In partnership with the George A. Romero Foundation, Access: Horror film festival will return this year with a hybrid festival and industry summit, both online and live in New York City, to celebrate disability in horror and genre cinema.
Founded by founded by acclaimed filmmaker, author, podcaster and horror activist Ariel Baska, Access: Horror also proudly hosts panels, discussions and Q&A’s from various luminaries from horror and disability advocacy communities, and was named one of the most accessible film festivals in the nation by Forbes.
Hosting alongside Baska at Access: Horror are Sharai Bohannon and Xero Gravity of the Blerdy Massacre Podcast, and Fango's own EIC Phil Nobile Jr.
Kick off events on August 1st with a 6-hour program at DCTV Firehouse Cinema (87 Lafayette St.) in New York City, the event will feature live musical entertainment from Maya Azucena, a live podcast recording of Blerdy Massacre and a collection of 10 short horror films. Announced shorts include The Shadow Wrangler by filmmaker and actor Grace Rex, noted for her recurring role on the Apple TV hit Severance, Lady Parts, directed by Ariel McCleese, editor-in-chief of BloodLetter Magazine, and Tight, by Jessica Barr, which had its premiere at SXSW.
Here's what Baska has to say of the festival's return for a second edition:
“I’m incredibly excited to return with a second year of films and in-depth conversations celebrating disability in the horror space, particularly with the renewed partnership of the George A. Romero Foundation […] We are extending our reach from New York City to the DC area and the Bay Area this fall, through partnerships with Lost Weekend Film Festival at the Alamo Drafthouse Winchester, and Superfest Disability Film Festival at the San Francisco Disability Cultural Center.”
More info, including the full list of films, special guests, and schedule for the live event in New York City, will follow soon, so make sure to keep an eye on the official Access: Horror site for updates.
