Don Mancini
Writer/Director/Producer
Don Mancini is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He is best known for creating and writing the Child’s Play franchise.
Having been a horror fan since his childhood, Mancini’s inspiration for Child’s Play were films like Trilogy of Terror and The Twilight Zone episode “Living Doll”; aware of the “killer doll” as a horror trope, Mancini realized that the concept had never been executed as a feature-length film with animatronic effects work.
Mancini wrote all seven films in the original Child’s Play film series, and was the executive producer of Bride of Chucky and Cult of Chucky. He began directing Child’s Play franchise entries with Seed of Chucky (2004), followed by Curse of Chucky (2013) and Cult (2017), and was the creator, writer, and director of the Chucky TV series.
INSTAGRAM: @realdonmancini
SPECIAL FESTIVAL GUESTS/MEDIA & PRESS
Sean Abley
Journalist/Screenwriter/Filmmaker
Sean Abley is a journalist, screenwriter, filmmaker, and an award-winning playwright. He is the creator and co-editor of QUEER HORROR: A FILM GUIDE, a 500-page encyclopedia of 900+ horror films with LGBTQ content. He’s been a frequent contributor to Fangoria magazine since 2009, and his “Gay of the Dead“ blog for Fangoria.com was the first to feature interviews with out LGBTQ filmmakers working in horror. His byline has also appeared in The Advocate, Instinct, Unzipped, and Men’s Health.
IG: @GayoftheDead
Mary Beth McAndrews
Editor-in-Chief at Dread Central
Mary Beth McAndrews is a filmmaker, critic, academic, producer, podcaster, editor, and all-around horror film nerd. She’s currently the editor-in-chief at Dread Central—one of the biggest horror film sites in the world—as well as a director and producer with Epic Pictures Group. She’s produced indie horror films such as THE JESTER, GHOST GAME, and FOR SALE BY EXORCIST. Her feature film debut BYSTANDERS premiered in January 2025. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago in Film Studies and Gender Studies. Learn more about her work on her website
IG: @mb.mcandrews
BURLESQUE/DRAG/MUSICAL ARTISTS PERFORMING
Prince Peanut Butter
Boylesque Performance Artist
From the Land of Chunky and the Haus of DeVille, it’s the man of a thousand faces, Portland’s original cosplay drag and burlesque performer, Prince Peanut Butter!!! PB has been performing his magic in PDX since 2011; getting his start with the Clinton Street Cabaret, performing in guest spots with famed Portland Burlesque stars, before finally debuting as Prince Peanut Butter in 2016 with Death of Glitter. As a cosplay performer and storyteller, his goal is to, even for just a second, make the audience believe that each of his characters has been brought to life before your very eyes. He calls this, “the Disneyland Effect.”
IG: @princepeanutbutter
one-half NelSon
Burlesque Performance Artist
one-half Nelson is a multimedia artist, performer, and event producer based in Portland, Oregon. For over 20 years one-half has disrupted creative spaces across the U.S. and abroad. Their body of work defies boundaries and has earned them the reputation of being a master visual storyteller. A veteran of New York City nightlife, they honed their crafts working in venues like the notorious Mr. Black and alongside living icon Susanne Bartsch. They quickly become a fixture in a world steeped in avant-garde self-expression; spectacle as art. Simultaneously, one-half has worked behind the scenes as a creative director and producer, translating brand identities into killer content and one of a kind events.
IG: @onehalfnelson
Hezzy Tayte
Burlesque Performance Artist
Hezzy Tayte is a lover of all things silly, sparkly and spooky, so, obviously a VERY big Chucky fan! She’s also an award-winning burlesque and drag performer, producer, and filmmaker from all over the west coast – with an extensive over 15 year performance background. She is one half of Glitter Trashcan Productions, with Amber Dextrous being her handy other half. They currently produce the drag & burlesque show of your wildest fever dreams, LEWDicrous! She’s the girl of your wildest nightmares, the rainbow fright that goes bump and grind in the night!
