We’re proud to share the release of Qareen, a new horror short film directed and crafted by Amair Javid (AJ), a filmmaker and visual storyteller who is also a staff member at The Camera Store. His work bridges the gap between technical precision and emotional storytelling, a balance that’s central to Qareen’s unsettling tone. Funded by the Canada Council, Qareen is a moody, atmospheric exploration of unseen forces that blends psychological unease with supernatural horror, offering a tightly crafted cinematic experience.
The film draws inspiration from the concept of the qareen: a spiritual double, companion, or shadow self found in folklore and myth. Rather than relying on overt scares, Qareen leans into suggestion, restraint, and tension, allowing silence, shadow, and sound to do much of the storytelling. For those interested in a deeper dive into the film's mythology, an accompanying short story, “Qareen and Marid,” expands on these themes and provides additional narrative context.
The project was filmed with a Sony FX3 mirrorless camera, paired with a Ninja monitor for ProRes RAW recording, enabling maximum flexibility in post. To further shape the film’s visual identity, AJ chose vintage Takumar lenses that were cine-modded, lending the imagery a softer, imperfect character that enhances the film’s eerie atmosphere.
Post-production was completed in DaVinci Resolve, where the edit and colour grade emphasize shadow, contrast, and subtle tonal shifts. Sound plays an equally critical role: the score and sound design were composed in Steinberg Cubase, with final mixing and refinement completed in DaVinci Fairlight, resulting in a layered, immersive soundscape.
Qareen is a film shaped by intention. From folklore-driven storytelling to carefully chosen tools, it reflects AJ’s commitment to crafting meaningful, technically refined cinematic work. We invite you to watch, listen closely, and let it linger.
