Fantastic Flings I – SLASH Filmfestival

Applying the notion of a “fling” (a carefree romance or casual hookup) to our partnerships with international festivals, SLASH is proud to get into bed with Short Com International Comedy Film and Animation Festival for Fantastic Flings I—a collaborative program that explores relationships through a genre lens and showcases the best shorts from both festivals, embracing mutual exposure in the spirit of “we’ll show you ours if you show us yours!”

Featuring hauntings more hilarious than horrifying and killers at times more clumsy than competent, this program traverses the wide fantastic genre spectrum with an unexpected comedy twist or take. From problematic, randy ghosts and bloodthirsty critters out for revenge to complex interstellar or pint-sized Stella romances and the arduous search for the bones of a long-lost brother (who might be a rabbit!)—brace yourselves for the weird, wacky, and wonderful collaboration of Slash-Com.

In attendance of Chris Aitken (festival director of Short Com and co-curator of this programme)

Films in this programme

Houston, We Have a Crush
Omer Ben Shachar | US 2025 | 10'Austrian Premiere
After finding a phone accidentally left behind by an astronaut, a lonely alien develops an all-consuming crush that tests his hold on reality.
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Hubbards
Kevin Ralston | US 2021 | 5'Austrian Premiere
Shovel in hand, one man embarks on a quest to find his lost brother.
Bidet
James Brylowski | CA 2025 | 8'Austrian Premiere
A group of best friends are hunted by a possessed bidet.
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A Day in the Life of Someone Who’s Being Haunted
Nikola McMurtrie | UK 2022 | 2'
A parody of Day-in-the-Life videos, but with a spooky twist.
Fucking Ghosts
Jason Cook | US 2020 | 3'Austrian Premiere
A fake horror trailer about a family that buys a new house that's haunted by horny ghosts.
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They Grow Up So Fast
John F. Beach | US 2023 | 10'Austrian Premiere
When Brian meets Amy after a night out on the town, things move a little faster than he'd anticipated.
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The Murderer
Kyla Atlas | CA 2024 | 3'Austrian Premiere
A corpse-strewn vision dreamt up at the age of eight and animated thirty years later.
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The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much
Eric Jackowitz | US 2025 | 17'Austrian Premiere
A blind violinist ascends to first chair at the Rome Symphony, just as a black-gloved killer begins stalking the orchestra. The only witness to the murders: her loyal seeing-eye dog.
The Popping
Shelby Pogue | US 2020 | 2'Austrian Premiere
A popcorn character from the "Let’s All Go to the Lobby" advertisement accidentally runs off his film strip and into the world of the movie playing next, a slasher horror film.
Weak in the Knees
Shivers & Viking | US 2025 | 7'European Premiere
The story of a masked killer who was eventually feared by all.
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They Know
Elliot Long | US 2026 | 2'European Premiere
After witnessing the murder of a squirrel, a cabal of woodland creatures summon the forces of darkness to balance the scales.
Monkey Bar
Mya Van Dyk | CA 2025 | 1'Austrian Premiere
How does a monkey turn his frown upside down when life’s a drag?
The 12 Inch Pianist
Lucas Ansel | US 2025 | 7'Austrian Premiere
A bar joke goes awry, unraveling into a surreal tale that explores the acceptance of self, others, and queer identity.
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