For the second year in a row, the Salem Horror Fest and Bloody Disgusting’s Horror Queers Podcast have joined forces for FRIGHTGOWN, a summer series of watch parties devoted to independent queer horror. The six-week series of virtual screenings will benefit The Trevor Project, with last year’s event raising over $7,000 for the Transgender Law Center.
Salem Horror Fest and the Horror Queers Podcast will resurrect their FRIGHTGOWN fundraiser on Wednesday, July 13 and run weekly through August 17 at 7:30 pm EST, kicking off with the new film So Vam from 17-year-old trans filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay. The six-week series will showcase recent projects featuring queer horror stories and filmmakers.
FRIGHTGOWN organizers Kay Lynch and Joe Lipsett state: “The momentum for Queer Horror is real. It’s an exciting time for new and independent voices. While Pride Month is over, it never really dies. Our goal is to celebrate and encourage filmmakers who are committed to representing our stories on screen and behind the lens throughout the year.”
Selected films will span several genres, from Chris Moore’s conversion camp-themed Children of Sin, Canadian mumblecore lesbian film The Strings, trans director Jane Schoenbrun’s consideration of gender dysphoria on the internet in We’re All Going To The World’s Fair, and Addison Heimann’s exploration of mental health in Hypochondriac before wrapping up with Jon Abrams’ dark, campy and disturbing campus sexual assault thriller Exploited.
Here’s the full film schedule for FRIGHTGOWN 2022:
Wednesday, July 13th
7:30 pm EST – So Vam, Directed by Alice Maoi Mackay9:00 pm EST – Bit, Directed by Brad Michael Elmore
Wednesday, July 20
7:30 pm EST – Children of Sin, Directed by Christopher Wesly Moore9:00 pm EST – Revealer, Directed by Luke Boyce
Wednesday, July 27
7:30 pm EST – Sound of Violence, Directed by Alex Noyer9:00 pm EST – The Strings, Directed by Ryan Glover
Wednesday, August 3
7:30 pm EST – We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, Directed by Jane Schoenbrun9:00 pm EST – Creep, Directed by, Patrick Brice
Wednesday, August 10
7:30 pm EST – Hypochondriac, Directed by Addison Heimann9:00 pm EST – Climax, Directed by Gaspar Noé
Wednesday, August 17
7:30 pm EST – Exploited, Directed by Jon Abrahams9:00 pm EST – Cam, Directed by Daniel Goldhab
Special guests will co-host virtual watch parties on Twitter where everyone is encouraged to engage with each other using the hashtag #frightgownsummer. Exclusive interviews with filmmakers and writers will accompany the screenings, posted to social media and hosted on the event website at frightgown.com.
While there is no admission fee to attend, all films will be available to purchase, rent, or stream where proceeds go to support the filmmakers. FRIGHTGOWN asks that all participants consider making an additional optional donation. Those who contribute $100 or more will receive an exclusive trans-themed Friday the 13th mask designed by Uncle Boogieman. All proceeds will go to support The Trevor Project.
Film schedule, program details, and donor info are available at frightgown.com.