AL(U)CINE, the section dedicated to fantasy and horror short films at ALCINE, the Alcalá de Henares/Community of Madrid Film Festival, returns for this 54th edition after the success of its 2024 premiere. And it returns as a micro-festival, on October 29 and 30, in the middle of the spooky season before Halloween, with the best short films in the genre and the preview of a highly anticipated film as a surprise screening
In ALCINE 54's most terrifying competitive section, AL(U)CINE, six fantasy, horror, and related short films will compete for a prize of 600 euros awarded by the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá and CIMUART. The winner will be chosen by the audience after the screening.
These are the short films in competition:
Buffet Paraíso, by Santi Amézqueta, Héctor Zafra. Spain, 2024. 8 min.
Queda’t en mi, by Miriam Quesada. Spain, 2025. 14 min.
The Unbearing, by Also Sisters. United States, 2024. 14 min.
Vacío, by Javier Cano Larumbe. Spain, 2025. 14 min.
Corps Étranger, by Mathieu Mortelmans, Cécile Delberghe. Belgium, 2025. 16 min.
El Fantasma de la Quinta, by James A. Castillo. Spain, 2025. 16 min.
We'll also be joined by its directors. All of this will be accompanied by the podcast Last Night on Earth, featuring Karim Shaker and several terrifying guests. It will be on Wednesday, October 29, at 8:30 p.m., at the Teatro Salón Cervantes. AL(U)CINE tickets are now on sale. With the collaboration of the General Foundation of the University of Alcalá / CIMUART.
A small classic in recent editions, the surprise screening, this time with a horror and suspense theme, is now part of AL(UCINE) and will open the microfestival on Wednesday the 29th at 6:00 PM. Once again, we'll be screening one of the most anticipated titles of the season, recently released at Sitges 2025. In this case, we can only say that it's an adaptation that will delight the most discerning contemporary horror readers. You can now get your tickets for the surprise screening at ALCINE 54.
ALCINE brings together a selection of the season's best short films from the international circuit in the MadFant Marathon, curated by Mike Hostench for the Comunidad de Madrid Short Film Week. A full-on horror marathon, with free admission until capacity is reached, on Thursday, October 30th, starting at 6:00 PM at the Teatro Salón Cervantes. And with the option to step outside between short films to catch your breath. In collaboration with the Comunidad de Madrid Short Film Week.
This is the schedule for the MadFant Marathon:
Amira, by Javier Yáñez Sanz. Spain, 2025. 23 min. Official Selection, Sitges 2025.
Jacques The Giant Slayer, by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. United States, 2025. 20 min. Official Selection, Sitges 2025.
Dream Creep, by Carlos A.F. Lopez. United States, 2024. 12 min. Sundance (Best Director Award - Short Film), Overlook Festival (Most Terrifying Short Film Award), Midnight Madness LA (Best Short Film).
The Sleeping Beauty, by Mattie Do. United States, Thailand, Laos, 2025. 23 min. Official Selection, Locarno 2025.
Whitch, by Hoku Uchiyama. United States, 2025. 23 min. Special Jury Prize - Midnight Section, SXSW 2025.
Playing God, by Matteo Burani. Italy, France, 2024. 23 min. Audience Award for Best Animated Short Film - San Sebastián International Horror and Fantasy Film Festival.
Water Sports, by Whammy Alcazaren. Philippines, 2025. 18 min. Official Selection - Fantastic Fest 2025.
Tinieblas, by Raúl Cerezo and Carlos Moriana. Spain, 2025. 15 min. Premiere - Austin Fantastic Fest.
Sammi, Who Can Detach His Body Parts, by Rein Maychaelson. Indonesia, 2025. 19 min. Premiere - Berlinale Shorts 2025.
I'm Not a Robot, by Victoria Warmerdam. Netherlands, Belgium, 2025. 23 min. Oscar 2025 for Best Fiction Short Film.
