Experiencing Interruptions?

HIGH & DRY

Stranded in the woods with danger closing in, two femmes must confront the men who mistake them for prey—and prove they are anything but.

What begins as a weekend escape spirals into a fight for survival in Jenn Santos’ jam packed thrill-of-a-ride horror short, HIGH & DRY.

With no car, no phone service, and no water, two queer femmes of color—Jade and Imani—are forced to rely on strangers to find their way out. But when a ride turns threatening, they must navigate more than just the wilderness—they must face the real-world horrors of misogyny and racial violence.

HIGH & DRY is a story about the complexities of friendship and the fight against systems that seek to harm those who are different.

  • Jenn Santos
    Writer
  • Jenn Santos
    Director
  • Kilani Villiaros
    Director of Photography
  • Kaiulani Bush
    Producer
  • Jenn Santos
    Key Cast
    "JADE"
  • Jameelah
    Key Cast
    "IMANI"
  • Justin Sandler
    Key Cast
    "RED"
  • Arthur Roberts
    Key Cast
    "JOE"
  • Alex Jean
    Key Cast
    "BEN"
  • Thomas De la Rosa
    Editor
  • Casey Lagos
    Music Composer
  • Natalie Peracchio
    Production Designer
  • Kelsey Duvauchelle
    Costume Designer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, LGBTQ+
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 24, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Jenn Santos

JENN SANTOS (she/they) is a Filipinx-American, queer, non-binary, Actor/Writer/Director who loves horror movies almost as much as belting ballads on karaoke.

As an actor you’ll recognize them from in Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble's HBO MAX episodic series THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS, adding some comedic relief to ~the dating scene~ and in NETFLIX's limited series BOO, BITCH where they play an aggressively sassy “May” across from Lana Condor. They’ve acted in a variety of films, television series, web series and commercials across platforms and festivals internationally.

Driven to explore complex characters and perspectives–while they impatiently wait for their *indie film breakthrough role*– Jenn writes and directs their own films that grapple with cultural and gender identity in front of a dramatic & horrific backdrop. Telling stories that delve into darker elements, their work shines a light on confronting fear and prejudices through empathy and a collective acknowledgement of our shared human experience.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Regardless of where we come from, we can all relate to feeling like the other. Like someone else has chosen our narrative.

As a queer Filipino that grew up in a very white-centric, conservative place, I discovered my queerness and being non-binary later in life. And where I haven’t lived the horror that these characters go through, I’ve certainly lived some horror that stemmed from what I look like.

I’m drawn to stories about identity, with feeling seen and understood. In my past work, the main characters struggle to fully own the parts of them that make up who they inherently are, parts that are generally judged and dismissed. And with HIGH & DRY I want to demonstrate characters who find the power within themselves to not ask for permission.

I resonate a lot with Jade. It took me a while to be open with my queerness because I didn’t feel like society or people in my life would be understanding or accepting. It’s been a long journey coming into my own, and now I feel confident to be out and to share all that makes me, me.

Queerness is more than a sexual orientation. It’s about questioning societal norms, expectations, and the limitations that restrict our ability to love, express ourselves freely, and live authentically.

HIGH & DRY explores the journey of self-expression through the eyes of those who are still discovering themselves.