THE Origin & Evolution of Honolulu Horror Nights
The beginning
Steven, the host and creator of Honolulu Horror Nights, has been a horror fanatic since he was 10 years old. He has always been fascinated by things deemed weird or subversive, monstrous or othered, much like himself. He openly identifies as a queer person, and is passionate about the intersection between queerness, Halloween, and the horror genre.
He began watching horror films in secret, appreciating the genre for its daring approach to filmmaking, exploring themes and including characters that were typically excluded. Eventually, he hosted horror movie screenings with friends, and whenever they wanted a solid horror movie recommendation, they asked Steven - which evolved into @StevenReviewsHorror on Instagram a few years ago.
THE EVENTS
Eventually, Steven was encouraged by his friends to start a horror film screening event in 2023. Despite initial anxiety, the first event was a success, with nearly 50 people in attendance! Since then, we have hosted events monthly and they have expanded, regularly selling out all 100 seats. Both horror aficionados and newbies attend these events, as this is a place to both connect with others and learn about the horror genre. Our screenings are an inclusive, affirming space. Everyone is welcome and authenticity is encouraged.
We have also hosted several larger events, including 2023’s Halloween Extravaganza, with drag / queer dance performances, a costume contest, and a film screening, and 2024’s Halfway to Helloween, featuring trivia, a film presentation, and a horror rave with DJ Figure, an iconic horror DJ. We also hosted They SLASH Them, a queer Halloween party in collaboration with Māhū Mix, featuring local performers and DJs, a dance horror film, vendors, and a costume contest.
THE FUTURE
Moving forward, we would love to establish more partnerships with local organizations. So far, we have partnered with Hawai’i Filmmakers Collective (HFC) and Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF), hosted our events in multiple spaces, like NextDoor, Hawaiian Brian’s Social Club, and local theaters, and featured local artists, including horror filmmakers, academics, and podcasters. Finally, we obtained non-profit status in 2024… we are officially a 501(c)(4)! As a non-profit passionate about the local community, we hope to continue contributing to the people on the islands of Hawai’i through our events.
All of this was made possible by the incredible community that supports Honolulu Horror Nights! What’s next for us? Come to our events, make some friends, and find out! Join us, if you dare.
EVENT TRAILER BY @LUKELARSONFILMS