Something Wicked Dwells

This silent film adaptation, based on the critically acclaimed poem, follows four men chained together in the gallows of Hell. Each face their demise one-by-one at the hands of the Beast.
Shot in 2011, and still impacting audiences today:

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/785334235

https://shortfilmsmatter.com/2390/something-wicked-dwells

*** This film is proudly SAG/AFTRA.***

  • Waide Riddle
    Director
    LOST HILLS, CA., The Lines In Their Faces, Two Men Kissing
  • Waide Riddle
    Writer
  • Waide Riddle
    Producer
  • Bill Oberst, Jr.
    Key Cast
  • Troy Mittleider
    Key Cast
  • CJ Brady
    Key Cast
  • Fabian Alomar
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Silent, Alternative Horror, Underground
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 11, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital HD
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Short Films Matter
    Los Angeles
    United States
    January 15, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Paradise International Film Festival

    India
    December 18, 2021
    WINNER: BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
  • L.A. LIVE Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 6, 2021
    AWARD-WINNER: BEST SHORT
  • World Film Carnaval

    Singapore
    September 17, 2021
    Award Winner / Best Experimental Film Division
  • Cleveland Horror Fest
    Cleveland, Ohio
    United States
    October 3, 2021
    Ohio Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • World Film Carnival

    Singapore
    September 17, 2021
    Finalist in Best Experimental Film Division
  • Virgin Spring Cinefest
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    September 18, 2021
    Finalist in Best Experimental Film Division
  • Crown Wood International Film Festival

    India
    September 18, 2021
    Winner: Best Silent Film Division
  • Virgin Spring Cinefest
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    September 18, 2021
    Official Selection
  • World Film Carnival

    Singapore
    September 17, 2021
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Druc International Film Festival
    Bhutan, Punakha, Paro
    September 24, 2021
    Official Selection
  • L.A. LIVE Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 6, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Cult Critics Movie Awards
    Kolkata
    India
    September 14, 2021
    Finalist/Best Experimental Film
  • Andromeda Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    October 20, 2021
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Andromeda Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    October 20, 2021
    Jury Prize/Best Experimental Film
  • Gangtok International Film Festival
    Simmik
    India
    September 8, 2021
    Gold Award Winner Best in Silent Film Division
  • L.A. FEEDBACK Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 4, 2021
    Best Cinemaphotography
  • L’Age d’Or International Arthouse Film Festival
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    India
    August 9, 2021
    Outstanding Achievement in Silent Film
  • L’Age d’Or International Arthouse Film Festival
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    India
    August 9, 2021
    Semi-Finalist/Silent Film Category
  • L’Age d’Or International Arthouse Film Festival
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    India
    July 31, 2021
    India Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION/Silent Film Any Length
  • Horror Film Awards
    Rožňava
    Slovakia
    July 30, 2021
    Slovakia Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION/Male Director for Short Film
  • NOSFERATU Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 23, 2021
    European Premiere
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Black & White FEEDBACK Film Festival
    Toronto, ON
    Canada
    September 4, 2021
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Tampa Bay Film Society Movie Night
    Tampa Bay, Florida
    United States
    May 18, 2021
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • UCLA Library of Special Collections
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 27, 2012
    Induction into Archives Presentation
  • Palm Springs International ShortFest Film Market
    Palm Springs, California
    United States
    June 1, 2012
  • Little Rock Horror Picture Show
    Little Rock, AR
    February 1, 2012
    World Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Short Films Matter
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: Internet
Director Biography - Waide Riddle

Waide is an award-winning poet, author & screenwriter. Many of his poems, stories, and films are archived at UCLA Library of Special Collections, ONE Institute USC LGBT Library, the Simon Weisenthal Center/Museum of Tolerance, Poets House/NYC & the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Something Wicked Dwells," the poem, was originally published in "All-American Texan" (1998), "The HorrorZine Summer Digest" (2012) & "Speculative Poets of Texas" (2015).
I was Honored to have Tom Of Finland award-winning photographer, Jay R. Lawton, as my Still Photographer. He was a miracle-worker!
For comprehensive production information on "Something Wicked Dwells," check out its IMDB-Pro page at:
https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2184322/?ref_=recent_view_6
Click Details or Video.
*** This film is proudly SAG/AFTRA ***
SAG/AFTRA Business Rep: Joshua Vasquez
Production ID # 00263962