MOTELX Award - Best Portuguese Short Film
The biggest prize for short films in Portugal
The MOTELX Award - Best Portuguese Horror Short Film is one of the highlights of the Festival and the result of one of MOTELx's main goals: the promotion, stimulation and screening of horror films made in Portugal. The winner receives a money prize worth €5,000.
Past Winners
In 2009, in MOTELX's 3rd edition, the first MOTELX Award - Best Portuguese Horror Short Film was given to "Sangue Frio", by Patrick Mendes. Every year since, a number of submitted Portuguese short films enter the competition in order to win our prize money.
Here are the winners from every edition so far.
Here are the winners from every edition so far.
MOTELX 2023
7-18 September 2023
De Imperio by Alessandro Novelli
MOTELX 2023
Winner
A group of fugitive ‘Pieces’ tries to find the centre of the building, where the rest of the resistance is gathering. But
as they evade security, they have to go through the rooms belonging to the ‘Giants’, and witness their macabre routines.
A group of fugitive ‘Pieces’ tries to find the centre of the building, where the rest of the resistance is gathering. But
as they evade security, they have to go through the rooms belonging to the ‘Giants’, and witness their macabre routines.
Paralisia by Inês Monteiro
MOTELX 2023
Special Mention
After an excessive night, Mafalda e Filipe return home. It’s when they fall asleep that something sinister awakens.
After an excessive night, Mafalda e Filipe return home. It’s when they fall asleep that something sinister awakens.
MOTELX 2022
6-12 September 2022
Vortex by Guilherme Branquinho
MOTELX 2022
Winner
Late at night, an overworked sales manager looks desperately for a parking spot. When he finds he’s not alone,
things take a weird turn.
Late at night, an overworked sales manager looks desperately for a parking spot. When he finds he’s not alone,
things take a weird turn.
Reverso by André Szankowski
MOTELX 2022
Special Mention
There is always another side to the story. Until you decide otherwise
There is always another side to the story. Until you decide otherwise
MOTELX 2021
7-13 September 2021
Our Kingdom by Luís Costa
MOTELX 2021
Winner
In a village where time and space are running out, a child dwells in the death vortex.
In a village where time and space are running out, a child dwells in the death vortex.
MOTELX 2020
7-14 September 2020
Mata by Fábio Rebelo
MOTELX 2020
Winner
A couple lost in the forest ends up finding each other. But at what cost?
A couple lost in the forest ends up finding each other. But at what cost?
The Great Parody by André Carvalho
MOTELX 2020
Special Mention
A film director falls asleep while watching TV and dreams about selling his soul for fame and glory.
A film director falls asleep while watching TV and dreams about selling his soul for fame and glory.
MOTELX 2019
10-15 September 2019
Bad Seed by Guilherme Daniel
MOTELX 2019
Winner
A couple ploughs a seemingly barren land. One day, they find a dark seed in the ground that will grow and become a strange influence in their behaviour.
A couple ploughs a seemingly barren land. One day, they find a dark seed in the ground that will grow and become a strange influence in their behaviour.
Häuschen by Paulo A.M. Oliveira, Pedro Martins
MOTELX 2019
Special Mention
Lost in the forest on a stormy night, Maria and Miguel take refuge in an old woodcutter’s home. The cottage seems to be the ideal scenario for all desires, hunger pangs, and spells to be released. But, apparently, the old woodcutter with strange habits doesn’t live alone.
Lost in the forest on a stormy night, Maria and Miguel take refuge in an old woodcutter’s home. The cottage seems to be the ideal scenario for all desires, hunger pangs, and spells to be released. But, apparently, the old woodcutter with strange habits doesn’t live alone.
MOTELX 2018
4-9 September 2018
The Strange House in the Mist (2018) by Guilherme Daniel (2018)
MOTELX 2018
Winner
A lost pilgrim finds a strange house on the edge of the abyss and its mysterious occupant.
A lost pilgrim finds a strange house on the edge of the abyss and its mysterious occupant.
Agouro by David Doutel, Vasco Sá (2018)
MOTELX 2018
SPECIAL MENTION
A harsh winter freezes the surface of a river by the house where two cousins live. Immersed in the cold wind that rises that day, the rudeness of their relationship grows, reaching its limit.
A harsh winter freezes the surface of a river by the house where two cousins live. Immersed in the cold wind that rises that day, the rudeness of their relationship grows, reaching its limit.
MOTELX 2017
5-10 September 2017
Thursday Night by Gonçalo Almeida (2017)
MOTELX 2017
Winner
An elusive stranger pays a visit to Bimbo in the middle of the night to deliver a vital message.
An elusive stranger pays a visit to Bimbo in the middle of the night to deliver a vital message.
The Silence Afterwards by Guilherme Daniel (2017)
MOTELX 2017
Special Mention
A desolate woman struggles to accept the unexpected death of her husband, but is confronted with his recurring return to the world of the living.
A desolate woman struggles to accept the unexpected death of her husband, but is confronted with his recurring return to the world of the living.
