Indie
Killer Film Fest Showcases International Indies Online
It’s that time of year again. One of the many great things about Halloween is the sheer number of genre events and festivals that take place the world over throughout October. We’ve already had some of the bigger names on the festival circuit but here at Bloody Disgusting we like to champion the underdog. The little fledglings that are taking their first bloody footsteps into the unforgiving world of horror film-making. Enter Killer Film Fest; an independent horror festival run by Michael Vallier and held in Somerville MA, which showcases the debut efforts of film-makers from around the world.
As a horror fan- don’t you hate it when you look at the line-up for a film festival and get really excited about some great pieces of work, only to realize that it’s just too far away? Well with the Killer Film Fest you can devour almost all of the selected films from the comfort of your own dungeon via their online film portal. And it’s free too!. You can of course also opt to pay for a premium pass and make a donation to support the continued efforts of Michael Vallier in his bid to revive independent horror films. We take our hats off to you sir.
Alongside the features programme there is also a finely curated collection of horror shorts that will be screening at the festivals home, The Somerville Theater. Some of the most noteworthy features including Below Zero featuring Edward Furlong, Some Guy Who Kills People (review here), and The Eschatrilogy (Damien Morter) have already enjoyed screenings elsewhere and have had some impressive reviews so far.
With so many film-makers out there producing quality independent features, festivals like this are really important. After all the blood sweat and tears (literally) that goes into making a movie on a shoestring there must be nothing worse than having a finished product in your hands that no-one is ever likely to see on a big screen. Support Killer Fest- donate if you can or sign up for free and get access to online indie-horror for 12 solid days. Or, even better- if you’re in the area grab yourself a day pass (from only $18) and swing by to check out some of the features that didn’t make it onto the online programming.
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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