There is nothing like a female filmmaker sharing her twisted visions on screen and the L.A.-based Etheria Film Festival has proved it for the past decade, showcasing fiery, sometimes freaky, always fresh short takes on horror, sci-fi, fantasy, dark comedy and other out of the box fare by women. The annual shorts fest, which took place at the Egyptian Theatre in past years, was moved online due to the coronavirus and it seems to have found a perfect home on the Shudder streaming service.

A key component of Etheria has always been about providing exposure for female directors, and the audiences for its in-person events were always known to be filled with producers, managers, showrunners, and distributors, which led to real opportunities for women in film. It is hoped the same will be true for these streaming presentations.

Premiering last Friday, the collection of thrilling, weird and supernatural shorts is available to watch now through July 20 (and new Shudder members can sign up for a 30-day free trial with the promo code ETHERIA). See trailer and synopsis info via Etheria’s website on just a few of 2020’s thrilling offerings, below.

Ava in the End (directed by Ursula Ellis)- After tripping over her dog and dying, a struggling actress wakes up in a virtual purgatory and waits for her mind to be downloaded into a new body.

Basic Witch (directed by Yoko Okumura)- Young witch Lily uses her magic to make Brian understand why their sexual encounter was bad for her. 

The Conversion Therapist (directed by Bears Rebecca Fonte)- A pansexual, polyamorous trio kidnap a ‘pray-the-gay-away’ evangelical conversion therapist and torture him until he sees the light.

The Final Girl Returns (directed by Alexandria Perez)- A driver emerges from a massacre unscathed and finds himself trapped in an endless cycle of saving the final girls. The Driver soon learns that one mustn’t fight the rules of horror, and the past he’s been driving from catches up to him. 

LIVE (directed by Taryn O’Neill)- An online ‘livecaster’ with a dangerous brand has a crisis of conscience over her volatile career choice in a future world where jobs are limited and conflict is currency.

Man in the Corner (directed by Kelli Breslin)- What starts out as a hot hookup with his dream guy, turns into a nightmare when Daniel realizes they aren’t alone in the house.

Waffle (directed by Carlyn Hudson)-  Kerry is at a sleepover with the socially awkward, mysteriously orphaned heiress Katie. Friendship–in a society that grows ever isolating–is explored as Kerry learns the hard way that Katie always gets what she wants.

More films, info and director bios here.

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