Ghosts of the deep are hungry...
A hungry beast awakens, hidden in the darkness of the endless ocean. The hunt begins. But it’s not entirely clear who is the prey… and who is the hunter.
About
Synopsis: A lone FISHERMAN faces the relentless pull of a monstrous, storm-tossed sea – drawn back toward a ravenous beast lurking in its depths. Desperate to live, he will sacrifice anything, even his own humanity, in a fatal struggle for survival. Yet there’s no escape from the cycle of darkness already set in motion. This is a tale of eternal predation, not salvation. In the horror of ‘Zombie Ship,’ chiaroscuro reveals only what can be torn from the abyss, while the unknown thrives, undisturbed, in the suffocating shadows. The film plunges into the harrowing moral dilemma: how far will one go to save their life, when survival demands the ultimate price?
Inspiration and Style: Zombie Ship draws from maritime legends, Lovecraftian horror, and ghost ship folklore. Visually, it’s a fusion of stark realism and surreal nightmare – it’s the interplay of light, shadow, and texture that shapes its unsettling atmosphere. Here, the ocean isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a lair for the beast, a creature of rust-ridden steel and hunger, a living, breathing menace. And with every frame, the line between reality and myth begins to blur.
Genre: Animated Sci-Fi Horror Short Film with a Twist
Creators
Written and Directed by: Art Borowiec
Studio: Deep Flame
Deep Flame is a creative studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of animation and visual storytelling. Every project is crafted with precision, blending technical innovation with a bold artistic vision.
Technology: Unreal Engine 5, Motion Capture, Metahuman
Zombie Ship is built with cutting-edge real-time technology and performance capture, bringing a dark, cinematic vision to life. Developed in Unreal Engine 5 with high-fidelity animation techniques, the film creates a hauntingly immersive experience.
Awards and Nominations
AWARDS (2025)
Best Picture – London Movie Awards – London, United Kingdom – April 5, 2025
Best Animated Film – Hollywood Gold Awards – Los Angeles, United States – April 5, 2025
Best Picture – International Gold Awards – New York, United States – April 5, 2025
Gold Award: Animation – New York Movie Awards – New York, United States – April 5, 2025
Best Picture – Milan Gold Awards – Milan, Italy – April 5, 2025
Best Picture – Florence Film Awards – Florence, Italy – April 5, 2025
Best Animation – East Village New York Film Festival – New York, United States – March 30, 2025
Best Picture – Paris Film Awards – Paris, France – April 24, 2025
Best European Film – Monza Film Fest – Monza, Italy – March 1, 2025
Best Animation – Cinematic European Film Festival – Craiova, Romania – February 28, 2025
Critics Choice Award: Best Horror Short Film – Golden Lion International Film Festival – Kolkata, India – March 25, 2025
Best Animated Short Film – Golden Lion International Film Festival – Kolkata, India – March 25, 2025
Best Thriller/Horror Short – Golden Nugget International Film Festivall – London, United Kingdom – March 29, 2025
Best First Animated Short Film – Fotofilm Internatıonal Short Film Festival – Istanbul, Turkey – May 5, 2025
Best Animation Short of The Year – Digital Griffix Film Awards – Montreal, Canada – May 22, 2025
Audience Choice Winner – Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 3 – Pinewood, United Kingdom – March 10, 2025
Semi-Finalist – Stockholm City Film Festival – Stockholm, Sweden – March 30, 2025
Nomination: Super Short Film – Cannes Film Awards – Cannes, France – June 14, 2025
Nomination: Short Film – Animation – TMFF – The Monthly Film Festival – Glasgow, United Kingdom – March 31, 2025
Nomination: Best Trailer – TMFF – The Monthly Film Festival – Glasgow, United Kingdom – March 31, 2025
Honorable Mention: Short Film – Albuquerque Film Festival – Phoenix, United States – March 28, 2025
Honorable Mention: Best Animation – Night of Shorts – Milan, Italy – March 30, 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker – Pinewood, United Kingdom – March 24, 2025
The North Film Festival – Stockholm, Sweden – Barcelona, Spain – April 24, 2025
24FRAME Future Film Fest – Bologna, Italy – April 9, 2025
Kinematora Film Festival – Kronoberg, Sweden – May 31, 2025
Metropolis Film Festival – Milan, Italy – May 29, 2025
News
Hollywood Voice Legend Brian Stivale Joins Zombie Ship!
We’re thrilled to announce that acclaimed Hollywood actor and voice legend Brian Stivale is lending his voice to Zombie Ship Movie! With thousands of credits across film, TV, video games, and animation, Brian’s talent is recognized worldwide. He’s the voice behind iconic characters like Venom (Marvel’s Avengers Academy), Batman (DC Comics), and Rubeus Hagrid (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter), and has narrated hit series such as “Copycat Killers” (Discovery/REELZ) and “Beating Death: The Science of Survival” (CuriosityStream).
Brian’s work has reached over 300 million homes in more than 150 countries, earning him awards at Cannes and nominations for the BAFTA and Audie Awards. His powerful voice and incredible range bring unforgettable energy to every project, and we can’t wait for you to hear him in Zombie Ship!
Learn more about Brian Stivale on IMDb.
Zombie Ship game adaptation on Steam.
Step into the action! The official video game adaptation of Zombie Ship is coming soon to Steam. Play as your favorite characters and experience an epic horror adventure like never before. Add it to your wishlist now and brace yourself for spine-tingling updates!
Media
In the ocean’s abyss, salvation wears a predator’s face.
Press Kit
Where to Watch?
Our film will be available online soon on streaming platforms! Plus, a festival premiere is just around the corner – follow us for the latest dates and locations.
Contact
Press and sales contact: studio@deepflame.com