In the Heat

Directed by Sam Chou

Runtime: 17:23

Country of Origin: Canada

When a bruised and battered man claiming to be Santa Clause is arrested for the murder of a child, the interrogating officers uncover a story more bizarre and horrific than expected. A violent Christmas rivalry between the forces of good and evil where the outcome hinges on a promise made decades ago. The award-winning duo, Sam Chou and Ellery VanDooyeweert, team up again for another animated thriller, this time delving into the turbulent origins of old Father Frost himself. In The Heat is adapted from a 2008 short story by “Queen of Russian Horror”, Anna Starobinets.

Director Biography

Sam Chou began his career as an animator on the feature films Osmosis Jones and Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights. He co-created and directed the web series Crime: The Animated Series, which premiered at both Sundance and TIFF and won Best Series for Adults at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in 2014. His last film, VRDLK: Family of Vurdulak, premiered at Fantasia Film Festival and won the best Animated Short at FilmQuest as well the Audience Choice Award at Lusca Fantastic Film Festival.