Indie
[NFF ’18 Review] ‘Book of Monsters’ is a Real Page-Turner
Monsters are appearing at Nightmares Film Festival in a big way this year. The short film blocks are loaded with them and I couldn’t be happier. Creature features were my bread and butter growing up, so I’ve been a bit bummed about them falling out of favor over the last decade. I hope this indie resurgence means that monsters (both original and old school faves) are on the verge of making a return to popularity in the genre. Regardless of whether or not that actually happens, I applaud a horror community that conjures up films like Book of Monsters.
Set across the pond in the U.K., the picture centers around a young girl who witnessed her mother being butchered by a creature that was hiding under her bed. Talk about tapping into childhood fears! Cut to 10 years later and our soon-to-be 18 lead is about to find out that fate isn’t through with her as far as night creatures are concerned. Her birthday bash is about to become a bloody buffet and her guests are the main course.
The 1980s were awash in monster flicks and party-centric films. Book of Monsters is not the first film to toss the two together, but it’s been a long while since we’ve seen a film of this sort. Who doesn’t want to see drunken assholes shredded by creatures of the night, especially more original (or at least lesser known) beasties? I do, especially when the tale has some fun with its butchery.
From a technical standpoint, the film is a bit shaggy across the board, but there is so much enthusiasm and passion on display that it doesn’t matter. Once you toss on a good cast and some delightful practical effects work, you end up with what amounts to the modern version of a late ‘80s Empire International Pictures monster fest. All its missing is the old EIP (or early Full Moon) logo and the names Charles, Albert, and Richard Band in the credits somewhere. This is a good thing and so is Book of Monsters. Seek it out and open it at your earliest convenience, monster movie lovers!
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
‘Mountain Man’ – Joe Manganiello Will Battle Zombies in Upcoming Horror Movie
‘The Blair Witch Project’ – Original Stars Release a Statement Asking Lionsgate for Residuals & Recognition
Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man’ Is Now Available to Watch at Home!
‘Trap’ – Official Trailer Previews a Wild New Horror Experience from M. Night Shyamalan
You must be logged in to post a comment.