XARAX: Indian Horror Gem by Salil Jason Fernandez Set for European Premiere at Curtas Festival do Imaxinario 2025

After creating waves at Beyond Fest (Los Angeles) and Monster Fest (Melbourne), Indian short horror film XARAX, written and directed by Salil Jason Fernandez, is now ready to conquer Europe with its European Premiere at Curtas Festival do Imaxinario 2025 — one of Spain’s oldest and most celebrated genre film festivals.

From Mumbai to Galicia: XARAX Goes Global

XARAX’s festival journey has already spanned three continents — North America, Australia, and now Europe. The film will be screened at Salón García, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Galicia, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:15 PM CEST as part of the 53rd edition of Curtas Festival do Imaxinario.

The festival, known for spotlighting the best in fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and animation, has hosted legendary filmmakers over the years. With XARAX, Indian horror storytelling takes center stage in Europe — a significant milestone for South Asian genre cinema.

About the Film: Faith, Lust, and Evil Collide

Described as a visceral slow-burn psychological horror, XARAX explores how faith and desire intertwine in terrifying ways. The film follows a young priest visiting a crumbling convent in Mumbai after a failed exorcism — only to discover that the true demon lies within himself.

With its haunting visuals, immersive sound design, and emotionally charged storytelling, XARAX challenges both religious and psychological boundaries, positioning itself as one of the most internationally relevant Indian horror shorts of 2025.

Cast and Crew: A World-Class Team Behind the Horror

Written & Directed by: Salil Jason Fernandez Produced by: Vandana Sethhi & Salil Jason Fernandez Starring: Neil Chandramohan Bhoopalam (Shaitaan, NH10, Cobalt Blue) & Farzana Palathingal Director of Photography: Vincenzo Condorelli (AIC) Production Design: Namra Parikh Edited by: Dipika Kalra Sound Design & Mix: Tarun Bhandari Music: Shalom Benjamin Colourist: Rahil Merchant Casting Director: Jennyta Santosh Costume Design: Gopika Gulwadi Hair & Makeup: Debadrita Chakraborty

Produced under Earth Films and Digital Rabbit, XARAX was shot on the Sony Venice with Cooke Anamorphic lenses, creating a richly cinematic texture that merges the gothic with the spiritual. The film’s runtime is 12 minutes 40 seconds — compact, yet powerfully atmospheric.

Director’s Vision: Salil Jason Fernandez Speaks

“Curtas has a remarkable legacy of championing imaginative, bold storytelling from across the world,” said Salil Jason Fernandez. “To have XARAX premiere in Europe at such a prestigious festival is an absolute honour. I’m thrilled that this story, born in Mumbai, will now find its audience in Galicia.”

Producer Vandana Sethhi added,

“With audiences consuming content faster than ever, short films are becoming the most dynamic form of storytelling. They demand precision, emotion, and impact — and XARAX delivers all three.”

About Curtas Festival do Imaxinario 2025

Celebrating its 53rd year, the Curtas Festival do Imaxinario is one of Europe’s most respected genre film festivals. Based in Vilagarcía de Arousa, Galicia, it brings together visionary filmmakers from around the world to celebrate the art of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and animation.

• Official Website: curtas.org

• Instagram: @curtasfestival

• Facebook: Curtas Festival do Imaxinario

Screening Details

🎬 Festival: Curtas Festival do Imaxinario 2025 – European Premiere 📅 Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 🕖 Time: 7:15 PM CEST 📍 Venue: Salón García, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Galicia

Why XARAX Matters for Indian Cinema

In a year dominated by spectacle-driven blockbusters, XARAX stands out for its intimacy, atmosphere, and psychological depth. It represents a growing movement of Indian filmmakers exploring genre cinema with global sensibility, without losing local flavour.

For many, Salil Jason Fernandez now joins the emerging class of Indian directors bridging the gap between arthouse storytelling and genre innovation — much like Ari Aster or Robert Eggers did in the West.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

Q1. What is XARAX about? XARAX is a 12-minute psychological horror film about a priest’s inner battle with faith and desire inside a haunted convent in Mumbai. It combines religious horror with deep psychological themes.

Q2. Who directed and produced XARAX? The film is written and directed by Salil Jason Fernandez, produced by Vandana Sethhi and Salil Jason Fernandez under Earth Films and Digital Rabbit.

Q3. Where will XARAX premiere in Europe? XARAX will have its European Premiere at the Curtas Festival do Imaxinario 2025 in Galicia, Spain, on October 28, 2025, at Salón García.

Q4. Who stars in XARAX? The short features acclaimed actor Neil Bhoopalam and Farzana Palathingal in lead roles.

Q5. What makes Curtas Festival do Imaxinario special? It’s one of Spain’s longest-running and most respected genre film festivals, known for promoting imagination and cinematic innovation across fantasy, horror, and sci-fi.