Exclusive Interview With Shriekfest Founder Denise Gossett

It’s a Carnival of Horror this weekend as the 11th Edition of Shriekfest which runs from September 29th till 2nd October returns to put the fear in you. Shriekfest founder DENISE GOSSETT has promised a Screaming Good Time as audiences will be treated to the best in independent horror and sci-fi from the world over in all its unrated glory! There’s the opening night screening of Troma Legend Lloyd Kaufman’s “The Feed”, the world premiere of retro thriller “Isle Of Dogs” and a host of bloodcurdling shorts to make your skin crawl.

Plaudits have to be bestowed upon Miss DENISE GOSSETT for generating such buzz for Shriekfest over the years and which now thrives as LA’s Most Successful & Entertaining Horror Film Festival! She’s the original ‘Kickstarter’ who celebrated horror at a time when festivals were few and far between back in 2001. As a Horror devotee, I feel blessed to be touched by such an influential figure in the genre and it’s with great pleasure to present this interview with the vivacious DENISE, a gorgeous visionary hugely deserving of the moniker as a FIRST LADY OF HORROR.
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Q & A WITH HIGH PRIESTESS OF HORROR DENISE GOSSETT

1. Hi Denise. First off, Congrats on the the 11th Edition of Shriekfest Film Fest. What can audiences expect this time around and how has Shriekfest contributed to the horror scene over the years?

A: They can expect more of the same, awesome indie films from around the world…we have US film, films from Australia, England, France, Germany, Brazil, New Zealand, etc. I think Shriekfest has contributed by helping get the word out about indie horror and we’ve helped people get their projects made, distribution, agents, etc.

2. There’s an intriguing list of films guaranteed to make us Scream at Shriekfest 2011. What’s the selection process like and would it help if we were chummy with you (truthfully now!)?

A: Does not help to be chummy….actually many of my friends were rejected this year…we have over 40 judges and it’s a long, thought out process.

3. It’s amazing to see sci-fi as well as comedy features scheduled for our viewing pleasure. Why do u think it’s important to maintain that diversity even at an established horror festival?­

A: It helps break up the gore, plus there are talented filmmakers in all genres.

4. Everyone adores you for your gregariously warm nature and for being an awesome Scream Queen. Tell us who have been your favorite actors and how have they inspired you?

A: Aww, you are very sweet, but I don’t really consider myself a scream queen…haven’t done enough horror for that. I love lots of actors, all your typical oscar winner actors, but I also love the indie actors as well. I’ve made some amazing friends over the years.

5. I also read that you’re also been anointed as an Indie Sex Symbol. How did that come about and in your opinion, what is the true meaning of Being Sexy?

A: Ah, Haren, that was appointed by you my friend! The true meaning of being sexy is: loving life, loving yourself, and doing what you love.

6. You are in the book “Hot & Horryifying: The First Ladies Of Horror” which is absolutely amazing. What does it mean to be held in admiration for being a mover and a shaker?

A: It blows me away, b/c I just feel like this person who wants to help and I can’t believe the love I get on a daily basis….it’s wonderful!

7. Tell us some of your most memorable moments throughout your career.

A: Working with Mel Gibson, he’s amazing, being a gun slinger in A Chestful of Blood, working with Julia Louis Dreyfus & Christina Applegate…both so great with comedic timing….I could go on and on.

And of course running Shriekfest…for all of it’s hard work, there has been lots of joy too.

8. You’re revered as one of the hardest working women and a genuine maven of horror. When Miss Denise Gossett is not drenched in blood on screen, what does she do for fun?

A: Awww…Haren, you have a way of making me feel so good….thank you! I have a 3 year old little girl and I enjoy playing with her, we go swimming, work in our garden, I also love hiking and spending time with my family and friends.

9. What are your thoughts on the impact of Social Media on entertainment and how has that impacted on the horror genre?

A: Wow…social media still blows me away….it’s allowing indie filmmakers to reach wider audiences and get their talents seen…it’s truly wonderful!

10. To end this interview on a chilling note, what is the one thing that truly scares you?

A: Losing the love of someone I love.

Thank you Haren.

Hot Actress #495 – Dai Green: Horror Vixen

You have to love a gal who tells it like she sees it and F**K with people who aren’t hard core horror fans on Twitter. I also recently listen to DAI GREEN on Blogtalkradio as she pointed out the shortcomings of the 2011 AFTER DARK Originals and why some of the films doesn’t do justice to the spirit of the series. Having followed AFTER DARK Horrorfest through 4 iterations, there’s a sense that commercialism has slowly suffocated the festival’s indie cred. From always giving viewers 8 Films To Die for, this year it would be a surprise if half of them manage to live up to the hype! It’s enlivening to see DAI GREEN who’s an influential industry insider giving us her razor-sharp perspectives on horror whether as the Head Mistress for HorrorNews.net or as an entertainer/fan. Awarded Troma Entertainment’s Tromette of the Month for the month of April 2011 is a testament to her incredible contributions, in the process reiterating that women of horror should be recognized thus ridding the world of the ‘gina stigma (in her words). Widely regarded as one of the foxiest internet journalists around, her one-of-a-kind DAI OF THE DEAD column examines horror at its most stirring. None more so than her review of highly controversial gorefest “A Serbian Film” which I found thought-provoking! Haters are saying it’s propagating child pornography but DAI touches on the need to separate fiction from fact and why hypocrisy is rife when there are more questionable movies out there that haven’t gained such vicious backlash! Critics and so-called puritants should wake up and be mature enough to tell the difference between what is inferred on screen and what’s reality!

It’s great to be in contact with Terror Hotties as this close-knit community of talented ladies have been a great source of inspiration for me as a blogger. Seeing Dai Green in the company of fellow Horror Mavens such as Reyna Young, Rebekah Herzberg, Shannon Lark and Eileen Dietz among many others is such a thrill! Evidently I’m captivated by everything she has to say or has written as DAI offers valuable insights often in the spiciest of ways. With several indie projects brewing, DAI is set to be just as stimulating. It’s time we join the movement called ‘DAI ‘ism’…:)