Etheria Film Festival 2024 With Michelle
The Etheria Film Festival lineup is available on Shudder until August 15th, 2024! If you aren’t familiar with Etheria Film Fest, I am going to copy-paste exactly what etheriafilmnight.com says (which is what we did last year, too!):
“Etheria Film Night is the world’s most respected showcase of horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, thriller, and dark comedy films directed by women for an audience including producers, managers, showrunners, distributors, and genre fans. Etheria puts the women directors who want to make genre films and TV in front of the people who want to hire them.
“Etheria is hosted by American Cinematheque, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all forms of films through screenings at historic theaters in Los Angeles, the Screenland Armour Theater in Kansas City, Missouri, and by AMC/Shudder, the world’s most popular horror streaming service.”
Both of us had an opportunity to watch and review the entire lineup last year, but due to time constraints, it’s just me this time. Let’s see how it goes!
TOOTH
Directed by JILLIAN CORSIE
“Tooth abuse” is one of those things that always makes me squeamish, and this takes it to a whole new level. I can probably go the rest of my life without ever seeing those gums again, and that’s more proof that this was a really well done piece. The animation and effects were too good to hate, but oh man was it icky!
THE THAW
Directed by SARAH WISNER and SEAN TEMPLE
Given that our Adams Family night is only a month and a half away, it was thrilling to see Tobey Poser show up in one of these segments!
“The Thaw” is a good slow-burn with excellent world-building and fantastic acting from everyone in the small cast. Emily Bennett plays the lead as a daughter who is helping her family get through the winter, and she is captivating.
1 IN THE CHAMBER
Directed by ANNIE GIRARD and DIANA WRIGHT
The “women can’t have a family and career” trope is a little played out, but “1 in the Chamber” still managed to give it a fresh take. Yara Martinez and Mary Elizabeth Ellis are hilarious as two assassins trying to kill each other in a baby-proofed room. I particularly enjoyed the use of props; there were enough items to complete an entire baby shower registry, and they were all used creatively.
TEN OF SWORDS
Directed by FAYE JACKSON
The “Ten of Swords” short film has as many different meanings as the tarot card of the same name. The card can represent someone’s lowest point and a very painful ending, which is present in the parts of the story that are about betrayal and revenge. But it can also mean the end of conflict and an ability to face difficult changes head on and grow from them.
There’s a quick literal interpretation of the meaning at the end that even those without tarot knowledge can appreciate.
RIDE BABY RIDE
Directed by SOFIE SOMOROFF
As much as I want to call this a modern remake of Stephen King’s “Christine,” “Ride Baby Ride” manages to be horrifying in a way that the cheesy film about a jealous Plymouth Fury never did.
MAKE ME A PIZZA
Directed by TALIA SHEA LEVIN
I’ve had some awkward arousals, but this one takes the cake.
THE SHADOW WRANGLER
Directed by GRACE REX
The rewatchability factor for “The Shadow Wrangler” is high. What begins as a comedy develops into a deeper layered story with a much sadder ending than you’d expect. I’ve watched it three times so far, and I’m sure there will be more viewings before it gets taken off Shudder.
Someone writing, directing, and starring in their own film can be a recipe for huge failure, but Grace Rex really pulled this one off.
INKED
Directed by KELSEY BOLLIG
Oh man. “Inked” scratched that horror itch. With things going bump in the night, vibrant hallucinations, and a little dash of body horror, this got under my skin. (Pun intended.)
MLM
Directed by BREA GRANT
Near the end of the lineup, I started fretting about how hard it would be to pick a favorite from this year since they were all so stellar, but then “MLM” closed it out and won me over. As a 2007 high school graduate, at this point in my life, if I get a friend request from an old classmate, it’s almost guaranteed that they’re not looking to catch up but to sell me leggings, jewelry, skin care products, essential oils… Annoying as this is, “MLM” will make you feel a bit more compassion for sellers trying to meet their goals.
FINAL THOUGHTS: I’m so glad that JD introduced me to Etheria. Not only is it great to watch an hour and a half of solid content, it’s even better that some of these smaller creators may get the recognition and funding they need for bigger projects. Lots of names on this list are ones you’ll want to watch out for in the future!