Filmmaker and podcaster Julia Marchese will bring her unique blend of Stephen King fandom, cult horror curation, and podcasting to three cities this autumn, with events in Atlantic City, Somerville, and Ottawa. The appearances underscore the growing demand for in-person genre events and the cultural staying power of horror cinema.
From October 22–24, Marchese will attend the second annual Kingcon in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a celebration of the work and legacy of Stephen King. Her Dollar Baby film, I Know What You Need, will screen during the convention. Kingcon will also feature a limited edition of Keys to the Kingdom, a short story anthology featuring work from Dollar Baby filmmakers inspired by Stephen King. Marchese's story, The Lime Acid Lovers, marks her first published short story.
Immediately following, from October 27–30, Marchese heads to Massachusetts to program the sixth annual Halloween Hullabaloo at the historic Somerville Theatre. This year's lineup includes a special appearance by Victoria Price to celebrate the legacy of her father, iconic actor Vincent Price. The series includes screenings of Night of the Living Dead and Hausu on 10/27, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and Phantasm on 10/28, Cujo and Pet Sematary on 10/29, and House on Haunted Hill and Dragonwyck with Victoria Price on 10/30.
Then, on November 2 and 4, Marchese will travel to Ottawa with her long-running podcast Horror Movie Survival Guide to celebrate the show's 500th episode at the Mayfair Theatre. The celebration will feature two screenings: Carrie on 11/2, celebrating the film's 50th anniversary, and Out of Print on 11/4, Marchese's feature documentary about revival cinema and the experience of watching films communally in independent theaters, preceded by her second film.
Marchese is known for directing the feature documentary Out of Print and adapting Stephen King's short story I Know What You Need into a short film. She co-hosts the podcasts Horror Movie Survival Guide, The Loser's Club, and JodoWOWsky. Her work frequently explores nostalgia, genre cinema, physical media culture, and the communal power of moviegoing.
These events highlight the resilience of independent cinemas and the appetite for shared experiences. For fans, it's a chance to engage with like-minded communities. For the industry, it demonstrates that niche programming and podcasting can drive attendance, offering a blueprint for other venues and creators.
