MELBOURNE, Australia - AussieJournal -- Glacé Entertainment Public Relations™ and Chief Celebrity Publicist Toni Embry announced today that BABUSHKA, the chilling horror short film from award-winning writer/director Jon James Smith (Last Orders), will have its world premiere at the prestigious Oscar-qualifying St Kilda Film Festival in Melbourne, Australia on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM.

Produced by Thorny Devil Productions (Taylor Lawrence) in association with Five-Tool Player (Paul Sinacore), Babushka is a 28-minute psychological horror film exploring themes of generational trauma and inherited evil through the lens of Eastern European folklore.

Starring Hayley McFarland (The Conjuring, Lie to Me, 1923) as Annie Parker-Reed, the story follows a desperate mother trying to shield her daughter from the darkness rooted deep in their bloodline—only to unleash it when they uncover a mysterious Babushka doll hidden in the attic.

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The film features a powerful ensemble including Quinn Aune (Young Sheldon), Paul Sinacore (Towpath, Clika, The Legion of Exorcists), Taylor Lawrence (Killzone, Lego Star Wars: All Stars, Star Trek: Bridge Crew), Samantha Desman (Legion), and Daniel Joo (Criminal Minds), with original score by Kim Planert, cinematography by Robin Webster, and production design by O.J. Hansen.

"We're honored to launch BABUSHKA's festival run at St Kilda," said director Jon James Smith. "I believe we made a horror movie that will connect with audiences and speak to them on a deeper emotional level. We made BABUSHKA for theaters, big screens, and big audiences. The project took three grueling years to complete and was pulled across the line through great sacrifice from many people, and we're beyond proud of the film."

As an Academy Award-qualifying event, St Kilda Film Festival gives BABUSHKA an eligibility opportunity for Oscar consideration in the Best Live Action Short Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

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SCREENING DETAILS
Festival: St Kilda Film Festival
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM
Venue: The Astor Theatre, 99A Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
Tickets: https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/2025-films-in-competition/babushksa/

BABUSHKA Official Trailer:
https://youtu.be/rj1JfYaEhKw?si=XY5nLPJkGSrG6v8q