NOIRE (2026) | Short Film / Cortometraje | Unreal Engine 5 & MetaHuman

NOIRE (2026) | Short Film / Cortometraje | Unreal Engine 5 & MetaHuman (2026)



6.0 2026 3 min —

Director: David Mayo.R

The clock strikes twelve, and the countdown to oblivion ignites. One solitary figure slips into a vacant home, driven by a singular mission: cue up a vintage soul record on the turntable, plant a pistol next to an enigmatic case, then retreat to the shadows of his parked vehicle. When the final crescendo of the track hits, he steps back inside to seal his fate—transforming the silence into a blazing, vivid spectacle that consumes the darkness in a fiery reckoning.

More About This Film

Noire (2026) is an upcoming short film that leverages the cutting-edge capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 and MetaHuman technology to deliver a visually stunning narrative experience. The production team has focused on creating immersive outdoor environments using Megascans assets, allowing for realistic lighting and atmospheric depth that defines the film's aesthetic. By integrating high-fidelity digital humans, the project aims to push the boundaries of real-time animation, offering viewers a cinematic quality previously unattainable in independent short-form productions.

The creative process behind Noire involves meticulous blocking of scenes within the Unreal Engine environment, ensuring that every frame contributes to a cohesive visual story. Animators have utilized tools such as Mixamo alongside custom motion capture data to bring the MetaHuman characters to life with nuanced expressions and movements. This blend of automated rigging solutions and manual refinement ensures that the characters convey genuine emotion despite their digital nature.

As part of a broader initiative by the studio to develop feature-length animated films using similar technologies, Noire serves as a proof-of-concept for larger projects currently in development. The short film represents a significant step forward in the democratization of high-end filmmaking, demonstrating how accessible tools can be combined with professional expertise to produce award-worthy content. The project highlights the industry's shift towards virtual production techniques, which streamline workflows while enhancing artistic freedom.

  • The film utilizes Unreal Engine 5’s Nanite and Lumen technologies to achieve photorealistic graphics in real-time.
  • Production incorporates Megascans libraries to build detailed outdoor environments without the need for traditional set construction.
  • The animation pipeline combines Mixamo assets with custom motion capture to enhance character realism.
  • This short film acts as a precursor to the studio's first feature-length animated movie currently under development.

Where to Watch

You can view Noire (2026) through various digital platforms once it becomes available for public streaming.