Multi-award winning screenwriter, Ella Valentine is embarking on a new business venture, a new female-focused film magazine Horror Valentines .
Ella gained recognition for her debut feature, Revolution X, which she co-wrote with director Matt Cannon in 2023. The film went on to win Best Sci-Fi Film at the London Independent Film Awards in 2023, Best Sci-Fi at the European Film Union , Best Sci-Fi at The Benelux International Film Festival and Best Feature at The Fantasy / Sci-Fi Film and Screenplay Festival.
Ella is currently working on a couple of psychological horrors (“This is What You Wanted”, and another horror based on the mythological creature Baba Yaga) which prompted her to create a new platform for women in horror.
In May 2024 Ella founded Horror Valentines, the world’s first film magazine solely dedicated to women in the horror and thriller space. Her vision was empowerment of women globally and enrichment of the literary and film landscape while offering a platform for women to share opinions, interviews, and news within the female-led horror genre.
Valentine is committed to featuring diverse voices and unique female perspectives all on a brand new and safe platform that promotes female filmmakers. Some of the magazine’s upcoming features will include a job board where film studios will be able to advertise jobs within the industry to promote gender diverse hiring, as well as screenplay competitions directly linking the winners with acclaimed Hollywood producers for free consultations and the possibility of optioning the scripts.
This dedication to inclusivity and representation has helped her attract a significant readership within just a few months of founding the company.
Some of the interviews for Horror Valentines include those with Academy Award nominee, Kim Krizan – creator of the The Before Trilogy , Jill Gevargizian, writer and director of The Stylist and Ghost Game, Monica Garcia Bradley whose horror film, Guys At Parties Like It premiered earlier this year, Liz Manashil, whose anticipated third feature, Best Friends Forever is set for a release this year, and an upcoming interview with Dana Kippel, an indie horror and winner of the Grand Jury Award at Florida Film Festival in 2021, whose directorial debut Reflect is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Breaking into the industry wasn’t easy for Ella as much as it isn’t for many talented women worldwide. She hopes that Horror Valentines will give up-and-coming female filmmakers more opportunities for exposure, collaboration and even financing.
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria and based in London, Ella is an advocate for equal opportunities. Looking to the future, Ella plans to continue fostering creativity and expanding the female horror community.
Her vision is one of upliftment and enrichment, where women from all walks of life find inspiration and support through her newly-found magazine. Ella remains focused on uplifting diverse female writers and directors and is set to leave an indelible mark on the film industry and beyond.
You can check out Horror Valentines and Ella on Instagram below:
https://www.instagram.com/horrorvalentines/
https://www.instagram.com/itsellavalentine/
Photo credits: Lavender Hill Photography