Private Project

Black Mass

Black Mass tells the story of a bereaved family, a father and his two adopted daughters, as they try to come to terms with the loss of their mother; all while haunted by a dark presence known as Darkness.

  • Scott Lyus
    Director
    Silently Within Your Shadow, Echoes of the Passed
  • Scott Lyus
    Writer
    Silently Within Your Shadow, Echoes of the Passed
  • Chris Nials
    Producer
    Earlybird, Echoes of the Passed
  • Scott Lyus
    Producer
    Silently Within Your Shadow, Echoes of the Passed
  • Johnny Vivash
    Key Cast
    "Charlie"
    The Creature Below, Charismata, Book of Monsters
  • Sophia Eleni
    Key Cast
    "Meagan"
    Tyrant, Finding Fatimah
  • Charlie Bond
    Key Cast
    "Jessica"
    Hellriser, King Lear
  • James Swanton
    Key Cast
    "Darkness"
    Double Date, Frankenstein's Creature, Host
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 30, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Birmingham Film Festival 2019
    Birmingham
    United Kingdom
    November 2, 2019
    World Premiere
    Nominated - Best Short Film. Nominated - BFF Bull Award (Best Overall Film)
  • PanicFest 2020
    Kansas City
    United States
    January 23, 2020
    North American Premiere
    Nominated - Best of Fest: Short Film
  • Frightfest: Glasgow Film Festival 2020
    Glasgow
    United Kingdom
    March 6, 2020
    Scottish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Starburst International Film Festival 2020
    Manchester
    United Kingdom
    March 13, 2020
    Manchester Premiere
    WINNER - BEST SCREENPLAY . WINNER - BEST PERFORMANCE - JOHNNY VIVASH
  • HorrorHound Weekend Film Festival 2020
    Cincinati, Ohio
    United States
    March 22, 2020
    Finalist
  • Slumberjack Film Festival 2020
    Cheshire
    United Kingdom
    April 25, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Unrestricted View Film Festival 2020
    Virtual
    United Kingdom
    July 13, 2020
    Nominated - Best Actor - Johnny Vivash. Nominated - Best Editing
  • Romford Film Festival 2020
    Romford
    United Kingdom
    August 17, 2020
    Nominated - Best Local Film
  • Austin After Dark Film Festival 2020
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    September 12, 2020
    Texas Premiere
    Nominated - Best Horror Film
  • Oregon Scream Week Horror Film Festival 2020
    Oregon
    United Kingdom
    October 9, 2020
    Oregon Premiere
    Nominated - Best International Film
  • Terror in the Bay Film Festival 2020
    Ontario
    Canada
    October 17, 2020
    Canadian Premiere
    Nominated - Best Actor - Johnny Vivash. Nominated - Best Supporting Actress - Charlie Bond
  • Wreak Havoc Film Festival 2020
    North Carolina
    United States
    October 21, 2020
    North Carolina Premiere
    Nominated - Best Foreign Film. Nominated - Best Director. Nominated - Best Cinematography
  • Russian International Horror Film Festival 2020
    Moscow
    Russian Federation
    October 23, 2020
    Russian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival 2020
    Virtual
    United Kingdom
    October 27, 2020
    Honorable Mention - Best Editing. Honorable Mention - Best FX. Nominated - Best Short Film. Nominated - Best Actor - Johnny Vivash.
  • Dead And SudBuried Horrorthon At Home
    Virtual
    United Kingdom
    November 15, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Romford Horror Festival 2021
    Romford
    United Kingdom
    June 5, 2021
    WINNER - BEST LOCAL FILM. Nominated - Best Actor - Johnny Vivash
  • The Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival 2021
    Uxbridge, MA
    United States
    September 25, 2021
    Massachusetts Premiere
    Official Selection
  • HorrorCon UK 2022
    Sheffield
    United Kingdom
    May 22, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Scott Lyus

Scott Lyus is an indie filmmaker from Chelmsford, England. Having started his love affair with film from a young age, Scott decided against film school and instead kick started his short film career with the home invasion thriller Supernova, followed by the critically acclaimed cult horror Order of the Ram.

However it was the filmmakers next short film, Silently Within Your Shadow, starring horror legend Bill Moseley as the voice of 'Hugo' that really caught fire.
With the film screening at 75+ film festivals worldwide, picking up various awards and nominations along the way.

Scott would then follow up with paranormal thriller Echoes of the Passed, which would go on to play several festivals worldwide including the legendary Shriekfest Film Festival and the Starburst International Film Festival from Starburst Magazine, where it was awarded Best Short Film 2018.

However his next project, Black Mass, is by far his most personal to date...

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The story was born out of my own personal battle with depression and the depths it has taken me to. For me, it has been the darkest and scariest period of my life, and while it’s a battle I still suffer with, it’s one I’m ready to open up about and help shine a light on. Although it would be impossible to create a picture that captures every form of depression, I feel horror is the perfect genre to explore such themes.

Filmed in a 4:3 aspect ratio, using Canon prime lenses from the 1970s, my aim was to create a claustrophobic feel to the picture, that represents the feeling of depression and darkness; while creating a unique cinematic image with a colour palette that captures each characters mental state.

Thank you so much for taking the time to view the film. I hope our story connects with you.