Women in Horror Month!

On Thursday, February 6th, Toronto Indie Horror Fest presented horror fans with a showcase of short horror genre films made by women in honour of Women in Horror Month (which is February, for those who don't already know that).

It was great fun seeing a range of films from all over the globe, including:

The Doula (US)
Director - Sarah Welsh Elliott
A well-heeled Brooklyn couple expecting their first baby, places all of their trust in a highly recommended doula with sinister motives.

MY TAKE: Pregnant? Have you hired a Doula to coach you through your birth at home? You may want to switch up your plans, and deliver in a hospital! Campy horror fun!

Tea Time (Brazil)
Director - Vitoria Zamfolini Garcia
Angeina, age 7, is going to spend the afternoon at Lara's house, also 7 years old. It seems like an ordinary day... until Lara invites her friend to drink some tea with a creature who lives inside her closet.

MY TAKE: This short makes the most of its young talent and the "less is more" principle with respect to horror movie monsters...

Fresh (US)
Director - Tatiana Wisniewski
After accidentally doing a ritual, Emily, a Philosophy student, has to face the biggest moral dilemma of all: kill or be killed.

MY TAKE: The premise - Cabin in the Woods meets Hereditary.

Between (Spain)
Director - Maria Castillo
Carol lives in an isolated cottage immersed in her past and her inner ghosts. Her mother, fed up with being ignored by her daughter, decides to pay her a visit.

MY TAKE: A woman literally trapped by the ghost that haunts her. It's like watching the psychological take physical form.

Attachment (Poland)
Director - Katarzyna Babicz
A man leaves his wife for a beautiful, young woman. When he moves in with her, it soon appears that she is not the person he expected. Suddenly, his life breaks into a nightmare.

MY TAKE: Comical how far the new boyfriend will go to ignore the horrifying direction his new relationship is taking...and the truth about his new lover. Great atmosphere!

RNP (US)
Director - Jesi Le Rae
Friends, Jaz and Jen set out for a spiritual retreat away from the city with their dog. Jaz, a little uptight, gives in on trusting Jen's itinerary through her new discovery of an app. With plans for soul searching ahead, the women set out for a life changing venture.

MY TAKE: You may have been waiting for an Air BnB thriller, and now you've got one! Starring an adorable pup named Teddy!

Queen Of The Mold (US)
Director - Lizzy Bryce
Feminist horror/comedy QUEEN OF THE MOLD follows a woman struggling to take up space in a society demanding she be as small as possible. When Iris, a diet pill saleswoman, moves into a tiny apartment to escape a dangerous relationship, she discovers an insidious mold taking over her only safe space. She can either allow this toxic substance to claim her short-lived freedom- or use it to become more powerful than she ever imagined.

MY TAKE: Love the writing and characters, as well as the quirky premise. Lots of plant-based terror fun!

Odd Girl (Canada)
Director - Rami Kahlon
Dylan, a popular and charismatic high school student, finds his perfect existence suddenly compromised by the unwelcome attentions of lonely outcast, Belinda. Her abnormal behavior becomes intertwined with eerie supernatural forces, and Dylan is compelled to dig deeper into Belinda's true character.

MY TAKE: A creepy take on cliques and oddball kids that just don't fit in.

Doppelparents (UK)
Director - Aimie Willemse
A newly graduated girl, frustrated about moving back home, learns the consequences of wishing her parents away over the course of a family dinner.

MY TAKE: Be careful what you wish for!

Ticks (US)
Director - Chloe Carroll
When three young adults venture into the woods, a Tick bite could be more deadly than they ever imagine.

MY TAKE: Ew! Ew, ew, ew! Icky fun!

I interview 3 of these filmmakers over the month of February...don't miss my  blogs for "Ticks", "RNP" and "The Doula"