Pablo Absento
- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Pablo Absento is an award-winning filmmaker based in Tokyo, Japan, working as a director, writer, and producer. She is known for bringing Japanese dark stories to global audiences, creating atmospheric horror that spans folklore, urban legends, psychological suspense, and human horror. Her unique perspective as a foreign filmmaker living in Japan has earned her the unofficial title of the "J-Horror Queen."
Her first short film Call My Name (2013) received numerous accolades, including Best Short Horror at the Germany After Dark Horror Festival.
In 2015 she directed SHI, a festival favorite that won awards worldwide. After its online release through Crypt TV, the film amassed more than eight million views and drew praise from acclaimed horror masters Guillermo del Toro and Eli Roth.
She later directed SLIT, inspired by a Japanese urban legend, further cementing her reputation for striking and unsettling storytelling.
In 2021 Absento directed three episodes of Smahorror, a vertical smartphone horror series produced by Takashi Shimizu, creator of the iconic J-Horror Ju-On / The Grudge franchise.
Her debut feature film Bloat, starring Ben McKenzie and Bojana Novakovic, was released in March 2025.
Pablo has been called the "second Lafcadio Hearn" by critics for her skill in bringing Japanese dark stories to life.
Her first short film Call My Name (2013) received numerous accolades, including Best Short Horror at the Germany After Dark Horror Festival.
In 2015 she directed SHI, a festival favorite that won awards worldwide. After its online release through Crypt TV, the film amassed more than eight million views and drew praise from acclaimed horror masters Guillermo del Toro and Eli Roth.
She later directed SLIT, inspired by a Japanese urban legend, further cementing her reputation for striking and unsettling storytelling.
In 2021 Absento directed three episodes of Smahorror, a vertical smartphone horror series produced by Takashi Shimizu, creator of the iconic J-Horror Ju-On / The Grudge franchise.
Her debut feature film Bloat, starring Ben McKenzie and Bojana Novakovic, was released in March 2025.
Pablo has been called the "second Lafcadio Hearn" by critics for her skill in bringing Japanese dark stories to life.
