Horror as a genre is quite unique. It terrifies and unsettles us, evoking fear, discomfort, and dread. But it also thrills and excites us, inviting us to encounter the uncanny and unexpected and offering an escape from the predictability of daily life. It opens up a space to imagine what’s lurking in the shadows and face the forbidden, all from a safe distance.
It might have been this peculiar nature of horror that motivated the Department Secretary Council to collaborate with the department clubs in organizing a series of events exploring all things scary and uncanny. Aptly given an alliterative title, Fright Fest was celebrated from October 24th to 26th. It was dubbed the first department fest week, subtly hinting at the potential for more themed fest weeks in the future.
Fright Fest featured four events and two contests, with each department club organizing unique activities centered around the theme. The DoHSS Film Club organized two film screenings as the inaugural and concluding events of the fest. The Department Photography Club revived the highly successful photography contest, “Department Deconstructed,” this time with the theme “The Uncanny and the Liminal.” They also organized a photo talk on Spirit Photography. The Dead Poets Society made a comeback during the fest with its first session of the semester, while Article 19 announced a special horror fiction contest.
The first event was the screening of The Blair Witch Project (1999) on Thursday, October 24th, in HSB 335. A group of film enthusiasts gathered to enjoy this spine-tingling classic that pioneered the found-footage genre. The screening was followed by a discussion, where attendees appreciated the film’s cinematic techniques and the genre’s ingenuity.
On Friday, October 25th, two events took place. The first was a talk on Spirit Photography in HSB 335, led by the club heads, who discussed various technical and aesthetic aspects of this eerie art form. The session attracted both beginners and experienced photographers interested in honing their skills.
Later that evening, the mural area was taken over by budding poets and poetry enthusiasts eager to share self-authored pieces or favorite works by others. The theme for this lively DPS session was “Terrors Across Time—Ancient Myths to Modern Nightmares.”
The final event was the screening of Bramayugam (2024) on Saturday, October 26th, in RJN 201. The movie, a recent period film that explores folk myths in black and white, was chosen through a poll on the department’s Instagram page. The screening concluded with a brief discussion, and the audience was served some delightful treats.
Though the fest coincided with one of the busiest weeks on campus, affecting overall turnout, each event successfully attracted its niche audience. Special appreciation goes to the Department Secretary, Tanmay, the Secretary’s Council, and department clubs, especially the club heads—Naveen and Sneha (Film Club), Adithya Thej and Rakesh (Photography Club), Malavika and Rosana (DPS), and Yatin, Oishi, and Alphin (Article 19)—and their teams, for their efforts in smoothly coordinating the fest.
In the end, Fright Fest embodied the very essence of horror—an exciting and unsettling exploration into the unknown, one that pushed boundaries, ignited imaginations, and left participants with a lingering sense of wonder and curiosity. It not only honored the genre’s ability to thrill but also created a space where students could momentarily step away from their academic routines and immerse themselves in the scary and spooky, sharing in the collective excitement of confronting fear in a fun and safe environment.
Edited by Yatin Satish
Design by Lakshmi
Article 19 