A Midsummer's Nightmare - Dark Folk Tales

Final Girls Berlin hand-picked the best genre-treats to spicen up your Midsummer:

On the shortest night of all this year venture out into the haunted landscapes of these dark and twisted folk horror shorts from all over the world.

Strange tales of vengeful offerings, mortifying traditions, and magical beings are awaiting you, in one of the coziest and kindest openair cinemas in Berlin.

All the films are in English/have English subtitles

Program:

Drum Wave (10:25)

Directed by Natalie Erika James, Australia, 2018

A young pianist is forced to confront her fear of motherhood when she marries into a remote island community with bizarre fertility rituals.

Nian (6:27)

Written and directed by Michelle Krusiec, US, 2023

A Chinese American girl stands up to her racist bully armed with a Chinese demon mask and the help of the Nian, a mythological creature said to eat rotten children.

Days of Spring (11:13)

Written and directed by Arianne Hinz, The Netherlands, 2023

11-year-old Roos invites best friend Ella to join her enigmatic group of friends in their mysterious games. But there is a catch. As the stakes get higher, Roos must ask herself whether she can accept the group’s increasingly disturbing demands. The chilling short film Days of Spring looks at the price of conforming and the sacrifices of treading our own path.

Content warning: animal abuse

Hafermann (11:44)

Written and directed by Helena Haverkamp, Germany, 2025

After losing his sister to the Hafermann as a child, Arthur returns as an adult and faces his greatest fear. But an old acquaintance seems to have unfinished business with him…

Heirlooms (16:59)

Directed by Devina Sofiyanti, Indonesia, 2023

A woman tries to escape from a wrapped ghost, Pocong, by hiding in a man’s house. Later, she realizes that man is scarier than the Pocong itself.

Content warning: domestic abuse

Kill Tradition (21:28)

Directed by Juliana Reza, Malaysia, 2025

During an annual tradition where one candidate is chosen by the head of the village to ensure unity and prosperity, a mother and daughter witness pressuring ideals amongst their community and must navigate what could be an unwanted reality.

Lok (3:36)

Directed by Mahmuda Sultana Rima, Bangladesh, 2025

In a rural village of Bangladesh, men suddenly start to disappear. The villagers start blaming the reclusive 'witch' of the village who is known to practice black magic. But why is she making these men disappear? How is she doing it?

Barlebas (19:59)

Directed by Malu Janssen, The Netherlands, 2024

In 1595, a woman accused of witchcraft refuses to be silenced, leaving her free spirit and powerful voice to inspire a new generation.

Vinegar Baths (14:01)

Directed by Amanda Nell Eu, Malaysia, 2018

A tired and overworked nurse at the maternity ward finds joy when she is alone roaming the hospital corridors at night. It’s the time when she can finally eat.

• Runtime: 116 minutes

Optional bonfire afterwards (depending on the weather)