Ghost in the Machine, Deceiver, Star-Crossed, Only Space And Time, Memoria Obscura, 404, All You Need, Lucía, the Woman Without a Face, Blindsided - Block run time 1:30:25
Technology, temptation, the supernatural, and the unknown collide in Dark Encounters. From rogue AI and stolen memories to sinister forces and extraterrestrial threats, these chilling shorts explore what happens when we come face-to-face with something we don’t fully understand.
Ghost in the Machine - dir. Tony Schwartz - 17:05
A young, irresponsible executive assistant uses an AI program as a shortcut for a work project, with catastrophic results.
Deceiver - dir. Ian Franco - 05:57
When a strange object awakens dark urges, a downtrodden woman must confront whether she’s being manipulated, or finally seeing her true self.
Star-Crossed - dir. Bud Myrick - 14:01
A beautiful young woman craving connection risks revealing her true nature—only to fall for the wrong man, igniting a night of passion, poor decisions, and consequences you can't sweep under a rug.
Only Space And Time - dir. Chris Cameron - 05:00
A woman is brought in for questioning by two FBI Agents who work at AREA 51 as her name is brought up on a mysterious VHS tape. The Agents try and link the connection between her and the mysterious entity on the tape.
Memoria Obscura - dir. David C. Nelson & Connor Ryan - 05:00
In a world where memory erasure is a legitimate industry, the underground black market known as Memoria Obscura serves as a hub for stolen and repurposed memories.
404 - dir. James Boyd - 07:58
After her empathy algorithm is rejected by the humans who created her, an AI bot struggles to find purpose in a world that may not be ready for her.
All You Need - dir. Paula Crichton - 12:06
A desperate, isolated woman must battle an internet demon disguised as a wellness influencer.
Lucía, the Woman Without a Face - dir. Georga Morgan-Fleming & José Herrera - 15:24
Plagued by a recurring nightmare, Javier can’t shake the growing sense that an ominous presence is getting closer.
Blindsided - dir. Patrick Hogan - 07:54
A blind schoolteacher struggles to survive through a nightmarish night when an alien spaceship crashes and unleashes a monstrous predator. This unique horror short film features an all low-vision cast and places the audience in the POV of a blind protagonist who is only able to hear what happens around her.
Screenings are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
About SIMI Film Fest
Now in its fourth year, SIMI Film Fest returns for nine extraordinary days with its most ambitious program yet: 103 films, 69 music videos, youth filmmaking, industry events, and live orchestral film music, all brought together in one festival built to celebrate every craft of filmmaking.
At its heart, SIMI Film Fest is about putting great movies on the big screen and giving the public the opportunity to discover original work from filmmakers around the world. From features and shorts to documentaries, animation, genre films, youth projects, and music videos, the festival offers audiences stories and creative voices they may not encounter anywhere else.
But screening exceptional work is only part of our mission. SIMI Film Fest is equally committed to helping filmmakers propel their careers. This year’s expanded program includes meaningful industry connections, filmmaker field trips, panels, networking opportunities, more than 25 awards, and the new SIMIFF Jury Prize: a three-month mentorship with CAA agent Matt Smith for one standout filmmaker.
The 2026 festival also introduces the SIMIFF Film Music Competition, culminating in a live concert with the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra. Selected composers will hear their original scores performed before a live audience, highlighting the essential role music plays in bringing stories to life.
SIMI Film Fest is where audiences discover remarkable films, where every filmmaking discipline is valued, and where talented artists gain recognition, relationships, and real opportunities to move forward.
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