Méliès D'Argent Short Film Competition

Festival
HÕFF 2026
Programme
Méliès D'Argent Short Film Competition

Screenings

Rõdusaal Haapsalu kultuurikeskus
Screening020214 / Méliès D'Argent lühifilmide võistlusprogramm
Q&A guestsFrancesco Gabriele (Director), Andrea Ciobanu (Costume Designer), Ami Ogura (Cast), William B James (Director), Martin Seyer (Composer), Felix Winter (Cast), Daria Marie Küpker (Executive Producer), Julia Ueno (Cast), Katariina Aule (Director), Andreas Kask (Producer), Laura Raud (Producer)
Q&A duration
Screening duration
Tickets
Keldrisaal Haapsalu kultuurikeskus
Screening030321 / Méliès D'Argent lühifilmide võistlusprogramm
Screening duration
Tickets

Films

Breadsong

Local title
Leivalaul
Original title
Leivalaul
Director
Katariina Aule
Country
Estonia
Year
2025
Genre
Horror

"Breadsong" tells the story of a 19th century rural family, who discover a catchy song that is broadcasted from the future through the family children after they are accidentally fed some mouldy bread. It is a story about greed, and how gold fever can make a man blind to true treasures in life, eventually breaking a family.

Director
Katariina Aule
Screenwriter
Sven-Sander Paas
Producer
Andreas Kask, Laura Raud
Cast
Doris Tilk, Ott Kartau
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

Hunger Beneath the Moonlight

Local title
Nälg kuuvalguses
Director
Francesco Gabriele
Country
United Kingdom
Year
2026
Genre
Supernatural, Horror

A couple's night turns into chaos when Joe rejects all sexual advances from his viciously beautiful girlfriend, Serena.

"Hunger Beneath the Moonlight" is a twisted horror short blending seduction, blood, and dark humour, inspired by the vivid style of the 80's Italian Giallo.

Director
Francesco Gabriele
Screenwriter
Dan Sproson
Producer
Francesco Gabriele
Cast
Louella Gaskell, Sarah Sideras, Konrad Harker
Cinematographer
Gabriele Mango
Composer
Shane Rutherfoord-Jones
Costume design
Andrea R Ciobanu
Runtime
Language
English

Strive

Local title
Püüdlus
Director
Jussi Rautaniemi
Country
Finland
Year
2025

In a machine-addicted future, 17-year-old Toni craves something real. He joins a deadly street race, challenging fearless driver Max, unaware of the bond they share. A gritty coming-of-age thrill ride.

Director
Jussi Rautaniemi
Screenwriter
Jussi Rautaniemi
Producer
Mark Lwoff
Cast
Vilho Rönkkönen, Kuura Rossi, Laura Birn, Pekka Strang, Roderik Kabanga
Cinematographer
Peter Flinckenberg
Composer
TImo Kaukolampi
Sound
Karri Niinivaara
Runtime
Language
Finnish
Subtitles
English

Cherubs

Local title
Keerubid
Director
Anna Pieri Zuercher, Pietro Zuercher
Country
Switzerland
Year
2025

"Cherubs" is a dark comedy about two exiled angels condemned to document every human suicide for eternity.

The elder, once a high-ranking seraph who refused to carry out the divine flood, has lost all faith in God and he's now jaded and bitter.

The younger, cast out for a lesser sin, still dreams of returning to paradise.

As they wander through the wreckage of human despair, they question pain, faith and existence, between dark humour and profound reflection.

Director
Anna Pieri Zuercher, Pietro Zuercher
Screenwriter
Toby McShane
Producer
Pietro Zuercher, Michela Pini, Olga Lamontanara
Cast
Richard Sammel
Runtime
Language
English

Geist

Local title
Vaim
Director
William B. James
Country
Germany
Year
2026
Genre
Horror, Thriller

Haunted by her daughter's ghost, a mother hires a veteran to find the killer and recover the remains, only to uncover a far more sinister truth.

Director
William B. James
Screenwriter
William B. James
Producer
William B. James
Executive producer
Daria Marie Küpker
Cast
Ami Ogura, Mathis Landwehr, Stefan Weinert, Felix Winter, Julia Ueno
Cinematographer
Christian Huck
Composer
Martin Seyer
Runtime
Language
German, Japanese
Subtitles
English

I OWE YOU ONE

Local title
Ma olen sulle võlgu
Original title
Te debo una
Director
Santi Capuz, Diego Jiménez
Country
Spain
Year
2025

Raúl and Lucas have been friends their whole lives. One day, Raúl is driving Lucas home... but first, he asks him for a favor. An important one. After all, Lucas owes him.

Director
Santi Capuz, Diego Jiménez
Screenwriter
Santi Capuz
Cast
Antón Lofer, Pablo Castellano
Runtime
Language
Spanish
Subtitles
English

A Cat Under The Wheels

Local title
Auto alla jäänud kass
Director
Jauffrey Gallé
Country
France
Year
2025
Genre
Horror

Yannick, a hurried delivery driver, loses his way on a country road and hits a cat in front of an isolated house. When his vehicle refuses to start again, he has no choice but to knock on the door.

Director
Jauffrey Gallé
Screenwriter
Jauffrey Gallé
Producer
Thibaut Amri, David Thiers
Cast
Frédéric Ambrosini, Eva Chevret
Runtime
Language
French
Subtitles
English