Horror Short Review: The Footage (2025)

Written & directed by Marianne Martin, starring Cat Van Rae, Kamauri Ford, Jimmy Hurt, and Marianne Martin, The Footage is a found-footage horror short. It surrounds a mysterious camera that is found in the woods and brought home. A camera with footage and a camera that seems to have a mind of its own.

Have you ever wondered why the protagonist in found footage movies can’t put the camera down no matter what? That old trope? Well, this short has an answer and it relates to possession. They might think they are in control of the camera, but is it actually the other way around?

It does sound silly, and it is, expect The Footage plays it pretty straight, even in the face of so many absurd moments. Which makes for a confusing and uneven watch, especially as we’re supposed to buy into obsession at a superfast rate. Which is the sort of thing that only ever really works when you’ve got time to develop characters.

Of course, this being a short means time is limited, but it is notable that The Footage still has filler. The end result has some entertainment value, but it’s not interesting or frightening enough to have any long term impact.