Bloodfest

Where is the best place to catch some amazing horror shorts just in time for Halloween inspiration? The International Kids Horror Film Festival, aka Bloodfest.

Using horror as a vehicle for imagination and growth, dozens of young film makers will feature their frightening and hair-raising short films over two big nights at the Event Cinemas at Bondi Junction. In its second year running, the festival will see 16 award categories in junior and teen sections, coughing up cash, trophies and deadly industry prizes.  

Allowing kids to explore a world of thrilling make believe, Bloodfest is creating an opportunity for young people to explore the things they fear, and confront them in a way that fosters creative exploration and individuality. 

Not only will the participants be scripting, shooting and editing their short films, they will also be involved in proof reading, curating images for the films and website testing. Under the guidance of Bloodfest’s co-directors Natalie Richards and Curly Fernandez (affectionately named ‘The Undead’), the young people involved in the festival will be given a glimpse into the Australian film industry. 

As part of the horror film festival, Bloodfest will also be holding an exciting school holidays film workshop for 15 lucky kids where they will be joined by a guest celebrity horror screen writer while receiving classes from the Bloodfest’s producers, Natalie and Curly. Taking place in a real haunted house near Central Station, the kids will learn about horror film techniques, acting and the horror genre with all participants guaranteed a screening of their masterpieces at the Bloodfest festival. 

On Bloodfest, producers Richards and Fernandez both believe “it is a safe space for young to explore the taboo, to self-lead in what they find frightening and to artfully confront those fears.”

Oct 29-30. Event Cinema – Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction. $22.19-$43.29+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.bloodfest.co

By Riley Hooper