Experiencing Interruptions?

The Celebration

DCP Available

innocence isn’t haunted by ghosts… it’s haunted by ritual, game and ceremony.

When a college babysitter takes a last-minute job in a quiet Maine town, she discovers the house is haunted not by dolls but by two masked killers an unholy pair bound by blood, ritualistic games, and relentless pursuit.

Maya must fight for her life and the baby’s survival as innocence collides with cruelty, while the masked killers never intend to harm the child, they use him as leverage to force Maya the babysitter into their sick ritualistic game.

  • Jack Kudas
    Director
    On Beyond Fences - Best Documentary Short at DCIFF - Best Documentary Short at VAFilmFest - Audience choice award at Atlanta Docufest
  • Jack Kudas
    Writer
    On Beyond Fences - Best Documentary Short at DCIFF - Best Documentary Short at VAFilmFest - Audience choice award at Atlanta Docufest
  • Jack Kudas
    Producer
    On Beyond Fences - Best Documentary Short at DCIFF - Best Documentary Short at VAFilmFest - Audience choice award at Atlanta Docufest
  • Scott Sell
    Producer
    A producer at Compass Light Productions and the Points North Institute. He has edited work for clients such as PBS, Land Rover, and Atlas Obscura.
  • Sharry Kudas
    Executive Producers
  • Jack Kudas SR
    Executive Producers
  • Eli Grabowski
    Executive Producers
  • Alexa Pothier
    Key Cast
    "Maya"
    Under the Hood - A Downeast Christmas - Ask Christina Anything
  • Max Ater
    Key Cast
    "Thomas"
    Chapman Speaks - Rocket Dan - War of the Ants
  • Eli Grabowski
    Key Cast
    "Jingles the Clown"
  • Riley Counts
    Key Cast
    "Tattered Ted"
  • CJ Savastano
    Director of photography
  • Sean McCarthy
    Editor
    Bloodlust
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Psychological Thriller, Slasher
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Maine media workshops + college
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Available
  • Massachusetts Independent Film Festival
    Worcester, Massachusetts
    United States
    April 3, 2026
    New England Premiere
    Official Selection – Best Horror Short (Outstanding Achievement Award)
  • Milwaukee Horror Film Fest
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    United States
    March 14, 2026
    Official Selection – Best Horror Short
  • Spring Lane Film Festival
    Sanford, North Carolina
    United States
    April 4, 2026
    Official Selection – Best Cinematography
  • Short Sweet Film Fest
    Cleveland, Ohio
    United States
    March 7, 2026
    Official Selection
  • DC Independent Film Festival
    Washington, DC
    United States
    February 13, 2026
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival
    Columbia, South Carolina
    United States
    May 15, 2026
    Official Selection - Best Cinematography
  • AIMAFF (Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival)
    Athens
    Greece
    Official Selection – Honorable Mention Award for Best Short Film
  • NYIFA (New York International Film Awards)
    New York
    United States
    Winner - Best Director, Best Horror Film, Best Indie Short, Best Costumes and Best Cinematography
  • Horrorwood Film Festival
    Columbus, Ohio
    United States
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Jack Kudas

Jack Kudas (Jacek Wladyslaw Kudas) is an award-winning filmmaker and author from Kennebunkport, Maine. Trained at Maine Media Workshops + College and mentored by industry professionals including Steven Spielberg’s lighting designer and a director from Game of Thrones, Jack has quickly emerged as a bold new creative voice.

His latest award-winning horror short, The Celebration, has made a strong impact on the international festival circuit, earning nine official selections and ten awards. The film won Best Horror Short (Outstanding Achievement Award) at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, Best Horror Short at the Milwaukee Horror Film Fest, and five awards at the New York International Film Awards, including Best Director, Best Horror Film, Best Indie Short, Best Costumes, and Best Cinematography. It also received an Honorable Mention for Best Short Film at AIMAFF and won Best Cinematography at both the Spring Lane Studios Film Festival and the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival. The Celebration was also selected to screen at the DC Independent Film Festival, the Short Sweet Film Fest, and the Horrorwood Film Fest at Columbus Horror Con.

His documentary short On Beyond Fences, which he co-directed, shot and executive produced, earned strong recognition, winning the Audience Choice Award at the Atlanta DocuFest, Best Documentary Short at the Virginia Film Festival, and Best Documentary Short at the DC Independent Film Festival.

Jack continues to write, direct, and produce a slate of narrative short films and is currently writing a full-length feature adaptation of The Celebration.

As an author, Jack’s children’s book Windows in Heaven, a heartfelt resource for families coping with loss, received widespread acclaim, earning a finalist spot for Author of the Year and winning at the International Impact Book Awards in Hollywood and Phoenix, Arizona.

Jack has found success across a wide range of filmmaking genres and remains creatively open and versatile. When a story inspires him, regardless of genre, he pursues it with passion and commitment, bringing each project to life with authenticity and vision.

Though he thrives across genres, Jack has found a powerful home in horror.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“Be creative, don’t be afraid to be different, trust your vision, be prepared, and most importantly have fun, you’re making a movie