Indie
WORLD OF DEATH Ep. 136 – Semblance / Mess
Today’s foray into the World of Death has us exploring the relationship between men, razor blades, and the bathroom mirror. It’s a complicated relationship, one forged in prepubescence that stays with us until the end of days. The albatross of well maintained facial hair is a burden most men of age know well, and these two short films cut right to the terrifying heart of that relationship.
First up we have Semblance by Levi Caleb Smith of California, USA. Semblance spins the yarn of a man that wakes up after giving one too many mustache rides in desperate need of a makeover. Unfortunately his mustache is a little less eager to be removed from the equation. Hilarity ensues. One could fault the film’s protagonist for having grown a Hitler mustache in the first place (if you don’t already HAVE the Hitler mustache then there’s no need to SHAVE the Hitler mustache when the cops are looking for you) but that’s neither here nor there. It’s a good flick. The ending really goes balls out and delivers.
Round out today’s episode is Mess from Colorado’s own Sam Lowery and Anthony Martinez. Anthony Martinez pulls double duty here, not only as one of the directors, but also giving a tour de force performance as the lead actor in this one man show about the perils of shaving. The simple act of shaving goes horribly wrong for our protagonist and let’s say Mess isn’t just a clever title. This however, one scrappy little flick. It was fun. The kids’ got moxy. Give it a shot.
Those invisible, World of Death tendrils that connect two seemingly unconnected groups of filmmakers never cease to amaze me. Horror movies are just the modern day equivalent of scary stories told round the campfire, and today we learned there is something universally terrifying about standing in front of a mirror with a razor in your hand. Rock over London, Rock on Chicago.
– 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.
Looking for New Episodes of “Chucky” on Peacock? Here’s What Changed
Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man’ Is Now Available to Watch at Home!
‘The Blair Witch Project’ – Original Stars Release a Statement Asking Lionsgate for Residuals & Recognition
‘Mountain Man’ – Joe Manganiello Will Battle Zombies in Upcoming Horror Movie
Five Underseen Vampire Horror Movies to Stream This Week
