Interview with Rachel Belofsky, Founder of LA Scream Festival [Women in Horror Month 2021]

Belofsky Pictured in Middle

Please introduce yourself.
I’m Rachel Belofsky, the founder of Screamfest Horror Film Festival and producer of the documentary Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Genre.

What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
I love supporting and meeting so many talented filmmakers from around the world in the horror genre. It is an honor to be able to screen their films in our festival. I truly find joy in helping them make connections.

Who inspires you in your work and in life?
I’m inspired by Gale Anne Hurd and Debra Hill. They have contributed so much to our genre.

Women in horror have made great strides, but it’s clear that a lot of work is still needed to make it a most inclusive genre. To you, what is the importance of a movement like Women in Horror Month?
A movement like Women in Horror Month gives an important spotlight on women in the genre. Thank you!!!

What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a women as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
I would tell an up-and-coming creative to look at the body of the work of the filmmaker and don’t look at gender since it has nothing to do with making good films.

What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
I guess the best advice received is to always stay focused on the mission of the festival and to do our own thing.

In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
Viewers should keep their eye on Chloe Okuno and Issa Lopez.

What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
We are working on our 21st edition of the festival in this October. Last year we held our festival as a drive-in for 10 days in October. We felt we had an obligation to all the filmmakers to hold a physical festival on our regular dates albeit with social distancing and safety guidelines. It was great to be able to still put all their films up on the big screen with proper DCP projection in front of a live audience.

Pop them links to follow your work here:
www.screamfestla.com