We’re raising funds to bring MARE, a surrealistic short film inspired by Henry Fuseli’s iconic painting “The Nightmare,” to life and we need your help to make it happen.

About the Film: Mare

Genre: Psychological Horror / Surreal Drama

Based on: The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli

Production: Summer 2026

In MARE, we enter the feverish world of Anna, a woman battling trauma, obsession, and an encroaching nightmare. Set in a liminal dreamscape, the film explores grief, repression, and the haunting nature of the unconscious. With powerful visuals and a brooding atmosphere, Mare is a modern retelling of classic Gothic horror.

MARE is directed by Dylan Delaney and stars Dovile Kraske as Ana Landholt and Fabien Oman as Henry Fuseli.

Meet the Director:

Dylan Delaney is an emerging visionary filmmaker whose bold aesthetic and emotional storytelling have already turned heads on the festival circuit. His work blends the psychological and the surreal, with a visual style that’s both intimate and arresting. With MARE, Dylan is stepping into new territory, exploring the shadows of grief, dreams, and possession in a film that’s as artistically daring as it is emotionally raw.

MARE is not just a short film, it's a calling card for Dylan’s directorial voice.

What We’ve Achieved So Far:

We have tested the special effects and body painting required for the story, refined our lighting approach, and proven that the film’s atmosphere and imagery can be achieved on screen. Costumes, wigs, and props have been researched, sourced, and prepared, and key period locations have been secured. Our actors are attached, rehearsed, and deeply committed to the project, supported by a passionate and experienced creative team.

This film has been built through time, care, and collaboration, largely self-funded, and it already exists in a tangible, visual form.

Why We Need Your Help:

To complete Mare, we now need to raise the remaining funds to move into full production planned for Autumn 2026. Your support will allow us to finish filming, fairly pay our collaborators, and bring this carefully crafted project to completion.

Every contribution helps turn the work we’ve already done into a finished film, one we can proudly share with audiences and festivals.

Thank you for believing in this project and helping us see it through.