In 2022 we were working long hours as assistants in Hollywood. We had big dreams but limited time and money to make our own films. That’s when inspiration struck. Why not transform our annual Silver Lake Halloween party into a horror short film showcase? We developed a plan: we’d ask our friends to make low budget shorts, package them like the anthologies we loved as kids, and screen it on Halloween. Not only did the plan come together – it was a huge hit. We’ve grown every year since and 2025 was our biggest show yet. We crowdfunded over $25k, with support from veteran filmmakers like Mark Duplass, Scott Derrickson, and Christopher Landon. A few corporate sponsors even joined in to support the cause! Most importantly, 500 horror fans and industry folks showed up. Our fun idea had grown into something much bigger than we’d imagined; a platform to usher in a new wave of bold horror filmmakers.
Storytelling is the heart of what makes a film captivating and memorable, and scary movies have given us some of the most iconic stories of all time. Psycho. Jaws. The Shining. A Quiet Place. And these movies weren’t just scary – they were boldly original. They flipped expectations on their head and rewrote the rules. And originality isn’t just good for the art itself – it does gangbusters at the box office. As of 2023, horror movies made up 10 percent of box office revenue – double the share they occupied te10 years ago. The appetite for horror is stronger now more than ever. And shorts are the best way for filmmakers to introduce new ideas and attract investors. In fact, horror shorts are now often used as a ‘proof-of-concept’ for feature film adaptation
The problem is that these shorts are incredibly expensive to make, costing anywhere from $5,000 – $50,000. For young filmmakers working in entry-level day jobs, that financial barrier can feel insurmountable. As it stands, horror filmmakers are forced to self-finance their work and pray it gets seen by the right people. It’s a total gamble for these young bright artists. We want to increase their odds.
We’re breaking down barriers for emerging filmmakers by creating the premier launchpad for horror filmmakers in the US. Each filmmaker passes through our competitive application process, showcasing a strong portfolio and bold new ideas. They then receive a $5000 grant and in-kind production resources via our network. On Halloween they screen their polished film and network with other filmmakers and industry keyholders. At SSS, we’re building something the industry hasn’t seen before — a unique community that will develop the next great wave of horror filmmakers.
Silverlake Scream Show 