2025 Short Film: Hand

• Directed by: Jennifer Winterbotham
• Written by: Jennifer Winterbotham
• Stars: Sharlene Cruz, Dario Vazquez, Emma Ramos
• Run Time: 18 Minutes
• Submitted as an entry in the “Palm Springs International ShortFest”
  

What Happens

Amber and Justino are in the process of breaking up, and she’s taking it badly. As she walks back to her car in a daze, she accidentally cuts her hand on a cactus. Out of the blue, Justin slits his wrists, but that’s OK because she’s got bandages. Or maybe that was a dream.

Later, she talks to her friend on the phone, and we see the cut on her hand and the breakup are real. At work, her hand starts bothering her, and she continues to hallucinate Justin.

What exactly is going on here

Commentary

So many horror movies could simply be avoided if people actually went to the doctor! Anyway, on to the important question— does mustard expire?

We know something is off about Amber right from the beginning, but finding out the specifics takes some time, and it’s all very suspenseful. The hallucinations are really well done with the accompanying special effects.

Great!