The Prowler, a psychological horror short from Puerto Rican filmmaker Christopher Piñero (A Dark Place, Gone, Leaving), is heading to the Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival, running July 30 through August 12, 2026, at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The film marks the LA debut for a short that has already earned selections at Panic Fest and the Chattanooga Film Festival.
The film follows a quiet night that spirals into a fight for survival, built around themes of fear and paranoia in this psychological horror short. “What if fear itself became the villain?” Piñero has said about the premise — his stated goal was to create a psychological horror story that keeps audiences questioning what’s real until the very end.
Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building, Shaft, The Inspection) stars, bringing real genre credentials to a project that works hard to earn its tension.
With the LA Shorts International Film Festival serving as an Oscar and BAFTA qualifier, The Prowler’s selection puts it on the path toward potential awards consideration alongside its festival run.
The Prowler screens at LA Shorts Intl FF from July 30 through August 12, 2026, at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live.
