The Out Of The Cellar 48-Hour Horror Challenge is a community program designed to bring aspiring filmmakers into the world of horror with professional guidance, creative camaraderie, and a hard deadline.
The program launches with a series of monthly Filmmaker Mixers, beginning Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM at Alhambra Irish House in Redwood City. Each mixer brings Bay Area film industry professionals into a relaxed social setting to discuss their craft and how it applies to making horror films; covering everything from screenwriting and acting to composing, choreography, and beyond. Light refreshments are provided, and the events are open to all skill levels.
Headlining the May 17 mixer is Bessie Zolno, a Bay Area-based mental health-informed violence and intimacy choreographer working in theater and film. A performer and choreographer, Zolno holds a BA in Musical Theater with a minor in Stage Combat from Columbia College Chicago, and is a Certified Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.
Her discipline, which addresses how to stage physical conflict and intimate scenes with intentionality, performer safety, and emotional authenticity, is increasingly recognized as essential on any production set, not just horror. For filmmakers who want their work to be taken seriously, Zolno’s expertise is exactly the kind of craft knowledge that separates amateur projects from polished ones.
“Whether you’ve never touched a camera or you’ve been making films for years, the Mixers are designed to open doors,” the festival organizers said. “We want to demystify the craft and connect people who love this genre with the professionals who work in it every day.”
Additional mixer dates are planned, with more speakers, dates, and locations to be announced at outofthecellarfilms.com and across OOTC’s social channels.
The Mixer series builds toward the centerpiece of the program: OOTC48 Challenge Weekend. On Friday, October 16, participating teams, in person and online, will gather to receive a randomly assigned horror sub-genre plus three required elements to incorporate into their film. From that moment, they have 48 hours. Films must be delivered by Sunday night.
No filmmaking experience required. No excuses accepted.
All completed OOTC48 submissions will premiere at the Out Of The Cellar Horror Film Festival on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the historic Chabot Theater in Castro Valley, where they’ll be eligible for Audience Choice awards.
Tickets for the May 17 Mixer are available now. Grab yours today!
Doors open at 1:00 PM; the event runs 1:30–4:00 PM. The event is open to attendees under 21 with a parent or legal guardian.
For full details on the OOTC48 program, mixer schedule, and how to participate, visit the OOTC28 page.