Indie
WORLD OF DEATH Ep. 115 – Mycophobia / Teratophobia
It’s next to impossible for a filmmaker to tell a story without leaving a bit of themselves on the screen. The ideas we come up with, the stories we tell, they say something about who we are whether we intend them to or not. Every tale spun forth from the mind retains a kernel of its author. This week’s World of Death offerings are no different.
First up from across the pond we have “Mycophobia: A Fear of Mushrooms” by Stuart Fitzsimmons, a decidedly European tale that sends up the silent movie era of filmmaking. Fitzsimmons nails the aesthetic by utilizing hammy overacting, concise visual storytelling, and an antagonist that feels straight out of Georges Millies’ “A Trip to the Moon” (or the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight” video if you’re not fluent in early French cinema). This short might not leave you with a bonafide fear of mushrooms, but you’ll definitely think twice before stepping in a circle of them.
On the American side of things we have Arizona’s own Pete Navarro with “Teratophobia”. Now, if you’re wondering what Teratophobia is the fear of you’re in luck because I had to Google it for this write-up. Wikipedia has it as “A fear of giving birth to malformed offspring or general fear of disfigured people” which is odd because all the females in this film are healthy looking and attractive. My take on the film was that it had to do with mental illness and the dangers of our reliance on prescription medicine. Something decidedly American when placed in contrast to this episode’s other short (you remember, the British silent film about forest nymphs and mushrooms).
So there you have it; two filmmakers, two short films about fear, and two very, very different finished products. That’s what makes this the World of Death though, right? It’s a bunch of filmmakers all sitting around a campfire (borrowing someone’s analogy there) talking about what we think is scary. Everyone has their own voice, and everyone brings a different scary story to the circle.
– Pat O’Sullivan
World of Death is the web series that fans of independent horror have been waiting for. Featuring short horror films from all over the globe created by the largest variety of talent that a collection has ever been able to boast, WOD provides plenty of blood, guts, screams and laughs for all fans of the macabre. And with episodes averaging around eight minutes in length, WOD is the perfect entertainment for a fan base constantly on the go. Watch it anywhere, at any time, for FREE! New episodes premiere every Monday and Thursday at 10am CST.
WATCH HERE
Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.
The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:
“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.
“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.
“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.
“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”
Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.
To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.
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