SWAN CITY PRODUCTIONS
The Gift short film poster with festival laurels

The Gift

Status
On the festival circuit
Format
Short film, 8:50
Genre
Supernatural horror short
Year
2025

When Ethan brings his 14-year-old daughter Lily a carved idol from a street market in San Esteban, a whisper from her closet starts calling her name, and a locked bedroom door stands between him and getting her back.

  • Official Selection, Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival 2026

The Gift on IMDb

Synopsis

Ethan comes home late from a work trip with a gift for his daughter, Lily: a small carved idol from a street market in San Esteban, its face smooth except for two gouged eyes and a slit of a mouth. The man who sold it said it might be lucky. That night, Lily hears a whisper from her closet saying her name. By morning her bedroom door is locked, and from the other side a small voice is asking for help.

Credits

Director
Jordan K. Jackson
Writer
Shane A. Johnson
Executive Producer
Shane A. Johnson
Co-Producers
Jordan K. Jackson and Shawn Lawrentz
Cast
Shane A. Johnson as Ethan
Cast
Mia Bjeljac as Lily
Cast
Julio Larrieux as Luis
Cast
Cristina Méndez as Mara
Director of Photography & Editor
Donald Pettit
Cinematographer
Nathaniel Beardsley
Composer & Sound Designer
Peterson Normil

Festivals & laurels

Official Selection, Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (TBUFF) 2026

Behind the Scenes

  • Behind the scenes on The Gift: cast and crew group photo with the slate
  • Behind the scenes on The Gift: crew going over the script with the carved idol prop
  • Behind the scenes on The Gift: two crew members on the smoky set

Where to watch

Festival screenings. Upcoming dates are posted on News & Screenings.