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Not for every taste, certainly, but this slow-burn character drama centering on a young boy who is both literally and figuratively tormented offers sobering food for thought. Much like Mama, The Babadook and A Monster Calls,the film bears all the trappings of a horror film (including a rather terrifying witch), but the real horror is in the situations and the festering anguish of the characters who are dealing with loss, grief, isolation, anger and/or abuse and bullying. Bleak and brooding, but buoyed by excellent production value and acting and an almost relentlessly menacing tone.

Women take center stage in this collection of short films that are disparate in style, but similar in theme: that of women struggling to face fears, to communicate, to be understood, to understand themselves. Some tales are harrowing, some haunting, some absurdly comedic and some beautifully hopeful. The collective journey is well worth taking.

A thoroughly engaging film about the transcending power of storytelling and dreams, Payson's documentary tells the story of young man whose body succumbs to sickle cell anemia, but whose dreams live on as his friends come together to make the movie he wrote before dying. It's a well-told, inspiring tale of friendship, community and honoring dreams--in the face of disability and even death.

"Holy Terror" seems to be a throwback to the late 70's and fans of older horror may appreciate the nostalgia. The plot is familiar tropes: a couple, believing their dead son haunts them, gets a psychic to hold a séance, but it goes wrong and she unleashes the evil spirit into the wife's visiting sister. An exorcism follows, of course. It's been done before, but that seems to be the reverential point. The acting fits the game, with strong echoes of that heightened, old school style; the psychic, exorcist and possessed sister stand out, especially. And any film with the marvelous Mel Novak--though his role is tiny--gets props.

The imaginary friend is an old idea from "Harvey" and even earlier, but "My Friend Max" manages a sweet and interesting take. It helps that the friend is played by the always enjoyable Doug Jones and that Kaylynn Burgin is equally terrific as the young girl, Thea, who keeps him around. The reason behind the relationship and the arc of the story aren't earth-shattering, but little touches keep things intriguing. The use of close-ups, for example, are quite nice: a phone fills the screen, demanding social connection from Thea; her agitation is made clear in a later scene as we stare at her fidgeting hands. The score is appropriately lilting and the supporting roles are all well-played. Some scenes end abruptly and a few things are left unanswered, but these are mere quibbles. In the end, "My Friend Max" is a worthwhile, heartfelt tale of growing up and letting go.

A very unique, short film that uses a narrative structure to riff on the concept of Muladhara--the root chakra which is associated with the color red, the sense of smell and the dynamics of grounding, elimination and base instincts.

In the film, an unstable and insulated woman (an excellent Kelly Lynn Warren channeling Ellen Burstyn from "Requiem for a Dream"), struggles with unexpected visitors, a mysterious blood-like ooze seeping into her house...and something even more disturbing. Writer/director Joel Mahr's subtle style keeps the proceedings gradual and steady so the build to the climax and its effect sneaks up as a surprise.