Brooke h cellars - writer/director/producer/ editor/costume designer/Production Designer

Brooke H. Cellars (she/they) is a multifaceted filmmaker serving as the writer, director, producer, and editor. She has directed 8 short films since 2018. Her adoration for all things horror started when she was a kid. Her father was a children’s book writer and starting early on has been writing stories that were always horror themed. Her first screenplay, which she turned into a short film called ‘The Chills’, won Best Screenplay at Houston Horror Fest in 2020. Her most recent short film ‘Violet Butterfield: Makeup Artist for the Dead’ has screened in over 30 film festivals worldwide and has won multiple awards including the Abby Normal Award at Portland Horror Fest, the Audience Award at Final Girls Berlin, and both the Jury and Audience awards at Overlook Film Festival.

Brooke made her feature-length debut by writing, directing, editing, and producing a 35mm fantastical, surreal horror comedy. Premiering at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, the film is a deeply personal work based on her experiences with endometriosis, the shame of menstruation, and a conservative upbringing. Her approach to filmmaking is a direct challenge to tradition: she rejects anything that feels restrictive or "safe," extending this philosophy to her sets where she is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive space for all filmmakers. Driven by a belief in being bold and breaking the rules, Brooke seeks to make tangible changes in both the film industry and the world by bringing fresh, new perspectives to the horror genre. Her ultimate goal is to combat pervasive stigmas, talking about the subjects people usually avoid but should be screaming out loud, especially those concerning women's health, sticking fiercely to her vision for the greater good. 

In addition to her creative endeavors, she has been actively involved in nurturing the filmmaking community in Lafayette, Louisiana. In 2021, She founded the Warped Witch Film Festival, the first horror/genre film festival in her hometown. She's also curated events such as The Horrors of Being a Woman film showcase and the LGBTQ+ film festival, Pride Acadiana Queer Film Festival and most recently was invited back to the Overlook Film Festival this time as part of the panel of short film jurors.