CANADIAN SHORTS AFTER DARK is Toronto After Dark's annual collection of outstanding Canadian Short Films. For 2023 we will be presenting 19 amazing short films in two different collections, the CANADIAN SHORTS SHOWCASE (Screening 9 incredible shorts on Saturday, Oct 21, 4 pm) and our CANADIAN PRE-FEATURE SHORTS PROGRAM (Screening 10 additional brilliant shorts, one in front of each of the 10 Feature Films throughout the five nights of the entire Oct 18-22 festival). Find out more about all the shorts and get tickets to the Showcase below:
CANADIAN SHORTS SHOWCASE (SATURDAY, Oct 21, 4 pm)
This lineup features 9 incredible new horror, sci-fi, action and cult shorts, with a total runtime of approximately 90 minutes. Most of the short filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A! Scroll down for more information on the films (listed in screening order) or to get tickets.
NIGHT DRIVES: CAMPFIRE IN THE SKY
Jono Hunter, 3m
A couple of co-workers discuss their love of camping when Alex joins the conversation and shares his unusual experiences.
THRIVING: A DISSOCIATED REVERIE
Nicole Bazuin, 10m
A woman with dissociative identity disorder navigates her many inner selves whilst avoiding a zombie apocalypse. Official Selection of the Sundance Film Festival.
DEMON BOX
Sean Wainsteim, 14m
An extremely personal film dealing with generational trauma and its effects on a filmmaker who explores the many ways to cope.
COLIN CARVEY’S LONG HALLOWEEN
Aaron Peacock, 11m
Chaos ensues when a young Colin Carvey is glued into his Halloween costume by some tough kids in this delightfully murderous tale.
YOUR MONEY’S NO GOOD HERE
Jakob Skrzypa, 9m
A simple phrase sends a man off the deep end when he can’t wrap his head around why his money is no longer good.
GHOSTS DO NOT EXIST
Austin Birtch, 10m
A paranormal investigator’s job is at stake when he makes one last attempt to prove his theory.
BLOOD LINE
Richard Rotter, 14m
A young woman longs for independence while caring for her sickly father, who also happens to be a vampire. Executive Produced by Vincenzo Natali.
BIRD HOSTAGE
Lauren Andrews, 14m
Hired to pet sit for a bird , Lauren discovers that not only can the bird talk (voiced by Jay Baruchel), but he is being held hostage.
FORGOTTEN LAKE
Adam Brooks, Matthew Kennedy, 7mins
The legend of Blueberry Boy is recounted by camp counsellors as they realize it might be more than just a story. From two members of filmmaking collective Astron-6 (TADFF Feature Films MANBORG, FATHER'S DAY and THE VOID).
CANADIAN PRE-FEATURE SHORTS PROGRAM
10 more incredible new horror, sci-fi, action and cult shorts, screening one in front of each of the 10 feature films. A number of the short filmmakers will be in attendance to intro their films! Scroll down for more information on the films (listed chronologically by which feature film they screen in front of). To buy tickets to the actual screenings visit our Schedule & Tickets Page.
SOUL PROPRIETOR
Playing in front of LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL
Scott Riopelle, 12m
A priest gets more than he bargains for when he encounters multiple demons during an exorcism.
MYSTERY BOX
Playing in front of THE LAST EXIT
Tomas Morrison, Marko Pandza, Jason Kerr, 7m
While searching the dark web, a curious man orders a mystery box to be delivered to his home.
REC VOLTON
Playing in front of UFO SWEDEN
Jack Lesarge, Michael Williams, 5m
When Rec Volton is called to Earth to stop an alien invasion he answers the call, because he, above all else, is a professional.
XTEMPLAR
Playing in front of RESTORE POINT
Paul Furminger, 6m
When the sole human survivor of a spaceship crash emerges from the wreckage, he must fight aliens trying to kill the human race.
*666
Playing in front of DANIELS GOTTA DIE
Abby Elizabeth Falvo, 3m
While performing a ritual to talk with the dead, two women are surprised by who ends up answering the call.
CAMP
Playing in front of FOUNDERS DAY
Bronson Allen, 4m
Three eager young campers try to commune with the dead using a homemade “Weeja Board”.
BLACK PARIS
Playing in front of THE DEEP DARK
Sid Santiago Zanforlin, 4m
While under attack by a malevolent force, a soldier fights a losing war.
POOL PARTY
Playing in front of SUITABLE FLESH
Ellie Stewart, 8min
Freya endures the taunting of a bully at her best friend's birthday party because guarding her secret is more important than standing up for herself.
BYE-BYE
Playing in front of LOVELY DARK AND DEEP
Freddy Chávez OImos, 3m
While waiting for their train to arrive, a couple hear whispers emerge from the deserted subway station.
GAMESMANSHIP
Playing in front of IT”S A WONDERFUL KNIFE
Doug Cook, 9m
Rachel and Bill who are new in town are invited to a games night by an extremely competitive couple.