You don’t have to wait…for Hezzy Tayte!
IG: @hezzytayte
Body Academics
Pacific Northwest’s “least favorite” bong pop divas, acid-soaked variety show nonfat yogurt death trip.
Pop Group
For fans of Liza Minelli + D.A.F. in an abandoned cheese factory.
INSTAGRAM: @bodyacademics
Multimedia Collective
Performing LIVE Saturday August 2nd at 7:00pm. Only at Queer Screams.
Quesa D'Mondays
Drag Performance Artist
Cheesy. Briezy. Bleutiful.
IG: @quesa_d.mondays
Thee Countess Sinophelia
Drag Performance Artist
Thee Countess Sinophelia is a 154 yo non binary Vampyric royal obsessed with sharing the best parts of the wurst horror, queer and cult films. Former host of the pirate TV show Trigger Warning and currently sharing her Favorite Obsession, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with were-gins, witches and wampires every 2nd Saturday of the month at Clinton St. Theater.
IG: @sinophelia
Nine
Drag Performance Artist
This numerical drag thing is a natural time traveler extraordinaire. They hop through different decades, both past, present, and future, to deliver chaotic fun and nostalgia-fueled joy. It’s not no, it’s Nine! Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Nine has made a surreal splash in the scene and consistently transforms themselves into different characters, beings, and creatures. Their deep love of music and pop culture is delightfully apparent when it comes to their performances, and they can’t wait to perform for you! If you love nonsense, you’ll love Nine!
IG: @ninedragthing
FILMMAKERS/WRITERS/ACTORS/ARTISTS IN ATTENDANCE
Aaron Immediato
The Last Story on Earth
Aaron Immediato (he/him) is an award-winning, independent filmmaker based in Los Angeles. His film “The Last Story on Earth” is currently enjoying its festival run, including screenings at Frameline: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival and the London Short Film Festival. In recent years, his film “Bathroom Troll” was a finalist for the Iris Prize and screened at dozens of festivals around the globe, including Fantastic Fest, Inside Out Toronto, and Out on Film Atlanta. The film received Audience Choice Awards for Best Short Film at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival and qFLIX Worcester and was subsequently distributed by Gunpowder & Sky’s horror platform ALTER.
IG: @aaronimmediato
Aaron Pagniano
It Needs Eyes
Aaron Pagniano is a festival award-winning, queer director/producer from Florida. A graduate of Florida State University, they believe that movies and tv can be a window into another world but, more importantly, they can provide a different perspective on this one. The thing they love most about filmmaking is the collaboration of various artists.
IG: @pagnarok
Adam Van Dyke
In The Valley: A Cosmic Queer Abduction
Adam Van Dyke is a horror director and writer known for dark, twisted stories with sharp comedic undertones. Influenced by Saw, The Thing, Suspiria, and ’70s exploitation films, he pushes horror’s boundaries. A Savannah College of Art and Design BFA graduate, he began as an Assistant Director and Production Assistant across film, TV, and commercials. Simultaneously, he developed acclaimed short films through his own production company. Adam’s goal is to create compelling horror features that entertain while expanding LGBTQ+ representation, offering fresh perspectives and inclusive storytelling in the genre. His work continues to gain recognition at various film festivals.
IG: @adam.vandyke
Anna Hindman
How Far Does the Dark Go?
IG: @itsannahindman
Bears Rebecca Fonte
How Far Does the Dark Go?
Bears Rebecca Fonté is a transgender journalist, filmmaker, film programmer and Artistic Director of PRISM/aGLIFF in Austin, TX. She founded Other Worlds SciFi Film Festival and was Director of Programming for Austin Film Festival. Her shorts ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, PRENATAL, and SECRET KEEPER have played 150+ festivals including Fantasia, SciFi London, Boston SciFi, FilmQuest, AFF and Dances With Films. Her LGBTQ+ Horror short CONVERSION THERAPIST world premiered at Inside Out in Toronto. Her feature thriller iCRIME was released on DVD, VOD and streaming by Breaking Glass Films. Bears Rebecca also a producer on the Sundance Jury-Award Winning short THE PROCEDURE.
