About & Contact
So inclusive
it’s scary
Access:Horror Vision Statement
Access:Horror was created as a space to explore and celebrate the history, impact, and future of disability in the horror genre, through conversations, connections, and various artistic forms, including film. We acknowledge the interwoven nature of identity and media representation, and celebrate the many intersectional identities that have been at the heart of horror cinema since the beginning. We believe in horror as an agent of change, and seek to elevate discourse that uplifts marginalized creators and gives them space to create new work that imagines new worlds.
Ride the Omnibus is a media non-profit that exists to uplift and promote the voices of historically underrepresented groups, including (but not limited to) people with disabilities, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, women, and those who don't conform to traditional gender roles. We seek to diversify representation of authentic stories through media projects on the radio, on film, and through cultural exchange of ideas in live and broadcast events.
Brief History of Access:Horror
Ariel Baska, the founder and director, is a podcaster and filmmaker, who has years of experience crafting essential conversations with important genre creators. She spent years trying to start a program of events structured around disability and horror, but could never find a venue that offered maximum accessibility without sacrificing financial accessibility. In 2023, the festival began in the online space in partnership with three film festivals, Superfest Disability Film Festival, Final Girls Berlin, and Fantastic Fest, who each curated a shorts block. Additionally, Ariel curated 12 panels on topics in Disability, Accessibility, and Genre Filmmaking with prominent filmmakers and advocates. With the help of co-producers Yaara Kedem and Becky Emmert, and the generous support of the George A. Romero Foundation, the dream became a reality. The inaugural edition of Access:Horror was recognized as one of the top 5 most accessible film festivals according to the Accessibility Scorecard Impact Report, from FWD-Doc, Film Event Accessibility Working Group, and Film Festival Alliance, as reported in Forbes.
What makes Access:Horror different from other film festivals?
Access:Horror is founded on accessibility and advocacy. Most film festivals are focused on the content they screen alone, with maybe a few filmmaker Q&A’s and a panel here or there. Our festival puts the essential conversations front and center and focuses on what the industry as a whole is doing and how it needs to change. While we do celebrate short films and their creators, they are placed in the context of the history of horror representation as a whole, as well as an exploration of the impact media has on institutional and social change.
Contact us.
info@accesshorror.com