Fund Aotearoa queer horror film The Anti-Exorcist

The Anti-Exorcist is a queer parody of exorcism films, in which a gender-bending spirit turns the tables against a Catholic priest. It is produced by the New New Film Collective, a queer film collective based in Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. Writer-director Ani White previously made Illuminati Castrati (2024), which has been accepted into a number of film festivals, and won accolades including the Best Horror Short award at South Film and Arts Academy Festival (Chile). Through The Anti-Exorcist we're excited to help uplift the new generation of queer filmmakers, developing skills that allow us to give voice to queer perspectives.

Project Details

The Anti-Exorcist responds to the justification of exorcism in cinema. Although it may seem an antiquated practice, exorcism is actually on the rise. In fact, exorcism first gained renewed popularity with the release of The Exorcist (1972), after the practice had faded into obscurity. We seek to challenge both a practice that has claimed lives, and a genre that has advertised it.

We also link exorcism and conservative anti-queerness. Queers are outcast, driven out, made demons. In our story, a priest seeks to exorcise a demon, but is confronted with a gender-bending entity that will not be driven out.

We live in a period where LGBT rights, especially trans rights, are under attack. Now is a time for art that celebrates queer resistance.

The New New Film Collective are dedicated to making space for queer voices in the world of film. Inspired by the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1980s, we want to create sexy films that aren't tied to old standards. We're not trying to fit in or appeal to anyone - our films are unapologetically queer, made by and for queer people.

Writer-director Ani White (they/them) has a Doctorate in Media and Communication, and produced the debut short Illuminati Castrati (2024) with the support of Boosted. Illuminati Castrati has been accepted into film festivals including the South Film and Arts Academy Festival (Chile), The Eastern European Film Festival, and the queer-feminist Squish Movie Camp (Rotterdam).

Cinematographer Annalisa Fleming (she/her) debuted as a cinematographer with Frisky (2023), a film that spoke to finding connection and the queer struggle in rural communities. It earned recognition as an official selection at the Misty Flicks and South Pacific International Film Festivals, where it was also nominated for an award. With a background in film and politics, Annalisa is passionate about using digital storytelling to ask tough questions and challenge norms.

Production designer Stevie Goodwin (they/them): Having completed both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in film at Massey University alongside directing an internationally acclaimed queer short film Frisky (2023), Stevie loves being on set. They’ve worked on a range of local short films in multiple departments, but have found a particular passion for production design. Stevie loves bringing a story to life through the detailed and creative use of props, costumes, set dressing and makeup.

Lighting director Alex Cherian (she/they) is a writer, filmmaker, and girltwink extraordinaire living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Her prior credits include writer-director on New New projects Fingerdance, Cherry Pit, and as gaffer on Nest (2024). She is one of the founding members of The New New, and is currently studying a Masters in Screenwriting at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University.

Unfortunately, making a film comes with a cost, that’s where your incredible support comes in!  

The $3,000 raised will cover key costs such as:

• Special effects
• Props
• Set dressing
• Wardrobe and makeup
• Stipends for cast and crew.

We deeply appreciate any and all support for our queer indie film.

The Anti-Exorcist is currently in pre-production. We plan to shoot in early 2024, complete post-production by late 2024, then market to film festivals.

The film will be shot in one location, with three actors. We're working on some exciting practical gore effects.

The project will both offer a critical queer intervention into the horror genre, and help young queer people develop skills in filmmaking. 

If you have nothing to donate, a share or like on our socials still makes a difference!