Shriekfest Film festival and Pretty/Scary Join Forces

Shriekfest (www.shriekfest.com), the Los Angeles International Horror/Thriller/Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Festival & Screenplay Competition, and Pretty/Scary (www.pretty-scary.net), the organization and website that encourages women in the horror genre, have joined forces for the 7th annual Shriekfest Film Festival happening September 28-October 7, 2007 in Hollywood, California.

Pretty/Scary will sponsor an award for the film that best symbolizes innovative, interesting, provocative, and groundbreaking representations of women in the horror, sci-fi, or fantasy genres. Eligible films will either be outstanding examples of genre filmmaking and have been written or directed by a woman, or have a radically amazing central female character. Since the award will be given to the film and not the filmmaker, films by men and women both are eligible for the Pretty/Scary award, which will be given out at the closing night awards ceremony.

“I’m really excited about this,” says Pretty/Scary owner and Editor Heidi Martinuzzi, “because Shriekfest is the best indie-friendly genre film festival in California. Not only does it draw a huge crowd, but also it has integrity and I love that. I am really looking forward to working with Denise Gossett because she just totally kicks ass.”

As to why Pretty/Scary and Shriekfest are teaming up, Heidi Martinuzzi says, “For the past two years Pretty/Scary has run a very small film festival out of the Genghis Con convention in Pittsburgh. This year I want to expand and expose women genre filmmakers to more people and get the message to more women. The message being that more women should be making horror films. I urge the women that would ordinarily be submitting to the Pretty/Scary Film Festival to now submit their film to Shriekfest, a much bigger event, where they will still be recognized by Pretty/Scary for their spectacular achievements. It’s basically a win/win situation, if you know what I mean.”

Denise Gossett, founder and owner of Shriekfest, says, “I am so excited about teaming up with Heidi and Pretty/Scary. I think we will really be able to bring a new light to women in horror, not just the blood and nudity type of light, but some real acknowledgement to the talented women out there. And I think the award that Pretty/Scary is offering may get more men thinking about different ways to represent women in their films as well. It's a win-win for everyone. ”

Pretty/Scary is a sponsor of the 2007 Shriekfest Film festival and will be a committed part of the entire festival. Pretty/Scary will be on the judges’ panel and be an active presence at the festival itself.

For more information about the festival and Pretty/Scary go to www.shriekfest.com and www.pretty-scary.net or email Denise Gossett at shriekfest@aol.com

Submitted by Jackie Coupe - Proud member of the ‘Pretty Scary Organisation for Women of Horror’