IG: @becki_bears
Blake Hawk
"Girlfriend Girlfriend"
Blake Hawk is an LA-based narrative and commercial editor with a decade and a half of experience and multiple awards under his belt. With a passion for collaboration and bringing stories to life, Blake has worked with a number of companies including Netflix, Ion Television, TVG Network, NFL, Beats by Dre, Nike, American Express, Tidal, and many more. He runs the post production company Throughline Media and is currently coordinating post- production for the second season of a series airing on Tubi.
IG: @blake.hawk
Bry Gallagher
"Girlfriend Girlfriend"
Bry is an award-winning writer, actor, creative based in LA. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community she is dedicated to queer story telling through a dramedy lens. You can catch her unhinged sketch comedy writing and performances monthly at the Pack Theatre in Los Feliz with house team Ugly Cry. She’s a UCB comedy Diversity Scholarship recipient and a former Fulbright Scholar. She likes cats, pizza, and adventuring with her wife.
IG: @existentialdancepartyyy
Chloe Carroll
How Far Does the Dark Go?
IG: @chlo_carroll
C.J. Arellano
Dry January
C.J. Arellano plays in the sandboxes of horror, comedy, and fantasy to explore – and satirize – our darkest impulses. His work has won Best Horror Comedy at the HollyShorts Comedy Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Horror Short at Out on Film: Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ Festival, and the Rising Star Award at the British Horror Film Festival. C.J. believes in the power of a story to reveal universal truths about how humans delude themselves and reckon with each other. He is fueled by hope, spreadsheets, ube ice cream, his trusty asthma inhaler, and posting stupid BS on Instagram stories. C.J. lives in NYC.
IG: @cjlgva
Dima Barch
Dead End
Dima Barch is a Russian-born filmmaker known for his bold and distinctive approach to horror and genre storytelling. His work explores themes of transformation, existential dread, and the limits of human control, blending surreal imagery with deeply personal narratives. His works comb such influences as George A. Romero, John Waters, Gregg Araki, and Joe Begos while peppering in Barch’s own unique perspective.
IG: @dimbarch
Felix Mack
Minister Chucky
Originally from Scotland, producer Felix Mack is an alumnus of the Warner Bros. Discovery Early Career Bootcamp and the Film North Inclusive and Socially Conscious Filmmaking Lab.
IG: @@felix__mack
Graham Kolbeins
Minister Chucky
Graham Kolbeins is an actor and filmmaker best known for Queer Japan, Rad Queers: Edie Fake, and The House of Gay Art. Their first narrative short, Outage, premiered in May 2025.
IG: @grahamkolbeins
Jack Walterman
Collette
Jack Walterman is a writer, director, and producer who has filmed in all 50 States. His work includes Move in Day (writer/director/producer), released by The Media Institute for Social Change, a non-profit, Emmy Award winning organization; Father by Law (producer), a finalist at Austin Film Festival; and Breach of Trust (producer) a documentary acquired by Women Make Movies and released by the Los Angeles Times. Jack holds an MFA in Film and Television Production from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Walterman is currently developing his latest horror short, Collette, into his debut feature film.
IG: @jackwaltermanpro
James Canellos
Demon Twink
James Canellos is a Freelance Producer and Production Coordinator who really hopes those reading this know how grateful he is that you’re taking the time to consider our story. This Queens, NY native started his filmmaking education at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and has continued producing in NYC and LA since. His produced Shorts featured in the Bushwick Film Festival, Cinequest, 30 Under 30 Film Festival, Netflix funded programs, Cannes Short Film Corner and the Tribeca Film Festival. Along with producing he’s Production Coordinated for clients such as Mercedes BMW, Musicians, Mizuno, Food Network, A&E, Netflix & MrBeast. James has produced (3) narrative features and is excited that a queer horror short is his next project.
