Independent film programmer and podcaster Julia Marchese will appear in three cities this autumn, bringing a mix of Stephen King adaptations, cult horror screenings, and a milestone podcast celebration to audiences in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ontario. The events underscore the continued demand for repertory cinema and the communal experience of watching films in theaters, a theme central to Marchese's work as a filmmaker and advocate for physical media.
From October 22 to 24, Marchese will attend the second annual Kingcon in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a convention celebrating the work and legacy of Stephen King. Her Dollar Baby film adaptation of King's short story 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 contribution, The Lime Acid Lovers, marks her first published short story.
Later in October, Marchese heads to Massachusetts to program the sixth annual Halloween Hullabaloo at the historic Somerville Theatre, running October 27 through 30. The lineup includes a special appearance by Victoria Price to celebrate the legacy of her father, iconic actor Vincent Price. The series pairs classics: Night of the Living Dead with Hausu on 10/27; Killer Klowns from Outer Space with Phantasm on 10/28; Cujo with Pet Sematary on 10/29; and House on Haunted Hill with Dragonwyck on 10/30, with Victoria Price in attendance.
In November, Marchese travels to Ottawa with her long-running podcast Horror Movie Survival Guide to celebrate the show's 500th episode at the Mayfair Theatre. The celebration features two screenings: Carrie on November 2, marking the film's 50th anniversary, and Out of Print on November 4, Marchese's feature documentary about revival cinema and the experience of watching films communally in independent theaters, preceded by her second film.
Marchese's work frequently explores nostalgia, genre cinema, physical media culture, and the communal power of moviegoing. In addition to Horror Movie Survival Guide, she co-hosts The Loser's Club and JodoWOWsky. Her feature documentary Out of Print and her short film I Know What You Need have established her as a leading voice in independent film exhibition.
These events matter because they demonstrate the resilience of independent theaters and the appetite for shared cinematic experiences at a time when streaming dominates home viewing. For the industry, Marchese's slate highlights how filmmakers and podcasters can build loyal audiences through live events and niche programming. For readers and film fans, the autumn calendar offers a rare chance to see restored classics and new works in historic venues, reinforcing the cultural value of moviegoing as a collective ritual.
