SFTFF 2026 – HORROR
The 2026 San Francisco Transgender Film Festival continues with HORROR, a shorts block featuring five terrifying and shocking films.
Mascott (13:31min)
Marilyne Lamontagne, Canada, 2025
Scott, a transgender actor seeking to break out, unexpectedly accepts the lead role as Barry the Bear on a children’s television show. Initially an opportunity for growth, the role soon becomes a suffocating burden as the pressures of fame and hyper-masculine expectations weigh heavily on Scott. As their life becomes consumed by the persona of Barry, Scott reaches a breaking point, culminating in a cathartic release as they tear off the costume—only to find remnants of the bear still clinging, symbolizing the complexities of identity, societal expectations, and authenticity.
Vamped (12:41min)
Eli Valencia, United States, 2026
After attending a vampire-themed party with her best friend, Joaquin, Mina is bitten by a mysterious stranger (Keiran). She begins undergoing unsettling changes. As her senses sharpen and her confidence grows, she starts to realize that the life she feared losing may have been holding her back all along.
Dread (10min)
Gabe Gabriel & Loren Loubser, South Africa, 2026
Soft-spoken transmasc driver Toni is used to navigating an array of colourful passengers through the economically divided streets of Cape Town in their late father’s vintage Daimler. But when Claudia, a digital nomad with blonde dreadlocks, unloads a traumatic story on a short ride across town, something unseen takes root in the backseat and refuses to leave.
Toni quickly becomes convinced that the car is possessed by Claudia’s invisible trauma demon. Their grounded, supportive girlfriend Amanda suggests a calming night drive for ice cream and for a moment, the Daimler seems like its old self again…
Until they pass Claudia’s drop-off point. Without warning, the car wrenches itself off course and barrels down a dark, tree-lined road. Panic grips the couple who brace for impact as the vehicle collides with something human-sized and screeches to a deadly halt. Turns out karmic justice has a driver of its own.
The Dysphoria (13min)
Kylie Aoibheann, Australia, 2026
The Dysphoria is an award-winning Australian supernatural horror short film by trans writer-director Kylie Aoibheann. Within the mould of a classic demonic, the film explores the very-real sacrifices that trans people must make in order to be who they are.
Alive (5:30min)
Beverly Bradley, United States, 2026
Baby, baby. Now wait and stay. I’m gonna make you scream and pay. Why you look so scared? I thought you wanted a ride? Is it not the right kind of ride? Not the right kind of vibe?
Approximate running time: 55 minutes
