It’s a bona fide hit — and most definitely an ear splitter: SplatterFest Houston rocked the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema West Oaks Tuesday night with screenings of 18 little movies of horror in our town’s first marathon 54-hour short film competition devoted to the genre.

Where else but Houston could a film with killer plastic wrap win a prize for “Best Use of a Prop?"

And how about the film focused on a stockbroker winning “Best Splatter?” Did the audience have fun or what?

The theater lobby was jammed with actors, directors, crew, family members, and plenty of others who just love scary movies. A Saint Arnold beer, from Texas’ oldest craft brewery, and a bowl (not served in a paper bucket) of really good popcorn made it perfect.

SplatterFest co-founders Kerry Beyer and Kelly Smith, sporting her “blood” splashed stilettos, handed out 21 awards including the more unique “Best Kill” and “Best Scream,” for which actress Ashlye Elyse obliged the audience with a deafening demo. No microphone needed.

There were tiny budding horror actresses and actors in the crowd, baby Carries and Freddy Kruegers, and these youngsters helped bring home the gold for their team’s productions. Their mommas and papas were so proud.

If you hate your employer, you’d just love the top prize-winning Don’t Look in the Attic from Joe Grisaffi and Michael Colburn. They conjured up a rather novel way to get rid of the boss in their film. Suffice it to say that his health plan won’t cover his problems.

Kudos to all the winners and to festival founders Beyer and Smith. They told us for certain that SplatterFest will be b-a-a-a-ck, bigger and better, again next year!

Best Film: Don’t Look in the Attic

First Runner Up, Best Film: It’s Not Your Grandma

Second Runner up, Best Film: He’s Here for You

Best Use of Assigned Character (a film critic): Cinephile

Best Cinematography: He’s Here for You

Best Sound Design: Devour

Best Music: Te-Kill-Ya

Best Use of Assigned Line of Dialogue: It’s Not Your Grandma

Best Splatter: The Stockbroker

Best Use of Prop (plastic wrap): Award-Winning Masterpiece

Best Artistic Visuals: Image

Best Writing: Award-Winning Masterpiece

Best Editing: Te-Kill-Ya

Best Special Effects: It’s Not Your Grandma

Best Make-Up Special Effects: Don’t Look in the Attic

Best Actress: Suzelle Pelacius (He’s Here for You)

Best Actor: Matthew Carter (It’s Not Your Grandma)

Best Scream: Ashlye Elyse (Don’t Look in the Attic)

Best Director: Joe Grisaffi (Don’t Look in the Attic)

Best Student Film: Cinephile

Audience Favorite: Devour