Amir Moini’s visually driven horror short, starring Thomas Dekker and Alyson Gorske and narrated by Anna Lou Castoldi, will premiere at the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival
The world of Italian giallo cinema gets a contemporary reinterpretation with Artichoke, a new horror short from award-winning writer and director Amir Moini, which will premiere as part of the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film will screen Saturday, August 15, as part of the festival’s Midnight Madness 1 shorts programme, bringing a visually ambitious genre piece to one of Hollywood’s leading showcases for short-form cinema.
At the centre of Artichoke is a striking connection to the legacy of giallo filmmaking. The film is executive produced and narrated by Anna Lou Castoldi, granddaughter of legendary Italian horror filmmaker Dario Argento, whose work helped define the distinctive visual language of the giallo genre. Castoldi’s involvement gives the project a direct connection to one of horror cinema’s most influential traditions while allowing the filmmakers to explore that tradition through a contemporary story.
A Portal Into Another World
Artichoke follows Cynara, played by Alyson Gorske, a woman trapped in a violent relationship whose circumstances take an increasingly surreal and terrifying turn. When she discovers a phoropter capable of opening a portal to another world, she finds herself caught in a dangerous cat-and-mouse pursuit that crosses the boundaries between realities.
Her journey eventually brings her face to face with The Man, played by Thomas Dekker, forcing Cynara to confront what she is willing to destroy in order to survive. The film uses its supernatural premise to explore the psychological cages created by abusive relationships and the struggle to reclaim control.
The combination of psychological horror, surreal imagery and giallo-inspired aesthetics places Artichoke firmly within a tradition of genre filmmaking that prioritizes atmosphere, mystery and visual provocation.
A New Generation of Giallo Filmmaking
A New Generation of Giallo FilmmakingDirector Amir Moini brings both genre experience and an unconventional professional background to the project. Before moving further into filmmaking, Moini spent seven years directing Netflix video social campaigns. He subsequently turned his attention toward horror filmmaking, directing the short Slashr, which premiered at Screamfest in 2023 and went on to screen at more than 25 festivals across 12 countries.
Artichoke represents his second short film and continues his interest in pushing the boundaries of horror through bold visual storytelling. Moini is also a recent alumnus of the Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Director’s Program and is part of the Nebula Creator ecosystem. His recent work includes Noise Complaint, part of Sub/liminal.
Beyond directing, Moini has contributed to the film festival community as a juror for festivals including FilmQuest and Queer Screams Film Festival. He is also a member of the Motion Picture & Television Fund and has served as a board member for Outfest.
Thomas Dekker and Alyson Gorske Lead the Cast
The film stars Alyson Gorske as Cynara and Thomas Dekker as The Man. Gorske is known for her work in Obliterated and The Puppetman, while Dekker has built a career spanning film and television, including Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Kaboom and Swimming with Sharks.
Gorske’s central performance anchors the film’s psychological journey, while Dekker’s presence brings an unsettling intensity to the figure at the centre of Cynara’s confrontation.
Adding another significant layer to the production is Anna Lou Castoldi, who serves as both executive producer and narrator. As the granddaughter of Dario Argento, Castoldi brings a direct connection to the history of giallo cinema. Argento’s influence on the genre includes landmark films such as Suspiria, Deep Red and Tenebrae.
From Castroville to Hollywood
Production on Artichoke took place in Castroville, California, a location known as the “Artichoke Capital of the World.” The setting provides an unexpected backdrop for a film drawing heavily from the stylized traditions of Italian horror cinema.
The film was written by Adam Van Dyke, with production handled by Bria O’Brien and Sam Van Dyke for Skull Globe Productions. Prince Chenoa serves as an executive producer for Galore.
Moini has described his approach as being rooted in a love for the visceral style of giallo and arthouse cinema, with the filmmakers aiming to create something both ethereal and haunting. The result is intended to use genre not simply for scares, but as a visual language through which psychological and emotional themes can emerge.
A Natural Fit for HollyShorts Midnight Madness
The film’s upcoming screening comes as HollyShorts prepares for its 22nd edition, taking place August 13–23, 2026, in Hollywood. The Oscar®- and BAFTA-qualifying festival is known for showcasing emerging filmmakers alongside established actors and creators, with its Midnight Madness programming providing a home for ambitious genre filmmaking.
Artichoke has already attracted attention through its connection to Argento’s legacy and its distinctive combination of horror, surrealism and psychological tension. Its HollyShorts premiere now offers audiences the opportunity to experience the finished film and meet the filmmaker behind it.
Moini will be in Los Angeles throughout the festival weekend and is scheduled to attend Friday afternoon, Saturday throughout the day and evening, and Sunday, making the festival an opportunity for audiences and press to engage directly with the filmmaker about the project and his approach to contemporary horror.
With its combination of a new horror voice, established genre talent and a direct connection to one of cinema’s most influential horror traditions, Artichoke arrives at HollyShorts as a short film positioned between classic giallo influences and a distinctly contemporary exploration of violence, control and survival.
Artichoke premieres Saturday, August 15, 2026, as part of HollyShorts’ Midnight Madness 1 shorts programme in Los Angeles.
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