Over a decade ago, actress Denise Gossett made a decision that changed the face of the independent horror industry forever. What began with the discovery that there were no film festivals for independently produced horror films, ended definitively with the Los Angeles based Shriekfest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition, which only grows in popularity and success every year. This year’s festival was no exception to that rule.
Widely recognized as one of the most influential women in horror, Denise talked with DarkMedia about the evolution and progress of Shriekfest, the nature of the indie horror community, and how it’s changed over the years.
How would you say Shriekfest has evolved over the years?
Shriekfest has grown like crazy through the years, we have loyal fans, loyal filmmakers and screenwriters and of course, new faces every year, we get submissions from every country out there. We just wrapped the 12th year!
Likewise, how would you say the indie horror industry/genre has evolved, or is evolving?
Indie has evolved in amazing ways, it is easier to make a film nowadays due to the access of cameras and editing software, etc. More and more people are trying their hand at it. Also, with resources like indie go go and kickstarter, filmmakers can tap into family, friends, and strangers to help finance their films, so, that has helped quite a bit too.
Having seen so many films, do the entries still have the potential to surprise you?
I have seen a lot through the years, but, yes, there are still films that surprise me, even scare me, although it is rare…but, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a well made film. There were some in the fest this year that scared and shocked me. It’s always fun to find some that can!
With remakes and sequels currently dominating the mainstream horror industry, some have said that there has never been a more important time for indie horror. With some of the most exciting, orignal, work in horror today happening in independent films, do you think that will ever carry over into the mainstream?
I do think it will. More and more the studios are realizing that there is a large bunch of filmmakers that are extremely unique and talented out there. Shriekfest gets contacted by distributors and execs all the time looking for the next big thing. I am so over the remakes, especially when I see on a daily basis the talent that is out there. I definitely want to help the indie filmmakers as much as I can.
The indie horror community is one of the most supportive, tight-knit communities in the entire entertainment industry. The year-round networking events of Shriekfest are an excellent example of that. Why do you think that is?
The loyalty and support of the indie horror crowd blows my mind. I love that it is literally like a family and that is something I strive for with Shriekfest….If we all just have each other’s backs, we can change the industry.
What are you currently working on?
Now that the festival is over this year, I am wrapping up, sending out press releases, sending out programs to finalists who couldn’t make it, tons of thank yous, posting pics, website, etc. It takes a while to wrap it up and then I will be taking lots of meetings for acting jobs…very excited to focus on that again. In the meantime, I’ve already lined up some judges and sponsors for 2013.
Denise can be found on Facebook and Twitter (@DeniseGossett and @Shriekfest). For more information about Shriekfest please visit their official website.
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