Smiley

 

Official Trailer - Smiley (2023)

SYNOPSIS: A retired judge crosses paths with a young woman obsessed with only one thing: teeth.

DIRECTOR/CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Manhanke

PRODUCER: Gabrielle Gasser

STARRING: Lou Cariffe, Molly Douglas, Brittani O’Connell, Bill Stine, Rebecca Murphy, Jennie Brick, Lillian Schenck and Clayton Bury

ORIGINAL SCORE BY: Tom Pini

SPECIAL EFFECTS BY: Logan Cole

POSTER DESIGN BY: David Biglar (Labcreature)

AWARDS

  • BEST FILM - Smiley - Sur-REEL & Uncanny Film Fest 2024

  • BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT FILM - Smiley - Peephole Filmfest 2023

  • BEST HORROR SHORT FILM - Smiley - Hallucinea Film Festival 2023

  • BEST HORROR SHORT FILM - Smiley - GoreFest 2023

  • BEST DIRECTOR - SHORT - Ben Manhanke (Smiley) - A Night of Horror International Film Festival 2024

  • BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Ben Manhanke (Smiley) - Sur-REEL & Uncanny Film Fest 2024

  • BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Ben Manhanke (Smiley) - Hallucinea Film Festival 2023

  • BEST ACTOR - Lou Cariffe (Smiley) - Sur-REEL & Uncanny Film Fest 2024

  • BEST ACTOR - Lou Cariffe (Smiley) - Hallucinea Film Festival 2023

  • BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS - Logan Cole (Smiley) - Hallucinea Film Festival 2023

  • BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS - Logan Cole (Smiley) - GoreFest 2023

NOMINATIONS

  • BEST HORROR SHORT - Smiley - Milwaukee Horror Film Fest 2025

  • BEST EXPERIMENTAL HORROR FILM - Smiley - Oregon Screams Horror Film Festival 2024

  • BEST HORROR FILM - Smiley - Austin After Dark Film Festival 2023

  • BEST DARK FANTASY FILM - Smiley - Atlanta After Dark Film Festival 2023

  • BEST DIRECTOR - Ben Manhanke (Smiley) - Sur-REEL & Uncanny Film Fest 2024

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS