Indie
AFM ’09: ‘The Open Door’ Grants Wishes
In Doc Duhame’s horror film The Open Door, a pirate radio station is granting callers their hearts’ desires. But as some teenagers find out, be careful what you wish for. Beyond the break you’ll find the trailer and art being used at the American Film Market.
“Beautiful, innocent and trusting high school senior, Angelica (Cathrine Georges) is enjoying, but not yet at ease with, her new found position as BFF of popular crowd queen bee, Staci (Sarah Christine Smith). The new relationship is causing tension at home with her parents, as under Stacis influence, Angelica is breaking rules for the first time in her life. She is also falling hard for nice guy football star, Brad (Mike Dunay), while Staci is trying to run interference for Owen (Ryan Doom), the spoiled, handsome leader of the in crowd who has set his sights on the virginal Angelica.
While the school is buzzing with rumors of a pirate radio station that just appears on full moon nights granting callers their hearts desires, everyone is gearing up for the party after the big game. But when Angelica is grounded, and tells the manipulative Staci that she cant be by her side, Staci pulls out all the stops in her quest to get Angelica to sneak out and join her. As the evening progresses, and Angelica fears that Brad is slipping through her fingers, she notices the full moon, and in desperation, turns to the radio and finds the pirate station whose soothing orator is both irresistible and mysterious.
When Owens second in command, Spike, (Daniel Booko) informs the crew that Angelica is home alone, they decide to stop by and have a little fun at her expense. Meanwhile Angelica calls in to the radio show and makes her wishes and vows to the Oracle, who assures her all will come to pass. As the unsuspecting teens arrive for what they think will be a harmless prank, the dark power that has been unleashed begins to make its evil presence known and Angelicas wishes begin to be fulfilled in a terrible twisted nightmare that will have all of her friends fighting for their lives.”
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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