They grow up so quickly, don’t they?

Just a year ago, Rue Morgue and Unstable Ground launched Little Terrors, a monthly showcase of the sickest, slickest short films the world has to offer. The Toronto-based event kicks off its second year next month, and it’s celebrating in style – with a tour that begins at the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear! Here’s some info, culled from the press release:

“The monthly Toronto-based short horror film series LITTLE TERRORS begins the second year of operation in its hometown on September 19th. To celebrate this milestone, the program is hitting the road, bringing a hand-­picked selection of highlights from the first year with it. Launching in four cities, the LITTLE TERRORS 2012 FESTIVAL TOUR begins at the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear, then visits Montreal, Mexico and Knoxville… Audiences should keep a special eye out as well, for some cities will also get a rarely seen secret film, not officially listed.”

This is a fantastic line-up of shorts, and I’m proud that my hometown (Knoxville) is one of the stops. If you’re going to the Festival of Fear in Toronto, you can catch the program on Friday, August 24 at 2 p.m. or on Saturday, August 25 at 3 p.m. in Room 705 of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. (Check out the schedule for the full line-up of Festival of Fear events.) There’s an official Little Terrors tour trailer at the bottom of this post, and you can  visit the LT website for details and updates. There’s also a Facebook page, of course.

Here’s the full line-up of touring films:

The Cat with Hands (4 minutes, UK)
DIR: Robert Morgan
A dark, surreal story of a cat who wants to be human. Award-winning short from the director of Little Terrors favourite Bobby Yeah.

Brutal Relax (15 minutes, Spain, subtitled)
DIR: Adrian Cardona, David Muñoz, Rafa Dengrá
When a gang of mutant sea monsters on a murder spree interrupt a man’s much needed vacation, his anger management techniques fail him – with deadly results. Insane gorefest with outstanding special effects.

Roid Rage (14 minutes)
DIR: Ryan Lightbourn
After a genetic mutation sends his world spiraling out of control, Sammy Jenkins has to fight for his life with his unique abilities in order to survive. Those unique abilities include the giant killer hemorrhoid growing out of his ass. Current festival hit!

Black Goat (6 minutes)
DIR: Joseph Nanni
Adam Wilson stars in this impressive HP Lovecraft-inspired short film. Selected by Guillermo del Toro as runner-up of the 2011 HP Lovecraft Film Festival.

The Auburn Hills Breakdown (17 minutes)
DIR: Geoff Redknap
The loyal son of a backwoods cannibal clan must hold his family together when they are forced to take shelter in the terrifying home of a yuppie couple. A brilliant subversion of the “backwoods killer” flicks, and a previous selection of Toronto After Dark.

Prick (9.5 minutes)
DIR: Colin Berry
Welcome to the heart and mind of serial killer Leonard Knack. Every day is the same for him, but something is about to make his life take a dramatic turn. Award-winning festival short, and previous selection of Toronto After Dark.

TRT (4 minutes)*
DIR: Darryl Shaw
ED correction goes horribly wrong in this short from the director of Android Re-Enactment. Created for the ABCs of Death director search contest. Check it out on the big screen!

Tub (12.5 minutes)*
DIR: Bobby Miller
A young man with commitment issues jerks off in the shower… and impregnates his bathtub. Seriously.

Deus Irae (13.5 minutes, Argentina, subtitled)*
DIR: Pedro Cristiani
A fragile border separates our world from the realm or darkness, where nightmarish creatures await. Only one thing stands in their way – the “Deus Irae,” a secret order of priests. Award‐winning short filled with gore and creepy atmosphere; previous selection of Toronto After Dark.

*Not playing in Montreal