Salem Horror Fest 2025 Preview
For the eighth year, Salem Horror Fest (SHF) is preparing to descend on Witch City. The festival is a sprawling, multi-venue event featuring world premieres, classic repertory screenings, parties, and activities across five days. Founded by Kay Lynch and now produced by the Horror Arts Collective, the festival has always emphasized diverse voices in horror and been a welcoming space for queer horror creators and enthusiasts in particular. Salem Horror Fest was named one of the world’s 50 best genre film festivals by MovieMaker Magazine.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have been a volunteer for SHF since 2021, and this will be my third year attending the festival. This is, however, my first year representing MovieJawn; our intrepid Editor-in-Chief Rosalie Kicks and I are shipping up to Salem to sling zines and see movies (I will also be eating some lobster.). Rosalie will be sharing a preview of the films she is excited to catch the fest tomorrow. In the meantime, read on for a look at some of the special events the Horror Arts Collective has planned.
Salem Horror Fest runs from April 30 - May 4, and passes are available on their website here. Make sure to follow MovieJawn’s coverage of SHF on instagram here and find out latest dispatches here.
Opening Night
Each year, Salem Horror Fest kicks off with an opening night extravaganza, and SHF8 is no exception. Attendees will gather on April 30 at the beautiful Peabody Essex Museum to hear from this year’s keynote speaker, Tananarive Due. Professor Due, a film historian, educator, and author, will be on hand throughout the festival, including at a book talk and signing and a live podcast recording. In addition to Due’s speech, opening night festivities will include a Q&A with scream queen Ashley Laurence moderated by Andrea Subissati of Rue Morgue Magazine and the Faculty of Horror podcast, plus a screening of SHF8’s jury award winning short film, and finally, a repertory screening of Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. The opening night event, as well as several others during the fest, is hosted by genre journalist Xero Gravity.
Podcast Recordings
Live podcast recordings have become a staple of Salem Horror Fest, and they return this year with a diverse lineup of popular shows. The Faculty of Horror will host a screening of The Substance followed by a live recording of their discussion. Girl, That’s Scary! will be screening and discussing The Girl with All the Gifts with special guest Tananarive Due. Finally, The Horror Show covers Troll 2 in partnership with Bloody Disgusting.
Book Talk
Every year I attend Salem Horror Fest, I come home with at least one book. This year, a group of horror authors will take over the library at the beautiful and historic Hawthorne Hotel (they filmed an episode of Bewitched there!) to read excerpts from their books, discuss their work, and participate in a signing. The authors include Matthew M. Bartlett, Tananarive Due, Corey Farrenkopf, Marisca Pichette, and Krissie Williams. The discussion will be moderated by Jason LeBlanc, head of the Boston Horror Society.
Vendors
For the first time this year, Salem Horror Fest will be hosting a vendor market! That’s where MovieJawn comes in! We will be posted at Salem Access TV on Saturday and Sunday, peddling our wares and making new friends. We’re thrilled to be joined by other vendors across SHF’s venues like The Vintage Skull, Cryptid Curio, the Haul of Horror, and more. I’m already preparing to spend an irresponsible amount of money on delightful items. Check out the map here to find the vendor locations.
Parties
While it’s probably possible to spend the entirety of Salem Horror Fest injecting movies directly into your veins, you might want to stretch your legs and chat with some of your fellow horror fans. Each year, SHF hosts parties and mixers with a range of themes and activities. The official schedule will be shared soon, but this year’s social events include a dance party, a trivia night co-hosted with Bloody Disgusting, and a low-key mixer at underground bar Hallowed Ground. Legendary scream queen Linnea Quigley will also be appearing at Residency Records for a Return of the Living Dead soundtrack listening party.
Location
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that SHF is working with an incredible location. Salem is a beautiful seaside city with a fascinating history. You can indulge in the cheesier aspects of Salem tourism; get glamour shots at the Witch City Mall or take in a haunted house attraction. But you can also stroll streets packed with historic architecture, visit the solemn and meaningful memorial to the Witch Trial victims, and see world class art at the stunning Peabody Essex Museum. The vibes are good, the food is excellent, and every time I visit Salem, I want to stay forever.
I’m looking forward to a great festival, and to reporting back with my favorite films. If you’re headed to Salem, make sure to stop by the MovieJawn table and say hello!
Salem Horror Fest runs from April 30 - May 4, and passes are available on their website here. Make sure to follow MovieJawn’s coverage of SHF on Instagram here and find out latest dispatches here.
SOURCE: MOVIEJAWN