MALIGPOT FANTASTIKA I FANTASTIC COMPETITION SHORTS
BAKUNAWA FEST 12 proudly presents this year's Maligpot Fantastika - Fantastic Competition Shorts - fabulous, fascinating, foreboding, freakish, fun, fatal and fearless films assembled. As always, all free and all Premieres!
Ahnhauch (Ancestral Whispers)
Lukas Ladner (2025) Austria 14:40 min
Drama, Folk, Mystery I World Premiere
In a world governed by rules and rituals, even an act of compassion can become a fall from grace. But what should be done if one's own conscience refuses to follow the rigid structures of the community?
Enseñame Como Morir (Show Me How To Die) by Gerardo Maravilla (2025) USA 14min
Surreal, Drama, Horror I Asian Premiere
After her grandmother passes away, a grieving Mexican-American woman becomes fascinated with learning what it feels like to die, believing it will allow her to feel close to her grandma in death in a way she never felt in life. Her grief leads her to “The Death Lab”, a mysterious medical facility that claims to recreate the sensation of dying without actually killing you. Here she embarks on a surreal and deeply personal journey that stretches beyond the confines of life itself.
FOMO/Armageddon by Michael Niels Køppen Kunov (2023) Denmark 12 min
Drama, Sci-Fi, Horror I Southeast Asian Premiere
The world is coming to an end and teenager William is convinced that it is his fault. He has promised his crush to spend the last moments with her, but he hasn't told his parents, who have decided to use the last day on earth celebrating his disabled sister's birthday. William has always put his sister first, but today he wants to free himself. Still, guilt is holding him back.
Gökotta
by Kay Oceans (2025) Spain 14 min
Live-Action, Fantasy, Animation I Southeast Asian Premiere
After dreaming of a forest guardian, 25-year-old Samuel recalls a childhood memory of discovering a tiny gnome village hidden in the woods - one he used to visit until he found it mysteriously destroyed. Years later, he searches his basement for the salvaged remnants his mother saved and returns to the forest hoping to find any trace of the creatures. Just as he’s ready to give up, he discovers a small door in an old tree.
La habitación del macho cabrio (The Devil Room) by Duban Pinzón (2025) Colombia 12 min
Horror, Animation I Southeast Asian Premiere
In a room outside of the real world, Juan, a 10-year-old boy, lives with both of his grandparents. Unfortunately, his grandfather suffers from a strange illness that causes him to expel matter and rotting meat. As a result, every night, demons come to visit and feast on his grandfather's flesh. Despite his grandmother's efforts to hide the truth from the boy, one night, Juan approaches the demons and discovers the mystery behind what is happening.
Lélek a Mélyben (Missing Parts) by Tamás Rolfesz (2025) Hungary 13:48 min
Fantasy, Animation I Asian Premiere
Set in a fictional ancient civilization, it follows a solitary figure navigating a strange world in search of freedom. As he encounters bizarre creatures and fragmented landscapes, his journey becomes an exploration of identity, connection and the quiet struggle to become whole. Blending abstract imagery with emotional nuance, the film offers a poetic reflection on incompleteness and transformation.
Portrait by Daniel Tan Wen Long (2025) Singapore 14 min
Supernatural, Drama I International Premiere
When Emil’s grandfather, Ah Gong, nears the end of his life, he leaves Emil one final request: inherit his sacred duty, photographing the dead and capturing their final words before they move on. Threading the fragile balance of fulfilling this sacred duty and making time for his loved ones, Emil struggles to live in the present as he knows the dead cannot wait, but how much more can the living?
River People (A'Likou) by Peter Toyat (2025) Malaysia 13 min
Folk Tale, Drama, Indigenous I Philippine Premiere
In the ancient Melanau kingdom, a humble fisherman's life unravels when his sister is taken as sacrifice. Defying rulers, spirits, and fate, Tugau's quest to save her forges him into a warrior-king whose choices ignite a war among nations.
Someone by Juan Lorges (2024) Argentina 8:26 min
Horror I Southeast Asian Premiere
A father returns home at night. His children should be sleeping, but instead they are hiding and scared. They tell the father that they think there's someone else in the house, and they convince him to go check.
Teatro Fantasma (Phantom Theater) by Theo Tajes (2024) Brazil 6:52 min
Surreal, Drama I Southeast Asian Premiere
After the doors close, a spirit wanders through the deserted theater, taking with it all the plays that have ever been performed. Acting when the lights are off and the seats are empty, he keeps the stories, the tragedies and the comedies alive. And so, without ever resting, the theater breathes.
Tub
by Andrew Bowman (2025) USA 12:20 min
Surreal, Experimental I International Premiere
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A cast iron tub serves as the conduit for three dreams, each in conflict with the other. As the fantasies are realized, they begin to crumble around the dreamers and their hypocrisies are revealed.
up here, disappear by Arnex Nicolas (2025) Philippines 13 min
Dark, Drama I Visayas Premiere
A trans woman mourns her lover’s inexplicable disappearance through ritual and performance across different spaces that tether her to both his presence and absence until grief becomes the only thing that feels real.
Vagabond by Philippe Woodtli (2025) Switzerland 15 min
Noir, Thrillerl I World Premiere
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Ortiz, a card mechanic, works the perfect con with his partner Fay at the Vagabond, an off-grid gambling den—quick, clean, and gone before anyone notices. But when Vince, a sharp-eyed Caribbean grinder with a bad temper, spots their move, the game explodes into violence. Pulling the con was easy; escaping is where everything unravels. And when the smoke clears, something in the dark is still waiting.