Writer-director Christopher Piñero’s psychological horror short stars Aaron Dominguez in a suspenseful story that blurs the line between fear and reality
Following a wildly successful run on the genre festival circuit, “The Prowler, ” the psychological horror short written, directed and edited by Puerto Rican filmmaker Christopher Piñero (A Dark Place, Gone, Leaving) and starring Latino actor Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building, Shaft, The Inspection), has been selected for the Academy Award®-and BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival , taking place July 30-August 12, 2026, at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles..
The latest work from writer-director Christopher Piñero, “The Prowler” continues his exploration of the unsettling nature of psychological horror, drawing on a lifelong fascination with the supernatural and the unseen.
The short previously screened at Panic Fest and the Chattanooga Film Festival, where it was featured in Bloody Disgusting’s festival coverage and received praise from Horror Buzz, further raising its profile among horror audiences and industry insiders.
“The Prowler began with a simple question: What if fear itself became the villain? I wanted to create a psychological horror story that keeps audiences questioning what’s real until the very end. Growing up between Virginia and Puerto Rico, I was surrounded by stories of the supernatural, folklore and urban legends that fueled my imagination from an early age. Those stories shaped the way I think about fear and continue to inspire the films I make. Seeing The Prowler connect with audiences has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to share it with even more people through these festivals,” said writer-director Christopher Piñero.
When a quiet night spirals into a terrifying fight for survival, “The Prowler” explores fear, paranoia, and the darkness lurking just beyond the familiar. Blending relentless suspense with emotionally grounded performances, the film delivers a tense, character-driven experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Dominguez delivers a disquieting, compelling performance that grounds the film’s psychological tension, guiding audiences through an increasingly unsettling journey where nothing is quite as it seems.
Following official selections at Panic Fest, Chattanooga Film Festival, and LA Shorts International Film Festival, “The Prowler” continues to build momentum as it prepares for its next chapter. Additional release information will be announced soon.
About “The Prowler”
“The Prowler” is an independent psychological horror short directed by Christopher Piñero and starring Aaron Dominguez. The film premiered on the festival circuit in 2026 with official selections including Panic Fest, and Chattanooga Film Festival
About Christopher Piñero
Christopher Piñero began his filmmaking career as an actor at the New York Film Academy in New York City. After appearing in several short films and teaching himself every aspect of filmmaking, he discovered his true passion lay in writing and directing.
His work is deeply influenced by his experiences growing up in a Puerto Rican family, often exploring themes of perception, identity, and the unseen forces that shape human behavior. Piñero has directed several award-winning short films, and his debut feature, A Dark Place, was distributed through Gravitas Ventures. His last short film, Gone, premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. With “The Prowler,” Piñero continues to build a body of work centered on psychological horror and suspense, establishing himself as an emerging voice in independent genre filmmaking.
For more information about the LA Shorts International Film Festival, visit LA Shorts International Film Festival.
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