Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne
Present a Friendly Frightening Film Series at Hot Docs Cinema

Final Destination Kicks It Off
August 8, 2025 – 9pm
Hot Docs Cinema – 506 Bloor St. W.
Gets tickets here

Pillow Fright! is a new sleepover-themed, creep-tastic series for fellow friendly freaks – the girls, gays, and theys who crave a good scare in a safe, inclusive space. 

Programmed and hosted by horror-loving best friends Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, the series focuses on the nostalgic, the films that were in heavy weekend rotation in your parents’ basement. 

“We have both always loved horror films in a big way, but we haven’t always felt welcome in male-dominated horror spaces. We know we aren’t alone in that feeling, so we created Pillow Fright! with help from the programming team at the Hot Docs Cinema. It’s a welcoming, inclusive space for women and queer folks to enjoy scary movies together. We’re bringing back the cozy, sleepover vibes – no film bros talking over us, no one questioning if we ‘really’ love horror, and no gatekeeping.” – Danita Steinberg + Emily Gagne

If you spent your childhood browsing the horror aisle at your local video store and summoning Bloody Mary in the bathroom, this series is for you! 

Known for their wildly successful “We Really Like Her” series at The Revue, celebrating women in front of and behind the camera, Danita and Emily are now bringing their unique blend of passion and expertise to the horror genre.

Come early for activities, contests, and plenty of spooky surprises. 

Pajamas encouraged.

Nightmares expected.

Here is the inaugural lineup for Pillow Fright!

Final Destination (2000) – August 8:
The first film in this death-obsessed series stars millennial crush Devon Sawa as Alex, an unlucky teen whose pre-flight premonition puts death on hold. What follows is a race to escape fate as the “survivors” of Flight 180 find themselves in increasingly precarious and possibly fatal scenarios.

Paranormal Activity (2007) – September 27:
The first instalment in this chilling found-footage franchise documents a young couple’s supernatural nightmare as they experience a haunting in their home. When they set up a camera to capture the unexplained phenomena, what unfolds is nothing short of terrifying.

The Haunting (1999) – October 25:
Jan de Bont’s supernatural horror flick follows grieving daughter Eleanor (Lili Taylor) after the mysterious Dr. Morrow (Liam Neeson) convinces her to take part in an insomnia study at a truly spooky Massachusetts mansion. As “Nell” and fellow participants Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Luke (Owen Wilson) quickly discover, this sprawling estate has quite the ghastly past.

Follow on IG: @pillow.fright  @danitasteinberg  @ladygagagne