XARAX Horror Film to Premiere at Monster Fest 2025: Indian Short Creates Global Buzz

Indian horror is stepping onto the world stage once again! After making waves at Beyond Fest in Los Angeles, the chilling short film XARAX is all set for its Australian premiere at Monster Fest 2025. Directed by Salil Jason Fernandez, this psychological horror is redefining what Indian independent cinema can achieve internationally.

What is XARAX About?

At its core, XARAX is a slow-burn psychological horror that digs into faith, lust, and inner demons. The story follows a young priest who visits a crumbling convent in Mumbai after a failed exorcism only to realize that the real horror lies within his own suppressed desires.

With haunting visuals, claustrophobic production design, and a soundscape that lingers, the film delivers terror that feels raw, real, and deeply unsettling.

The Team Behind XARAX

• Writer & Director: Salil Jason Fernandez – London Film School alumnus bringing a bold vision to global horror.

• Producers: Vandana Sethhi & Salil Jason Fernandez (Earth Films & Digital Rabbit).

  

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  Cast: Neil Chandramohan Bhoopalam (Shaitaan, NH10, Cobalt Blue) & Farzana Palathingal .
  

  

🎥 Technical Crew:

• Director of Photography: Vincenzo Condorelli (AIC)

• Production Design: Namra Parikh

• Editing: Dipika Kalra

• Casting: Jennyta Santosh

• Costume Design: Gopika Gulwadi

• Hair & Makeup: Debadrita Chakraborty

• Sound Design: Tarun Bhandari

• Music: Shalom Benjamin

• Music Supervisors: Achint Thakkar & Parth Pandya (Nightsong Records)

• Teaser: Promo Shop

What the Makers Say

🎬 Salil Jason Fernandez (Director):

“For me, directing horror isn’t just about shadows and sound… it’s about trust. I wanted Neil and Farzana to go to uncomfortable, vulnerable places. The fear and desire you see on screen had to feel lived-in, not staged.” 🎥 Vandana Sethhi (Producer):

“With attention spans dropping and mobile-first viewing rising, short films are the future. They get 3x higher completion rates than long-form content. XARAX is proof that shorts can be powerful, cinematic, and globally relevant.”

Why Monster Fest Matters

Monster Fest, curated by Monster Pictures, has been Australia’s premier genre film festival since 2011. By including XARAX in its Sinister Visions: Shorts showcase, the festival reaffirms its commitment to bold and boundary-pushing cinema.

This is more than just a screening; it’s recognition of Indian independent horror on a truly global platform.

Screening Details

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM AEST Venue: Cinema Nova, Carlton🎟️ Part of: Sinister Visions: Shorts Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is XARAX horror film about?

XARAX is a 12-minute psychological horror short where a young priest confronts evil inside a Mumbai convent, only to realize his greatest fear is his own suppressed desire.

2. Who directed and produced XARAX?

The film is written and directed by Salil Jason Fernandez and produced by Vandana Sethhi and Fernandez under Earth Films & Digital Rabbit.

3. Who are the actors in XARAX?

The short stars acclaimed actor Neil Bhoopalam (Shaitaan, NH10, Cobalt Blue) alongside newcomer Farzana Palathingal.

4. When and where is XARAX screening in Australia?

XARAX will premiere at Monster Fest 2025 on October 8, 2025, at 8:00 PM at Cinema Nova, Carlton as part of the Sinister Visions: Shorts program.

5. Why is XARAX important for Indian cinema?

XARAX represents a new wave of Indian horror that is globally relevant, technically sophisticated, and capable of standing alongside international genre films at prestigious festivals.