The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is set to spotlight one of the most unique gateways into independent horror filmmaking: Stephen King’s long-running “Dollar Baby Program.” On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. PT, the museum will host an in-person screening event featuring a curated selection of short films produced under the program, with filmmaker Chris Donahue appearing for the presentation.
For decades, King offered aspiring filmmakers the chance to adapt certain works for just one dollar, creating an accessible path for developing directors to engage with his stories. This upcoming program highlights several of those adaptations across multiple genres and eras.
The lineup includes Paranoid (2000), following two young women dealing with the aftermath of an alcohol blackout; Disciples of the Crow (1983), centered on a child-led cult devoted to a dark belief system; and Dedication (2021), which explores the lengths a hotel worker in Berlin will go for her child’s well-being.
Also screening are Popsy (2019), involving a gambling debt and a resulting abduction; Beachworld (2019), focusing on astronauts trying to survive an isolated alien landscape; and If You Tell Your Dreams… (2013), delving into a middle-aged couple’s confrontation with a lingering nightmare.
The event underscores the enduring influence of King’s program on independent cinema and shines a light on the filmmakers who used this opportunity to bring his stories to life. The screening is part of the Academy Museum’s ongoing film programming, made possible through support from the Richard Roth Foundation.
