The Etheria Film Festival has become the premier destination for women-directed genre cinema since its founding in 2014 by Heidi Honeycutt and Stacy Pippi Hammon. This Kansas City-based festival showcases the best new horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action, and thriller films by female filmmakers, and has developed an impressive track record for identifying rising talent.

With up to 10 short films selected annually, Etheria creates an intimate environment where genuine connections are made between filmmakers and industry professionals. The festival's partnership with Shudder, the largest horror streaming service in the world, ensures selected films reach substantial audiences beyond traditional festival circuits. This combination of selectivity and broad exposure has made Etheria a launching pad for careers in genre filmmaking.

The festival's success lies in its consistent ability to spot emerging talent. Etheria alumni have gone on to direct major studio features and high-profile television series, creating a notable pipeline from short film showcase to mainstream success. The festival has become essential viewing for industry professionals seeking the next generation of genre directors.

Notable Etheria Alumni:

• Chloe Okuno (Slut, 2015) - Directed the critically acclaimed feature Watcher, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and the "Storm Drain" segment in V/H/S/94

• Mariama Diallo (Hairwolf, 2019) - Created the Sundance Jury Award-winning short and directed the feature Master

• Anna Chazelle (Narrow, 2021) - Currently developing a horror film centered on the Greek legend of Medusa for Fangoria Studios

• Gigi Saul Guerrero (Dia de los Muertos, 2014; El Gigante, 2015) - Directed Welcome to the Blumhouse: Bingo Hell and received the 2022 Etheria Inspiration Award

• Axelle Carolyn (Soulmate, 2014) - Went on to create The Manor and direct episodes of major series including American Horror Story and The Mayfair Witches

• Prano Bailey-Bond (Nasty, 2016) - Expanded this concept into the acclaimed feature film Censor

• Roseanne Liang (Do No Harm, 2018) - Named one of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch for 2021

• Danis Goulet (Wakening, 2014) - Later directed the feature Night Raiders

• Natalie Erika James (Creswick, 2018) - Directed the psychological horror feature Relic and the Rosemary's Baby prequel Apartment 7A

• Mercedes Bryce Morgan (Come Fck My Robot*, 2022) - Feature film directorial debut Fixation premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, followed by Spoonful of Sugar on Shudder

• Brea Grant (MLM, 2024) - Accomplished actress, writer, and director known for Heroes and Dexter, who directed the dark comedy horror feature 12 Hour Shift

• Yoko Okumura (Basic Witch, 2020) - Directed the horror film Unseen and contributed to Sam Raimi's "50 States of Fright" anthology series

• Jill Gevargizian (The Stylist, 2016) - Won both Audience and Jury Awards and successfully expanded the short into a feature film released in 2020

• Rose McGowan (Dawn, 2014) - Her directorial debut premiered at the inaugural Etheria Film Festival and was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival

• Amber Benson (SheVenge, 2015) - Best known for her role as Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, directed this darkly comedic revenge tale that became a festival favorite

• Bridget Savage Cole (Swell, 2017) - Won the Jury Award at Etheria and went on to co-direct the critically acclaimed feature Blow the Man Down

Etheria continues to connect emerging talent with established industry professionals, maintaining its position as the definitive platform for women-directed genre cinema. As the landscape for female filmmakers continues to evolve, the festival remains at the forefront of identifying and promoting new voices in horror, sci-fi, and thriller filmmaking.