Horror Movie News Report
Goodbye, Monster, FANGORIA Studios’ first short film, is headed to Fantastic Fest 2026 as part of the Austin festival’s shorts lineup. The event will host the film’s U.S. premiere and offer the first look at its titular creature.
Written, directed, and starring Luke Barnett, the short follows a 12-year-old boy through one final night with the monster living under his bed. The creature was created entirely with practical effects designed by Dan Crawley.
The film also includes voice work from Patton Oswalt and Tina Majorino, while Emmy winner Bear McCreary composed the score. Vince and Natalie Masciale produced the project alongside Barnett.
Goodbye, Monster has already screened at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival, according to FANGORIA, and is also scheduled for its UK premiere at FrightFest. Its Fantastic Fest appearance places the short alongside Jimmy’s Custom Coffin, By Yourself, Fight for the Fantasy, Orla, Pre-Parenting, and Stretcher in this year’s shorts selection.
Executive producers are Tara Ansley, Armen Aghaeian, Abhi Goel, Jake Morgan, and Cole Travis. Joshua Bootz, Adam J. Losoya, and Michael Brodner are credited as co-producers.
Aghaeian said FANGORIA Studios is focused on working with auteur filmmakers drawn to horror and interested in intimate forms of terror. The studio described Goodbye, Monster as part of that broader creative direction.
