Shriekfest, the Los Angeles International Horror/Thriller/Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Festival & Screenplay Competition, and Pretty/Scary, the organization and website that encourages women in the horror genre, have joined forces for the 7th annual Shriekfest Film Festival happening September 28-October 7, 2007in Hollywood, California.

Pretty/Scary will sponsor an award for the film that best symbolizes innovative, interesting, provocative, and groundbreaking representations of women in the horror, sci-fi, or fantasy genres. Eligible films will either be outstanding examples of genre filmmaking and have been written or directed by a woman, or have a radically amazing central female character. Since the award will be given to the film and not the filmmaker, films by men and women both are eligible for the Pretty/Scary award, which will be given out at the closing night awards ceremony.

“I’m really excited about this,” says Pretty/Scary owner and editor Heidi Martinuzzi, “because Shriekfest is the best indie-friendly genre film festival in California. Not only does it draw a huge crowd, but also it has integrity and I love that. I am really looking forward to working with Denise Gossett because she just totally kicks ass.”

As to why Pretty/Scary and Shriekfest are teaming up, Heidi Martinuzzi says, “For the past two years Pretty/Scary has run a very small film festival out of the Genghis Con convention in Pittsburgh. This year I want to expand and expose women genre filmmakers to more people and get the message to more women. The message being that more women should be making horror films. I urge the women that would ordinarily be submitting to the Pretty/Scary Film Festival to now submit their film to Shriekfest, a much bigger event, where they will still be recognized by Pretty/Scary for their spectacular achievements. It’s basically a win/win situation, if you know what I mean.”

Denise Gossett, founder and owner of Shriekfest, says, “I am so excited about teaming up with Heidi and Pretty/Scary.  I think we will really be able to bring a new light to women in horror, not just the blood and nudity type of light, but some real acknowledgement to the talented women out there.  And I think the award that Pretty/Scary is offering may get more men thinking about different ways to represent women in their films as well.  It’s a win-win for everyone. ”