Venefica

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Today is when the fates decide

Written & Directed by

Maria Wilson

Produced by

Hannah Whitney, Tess Harrison, Maria Wilson

Starring

Will Harrison, Maria Wilson

Cinematography by

Seamus Mulligan - Ferry

Original music by

Sarah Goldstone & Will Tendy

Penelope is a modern day witch - a Venefica, to be exact. Today, in the middle of an isolated forest, she must endure the mystical rite of passage that determines whether her abilities will be used for good or for evil.

Venefica is Maria's debut short film - shot on a micro-budget of $1000, and filmed deep in the Adirondacks alongside two other short films by co-producers Tess Harrison and Hannah Whitney.

It had its international premiere at the Fantasia Int'l Film Festival, as part of the first ever "Born of Woman" shorts block- a program made entirely of female-directed horror films. Since then, it has screened at over 25 festivals, won 4 awards on the US festival circuit, and was licensed to stream online via Shudder.

Using minimal dialogue, high stakes, and a runtime of just over 7 minutes, Venefica provides a short, yet thrilling, "coming of age" story. It highlights the lengths we go in order to feel like we belong, the sense of agency we have over our own uncertain futures, and puts the old adage "mother knows best" into an entirely new light.

"Winner of 4 awards on the US festival circuit, Venefica's uneasy charms herald an extraordinary debut for writer/director/ producer Maria Wilson, who also stars."

- Mitch Davis, Fantasia International Film Festival

FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2016 - INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE, IN COMPETITION

ETHERIA FILM NIGHT 2017-2018 INTERNATIONAL TOUR

RIDGEFIELD INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2017- OFFICIAL SELECTION

WOMEN'S INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2016- WINNER BEST DIRECTING

ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2017- IN COMPETITION

CITIZEN JANE FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

HOLLYSHORTS MONTHLY SCREENINGS 2017- IN COMPETITION

PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL 2016- IN COMPETITION

MORBIDO FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

DAYS OF THE DEAD CONVENTION 2017- OFFICIAL SELECTION

OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

Final Girls Berlin film Festival 2017 - official selection

INTERNATIONAL HORROR HOTEL 2016- NOMINEE BEST LEAD ACTRESS

INTERNATIONAL HORROR HOTEL 2016- WINNER BEST SUSPENSE/THRILLER SHORT

NITEHAWK SHORTS FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

EL DORADO FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

JUGGERNAUT SCI-FI & FANTASY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2016- WINNER FEMALE FILMMAKER AWARD

CRYPTICON SEATTLE HORROR FESTIVAL 2017 - OFFICIAL SELECTION

BOSTON SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL 2017- OFFICIAL SELECTION

BROOKLYN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

LA FEMME INternationaL FILM FESTIVAL 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

LITTLE ROCK PICTURE SHOW 2017- IN COMPETITION

ANOTHER HOLE IN THE HEAD 2016- OFFICIAL SELECTION

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