Invention 13 (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Invention 13 is a 15-minute fantasy short about a frustrated pianist facing unusual obstacles as he works through Bach’s demanding Invention 13 on a cold, windy night. Directed and written by Conor Oberst and Shawn Foree, the film stars Emory Cohen, Olivia Howard and Phoebe Bridgers in a voice role.

Invention 13 is a 2026 fantasy short centered on a pianist attempting to master one of Bach’s most intricate inventions. Its brief runtime places the focus on a single difficult night and the strange resistance surrounding the performance.

Written and directed by Conor Oberst and Shawn Foree, the film uses music as the basis for an unusual supernatural-leaning premise. The cast includes Emory Cohen, Olivia Howard, Phoebe Bridgers and Nelly Morville.

Invention 13 movie details

Story without spoilers

On a cold and windy night, a frustrated pianist named Christopher tries to learn Bach’s Invention 13. The piece presents a serious musical challenge, but his efforts are complicated by strange obstacles that make the night increasingly unusual. The supplied synopsis frames the story as a concise fantasy about frustration, performance and music that may resist being expressed.

What to expect

Invention 13 is a short-form fantasy built around a pianist, a demanding classical composition and an unsettling nighttime situation. At 15 minutes, it is structured as a compact story rather than an extended feature, with the central tension arising from Christopher’s attempt to play Bach’s Invention 13.

The film’s tagline, “Music is an exorcism…sometimes it won't come out,” points toward a fantastical treatment of artistic frustration. Beyond that premise, the available information does not specify the nature of the obstacles or how the story resolves, so the film is best approached without assumptions about its plot or ending.

Cast and creative team

Emory Cohen plays Christopher, the frustrated pianist at the center of the story. Olivia Howard appears as Monique, while Phoebe Bridgers provides the voice of Tabitha. Nelly Morville plays Future Dusk.

Conor Oberst and Shawn Foree share writing and directing credits. The production companies listed are Range Media Partners, blind acrobat and Rubber Ring Films.

• Emory Cohen as Christopher
• Olivia Howard as Monique
• Phoebe Bridgers as Tabitha (voice)
• Nelly Morville as Future Dusk

Release and production context

Invention 13 is a United States of America production with a listed release date of September 26, 2026. It is classified as a fantasy film and has a runtime of 15 minutes. The supplied metadata does not list spoken-language information or a specific distribution platform.

Production companies: Range Media Partners, blind acrobat, Rubber Ring Films

Movies Dock view

With its focused premise and very short runtime, Invention 13 presents a contained fantasy story about the difficulty of bringing a demanding piece of music into the world. Its credited collaborators and compact setup provide the key context for viewers deciding whether this brief film fits their interests.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb