Meet Emily Malone: The Nottingham Horror Collective co-founder joins Team Mayhem for 2023 edition

We're delighted to welcome Emily Malone from The Nottingham Horror Collective to the Mayhem team this year as a Pre-Screener for our 2023 programme. Emily will be helping us go through films (shorts and features) so we can shortlist this year's selection and build the programme for our 19th edition.

We asked Emily a few questions to find out more about the newest member of Team Mayhem...

Tell us a little bit about you.

I'm Emily Malone, one of the co-founders and Editorial Director of The Nottingham Horror Collective. I'm also a writer and a Marketing Manager for Skeleton Productions, a video production agency based here in Nottingham.

As a writer, I'm into horror film theory and criticism from a feminist perspective, but I also write genre-specific poetry and short stories.

I currently live in Nottingham with my partner and our two pet goblins, Gomez & Igor, and I've been passionate about Horror and Sci-Fi since I was a creepy little kid.

What was your favourite cinema experience?

Ooh, good question. Probably our screening of Jennifer's Body in 2022! It was our first film screening we worked on with Mayhem. I'd not managed to see this bi-panic-inducing masterpiece at the cinema when it came out in 2007, so introducing it to a full crowd was one of my top cinema experiences.

A close second would be introducing The Exorcist at one of our Satanic Season screenings, or maybe our screening of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. I don't think I've laughed so hard with so many people at the cinema before. The vibes were immaculate.

What was the first Mayhem event or screening you attended?

I think my first Mayhem weekend would have been in 2018! They always land on my birthday weekend, so it's becoming a bit of a birthday tradition for me to hang out at Broadway watching horror to distract myself from being yet another year closer to death.

I think (I may be wrong) that was the year they screened Panos Cosmatos' Mandy, which was a highlight. Big fan of the 'Nicolas Cage bathed in neon light' subgenre.

What made you want to join the team at Mayhem?

I wanted to join the Mayhem team because there's something electric about being around people who put their heart into their craft. Their passion is contagious. Witnessing the Mayhem team tirelessly weave together this much-loved, eagerly-awaited event, fuelled by pure love for cinema, just lit a fire in me. I wanted to be a part of something that celebrates the magic of film with such authenticity.

What are you most looking forward to in this role and what do you think you'll bring to the programming team?

Having been a punter at Mayhem for years, I know about the festival's heritage and the essence of what makes it special, while also being able to offer a fresh eye.

With my editorial experience, I'm hoping I can bring a knowledge of what's making a splash in the horror community right now, more diverse perspectives, and a knack for spotting unique stories and lesser-known creators in the industry.

When I'm watching film submissions, I'm also enjoying thinking about how the audience might react and making sure we've got a bit of something for everyone.

You can pick three horror/sci-fi films to rewatch for all eternity, which ones do you pick?

This is a cruel question!

Suspiria (1977) because it's just beautiful.

Hereditary (2018) because every time I watch it, I feel something different.

The Lost Boys (1987) because it's my comfort film.

If we can make this be like Letterboxd and have 4, my 4th would be Vampire's Kiss (1988) because that movie makes me cry-laugh every damn time.

Tell us a little bit about The Nottingham Horror Collective.

We're an indie publisher dedicated to creating beautiful zines that explore and celebrate the horror genre. Each issue is full of original artwork, articles, interviews, short stories, and poetry by horror-loving creatives from Nottingham and beyond. We cover the whole beautiful, horrifying, disgusting, gorgeous spectrum of the genre, and sometimes we put on screenings at Broadway, too.

Where can we find you online (can be TNHC if you'd rather use that than your personal channels)?

You can follow us and purchase our zines at:

@thenottinghamhorrorcollective on Instagram

thenottinghamhorrorcollective.co.uk

@TNHCZINE on Letterboxd

And if you want to work together on something, here's our email:

Email: thenottinghamhorrorcollective@gmail.com

The zombie apocalypse is upon us, what's your weapon of choice?

I would like to be carried around strapped to the back of my partner with a samurai sword like some kind of murderous backpack.

Then, when I inevitably get turned into a zombie (because I am lazy), I would like someone to rip off my jaw so I can't bite anyone and be walked around on a chain like a pet :)

(Sorry to end this so weirdly).