I'd like to meet:
Other Horror fans, Sci Fi fans, Fantasy Fans Filmmakers,screenwriters, and genre lovers!
TESTIMONIALS: Hi Denise,Thanks very, very much for your referral and for keeping "Dark Blessings" in mind! I will follow through. :)Thanks for all you do, have done, and will do in the name of fostering new artists and works in the genre you adore. You are an inspiration. Peace from the Northeast, TAJ
Denise, thank you so much for a fabulous excuse to come to L.A. I had a blast at the festival, met some great people and saw some awesome films. I've been to so many festivals over the past few years and yours definitely ranks among the top. It was so nice to see my own film projected in a nice venue and looking and sounding as it should and among so many other entertaining films. A filmmaker just can't ask for more than that. I am writing an article and launching a website about indie filmmakers' experiences with festivals and I thought I should mention that one of the filmmakers I interviewed who has submitted to Shriekfest but not yet had a film accepted, listed yours as one of the few he would continue to submit to because of your support and professionalism. He had less nice things to say about festivals that did screen his films. I thought that was telling. What can I say? I looove Shriekfest-great films, great venue, great parties and one of the most filmmaker-friendly fests I've been to! DEVI SNIVELY
Denise, I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am with Shriekfest. Of all the film festivals we've participated in, Shriekfest has provided the greatest value as far as exposure to the media and distributors before, during, and after the actual festival. You guys do more than just screen the films, you really help out the filmmakers. I can't tell you how many of my producer friends have asked me "how did you get this article or that radio interview?" and it's because of some contact initiated by Shriekfest. Thanks again. NICOLE JONES: Film: "P.O Box"
Dear Denise, Though my screenplay "Daddy" wasn't accepted into your festival, I just wanted to thank you for one of the most amiable rejections I've ever received. Your response shows a level of professionalism and respect for the writing/filmmaking process that rises above most other contests/festivals I've dealt with. You folks are top notch-keep up the great work! DON PHILBRICHT
Dear Denise,It's been over a year since my film Kyoto Nocturnes, Part I: Elegant Slaughter appeared at Shriekfest, but I've been pleased several times to hear from you about review possibilities, possible distribution deals, and even a birthday note! Thank you very, very much for keeping in touch! You are one in a million! Sincerely, JOHN FOSTER
Shriekfest is a film festival that truly honors up and coming screenwriters and filmmakers. Their staff was always extremely helpful and respectful. They kept me in the loop every step of the competition, from the day they received my submission to the last day of the festival. Even though my script only made it to the semi-finals this year, I still won ten copies of my script and a pass to all of the events and films at the festival. I will definitely be back next year. Call me crazy but I’m dying to get my name on a Shriekfest tombstone! RYAN GILMORE-2006 Screenplay Competition Semi-Finalist for “Hauntedâ€
Denise & Todd, thanks so much for everything. Both of you go above and beyond to make screenwriters feel at home. We really appreciate it. You guys genuinely care and it definitely shows in the high quality of your festival. We've been to many other festivals and this one is hands down the best. Thanks again for the memorable experience. ALAN R. BAXTER & DANIEL POTTS
Denise and Todd,I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the screening yesterday. It could not have been better: perfect projection and sound, a full audience of indie horror fans, and just an overall great time. I really appreciate you guys finding a place for us in your festival and can honestly say I can't think of any better venue for our LA premiere than Shriekfest. Please pass along my thanks to all your volunteers--they're doing a great job and my cast and crew and I are really grateful. JIMMY HEMPHILL
Shriekfest is the most wonderful festival out there. I have been in a number of festivals and applied to even more and there isn't a single festival out there that has done more to try and help me professionally or had a better group of people involved. Denise Gossett is AMAZING! My screenplay was a finalist 3 years ago, and I STILL get emails from Denise letting me know about producers and production companies who might be interested in my script. Two of the producers she has introduced me to have become close personal friends. Shriekfest might be one of the newer festivals, but it gives the most personal attention and is truly vested in the filmmakers and screenwriters who apply. The films that screen are so much fun, the people are amazing, and no other festival out there works so hard to promote your career. I can't recommend another festival more than Shriekfest!!! It is the BEST ONE OUT THERE! RACHEL GOLDBERG