IG: @jcanellos
Jasmin Haugstuen Please
Scrumptious
Jeffrey Ray Kieser
Egg Mama in "Carbon Cowboy"
Jeffrey Ray Kieser (He/Him) is writer, vocalist and digital artist living in Portland, Oregon. In 2012 he joined forces with Tommy Spaghetteria to form Body Academics, a multimedia performance collective that merges wildly queer aesthetics with theatrical influences. Also a member of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus’ A capella group Cascade, and a frequent collaborator with members of the drag community, Jeffrey pulls influence from the various performance environments he is surrounded by. The resulting works are influenced by Stephen Sondheim, Noah Lennox, Carly Rae Jepsen, Professional wrestling and the View. Jeffrey most recently co-wrote and co- directed and starred in Body Academics’ original movie musical Evil Babylon, which debuted at the Hollywood Theatre in May 2023.
IG: @bodyacademics
Jeremy Hill
In The Valley: A Cosmic Queer Abduction
IG: @jeremywhillfilm
Jonathan Andre Culliton
Minister Chucky
Jonathan Andre Culliton is a writer, director and producer known for Spookable, Bombshell, and Willa Justice: Drag Queen Private Eye, which won Out on Film’s Filmmaker Fund Grant. His campy, queer films have screened all over the world.
IG: @jonathanandrethegiant
Jordan Gustafson
Prom Party Massacre
Jordan Gustafson is a non-binary, bisexual, LA-based writer/director whose work aims to highlight authentic queer experiences through vibrant, genre-blending worlds all rooted in heartfelt emotional authenticity. Raised in Massachusetts, they started their filmmaking career on YouTube and went on to graduate from Emerson College with a BFA (Directing Concentration). Alongside their directorial work in music video space, Jordan co-hosts the podcast The Queer Quadrant which analyzes LGBTQIA+ representation in four-quadrant films, is an avid marathon runner, and works in development at Working Title Films.
IG: @jordan_gustafson
Livian Saphir
Demon Twink
Livian Saphir is a transfeminine producer with a lifetime love of horror and a talent for amplifying creative voices, finding untapped depths in works of true passion. Originally coming from the music industry where she worked as an audio engineer with Grammy Award-winning songwriters, Livian later rediscovered her childhood passion for film and prides herself on her successful career jump, thanks to her broad skill set of directing, story editing, videography, audio/video editing, and more. Her favorite part of producing is helping shape a project to have a solid through-line of strong central themes that resonate with their creators and audiences. In her spare time, Livian collects VHS tapes and was very proud to cast her own CRT television set in the film.
IG: @livian.bivian
Luis G Reyes
In The Valley: A Cosmic Queer Abduction
IG: @romanlettuce
Nikolaus Aldrich
The Visitor
IG: @nikolausaldrich
Paul Jacob Presley
Scrumptious
Paul Jacob Presley is a queer-nonbinary writer/director/producer based in Los Angeles. SCRUMPTIOUS is his short film directorial debut and a proof of concept for his feature project of the same name which is currently in development. Paul’s work exists at the intersection of the great trash auteurs before him: John Waters meets John Carpenter meets Paul Verhoeven. He grew up in a small Texas town of 300 people and is distantly related to Elvis Presley (third cousin, twice removed). Paul went to the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with a film degree in 2014. He currently works as a Creative Executive at Ethea Entertainment.
IG: @pawlprezlee
Phil Tice
Prom Party Massacre
Phil Tice is a festival-featured filmmaker and horror writer, as well as being a musician, a SFX makeup artist, and a bisexual. As well as having a number of short films and published works under his belt, Phil has been immersed in the world of musicals and theater since he was in high school, a love he carried on to his time at Emerson College, where he graduated with a BFA in Writing. Born in New Jersey, Phil currently lives in Los Angeles.
