Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Richie Harrington channels personal fears into a visceral horror short exploring guilt as a consuming force.
- The film’s practical effects and inventive use of limited resources underscore a commitment to immersive storytelling.
- Grima serves as both a standalone horror experience and a stepping stone toward a feature-length exploration of complex emotions.
Richie Harrington’s horror short Grima taps into primal human fears through an unsettling sensory experience—nails on a chalkboard—that embodies the oppressive weight of guilt.
Starring Monroe Cline, Lynn Allinger, and Brissa Ramirez, the film blends body horror with psychological nuance.
Selected for FilmQuest 2025, Grima marks Harrington’s bold foray into the genre, backed by a talented crew including director of photography Larry Tang and editor Yannis Zafeiriou.
Harrington’s Instagram offers further insight into his creative journey.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
My whole life I’ve been hit with random instances of an intrusive thought where nails are scratching a chalkboard. It’s so terrifying and it got me thinking it could be a great idea for a horror film. I started researching the nails on a chalkboard sensation and found this fascinating information about primal human fears with certain auditory frequencies. I then discovered the Spanish word Grima which describes this specific feeling and thought that’d be a great title. I then weaved this into a story about guilt and how if left unresolved the guilt can begin to manifest like a monster in our subconscious until it consumes our reality.
"I think limitations breed creativity."
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
Just how much I love the process, even that hard times. Logistically we went over budget, but instead of panicking I just went with the flow and trusted in myself and the project that we'd figure it out and we did! I really had so much fun working with friends I'd worked with on so many projects before and all the new people it was my first time working with. This was the biggest project scope wise I'd done before and it made me want to keep doing more and pushing myself with future projects.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
Without giving any spoilers away, there's a special effects gag that's really visceral and plays into one of my biggest fears. We did it as practically as possible and I think brings my biggest fear to life!
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
I think choosing to actually do this project as my next short film. I was between this and another project and I was actually scared to do this one because it required a lot logistically and it was my first time directing a straight horror short. I didn't know if I'd be good at it, but someone told me to do the things that scare you, which was why I even wrote this in the first place. There was a lot of risk involved but without risk there's no reward!
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I hope they are repulsed but also appreciate the visceral imagery in the film. I also hope they reflect on guilt and how guilt might have driven their decisions more than they realized.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
I want to keep making horror films! It was so fun and I want to make the feature version of this story next.
"Without risk there's no reward!"
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
I used PrevisPro for my storyboards which really helped production. I can't draw at all so this was super helpful visualizing the film with my DP and AD. My DP Larry Tang also used Shot Designer for his lighting overheads which without that we never would have been able to get through all of our set ups!
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
Yeah I think limitations breed creativity. Having limits really force you to go past the first idea and think deep to try and find a unique solution to whatever problem you have. I had this really specific shot planned for the opening shot where we'd start overhead with a jib arm and descend down into a close up on the main actor. We rehearsed and did like 8 takes but eventually had to move on and never got a perfect take. In the edit room we tried using this shot, but then we went with a way simpler shot we did as a back up and it actually sets the mood way better than I could have imagined. On one hand get coverage for scenes and also be prepared to cut superfluous shots and be open to happy accidents.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
I'm really excited to have my film screen with all these other incredible projects. I'm excited to meet and hang out with like minded people and just have a good time. It's been really nice too being able to tell everyone already that we're premiering at FilmQuest and have immediate credibility.
FilmQuest celebrates the majesty and might of genre filmmaking across fantasy, horror, sci-fi, action, thriller, western, kung-fu, and beyond. How does your film fit within—or push the boundaries of—genre storytelling?
Grima is a horror short film that uses body horror to get under your skin quite literally, but also make you think about the theme of guilt in a nuanced way that hopefully leaves people wanting more - like a feature film!
"There's a special effects gag that's really visceral and plays into one of my biggest fears."
Where do you see this film going next?
We're premiering the short online through Film Shortage after our premiere at FilmQuest. I hope it finds an audience online and people respond to it. After that I hope we make the feature length version! I'm currently rewriting that script.
“At the core of all my work is a desire to connect, understand, and entertain."
Cast & Crew
- Richie Harrington — Writer, Director, Producer @richieharringtonfilms
- Monroe Cline — Jen Carpenter @monroecline
- Lynn Allinger — Miss Finster @lallinger1
- Brissa Ramirez — Mirabel Martinez @brisophiaramirez
- Josh Allen Goldman — Sasha @joshallengoldman
- Larry Tang — Director of Photography @larry.tang08
- Yannis Zafeiriou — Editor @penguinyz