Denise and Shriekfest are the best and I can tell you from experience that no other screenwriting competition comes close to how awesome and supportive you are! A.J.DEVLIN
You really take an interest in the careers of the screenwriters. You recommended my script EL CHUPACABRA to a production company and got it read when EL CHUPACABRA didn't even place in your contest. That is more than admirable. MICHAEL HEBLER
I can't thank you enough for keeping Pat and I in the loop on producers and companies looking for horror projects. As a result of you giving us the lead for Energy Entertainment, I got reunited with Jake Wagner - a fellow UMich-er, he in turn read the script and loved it and Jake said he'd hold on to it and pass it along to any producers he knows who are looking for low-budget horror scripts. As a result of Jake's thumbs up on it, Ross Media Corp. is now looking at the script. CHARLIE JETT
It was a delight to be included in the Shriekfest screenplay competition-- and an even bigger delight to place in the top dozen. Denise has forwarded a half-dozen interested contacts asking for the script. Carry on the good work!" TED NEWSOM
Shriekfest helped most for us in the advertising of our script, putting it out there. Our ink tip page made constant mention of being part of your festival and I know it made our (now) manager take this script that came across his desk a little more seriously. It showed it had been somewhere and people were fans. And overall the Shriekfest experience was a very positive one to say the least. Everyone at the fest was very supportive and it gave us one of our first real opportunities to network with other filmmakers in LA within this genre. WILL LINK
You have no idea how much I appreciate you keeping me up-dated with news. To have that coming from the absolute best Horror Festival in the world really means a lot. Please keep it coming. JOSE ROSETE
Shriekfest has been helpful in getting us read by different production companies, and in making some good contacts. We've placed in other competitions, but none of them got us as many reads as Shriekfest. Shriekfest was also the best run competition we've ever entered (i.e. deadlines were met, e-mail's answered, friendly, our names were spelt correctly on the certificate). Yep. Definitely our favorite competition that we've entered. LARISSA, LISA, and ALEX OLICK
I have found Shriefest to be a wonderful festival with which to be involved. Besides the exposure it brought to my work, Shriekfest provided two professional connections to me for further exhibition. Shriekfest is run in a positive and personal manner. It is an artist friendly organization. TERRENCE RUSS
As for how Shriekfest has helped me, well, you gave me one of my two Best Picture awards (the first of the two, in fact, you trendsetters). I believe that Best Picture award you graciously awarded me was instrumental in me getting a good distribution deal for THE WIND. Besides that, you've given me your constant friendship and support, which I value greatly. MICHAEL MONGILLOWinning Best Short Script helped give me the confidence to move forward with the production of my first feature. And, I'd like to add,it's more than a little ironic that a festival called Shriekfest is run by such nice people. THOMAS HILL
Shriekfest helped me realize how valuable and loved horror films are amongst fans and industry professionals. It was fantastic to sit in amongst serious lovers of the genre, and I had a great time. While waiting for a screening, I struck up a conversation with a team of producers. One nicety led to another, and now we're in discussions to hopefully realize my screenplay on film! Thanks, Denise and the Shriekfest crew! I had a blast and you ran a most enjoyable, well-organized, and friendly festival. I'll always remember it and hope to return soon. JOEL SCHWARTZBERG
Shriekfest surprised us. I didn't have huge expectations, but you really pulled in a great crowd, there was a wonderful vibe--I met some very nice people--and our screening was technically (sound and picture) the best I ever saw it! Just getting an award from Shriekfest was a huge honor. Specifically, getting an award from a horror festival gives me great credentials and looks good to investors as I try to get money for my next film. GREGORY ZYMET
Winning Shriekfest opened more doors than I had anticipated. My script has been requested by a lot of production companies and I've gotten to go to a few meetings about it. I'm also talking with several managers, and I hope to get representation soon. JENNIFER QUINTENZ
Winning the short horror category definitely has helped my career - it impressed my agent before we signed, and has been something I refer to with pride in meetings. MICHAEL STRODE
