When two old college acquaintances meet up after years apart, it becomes clear that one of them has a beastly secret.
Howard is a debut horror-comedy short that channels the insecurities of a creative mind struggling with the eternal conflict between art and money. As tensions rise during a weekend away in the desert heat, the question of who gets to live "the creative life"—and at what cost—takes on the gravity of life and death.
Review us on Letterboxd!
Howard is a debut horror-comedy short that channels the insecurities of a creative mind struggling with the eternal conflict between art and money. As tensions rise during a weekend away in the desert heat, the question of who gets to live "the creative life"—and at what cost—takes on the gravity of life and death.
Review us on Letterboxd!
THE CAST
Tai Leclaire as Max
Tai is a director, actor, and writer from the Mohawk Nation of Kahnawà:ke. You know him as Joseph Gribble on King Of The Hill now streaming on Hulu. He’s been featured as a 2025 Just For Laughs New Faces: Writers. |
Alyssa Sabo as Kara
Alyssa is a comedian/writer on Maude Night (Money Please) and Characters Welcome at The Upright Citizens Brigade. When she’s not performing live, she can be found online tricking millions of strangers on TikTok to believe that she is Mike Pence’s estranged daughter named “Peggy Pence.” |
Chris Cafero as Colton
Chris is an actor, writer, comedian and producer. Select credits include: Inventing Anna (Netflix), Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), The Other Two (HBOMax), Chicago Fire (NBC), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), BULL (CBS), The Night Of (HBO), Billions (Showtime), The Awesome 80's Prom (Off-B’way), and more. In 2023, he was named a Just For Laughs New Face of Comedy. |
Malin Barr as Everly
Malin is a Swedish actor, writer, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Her recent credits include Darkstar Pictures feature Honeydew (Tribeca 2021), Vanishing Angles' The Beta Test (Tribeca 2021), Netflix miniseries The Playlist, and Netflix comedy series Bad Thoughts. |
THE CREW
Writer & Director: Austin Bernhardt
Producers: Heeseung Kim & Cleo Handler
Cinematographer: Evan Parquette
Photography Design: Nina Ham
First AD: Katia Koziara
Assistant Camera: Liz Hamer
Gaffer: TJ Thickett
Grip: Abel Zarate Jr.
Sound Engineer: Larry Rosales
Location Manager: Carlin Cwik
Production Assistants: Stevie Palmateer & Mariel Sena
Paintings: Ryder Ripps
Editor: Patrick Lawrence
Colorist: Peter Steusloff
Sound Design: Charlie Ekhaus
Score: Matt Nelson
Song: Shulman Smith
Producers: Heeseung Kim & Cleo Handler
Cinematographer: Evan Parquette
Photography Design: Nina Ham
First AD: Katia Koziara
Assistant Camera: Liz Hamer
Gaffer: TJ Thickett
Grip: Abel Zarate Jr.
Sound Engineer: Larry Rosales
Location Manager: Carlin Cwik
Production Assistants: Stevie Palmateer & Mariel Sena
Paintings: Ryder Ripps
Editor: Patrick Lawrence
Colorist: Peter Steusloff
Sound Design: Charlie Ekhaus
Score: Matt Nelson
Song: Shulman Smith
FILM STILLS
SPECS
Genre: Horror Thriller
Run Time: 12 minutes 48 seconds
Production Year: 2024
Production Location: California, USA
Run Time: 12 minutes 48 seconds
Production Year: 2024
Production Location: California, USA
FESTIVALS
|
|
|
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Howard excels in keeping the viewer off balance—every gesture, every pause, feels loaded. The monster may not be seen, but it’s always present.” —Lydia Voss, Pulse Pound
Tell the world what you think! Review us on Letterboxd!