Still

Inspiration

I was inspired by the quiet horror of things left unsaid mixed with some uncanny valley. the feeling that something’s wrong, even when everything looks normal. Still draws from films like The Others, Hereditary, and Under the Skin, focusing on atmospheric dread, mirror symbolism, and the tension of being watched.

What it does

Still is a short horror film that tells the story of a woman who vanishes after encountering a version of herself in the mirror. It blends AI-generated visuals with cinematic pacing, sound design, and original writing to create a deeply unsettling experience.

How we built it

I used OpenArt for images and Kling 2.1 for advanced image-to-video generation, crafting scenes frame by frame using prompt-based direction for movement, acting, and camera control. Dialogue and whispers were layered in post using sound design tools. Scenes were storyboarded, scripted, and iteratively refined to maintain tension and emotional realism.

Challenges we ran into

The biggest challenge was keeping the tone grounded, avoiding overly exaggerated or “cartoony” AI motion. Creating subtle, human-like facial expressions and believable micro-movements required precise prompting and multiple revisions. Balancing lighting, motion consistency, and mirror logic was a technical and narrative challenge.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

I am proud of the film’s atmosphere: quiet, tense, and deeply creepy. We were able to create a full short film with a strong emotional arc, clear visual language, and believable acting using AI as a tool not a gimmick. The mirror scenes and hallway possession sequence turned out exactly as envisioned.

What we learned

I learned how powerful AI filmmaking tools can be but also how important it is to guide them with clear vision and tight direction. Even with advanced models, subtle horror requires human instincts. I also learned how pacing and silence can be more effective than jump scares.

What's next for Still

I plan to expand Still into a full anthology or episodic horror series exploring different haunted objects and identities.

Built With

• kling
• openart