About Us
The Nightmare Emporium is
…A HORROR FILM anthology
SHOWCASING a diversity of styles, perspectives, and representations
…a festival
PRESENTING The work of NEW AND VETERAN FILMMAKERS
…a community
empowering CREATIVITY THROUGH collaboratiON
SO… How does that work?
We make a bunch of shorts and bundle them into a feature-length movie to screen over Halloween. Here’s how:
Every year, participating filmmakers attend a Drawing Event and choose a strange artifact from the sinister Nightmare Emporium antique store
Filmmakers have several months to produce a 2-to-8-minute horror movie, the plot of which must be propelled at least once by their chosen object
Participants are encouraged to collaborate on each other’s projects, connecting via our Facebook page or hosted meetups
All films premiere as part of a feature-length anthology movie during The Nightmare Emporium Film Festival in Seattle over Halloween
The director who earns a credit on the most films other than their own is honored with our Most Collaborative Filmmaker Award
COOl, I guess…
Why ShOULD I CARE?
As theaters screen fewer, more expensive and homogenized movies, the variety of cinematic experiences available to us is dwindling.
Movies should challenge our assumptions, enrich our cultural discourse, and find new ways to surprise, delight, move, entertain, and terrify us. We crave fresh thrills, powerful emotions, and ideas expressed boldly. Most of all, we want stories that connect us to one and other.
An anthology movie is the perfect way for audiences to discover new and exciting stories drawn from a rich diversity of experiences. The ultimate showcase of variety and novelty, it’s also the perfect platform for fostering and promoting the work of independent filmmakers.
new voices
We Believe…
Limitations unlock creative expression
Filmmaking shouldn’t always cost a fortune. Inspired by a long tradition of successful low-budget horror films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, The Blair Witch Project, and Paranormal Activity, we embrace limited budgets and resources to create more visceral experiences.
In emboldening independent voices
We are reimagining film production as a safer, more collaborative environment for creative expression.
Community is our greatest resource
The Nightmare community has grown organically from its local beginnings, into an assemblage of local and online members that has expanded across states. We’re discovering new opportunities to develop our own skills, while connecting with each other to find the resources we need to realize the films we want to make.
Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, a novice, or a die-hard horror fan, THE NIGHTMARE EMPORIUM is a place to face your fears.