The SSTRUCK short film 'Idols' is booked into four festival programs: Fantasia's International Feature Film Competition in Montreal, Beyond Fest 2026's 'Beyond Shorts: Mind Games' in Los Angeles, the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia's Official Fantastic Competition, and the Short Film Competition Section at the YAMI International Film Festival.
SAMANSA's original label SSTRUCK made 'Idols' a festival title before it was anything else. The company announced in June that the short had been nominated for the International Feature Film Competition at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada. That nomination placed the label's work inside a festival known for launching international genre films, including Satoshi Kon's 'Perfect Blue.'
Three months later, the booking sheet grew. SSTRUCK announced in September 2026 that 'Idols' had been selected for three more festival programs: 'Beyond Shorts: Mind Games' at Beyond Fest 2026 in Los Angeles, the Official Fantastic Competition at the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, and the Short Film Competition Section at the YAMI International Film Festival.
Across both announcements, the film's shape has stayed fixed. Matt Halsall directed. Hojo Shin stars, playing a struggling singer and her doppelganger movie star in a dual role. The runtime is 19 minutes 49 seconds. No domestic release, streaming window, or distributor has been named in the coverage. The festival circuit is the only distribution path the stories establish.
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Sep 16
SAMANSA Inc. announced that 'Idols,' a short film from its original label SSTRUCK, has been selected for three festivals. It will screen in the 'Beyond Shorts: Mind Games' program at Beyond Fest 2026 in Los Angeles, in the Official Fantastic Competition at the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, and in the Short Film Competition Section at the YAMI International Film Festival. Directed by Matt Halsall and starring Hojo Shin, it runs 19 minutes 49 seconds.
Jun 5
SAMANSA's original label SSTRUCK announced that its short film 'Idols' has been nominated for the International Feature Film Competition at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival, held in Montreal, Canada. The film stars Shin Hojo in a dual role as a struggling singer and her doppelgänger movie star.