
The Waiting Man
Screening on film festivals
In 2022, the famous streaming group TOMNI was at the height of its popularity with over 7 million followers. Over the course of a week, their content changed and then they suddenly vanished. This is the footage recovered from their social media, computers, and SD cards. Experts believe the footage shows the worldwide phenomenon known
as Alikabiha, also called the Waiting Man.
Have you ever felt yourself being watched but no one is there? Have you ever encountered someone where their shape is the only thing that seems human? A sense of dread spreads and you feel in your heart that something isn't right. You are not alone.
For the last millennium frighteningly similar reports of a mysterious figure have been documented. This is the common denominator in hundreds of disappearances throughout the world. We call the phenomenon, The Waiting Man.
The Waiting Man is a fictional horror character created by Carl Sundström that will soon be seen on screens all over the world. A feature film with the same name, written by Carl Sundström and Nathaniel Pellikka Erlandsson, is now completed with a preliminary release date in late 2026.
Screenings
PUFA — Pucela Fantástica
Valladolid, Spain · July 2026
World Premiere
The Waiting Man had its world premiere at PUFA (Pucela Fantástica) in Valladolid, Spain, as part of the festival's Aquelarres section.
The film was presented to audiences for the first time on July 9, 2026, marking the beginning of its festival journey. The screening was attended by director Carl Sundström, actress Mayuko Lindström, and co-writer and producer Nathaniel P. Erlandsson.
PUFA, the International Fantastic and Horror Film Festival of Valladolid, took place from July 4–11, 2026, bringing together an international selection of contemporary genre cinema.
Upcoming Screenings
Horror Fest Film Festival
United States · September 2026
North American Premiere
The Waiting Man continues its international festival journey with its North American Premiere at Horror Fest Film Festival.
Following its world premiere in Spain, the film makes its first appearance before North American audiences, bringing its unsettling story and atmosphere to a new audience.
Toronto Indie Horror Fest
Toronto, Canada · October 2026
Canadian Premiere
The Waiting Man will make its Canadian Premiere at Toronto Indie Horror Fest.
The Toronto screening marks another step in the film's international festival journey, introducing the film to Canadian audiences for the first time.



Press & reviews
The Horror Lounge - Review (English)
The Waiting Man adds a veiled original legend to the found footage genre
The Horror Lounge - Interview (English)
Carl Sundström talks about The Waiting Man and what went into found footage's newest legend
Mother of Movies - Review (English)
The Waiting Man Review (2026): Folklore Horror That Creeps
Horror on the net - Review (Italian)
The Waiting Man – Il nuovo indie found footage svedese
From Beyond - Interview (Swedish)
The Waiting Man (2026) – svensk found footage-skräck
MovieZine - Article (Swedish)
Svenska skräckfilmen "The Waiting Man" får världspremiär i sommar
Tidningen Ångermanland - Interview (Swedish)
Carl från Kramfors tävlar på filmfestival i Spanien
Cast & crew




![Cristian Åsvik - Lukas Malinowski [Guy]](https://2d5f00700c.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/fab46682c6bb9e6ef6534b542894289f/200000332-c2be2c2be4/GUY%20-%20Cristian%20%C3%85svik.jpeg?ph=2d5f00700c)

![Marcus Stenberg - Mikael Berg [Mitch]](https://2d5f00700c.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/fab46682c6bb9e6ef6534b542894289f/200000328-6ef0d6ef0f/Mitch%20-%20Mikael%20Berg.jpeg?ph=2d5f00700c)

