Following a wildly successful run on the genre festival circuit, ‘The Prowler’ the psychological horror short written, directed and edited by Puerto Rican filmmaker Christopher Piñero (A Dark Place, Gone, Leaving) and starring Latino actor Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building, Shaft, The Inspection), has been selected for the Academy Award®-and BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival.

The event takes place July 30-August 12, 2026, at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.

When a quiet night spirals into a terrifying fight for survival, “The Prowler” explores fear, paranoia, and the darkness lurking just beyond the familiar. Blending relentless suspense with emotionally grounded performances, the film delivers a tense, character-driven experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

“The Prowler began with a simple question: What if fear itself became the villain? I wanted to create a psychological horror story that keeps audiences questioning what’s real until the very end. Growing up between Virginia and Puerto Rico, I was surrounded by stories of the supernatural, folklore and urban legends that fueled my imagination from an early age. Those stories shaped the way I think about fear and continue to inspire the films I make. Seeing The Prowler connect with audiences has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to share it with even more people through these festivals,” said writer-director Christopher Piñero.

The short previously screened at Panic Fest and the Chattanooga Film Festival, where it was featured in Bloody Disgusting’s festival coverage and received praise from Horror Buzz, further raising its profile among horror audiences and industry insiders.

For more information about the LA Shorts International Film Festival, visit LA Shorts International Film Festival.