Coming back to this year’s Midsummer Scream (August 7th, 8th, and 9th), is the nightmare inducing good time, the Screaming Room Film Festival.
Incidentally, you can create your own account on the festival app here. Don’t forget to download the Midsummer Scream app HERE.
Eric Ryan and Amantha Ryan, the festival directors, have helped shape this fantastically bloody festival over the years at Midsummer Scream, creating a unique and exciting experience for audiences and filmmakers alike. With their passion for film and their eyes for talent, they have crafted a phenomenal platform for short films and up-and-coming filmmakers to bring their creative horror visions to the big screen.
Amantha shares with us the origins of the Screaming Room Film Festival, what goes into curating such a unique collection of horror and what they hope horror fans will take away from this year’s festival.
The Screaming Room Festival Directors Amantha Ryan and Eric Ryan.
Bonilla: How did you meet?
Amantha Ryan: [We] married after meeting years ago while working at Blockbuster. We quickly realized we shared a deep love of film, along with a mutual obsession for road trips, theme parks, and hockey.
Diving into the history of the festival, what year did you start this festival?
We officially got involved back in 2017. It started pretty organically. We were already hosting regular horror movie nights, and then Norman [Gidney] reached out asking if we wanted to come on board to help curate the Screaming Room at Midsummer Scream. We absolutely loved the idea and have been involved ever since.
What inspired the idea of creating a short film festival?
The inspiration came directly from the spirit of Midsummer Scream itself. Since short films don’t always get the big-screen treatment, the goal was to invite filmmakers to showcase their work to a dedicated horror and haunt community as part of the convention. We wanted to create a place where attendees can take a break and enjoy a selection of horror genres from incredibly talented filmmakers.
I read that these films are divided into blocks. How did you come up with the block themes? Are they the same every year, or do they change yearly?
We have several categories of blocks available to choose from, though these can change from year to year. We prefer to let the submissions dictate what the blocks will ultimately become; rather than picking themes in advance, we screen the entries to see where natural themes, moods, and tonal overlaps emerge. Whether it is creature features, eerie atmospheric tales, or dark comedy, once we identify those patterns, we group the films into tailored blocks to provide the audience with a distinct, immersive experience for each screening.
With so many different horror genres, like body horror, horror comedy, and gothic horror, how do you select the films that are shown during the Midsummer Scream weekend?
Selection comes down to finding stories that are both engaging and original. Since Midsummer Scream attracts a diverse crowd of horror enthusiasts, we strive for a well-rounded balance, carefully selecting films that stand out within their respective subgenres. If a film leaves a lasting impression on our programming team, we know it is one we must showcase to our audience.
In the past, you’ve had short films that were as short as a movie trailer, while some felt like a full episode of Tales from the Crypt. How do you balance such a wide range of times when selecting the films and arranging them for the festival?
Pacing is everything when curating a block. A punchy micro-short can serve as the perfect palette cleanse, or jump-scare warm-up, right before a longer 20-minute story. By weaving different lengths together, we keep the energy high and prevent audience fatigue, ensuring every film gets its moment to shine without the block feeling bogged down.
Considering the number of films you will be showing this year, how far in advance did you have to start viewing films for this year’s selections?
It’s practically a year-round process. Each year, we open our call for submissions on Halloween. As soon as those first entries start rolling in, our programming team begins watching these right away. We spend months screening hundreds of films to ensure every single submission gets the attention and consideration it deserves.
How does it feel to be sitting on these little horror treats for so long, then getting the chance to watch them with a live audience and some of the filmmakers?
It’s so amazing! Having to wait for the convention in order to share with everyone can be hard. When [we’re] finally able to play these on a big screen it is very satisfying. Listening to a room full of people scream or laugh at the exact right moment, especially when filmmakers are there, is easily the best part.
As the festival directors, what do you see as the mission of this festival?
Simple: Give indie filmmakers a platform, give horror fans an awesome show. Short films are often where the most creative, uninhibited storytelling happens in cinema. We want to celebrate that artistry, foster connections between creators and fans, and help elevate the next generation of genre talent.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this festival?
A real appreciation for short films. It can be hard to tell a full, compelling story in 20 minutes or less, and these filmmakers pull it off brilliantly. We hope people discover exciting new filmmakers to follow and support long after the convention ends.
What is your favorite part of being a part of a film festival like this?
For us, it’s the pure joy of cinema. Going into a brand-new batch of submissions each year without knowing what’s in store is so exciting. Sorting through them, building the blocks, and finally sitting in a packed theater watching it all pay off, is absolutely worth it and why we love it!
We are passionate about this short film festival and very grateful for the opportunity to present such a wonderful selection of films. A project made possible in large part by our partnership with the incredible team at Midsummer Scream. We couldn’t be prouder of the lineup we’ve put together for everyone this year, and hope to see you in the Screaming Room August 7-9, 2026!
