The “Frameline Fangs: Queer Horror Film Fest” made a return to Cal State Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) World Theater this past week, celebrating its third year with a spooky pre-Halloween celebration of queer horror cinema. Hosted by Frameline, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, the event showcased six short horror films that blended scares, laughs and queer representation.
Prior to the screenings, student volunteers hosted a costume contest, allowing the crowd to filter in and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Halloween-themed prizes were awarded to four winners, with first place ultimately going to a standout “Art the Clown.”
After the films played, Frameline’s executive director, Allegra Madsen, engaged the captivated audience in an interactive Q&A session. She reflected on the unique landscape of queer horror, saying, “There’s not a whole lot of horror shorts out there, and I think all of them set out to do something and succeeded. They were all, in their own different ways, taking on queerness and horror, and they had a good time.”
The selected films ranged from psychological thrillers like “Happy Wife,” which offered sharp commentary on traditional female roles, to darkly comedic tales like “RAT!,” which played on the modern Gen-Z horror of being canceled and the consequences of “influencer” culture. Audiences also experienced trippy fever dreams in “Beach Logs Kill,” leaving ample room for personal interpretation and lively discussion.
Madsen explained her approach to curating the unique program: “I kind of look at it like, ‘What’s the overall vibe I want to achieve?’ They were a little scary, a little funny, a little campy. I didn’t want to leave on a serious note. I wanted to leave with fun, like, let’s go trick-or-treating!”
Throughout the event, audience interpretation was encouraged. Ryan White, a cinematic arts and technology (CART) professor and event host, actively engaged the crowd, prompting them to share their thoughts on the films as well. “The great thing with movies is that it’s what it’s all about, everyone’s interpretation right?” Madsen said.
The crowd responded enthusiastically, laughing out loud at the Gen-Z accurate humor in “RAT!”, excitedly whispering “Oh it’s animated!” at the first frame of “Et chaque nuit” and gasping in horror when an eyeball dropped into a martini glass in “Happy Wife.”
Frameline’s commitment to supporting queer creators shone through as attendees embraced the chance to experience horror from diverse perspectives. Approximately 110 people attended the event, according to student volunteer Cali Guisto. Guisto is about to graduate as a CART major, and for them, this event marks a vital part of their college experience. “This event has been going on in the CART program since my freshman year. As someone who is queer and into horror, it’s a really important event to me,” Guisto explained. As for their personal favorite film of the evening, “I gotta say Unicorn,” a wild tale about a couple exploring the idea of adding a third to their relationship, with a spooky twist that had attendees howling with laughter.
As the credits rolled, the “Frameline Fangs” event provided both entertainment and an opportunity for attendees to connect with one another. With its unique blend of horror and humor, the festival highlighted the richness of queer narratives, encouraging viewers to explore their own connections with the films.