Braving Chaos and Telling the Unthinkable: Out of the Slaughterhouse Premieres at the Long Island International Film Festival

Sometimes the stories that make the biggest impact are the ones that almost didn’t happen — at least, not without a fair share of real-world obstacles. Out of the Slaughterhouse, a striking student film that recently premiered at the Long Island International Film Festival (LIIFF), is exactly that kind of film: bold, unexpected, and resilient in every sense of the word.

Directed by Janae Moore and inspired by a book, Out of the Slaughterhouse is a deeply unsettling yet beautifully crafted story of a woman trying to make sense of life after war. She struggles with PTSD, haunted memories, and her own surreal claims of being abducted by aliens — all while perceiving time in a way that bends reality itself. But what truly grounds this fractured narrative is the way it’s told: through the eyes of her wartime colleague, played by Brock Hughell, who tries to piece together her story and his own place in it.

At the center of this haunting tale is a raw, unfiltered performance by Kris Prihodova. “Portraying her was a journey into places I’d never been as an actor,” Kris says. “She’s wounded and honest, terrified and brave all at once. It was the kind of role you hope you get to play at least once in your career.”

But bringing Out of the Slaughterhouse to life wasn’t without its own moments of chaos. One day on set, a window unexpectedly crashed, halting filming and throwing the tight schedule into disarray. Another time, a screaming fire alarm forced the entire cast and crew to evacuate mid-scene, adding even more pressure to a shoot that was already running on limited time and resources. “It felt like the universe was testing us at every turn,” Janae laughs. “But somehow, through all the madness, we pulled it together. I think that energy, that raw urgency, is in the film and you can feel it.”

In the end, these hurdles only fueled the commitment behind the project. Janae’s fearless direction and the cast’s dedication transformed what began as a student film into a deeply affecting piece that stands out even among the festival’s impressive lineup. LIIFF, long regarded as a nurturing ground for fresh cinematic voices, proved to be the perfect stage for Out of the Slaughterhouse to make its mark.