Don Mancini Announced as VIP Guest for Third Annual Queer Screams Film Fest

Queer Screams film fest makes its third annual return on August 1-3, 2025 to the Clinton Street Theater in Portland, Oregon, and they’ve announced this year’s VIP Guest is none other than Chucky franchise creator Don Mancini.

Screenwriter, director, and producer Don Mancini will be honored at the fest with the 2025 Queer Screams Career Achievement Award: Honoring Significant Contribution to Queer Horror Cinema & Culture.

That’s not all; the horror stalwart’s guest appearance also comes with featured screenings from the Chucky franchise.

Mancini said in a statement, “I’m thrilled and honored to be receiving the Career Achievement Award from Queer Screams this coming August. With the Chucky franchise, I’ve dedicated much of my career to creating the kind of queer representation in the horror genre which this awesome festival celebrates. Please join us for a scary summer weekend of guts, gays, and gore, featuring screenings of the original Child’s Play, Bride of Chucky, and Seed of Chucky!”

The festival venue is The Clinton Street Theater, one of the oldest operating movie houses in the United States, the perfect spot to build community. The mission of Queer Screams is “to highlight the importance of horror films in the LGBTQ+ community and their historical social and political impact.”

“Now is the perfect time for an LGBTQ+ centric genre film festival. And Portland is the perfect town for such an event!” states JT Seaton, Queer Screams Festival Director. “Film festivals – like Queer Screams – are attempting to shed some light on LGBTQ+ horror’s social and political significance, while having a spooky, fun time.”

Queer Screams’ VIP Guest and Chucky triple feature announcement is only the beginning for this year’s lineup. The festival is currently accepting film and screenplay submissions through May 15, 2025.

Head to Queer Screams’ official website for more information ahead of the third annual edition arriving this August.