Shortcuts to Hell 2 winner announced

Teenage ghost flick Hubert’s Ghost took home top honours in the annual Shortcuts to Hell short film competition this week.

The contest, put together by our good friends at Frightfest, saw numerous entries whittled down to three finalists, of which directing duo Joe and Lloyd Staszkiewicz emerged victorious.

Their short film (you can find a link to it here – http://horrorchannel.co.uk/shortcuts_to_hell.php) will now be converted into a full-blown film production, kicking off with a budget of £20,000.

The film will receive a screening at next year’s August Frightfest shindig, as well as being shown on the Horror Channel and getting a digital release.

Lloyd said: “It’s amazing to have won this competition. It’s been a tough experience, going through the public vote, but Joe and I have learnt a lot during the process. We’re certainly more ready now to make the movie than we were before.”

A judging panel including British director John Shackleton selected the three finalists from a host of entries, before the public voted for a winner at a London party on Wednesday evening.

Shackleton said: “It is truly exciting to be able to offer this remarkable opportunity to such talented newcomers who have proven their ability and worth on every level throughout this competition. We can’t wait to work with them and look forward to presenting their films to you in 2015.”

The contest will return again next year, with Frightfest head honcho Alan Jones admitting the interest in the contest shows no signs of abating.

He said: “The Shortcuts to Hell competition slot at FrightFest was an instant success the moment it was announced. And it is always a hot ticket because it attracts such an interested and engaged crowd. It is so exciting for us to be a part of building its reputation every year as the major go-to search for tomorrow’s industry talent. FrightFest congratulates the winner and knows it will be showing the work of this innovative competition winner in the very near future.”