BZRK Captivates Audiences with Bold Genre Fusion and Festival Recognition

The short film BZRK is quickly becoming a standout on the festival circuit, earning critical attention and multiple nominations at the 2025 Chicago Horror Film Festival — where it won the award for Best Director.

Directed and written by Chandler Clarke and produced by Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani, BZRK is a 17-minute psychological descent that blurs the lines between horror, thriller, and surrealist drama. At its core is Anders, a man consumed by rage and terrifying visions. In a desperate search for control, he turns to an unconventional psychiatrist whose experimental methods unlock something unexpected — and potentially dangerous — within him.

The film received four nominations at the Chicago Horror Film Festival: Best Horror Short, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Editing. Clarke’s distinctive direction earned the festival’s top honor for directing, a testament to his command of tone, performance, and atmosphere.

“Pumped to share that my short film BZRK has been recognized with four nominations at the Chicago Horror Film Festival, and took home Best Director,” said Clarke. “A big shout out to Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani for her unwavering support throughout this long journey. Balancing full-time commitments with passion projects isn’t easy. Through months of preproduction, four days of filming, and six months of post-production, the film runs 17 minutes long. It’s gratifying to see it capture audiences’ attention. Hoping for more positive receptions as its festival run continues.”

Producer Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani praised Clarke’s clarity and creative resolve: “It was an honor to produce this film with Chandler. His vision was very clear from the get-go and he knew exactly what kind of story he wanted to tell. It was inspiring to see him stay true to his creative vision and work it out even with all the challenges he faced.”

Produced independently while navigating full-time schedules, BZRK is a strong example of what’s possible when resourcefulness meets artistic focus. The film’s mix of genres, psychological intensity, and striking visual style have made it one to watch in the short film landscape.

For more information, visit bzrkfilm.com.