Mr. Valentine : SHORT FILM

Creepy, fun, and dramatic, this indie horror short film explores a disturbing idea from Sid Mathema: a serial killer who offers his victims one final meal before their fate is sealed.

With only one day to write, plan, and shoot the film, our cast of enthusiastic actors jumped into the challenge of bringing this dark horror story to life. Production was filled with unexpected obstacles, making the completion of this independent horror short film feel almost impossible.

Against the odds, the film was finished — proving that passion, collaboration, and a love for horror filmmaking can overcome nearly anything.

Mr. Valentine | Psychological Horror Short Film | Serial Killer Thriller Mr. Valentine is a psychological horror short film about a calculating serial killer who offers his victims one final meal before their fate is sealed. In this dark and unsettling independent horror film, a meticulous murderer abducts three young women and subjects each to a ritualized “date” — an eerie romantic dinner that blurs affection, manipulation, and control. What begins as a seemingly intimate evening slowly reveals itself as a terrifying ritual, culminating in a final deadly course that seals their fate.

🎬 Film Details

• Starring: Emma Bonnet, Emma Littig, Sachita Rana Magar, Sid Mathema, and Jake Nespoli (Voice of Mr. Valentine)

• Written & Directed by: Siddhartha Mathema and Erick Moya (New York Film Academy)

• Co-Director: J.D. Rivera

• Director of Photography: Erick Moya and J.D. Rivera

• Sound: Isaac Blanco

• Produced by: Bad Hombres Films & Sid Art Films

• Shot on Location: Brooklyn, New York

• Camera: DJI Ronin 4D

This proof-of-concept short film was created as part of a project in the New York Film Academy filmmaking program. Despite the limited timeframe, the cast and crew dedicated an incredible amount of work to bring this concept to life.

Working within a tight production schedule, we focused on developing the film’s atmosphere, visual storytelling, and tone. In the end, the team successfully captured the dark and cinematic mood we set out to achieve.

This project demonstrates what can be accomplished through collaboration, creativity, and determination in the world of independent filmmaking and film school productions.

Starring in this independent horror short film is Emma Bonnett, who delivers a compelling performance as one of the film’s unfortunate victims. Emma stepped into the production as a last-minute addition to the cast, yet immediately brought intensity, authenticity, and emotional depth to the role.

Despite the tight production schedule and the challenges of creating a short film within a limited timeframe, Emma’s performance helped elevate the story and bring the character to life on screen. Her ability to quickly adapt to the demands of the role is a great example of the kind of talent and dedication that fuels independent filmmaking.

Working with Emma Bonnett on this project was an absolute pleasure. Her contribution highlights how strong collaboration between cast and crew can transform a small production into something memorable. Moments like this are what make the creative process of filmmaking and storytelling so rewarding, especially in a film school production environment like the New York Film Academy program.

This film is a reminder that great performances and teamwork can turn even a fast-paced shoot into a powerful and engaging cinematic experience.