In just six minutes, Grace Rathbun’s animated short SHAMDEMONIUM plunges viewers into a surreal and darkly whimsical world where the line between faith and fantasy blurs. The story follows a young girl named Lily, who finds herself trapped in a carnival of the bizarre, a place where demonic-looking creatures peddle false promises and twisted miracles. Desperate to escape this nightmarish funhouse and return to her mundane life, Lily must navigate a series of unsettling attractions, each one a test of her will and perception. As she encounters a cast of grotesque ringmasters and deceptive performers, she begins to question whether the monsters she sees are real or manifestations of her own inner doubts. With its striking animation and eerie atmosphere, this short film crafts a compelling allegory about the seductive nature of illusion and the courage required to see through it. Lily’s journey becomes a tense, visually inventive exploration of belief, deception, and the strength needed to reclaim one’s own reality.