway, 2022
Expectant (14:00) - Directed by Hannah Bang, US, 2023
Out of Plastic (3:00) - Written by Tehya Jennett & (Dir.) Maxfield Biggs, US, 2023
Abnormal Prime Time (14:00) - Directed by Kirin Sinn, South Korea, 2023
The Taster (29:10) - Directed by Sophia Bierend, Germany, 2023
**Synopses to Eco Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 9: MIDNIGHT MOVIES - FEB. 10TH
As the night wears on, and the veil between reality and dreams grows thin,
FGBFF leads you on a journey of the macabre and surreal. An array of spine-chilling tales,
ranging from family road trips gone awry to mind-bending horrors.
CHOMP (8:54) - Directed by Suki-Rose & Cricket Arrison, US, 2023
The Möbius Trip (17:08) - Directed by Simone Smith, UK, 2023
Anxiety Bites (2:29) - Directed by Sunny Keller, US, 2023
Inner Demons (10:54) - Directed by Jasmine Johnson, US, 2023
The House That Hungers (13:55) - Directed by Maria Lewis, Australia, 2023
Pu Ekaw Tnod (6:48) - Directed by Rebecca Culverhouse, UK, 2023
Through the Meat Grinder (2:50) - Directed by Abby Brenker & Sarah Quincy, US, 2023
Storm (7:50) - Directed by Lena Tsodykovskaya, US, 2023
Stop Dead (7:56) - Directed by Emily Greenwood, UK, 2023
**Synopses to Midnight Movies Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 11: FOLK HORROR - FEB. 11TH
These tales are woven with threads of terror and intrigue that have captivated audiences
for generations. From spectral masks to the malevolent forces of demons, these stories
possess a power that lingers long after they have been told. Within these haunting stories,
one finds moments of rebellion that celebrate the strength of women, serving as a
testament to their willpower and resilience.
CW: Domestic abuse, Animal abuse
Nian (6:27) - Written and directed by Michelle Krusiec, US, 2023
The Pencil (10:24) - Directed by Thomas Calvin Schultz, Written by Madina Baimakhanova
& Thomas Calbin Schutz, Kazakhstan, 2023
Mosquito Lady (13:20) - Directed by Kristine Gerolaga, US, 2023
Days of Spring (11:13) - Written and directed by Arianne Hinz, The Netherlands, 2023
Heirlooms (16:59) - Directed by Devina Sofiyanti, Indonesia, 2023
Valley of Souls (15:00) - Directed by Edileuza Penha de Souza & Santiago Dellape, Brazil, 2023
A Dire Strait (21:26) - Written and directed by Liang-Chun Lin, Taiwan/US, 2023
**Synopses to Folk Horror Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 12: CLOSE TO HOME - FEB. 11TH
The darkest terrors often lurk in the shadows of the mundane, weaving their web of
horror in the everyday occurrences that beset us or those we hold dear. The monster, most
always, lies within.
CW: Mental Health disorder, Suicide, Domestic Violence, Eating disorders
Hollow (19:58) - Directed by Allison Miller, US, 2023
I Could Just Die, And That Would Be Alright (19:58) - Directed by A.K. Espada, US, 2023
The Monster Inside My Head (7:47) - Directed by Maude Michaud, Canada, 2023
112 (17:22) - Written and directed by Mireia Boté, Spain, 2022
I Don’t Need Adult Conversation (12:03) - Written and directed by Vika Evdokimenko, UK, 2023
**Synopses to Close to Home Program here.**
SHORTS BLOCK 13: HORROR HAGS - FEB. 11TH
Throughout the ages, the silver screen has often painted a harrowing portrait of elderly
women. We have witnessed vampiric matriarchs, sinister schemers,
and crafty survivors of cruel fates. Their presence a stark reminder of the fleeting quality
of life itself.
Olga’s Eyes (22:06) - Written and directed by Sarah Carlot Jaber, Belgium, 2023
Spoor (14:46) - Directed by Sunita Soliar & Statten Roeg, UK, 2023
Deadhead (14:30) - Directed by Virginia Powers Hendry, US, 2023
The Old Hag and the Crow (5:55) - Directed by María Lucía Bayardo, Mexico, 2023
Scam (7:30) - Directed by Julie Sharbutt, US, 2023
Forever Flowers (13:01) - Directed by Joe Solomon, written by Francesca Lin, UK, 2022
Declin (14:30) - Written and directed by Élise Huyssen, France, 2022
The Hand that Feeds (23:59) - Written and directed by Helen Hideko, Austria, 2023
**Synopses to Horror Hags Program here.**
***Short Block 10 is not available online, catch in person at Drehmoment (Glasgower Str. 29, 13349)***
Please check out the amazing workshops the festival has to offer here!
Mo Moshaty is a horror writer, lecturer and producer. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and life long horror fan, Mo has lectured with Prairie View A&M Film & TV Program as a Keynote, BAFSS Horror Studies Sig and The University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Mo has partnered with horror giant, Shudder Channel, to co-produce the 13 Minutes of Horror Film Festival 2021 and 2022 with Nyx Horror Collective and her literary work "Love the Sinner" was published with Brigid's Gate Press in July of 2023 and her two volume collection, "Clairviolence: Tales of Tarot and Torment Vol. One and Two" will be published with Spooky House Press in the Spring of 2024
Mo is the creator and Editor-in-Chief of NightTide Magazine