IG: @philcolinphilms
Raquel Lebish
It Needs Eyes
Raquel Lebish is an actor / singer / dancer / croqueta enthusiast. Hailing from Miami, Florida, Raquel has made it her utmost priority to bring her Hispanic/Filipina roots to wherever she goes and whenever she works! Raquel has over eight years of conservatory training, a decade of stage performances, and three feature films under her belt, as well as work on commercials for brands such as McDonalds and Lenovo.
IG: @raquellebishh
Samantha Rothermel
How Far Does the Dark Go?
IG: @samrothermel
Sara Werner
"Girlfriend Girlfriend"
Sara is an award-winning queer American filmmaker from Cape May, NJ, currently based in Los Angeles where they direct dramas, experimental films, and commercial work. Sara does not enjoy writing about themselves in third person, but is passionate about creating stories with themes focused on urgent social issues and profound characters with long bios that will inspire audiences and touch at least one lonely queer kid out there like they were. They see you, hear you and hope you know you are loved. Sara built their on-set experience working as an assistant director and in the G&E department on commercial and narrative sets. Always craving queer cinema, their first internship was with NewFest and later with GLAAD in NYC where she learned first-hand of film’s power to change hearts and minds. Sara received their M.F.A. from the University of Miami after making an award- winning debut as a Writer/Director with her first short film about a survivor of human trafficking. Their work has been featured by Bloody Disgusting, Deadline, Frameline, Outfest, Raindance, Revry, and Shudder. They have helped produce and direct viral content for clients such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Marvel, and Vogue.
IG: @seawerner
Silas Kade
Demon Twink
Silas Kade is a Los Angeles-based actor originally from Toledo, Ohio. Between jobs, they make YouTube videos about obscure media in order to combine their love of research with their love of garbage. They like collecting VHS tapes and fixing broken items that they find at thrift stores. They start trying to learn Japanese about once a year, but it never seems to stick.
IG: @silas_but_deadly
Steve Flavin
Blood Oranges
Steve Flavin is a writer and filmmaker in Los Angeles, known for centering queer characters in horror, action, and sci-fi. His work has been featured by international festivals such as Fantastic Fest, Hollywood Horrorfest, Vancouver Horror Show, and the South African Independent Film Festival. He’s also the co-founder and artistic director of SpookFest in San Francisco.
IG: @steveflavin
Steven George
Demon Twink
Steven George is a queer screenwriter based in Los Angeles, originally adopted from Russia. He began his career producing music videos, digital content, and virtual reality short horror films, which gained millions of views on social media. From there he found success in reality television, climbing the ladder and working as an associate producer. Steven’s main goal in the entertainment industry is to write and direct queer horror films and popularize the genre. With his work, Steven hopes to create a fantastical sense of reality that mystifies and enlightens his audiences while striving to give proper visibility to characters of all backgrounds, beliefs, and identities.
IG: @steven6eorge
Telita Perry
How Far Does the Dark Go?
IG: @telita.perry
Tim Connolly
Black Theta
Tim Connolly is an actor, filmmaker and musician who fell in love with movies when he saw Jaws and Halloween at far too young of an age. It’s been a disaster ever since!
IG: @timconnolly
Tommy Spaghetteria
Egg Mama in "Carbon Cowboy"
Tommy Psychic- Spaghetteria (They/Them) is a Portland-based multidisciplinary artist, most deliciously as a member of the Pacific Northwest’s “Least Favorite Pop Group” Body Academics. Tommy has acted as the Evil Queen in a generic 8th-grade production of ‘Snow White’, wreaked sticky havoc with Humboldt County-based avant-garde performance artists Creepy Marbles, and broken fragile hearts in the depressing pseudo-shoegaze outfit Your Boyfriend. Tommy is greatly influenced by the films of Gregg Araki, John Waters and Brian DePalma and the dulcet tones of the Velvet Underground, Liza Minelli, and Merzbow. Tommy most recently co-directed, co-wrote, edited, composed and animated Body Academics’ science-fiction movie musical masterpiece ‘Evil Babylon’ which had its word premiere at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Portland.
IG: @channingkratom
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