8-31-25 — Special Report - GenreBlast Film Festival nominees (Part 1)

Hi, friends! I’m starting a new series of reviewing all of the full length and short films that were nominated for the 2025 GenreBlast Film Festival. There are 100 films in total so it’s going to be a few weeks. But luckily, the films have been amazing so far and I cannot wait to tell you all about them.

Let’s start with five full length and one short film this week.

MEAT MACHINE

Written and directed by: Jeffrey Garcia

Country: US Run time: 93 mins

Themes: Teenage relationships, government incompetence, addiction, violence against women, corruption of youth, grief, gender identity issues.

Content warnings: eating disorders, self-harm, nudity, rape, incest, offensive language (slurs) and pedophilia.

Synopsis: An atomic bomb is headed to Reedville, TX from Lithuania. Meanwhile, Junior High is dealing with a classic case of puberty and relationships at the same time Leo (Lee Harvey Oswald) is trying to find $4,200 that he owes the local drug dealer.

Favorite lines: “I’m Natty the Nympho. I’m named after my mama’s favorite drink - Natty Light.”

“I can see the rug burn on your snatch from a mile away.”

Thoughts: Now, after reading the content warnings, this is going to read really weird but this is one of the funniest movies I have seen in years. It has the feel of Garth Marenghi and Noel Felding but on acid with $20 for props and a seven year old cell phone. And it 100% all works. I don’t want to say whimsical but also, I can’t not say that. I loved it and would absolutely watch it again. Bonus point: Mentioning Henry Chinaski (Charles Bukowski character)

THE MAN WITH THE BLACK UMBRELLA

Written and directed by: Ricky Umberger

Country: US Run-time: 90 minutes

Themes: Found footage, occult, missing family, curse, misdirection

Content warnings: blood.

Synopsis: Ryan receives a strange and unsettling camera footage from the last night his sister was alive. It just shows a man with a black umbrella. While he is searching for the truth, he hires a private investigator that starts piecing together more than just a murder but something even the FBI doesn’t want to take on. Can he find the truth before it finds him?

Favorite line: “It’s me, Jill. Your sister.”

Thoughts: Most people who read my reviews, especially movie reviews, that I am not a fan of jump scares but let me tell you, this movie is perfection as it is. Found footage? Sign me up. Possible curse and evil lurking? Hell, I’m already front row with a bucket of popcorn. I am going to be completely honest, I thought this was a Hollywood made film. The cinematography, acting, tension, minimalism used to the filmmakers advantage? I mean, come on. By far, my favorite found footage movie.

MARGINALIA

Written and directed by: Mark Beal

Country: US Run-time: 64 minutes

Themes: religion, unexpected deaths, evil, mourner, past live

Content warning: some nudity.

Synopsis: When an Abbess is killed in a strange and otherworldly way, a mourner is set to the Abbey to help the other sisters mourn. The problem is, there is evil lurking in every corner and shadow and Sister Trista has taken a vow of silence. Seeing the devil in the details (literally), she must uncover the secrets before more deaths happen.

Favorite line: (As the Bishop arrives) “This means dinner’s going to be scrumptious.”

Thoughts: This is a weird film, everything from the death to the details but it is so much damn fun. The actors/actresses play up the insanity and it adds to the charm. It’s a black and white film and has a silent film vibe, which just transports the viewer to a different world to start with. One to watch if you want a fun movie night.

Bonus point: Look up the name of the film and then do a bit of snooping about it. So many cool Easter eggs are hidden just in the title.

TONIGHT AND MAYBE TOMORROW

Written and directed by: Michael Smallwood

Country: US Run-time: 77 minutes

Themes: end of the world, war, victims, family dysfunction, loneliness, and fear.

Content warnings: nudity.

Favorite line: “We get it! You’re big fucking heroes! You can’t buy hero status at the end.”

Thoughts: You want social commentary? This is the one to watch. The need to not be alone is so hard in this film because the viewer feels it as well. And that phone call? My heart broke in pieces. The main takeaway from this story, would you be brave and fight or weak and waiting on your demise? Another that feels big budget from Hollywood but in a good way.

SUGAR ROT

Written and directed by: Becca Kozak

Country: Canada Run-time: 81 minutes

Themes: lack of access to health care, abortion rights, obsession, religion, female empowerment, and kinks.

Content warnings: rape, drug use, abortion attempts, eating disorders, abuse - verbal, sexual, physical, mental, and fat shaming.

Favorite line: “The more I eat the more I can feel my clit.”

Thoughts: Look, I’m not good with female empowerment movies or stories but I really dug this one. From the beginning, the viewer knows they are in for a wild ride. Between the abortion, pregnancy, shaming of pregnancy, how it’s looked at as a kink for some, it was full on girl power. It even kinda skewers feminism in certain parts, which I really enjoyed. But Candy’s reaction to her body changing and being taken over by the “parasite” was so relatable. And most mothers will understand that. Absolutely stellar and what a soundtrack! Extremely well done and relevant.

TAKE IT TO THE GRAVE

Written and directed by: Jamal Hodges

Country: US Run-time: 22 minutes

Themes: marriage, first meeting, and secrets.

Content warnings: um… you know what, I’m going to be secretive about this one.

Synopsis: Carmelo and Dawn are getting married. Carmelo needs to confess a sin and Dawn needs to tell her bridal party a secret that has been on her heart. Will they both feel relief?

Favorite line: “I don’t want my wedding to turn into Only Fans.”

Thoughts: First things first, I adore Jamal and his writing. He’s one of my favorite modern poets. So when I saw he had a film in this festival, I knew I had to get my eyes on it. Zero point zero disappointment. This is a short film but it does not lack on hilarity or message. Carmelo is a magician and Dawn works a lot so the pair is perfect. Great casting, phenomenal writing and cinematography, I promise you will laugh until your belly hurts. Ta-da.