Award-Winning Short Films
About Cathedral Hill
In 2016, four of us were moved by the Halloween spirit to make a horror movie. We did it on a lark—no one had much experience, and it was already October. We jokingly called ourselves Cathedral Hill Productions, after the neighbourhood we lived in and because the pompous sound of it contrasted with the schlock we were making. When it was done we threw a party in the living room and watched the masterpiece that is Pumpkineater.
It was so much fun we’ve been doing it ever since. The movies are written, directed, edited, and scored by Matt Snell, and feature invaluable contributions in front of the camera and behind it by a rotating cast of very talented, very game weirdos. Each film is a chance to learn a new skill or do it better next time, and a few festival wins have us feeling like we might actually know what we’re doing.
They’re fun to make. We hope they’re fun to watch, and may they scour your soul clean.
Watch the Videos
Paranormal Documentarian (2024)
Something wicked slouches towards Peterborough—and only one man is tough enough to stop it.
This is a rough cut of Paranormal Documentarian shared as a Halloween preview. A polished version with an entirely original soundtrack will follow soon.
Sequel to the 2019 smash hit LHP: Understanding Lower Half Possession.
Many thanks to the City of Peterborough and the Lipsett Foundation, whose generous support made this movie possible.
Featuring: Phil Abbott · Kathryn Bahun · Rachel Colley · Steve do Vale · Ben Hatcher · Troy Farrell · Jill Lipsett · Marc Ludwig · Summer Meyer · Jean-Claude Pigeon · Rebecca Reeves · Carolyn Ross · Mark Rostrup · Nicole Schmidt · Lewyn Snell · Matt Snell · Molly Snell · Justin Spak · Graham Trull
Fortune Cookie (2023)
A man tries to get rid of his smartphone, and ends up hopelessly addicted to fortune cookies instead.
Many thanks to Electric City Culture Council, whose generous support enabled us to make our longest and most ambitious film yet.
Winner: Best Director, Long Short Category, Alternative Film Festival 2023; Best Editor, The Monthly Film Festival December 2023; Best Scenography, Make Me Laugh Festival 2024 (Poland); Award of Commendation, Canada Shorts 2023; Special Mention, London Seasonal Short Film Festival 2023
Original music by Matt Snell; additional sound effects from Freesound.org.
Starring:
Phil Abbott · Kathryn Bahun · Rachel Colley · Steve DoVale · Jean-Claude Pigeon · Rebecca Reeves · Carolyn Ross · Mark Rostrup · Lewyn Snell · Matt Snell · Molly Snell · Graham Trull
Additional Camera:
Phil Abbott · Tracy Beverley · Steve DoVale · Rebecca Reeves · Graham Trull · JJ Wyllie
Special Thanks:
A Place of Remembering · Ben Hatcher · Birchbark Media · Alan Reed · The Seasoned Spoon
Bloodhounds (2022)
A short documentary about a rising subculture.
2023 Lit Scares International Horror Festival (Harrogate, UK) Official Selection.
Contributors:
Kathryn Bahun · Rachel Colley · Steve DoVale · Jean-Claude Pigeon · Rebecca Reeves · Carolyn Ross · Lewyn Snell · Matt Snell · Molly Snell · Graham Trull
RaRa My Lifestyle (2021)
An amateur filmmaker aspires to make the great Canadian horror film, with unpredictable results.
2021 Canada Shorts Film Fest Award of Excellence winner.
Original music by Matt Snell.
Contributors:
Phil Abbott · Kathryn Bahun · Steve DoVale · Ben Hatcher · Rebecca Reeves · Carolyn Ross · Patricio Salazar · Lewyn Snell · Matt Snell · Graham Trull
Schnitzelback (2020)
Meet the man behind Schnitzelback, the world’s first polka-themed Nickelback cover band.
2022 Canadian International Comedy Film Festival Best Canadian Film winner. Winter 2021 Alternative Film Fest Best Actor nominee, Ultra Short category.
Contributors:
Carolyn Ross · Steve Do Vale, · Ben Hatcher · Anna Eidt · Graeme Marrs · Graham Trull · Rachel Colley · Phil Abbott · Rebecca Reeves · Nickelback · the people of Poland
LHP: Understanding Lower Half Possession (2019)
Have you ever been possessed by demons, but only from the waist down? You are not alone.
The LHP Society of Canada wishes to thank:
Phil Abbott · Scott Adams · Steve Do Vale · Ben Hatcher · Graeme Marrs · Rebecca Reeves · Carolyn Ross · Lewyn Snell · Matt Snell · Molly Snell · Melanie Turbeaux
Vote for Ferd (2018)
Ferd Berkley for change, 2018.
Contributors:
Phil Abbott · Kathryn Behan · Steve Do Vale · Ben Hatcher · Rebecca Reeves · Carolyn Ross · Lewyn Snell · Matt Snell
Enter The Vault
These days we count the first few Cathedral Hill projects as learners, but posterity demands we make the entire series available. Use the link below to find the movies that started the whole venture.
More Videos
Occasionally Matt rouses himself to make a video outside the annual series. This is where you’ll find it when that happens.
Writing
Do you wish you could read Matt’s writing without all the distracting pictures? We’re here to help. Use these links for a sampling of articles and stories.
Media
The critics are raving—all three of them. Read some coverage of Cathedral Hill in the media.
Contact
Wanna talk movies? Write to cathedralhillproductions@gmail.com.
New Cathedral Hill films can strike at any time. Be prepared and sign up for our newsletter—its sole purpose is to provide infrequent updates on upcoming films, showings, etc.