This blog was written by Jim Weter
MEMPHIS, TN — September 3, 2026 — A locally made Memphis film is making some serious noise outside the Bluff City.
Dreams of a Dead God, a found-footage cosmic horror short written and directed by Memphis filmmaker Jim Weter, took home Best Picture at the 2026 Bloody Peach Film Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. And the awards didn’t stop there. Memphis actor Larshay Watson was also honored with Best Lead Actor for his performance as Detective Linden.
For Weter, the Best Picture win represents a particularly big milestone.
“I’m not gonna lie. I’m pretty damn excited about that one,” Weter said. “I’ve made a lot of films over the years, but never taken home the top honor at a festival before, so this one means a lot.”
Other Awards
The Atlanta wins come on the heels of another major acting award for the film. In July, Memphis film and stage actress Cameron J. Crawford won Best Lead Actress at the Imaginarium Indie Film Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.
And those aren’t the film’s only honors.
Dreams of a Dead God has also received the Audience Choice Award at the 2026 Porchlight Film Festival in Jonesboro, Arkansas; Best Featurette at the Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival in Muskogee, Oklahoma; and Best Extended Short Film at the Dunwich Horror Festival in Providence, Rhode Island.
A Memphis Production
While the film is now collecting awards around the country, its roots are firmly planted in Memphis.
Written and directed by Weter, Dreams of a Dead God was created entirely with Memphis-area talent. The cast includes Cameron J. Crawford, Christopher Steinmetz, Larshay Watson, Jerry Kimble Jr., and Ryan Gilliam, all local film and stage actors.
Many of the people involved in the production have also worked with Weter for more than 15 years across multiple independent film projects.
About the FIlm
The official tagline sets the stage:
October, 1936: sanity and reality itself are tested during the filmed interrogation of a kidnapper and murderer with ties to an ancient cult.
Inspired by the writers who appeared in Weird Tales magazine including H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, and Robert Bloch, Dreams of a Dead God is an original story set within Lovecraft’s cosmic horror universe and follows the events of The Call of Cthulhu.
The story takes place in October 1936, following a mysterious investigation in which the filmed interrogation of a captured fugitive begins to reveal connections to an ancient cult. What starts as an investigation soon forces those involved to confront something far beyond their understanding.
For Weter, bringing that story to life has been as much about Memphis filmmaking as it has been about cosmic horror.
“Dreams of a Dead God represents my own humble contribution to the cosmic horror mythos,” Weter said. “It has been incredible to see audiences and festivals around the world connect with this story, especially knowing it began as a project created here in Memphis with local filmmakers and actors.”
What's Next for Dreams of a Dead God?
The film is currently continuing its festival run, with additional screenings and festivals planned before its eventual release to the public later this year.
For now, Dreams of a Dead God remains a festival-only film, but Weter is encouraging Memphis horror fans and local film supporters to follow along with its journey.
The film’s complete festival schedule and additional information can be found through Cellardoor Cinema, Weter’s Memphis-based production company.
After years of independent filmmaking with Memphis talent, seeing a locally produced film walk away with Best Picture, along with two Best Lead Actor/Actress awards, is a pretty damn good reminder that you don’t have to leave Memphis to make something that gets noticed.
Sometimes the monsters are right here in the Bluff City.
And apparently, they’re winning awards.
- Film: Dreams of a Dead God
- Writer/Director: Jim Weter
- Genre: Found-Footage / Cosmic Horror
- Runtime: 36 minutes
- Production: Memphis, Tennessee
- Current Status: Film festival circuit
- Expected Release: Later in 2026
- Website: www.cellardoorcinema.com
About the Author
Jim Weter is an award winning, Memphis filmmaker whose work has screened at festivals world-wide. To date, Jim’s work includes 6 feature films and over 20 short films, winning various awards and multiple film festivals both in the US and abroad.
