Bocas Film Fest 2026 — Award-Winning Film Review
WINNER — BEST PARANORMAL FILM | 8.6/10
Director: Myles Lavelle
Writer: Gary Gunner Smith
Producer: AUGUSTEIGHTEEN
Genre: Psychological Horror / Supernatural Horror
Judges’ Average: 8.55/10
There is something terrifying about waking up in the middle of the night, unable to move, unable to scream, and wondering whether the shadows surrounding you are simply creations of your mind or something far more sinister.
The Long Hall, winner of Best Paranormal Film at Bocas Film Fest 2026, explores that terrifying uncertainty through the story of a young man struggling with sleep paralysis, night terrors, and the emotional aftermath of losing his mother.
Five years after her death, he decides to abandon his medication despite his father’s wishes, only to discover that the nightmares he hoped to leave behind have never truly disappeared.
Directed by Myles Lavelle and written by Gary Gunner Smith, The Long Hall combines supernatural uncertainty with the emotional struggles associated with grief and family relationships.
When Grief Becomes a Nightmare
One of the most compelling aspects of The Long Hall is its underlying emotional story.
At its center is a father-and-son relationship complicated by loss, fear, and the struggle to understand what is happening to someone you love.
The father’s concern about his son’s medication introduces an interesting conflict. Is the young man’s suffering entirely psychological, or is something genuinely supernatural tormenting him?
That uncertainty is where the film finds much of its horror.
Sleep paralysis is already a frightening experience, but when combined with night terrors and unresolved grief, it creates an especially disturbing foundation for a supernatural story.
Rather than relying solely on frightening imagery, the film uses its premise to explore how trauma can continue haunting someone long after the event that caused it.
Atmosphere, Lighting, and Music
One of the film’s strongest elements is its use of atmosphere.
The lighting and musical choices help establish an unsettling environment, making the audience feel that something frightening could emerge at any moment.
In horror filmmaking, lighting can be just as important as the monster itself. What remains hidden in the shadows can sometimes be far more terrifying than what is revealed.
The Long Hall demonstrates an appreciation for that principle.
The music adds another layer of tension, helping to elevate the film’s creepier moments without losing sight of its emotional foundation.
These production choices help explain why the film earned recognition as Best Paranormal Film, receiving a winning score of 8.6/10.
A Personal Connection to the Paranormal
For Bocas Film Fest judge Jake Estrada, The Long Hall carried an additional emotional significance.
The father-and-son dynamic, combined with the film’s paranormal subject matter, brought back memories of his own personal experiences involving unexplained phenomena.
That connection made the film more than simply another supernatural horror submission.
Stories involving night terrors, strange encounters, and unexplained experiences can resonate differently with viewers who have experienced something they cannot easily explain.
Whether someone believes these experiences are supernatural or psychological, the fear itself can feel incredibly real.
That is part of what makes The Long Hall effective. It touches on a subject that exists somewhere between personal trauma, human perception, and the unknown.
Judges’ Reviews
Jake Estrada — 8.4/10
“This was a spooky short about a father and son, and it really hit close to home for me. The paranormal elements reminded me of some of my own personal experiences with the unexplained. I appreciated the way the film explored that relationship while creating an unsettling atmosphere.”
Beth Sipps — 8.7/10
“The music and lighting really added to the creepy factor. This was a very well-done horror short. Great work!”
Bocas Film Fest 2026 Award Recognition
WINNER — BEST PARANORMAL FILM
The Long Hall — 8.6/10
This award recognizes the film’s achievement in paranormal storytelling, its unsettling atmosphere, and its exploration of the psychological and supernatural fears associated with sleep paralysis and night terrors.
Through its combination of family tragedy, atmospheric filmmaking, and supernatural uncertainty, The Long Hall distinguishes itself as an accomplished independent paranormal horror short.
Final Verdict
The Long Hall is an engaging psychological horror short that uses grief, family relationships, and the terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis to tell an unsettling supernatural story.
Director Myles Lavelle and writer Gary Gunner Smith have crafted a film that understands an important aspect of horror: sometimes the most frightening experiences are the ones we cannot fully explain.
With effective lighting, atmospheric music, and an emotionally grounded premise, the film succeeds in creating a creepy experience that lingers beyond its central scares.
Its victory in the Best Paranormal Film category at Bocas Film Fest 2026 is a fitting recognition of its accomplishments.
Final Judges’ Average: 8.55/10 (Rounded Award Score: 8.6/10)
BOCAS FILM FEST 2026 — BEST PARANORMAL FILM WINNER
About the Author