MOTELX 2016
6-11 September 2016
Post-Mortem by Belmiro Ribeiro (2016)
MOTELX 2016
Winner
Edgar is a jaded photographer. One evening he witnesses a murder. The culprit escapes. Edgar, instead of helping the victim, becomes mesmerised by the expression of pure terror in her face.
Edgar is a jaded photographer. One evening he witnesses a murder. The culprit escapes. Edgar, instead of helping the victim, becomes mesmerised by the expression of pure terror in her face.
Clowns by Pedro Crispim (2015)
MOTELX 2016
Special Mention
Jorge, a clown, feels betrayed once he finds out his circus partner Marco is in a relationship with Luísa, an acrobat. The couple is getting ready to leave the circus, making Jorge even angrier.
Jorge, a clown, feels betrayed once he finds out his circus partner Marco is in a relationship with Luísa, an acrobat. The couple is getting ready to leave the circus, making Jorge even angrier.
MOTELX 2015
8-13 September 2015
Miami by Simão Cayatte
MOTELX 2015
Winner
Raquel is a teenage girl who dreams of escaping from her neighborhood and becoming a star. She wants to be famous. But unfortunately reality is another thing.
Raquel is a teenage girl who dreams of escaping from her neighborhood and becoming a star. She wants to be famous. But unfortunately reality is another thing.
Face by João Teixeira Figueira
MOTELX 2015
Special Mention
A robot lives on his own in an abandoned building, studying human life by looking at painting catalogues and pretending to drink tea with an imaginary friend.
A robot lives on his own in an abandoned building, studying human life by looking at painting catalogues and pretending to drink tea with an imaginary friend.
MOTELX 2014
10-14 September 2014
Pela Boca Morre o Peixe by João P. Nunes
MOTELX 2014
Winner
Years of illegal fishing made him famous among those that share a passion for the grotesque and the unlawful. One day, the hunter becomes the prey.
Years of illegal fishing made him famous among those that share a passion for the grotesque and the unlawful. One day, the hunter becomes the prey.
MOTELX 2013
11 - 15 September 2013
O Coveiro by André Gil Mata
MOTELX 2013
Winner
A story of a child who was born a monster, narrated under the moonlight.
A story of a child who was born a monster, narrated under the moonlight.
Desespero by Rui Pilão
MOTELX 2013
Special Mention
The crisis and austerity measures push a man towards desperate actions that will put the existence of his family at risk.
The crisis and austerity measures push a man towards desperate actions that will put the existence of his family at risk.
MOTELX 2012
12-16 September 2012
A Bruxa de Arroios by Manuel Pureza
MOTELX 2012
Winner
She arrives home at the end of the day, tired. While she prepares dinner, he reads the newspaper. Finally, she decides to bake some special cookies.
She arrives home at the end of the day, tired. While she prepares dinner, he reads the newspaper. Finally, she decides to bake some special cookies.
O Reino by Paulo Castilho
MOTELX 2012
Special Mention
Walking along the hidden borders of the Kingdom, our hero stands face-to-face with his worst enemy. A period story with a timeless perspective.
Walking along the hidden borders of the Kingdom, our hero stands face-to-face with his worst enemy. A period story with a timeless perspective.
MOTELX 2011
7-11 September 2011
Conto do Vento by Cláudio Jordão, Nelson Martins
MOTELX 2011
Winner
A bedtime story with boys and girls, old men and old women, bonfires and monsters, death and screams.
A bedtime story with boys and girls, old men and old women, bonfires and monsters, death and screams.
Banana Motherfucker by Pedro Florêncio, Fernando Alle
MOTELX 2011
Special Mention
Six adventurers go on a quest for a mystical cemetery. After disturbing the dead, they trigger an ancient curse that will destroy the world.
Six adventurers go on a quest for a mystical cemetery. After disturbing the dead, they trigger an ancient curse that will destroy the world.
MOTELX 2010
29 September - 3 October 2010
Bats in the Belfry by João Alves
MOTELX 2010
Winner
Deadeye Jack, after a failed robbery attempt, returns to the scene of the crime using the night as cover.
Deadeye Jack, after a failed robbery attempt, returns to the scene of the crime using the night as cover.
Nocturna by Francisco Carvalho
MOTELX 2010
Special Mention
A woman wanders the empty streets of a city desperately searching for her daughter.
A woman wanders the empty streets of a city desperately searching for her daughter.
MOTELX 2009
2 - 6 September 2009
Cold Blooded by Patrick Mendes
MOTELX 2009
Winner
The story of a sadistic relationship between a girl and a supposed scarecrow
The story of a sadistic relationship between a girl and a supposed scarecrow
Papa Wrestling by Fernando Alle
MOTELX 2009
Special Mention
After bullies steal his son's lunch-box, a retired wrestler goes on a violent rampage to avenge him and bring justice to the school.
After bullies steal his son's lunch-box, a retired wrestler goes on a violent rampage to avenge him and bring justice to the school.