Ariel Baska

It’s only been a few weeks, but we’re already missing all things Access:Horror. Take a stroll down memory lane with us and enjoy these snapshots from this year’s festival . . . if you dare. 📸: @headhunt #accesshorror #disability #filmfestival #filmmaking #indiefilm #indiefilms #horror #horrormovies [ID: A center image of Ariel Baska grinning in front of the Access:Horror logo as it’s projected on the film screen behind them. A woman with curly gray hair is hugging their shoulders from behind. The image is outlined in a white border that intersects with the above and below background images showing a pile of Access:Horror spiky logo magnets in red, black, and white.] [ID: A center image of Ariel Baska speaking into a microphone alongside five other people lined up in front of a film projector screen. One of the men in line is limbless and in a wheelchair, with a live captioning screen behind him showing a transcript of what is being talked about. The image is outlined in a white border that intersects with the above and below background images showing the Access:Horror spiky logo onscreen with Ariel talking to a woman with curly gray hair and wearing a mask in front of it.] [ID: A center image of the live Blerdy Massacre podcast recording shows Sharai the Slayer, Xero Gravity, and Karama Horne and Chuck Collins talking and laughing into microphones. The image is outlined in a white border that intersects with the above and below background images showing Access:Horror logo save the date cards with August 1st, 2025 printed on them.] [ID: A center image shows six people sitting in a line in front of the Access:Horror film screen, which reads “Program No. 2 Short Films: Flesh of my Flesh & Live Auction & 2025 Awards.” A TV screen off to the side shows live captions. The image is outlined in a white border that intersects with the above and below background images showing audience members engaged with the event.]

Passes to the 2025 Access:Horror Film Festival are on sale NOW. Join us on August 1st virtually or in person at DCTV Firehouse Cinema at 4:00pm EST to celebrate disability, genre cinema, and all that’s good in the world. 🎬🩸 Virtual-only Admission - $10 General Admission - $25 Wheelchair Seating - $25 Easy Access / Wheelchair Transfer Seating - $25 Buy your tickets and get more information at accesshorror.com NOTE: For in-person attendees, we require wearing masks throughout the program and ask that you avoid wearing scented products. #filmfestival #accessibility #films #filmmaking #accesshorror #horror #horrorfilms

We have fun on set! Enjoy these beautiful behind the scenes shots from @justaskabaska ’s latest project, Monstrous Me, filmed at the formidable Firehouse: DCTV’s Cinema for Documentary Film in New York. Without giving too much away, a sneak peek of this multi-faceted project will be shown at this year’s @accesshorror Film Festival on August 1st at the very same cinema (talk about full circle – we love @dctvny !). We’ll be sharing more when the time comes, but for now, follow along with us on this monstrous journey at @monstrousmirror . ❤️🪞 Special thanks to @headhunt for capturing our BTS magic! #monstrousme #monstrousmirror #indiefilm #filmmaking #filmmaker #behindthescenes #bts #dctv #cinema #documentary

Happy Mother’s Day to my mama, seen here at 2941 Restaurant.

You heard it here first, folks. The DROP DEAD DEADLINE for the 2026 Access:Horror Film Festival is fast approaching. Apply by May 20th for your (last) chance to be featured in this year’s film festival. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: Our definitions of both horror and disability are expansive. We seek films informed by lived experience of disability. Experimental, narrative, documentary, hybrid, animation—we value impact over category. If your work embraces darkness and disability, we want to see it. *Please note that we do not require folks to disclose or depict those experiences on screen to be programmed. We believe that you should not have to perform your identity to be recognized.*  Apply and find more information at /accesshorror 🔪❤️ #accesshorror #disability #accessibility #horrorcommunity #horrorfilmfestival

Interested to see where this goes… I’m not the biggest Zach Cregger fan but I still can’t resist @residentevil #ResidentEvil

Access:Horror was created as a space to explore and celebrate the history, impact, and future of disability in the horror genre, through conversations, connections, and various artistic forms, including film. Join us in our mission at /accesshorror ❤️ #accesshorror #filmfestival #accessibility

Time to highlight our second Official 2026 Jury Member! Showcase: Belladonna of Madness (Experimental Animation) Jury Member: Ariel Baska Organization: Access:Horror @accesshorror Bio: Ariel Baska is a multi-award-winning, multiply Disabled filmmaker, festival director, and speaker on advocacy and accessibility in film. They write, direct, and produce horror and documentary while centering authenticity and accountability. Ariel created Access:Horror, a film festival and industry summit designed to celebrate disability in the genre space. Access:Horror was recently recognized as one of the top 5 most accessible festivals in the world by Forbes. @justaskabaska About the Organization: Access:Horror was created as a space to explore and celebrate the history, impact, and future of disability in the horror genre, through conversations, connections, and various artistic forms, including film. They acknowledge the interwoven nature of identity and media representation, and celebrate the many intersectional identities that have been at the heart of horror cinema since the beginning. They believe in horror as an agent of change, and seek to elevate discourse that uplifts marginalized creators and gives them space to create new work that imagines new worlds. WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 2026 WHERE: Philosophical Research Society 3910 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 TICKETS: Link in Bio Femtasia® Fest is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture, as well as the California Arts Council. @lacountyarts @calartscouncil

TODAY is the late deadline to apply to our 2026 Access:Horror Film Festival. We’re looking for films that intersect disability and horror. Does that sound like you or someone you know? Go to /accesshorror to share your film with us and send a reminder to your favorite filmmakers – we want to see your story. #disability #accessibility #filmfestival #horrormovies #filmmaking

The late deadline to apply to the Access:Horror Film Festival is TOMORROW. Get your application in . . . before it’s too late. Apply here: /accesshorror  #filmfestival #horrormovies #independentfilm #indiefilms #filmmakers

As Women’s History Month marches on, there is no shortage of female-led movies worth watching. Quite notable is “Mother of Flies,” a film by the Adams Family. Ariel spoke with creators and stars @tobyposer , Zelda Adams, and John Adams of @adams.family.films about their motivations behind the film and dove into the gory details of how they created their practical effects. The full interview is available on Substack under “Ariel’s Brainings” – watch now: /@arielbaska /note/p-185556749 #motherofflies #shudder #adamsfamily #theadamsfamily

What makes good disability representation? 🤔💭 Let us help with our newest article! (Link in bio!) FWD-Doc member Ariel Baska (@justaskabaska ) breaks down their top 10 films of 2025 that got it right in terms of: ⏩ Accessibility practices ⏩ Accessibility assets ⏩ Disability messaging ⏩ Authentic casting ⏩ Disability behind the camera "While I am only one person, these films set a good example of how to do better by people with disabilities, portraying us with nuance and intersectionality, and representing our...28% of the population in all its diverse and multifarious beauty." - Ariel Baska Check out the article to see the full breakdown of why each film made the list! Image Descriptions: Slide 1: Top 10 Movies & Messaging on Disability of 2025 by Ariel Baska. In the background, film stills and Ariel’s headshot in a grid, with golden dashed borders. Slide 2: Authentic Casting. Sora Wong, Bring Her Back. Marissa Bode, Wicked: For Good. Slide 3: Disability Messaging. Deaf President Now, Come See Me In The Good Light, Seeds, Caregiving, Sentimental Value. Slide 4: Accessibility Practices. Wicked: For Good, Sentimental Value, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, Deaf President Now!, Life After Slide 5: Disability Behind the Camera. Reid Davenport, Life After. Shoshannah Stern, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore. Slide 6: Accessibility Assets. Sinners.