by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport

Do you feel that chill in the air, goblins and ghouls? It’s the sign of the horror season! This year may be a bit unconventional in terms of Halloween plans, but I have not found a lack of chills and thrills in terms of flicks to watch. Being very much an indoor kid, the capability to attend a festival virtually has been quite satisfying for me. Sure, I miss grabbing a pint with my film pals after a screening to dissect the flick. However, I have found the access to my personal stash of snax and bottomless drinks to be quite enjoyable. There is also the awesomeness of being able to watch flicks from the comfort of my sofa while being wrapped in a blankie that is definitely a plus. 

One fest that should be on your radar that is sure to put you in a spooktacular mood is Salem Horror Fest, beginning October 1 until 11. To help you narrow down your fest watch list, your favorite Old Sport (who has now been possessed by the spirit of Vampira - find out more here) has put together some flick picks. 

Something I find particularly exciting during film fests is the short flicks programming! It is a great way to find new and upcoming filmmakers without investing a ton of time. As a filmmaker myself (I just put the final touches on my own slasher short, Pizzaman) I find myself drawn to this section as I peruse which fests would be best suited for my miniature creation. After checking out the selection of shorts at Salem Horror Fest, I believe this might be a good fit. Here’s my short flick picks… 

The Mechanical Dancer

In the vein of The Cabinet of Dr. Calligari this silent, animated short was extremely up my alley. I absolutely loved all the small details in this eccentric tale about a bunch of quirky characters at a small theater. Watch a trailer for Jenna Jaillet’s flick here.

Snake Dick

“She’s got the snake - I got the flute.” The lighting and overall look of this film drew me in. In watching the short, I found the lead actress Poppy Drayton to be perfectly cast in a flick as a gal with moxie named Jill that isn’t afraid to stand up to the evils in this world. As for the run time - well, I found it just to be the right length. 🐍

Satanic Panic ‘87

If you’re looking for something short and satanic then this eighties inspired flick is for you. A couple of teens pop a satanic aerobics tape into their videocassette player and, upon following its rather straightforward rituals, inevitably open the gates to hell. With a runtime under four minutes, why not take the chance? 

When it comes to features, I tend to focus on movies that are from upcoming directors, as well minority or female filmmakers, as I feel these are flicks that often either get buried after they hit the fest circuit. Here’s a few films from female filmmakers that I can’t wait to check out… 

The Witches of Hollywood

I love films about witchy women. One of my favorite spooky witch flicks is the 1942, I Married a Witch starring Veronica Lake. Most recently, I enjoyed Anna Biller’s The Love Witch - which was a wonderful take on the classic sixties technicolor horrors. In director Sophie Peyrard’s documentary The Witches of Hollywood, she digs into Hollywood cinema from the 1930s to now to show examples of how these characters have empowered females through history. 

Bleed with Me 

A story set in a remote cabin off in the woods in which a woman becomes suspicious of her best friend, when she believes she is stealing her blood. Maybe she is a vampire? A werewolf? Regardless of the type of creature, I can’t wait to check out Amelia Moses’s feature. 

A Nightmare Wakes

Filmmaker Nora Unkel had me at Frankenstein. Her feature debut tells the story of Mary Shelley as she creates her famous monster and inevitably prized novel. In seeing this came out in 2019, I am not quite sure how it flew under my radar, but am looking forward to seeing what trick Nora has up her sleeve. 

If you are interested in attending the Salem Horror Fest, make sure to visit their website here, for information on how to purchase tickets and badges. There are several badge options available - All Access, which grants a viewer access from October 1 until September 30, 2021 and two weekend passes. Weekend Pass I allows viewers to see select flicks the weekend of October 2 to 4. Weekend II permits viewers to watch other select flicks the weekend of October 9 to 11. Keep your eyes on Moviejawn.com over the next couple weeks for all my coverage of the fest and make sure to follow us on instagram for my snippet reviews and hot takes.