Decentralized Pictures Announces Recipients of the Horror Filmmaking Initiative and More

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Decentralized Pictures (DCP), alongside its sponsoring partners Arts3 Foundation, and filmmakers Jed Shepherd (Host) and Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project), is proud to announce that the films Dana Never Had a Brother and Festered are the recipients of the Horror Filmmaking Initiative. This initiative provides $25,000 in funding to produce a short film from a selected screenplay.

Decentralized Pictures announces recipients of the Horror Filmmaking Initiative.

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The DCP community helped shortlist finalists through the platform’s decentralized voting system. The final selections were made by a panel of judges, including Sánchez, Shepherd, and DCP co-founders Roman Coppola and Leo Matchett.

Dana Never Had a Brother, directed by Destinee McCaster, tells the story of a woman visiting her girlfriend’s seemingly perfect suburban hometown, where she unravels disturbing truths about her partner’s childhood.

Festered, directed by Marc G. Ros, follows a young woman who inherits her estranged father’s apartment and sets out to clean and sell it, only to awaken a malicious presence that forces her to face buried trauma from her past.

In addition to the two main recipients, Breeder, directed by Sapphire Sandalo, was awarded $15,000 in recognition of its bold vision and psychological depth. Rooted in Filipino folklore, the film follows a successful woman trapped in a nightmarish loop by a monstrous Tikbalang.

“We wanted the movies to be scary—that was one of the big criteria for us,” said Sánchez. “It’s rare when you read something and you’re kind of creeped out by it, so efficiently, so effectively.”

“Destinee and Marc are competent filmmakers who have experience making quality stuff,” said Shepherd. “Now, they have the opportunity to take it to the next level.”

The Horror Filmmaking Initiative was announced on Halloween of 2024 as part of DCP’s 1M+ in support for the next generation of filmmakers across genres via the Decentralized Pictures platform.

As part of the announcement, DCP, via its video podcast called TALNT Cast, has subsequently created two new episodes to showcase the recipient projects and creators which can be viewed here Horror Filmmaking Initiative Part 1 and Horror Filmmaking Initiative Part 2

“One of our biggest roles at DCP is to create real opportunities for talented filmmakers who haven’t always had a clear way in,” said Coppola. “With awards like the Horror Filmmaking Initiative, we’re backing creators with the resources and guidance to break into the industry. That’s the kind of impact we want to see.”

“With Calladita and Cold Wallet making their mark on the festival circuit, we’ve seen how powerful it is when new voices get a real shot,” said Matchett. “We’re excited to keep this momentum going and continue helping up-and-coming filmmakers find their place in the industry.”

Decentralized Pictures (DCP) is a groundbreaking platform leveraging blockchain technology to connect filmmakers with financing and distribution opportunities. By embracing decentralized principles, the platform offers a transparent and inclusive environment for artists to showcase their work and secure essential funding, mentorship, and other crucial support for their projects and careers. DCP is preparing for its official move to Base, a fast, secure, and cost-effective Layer 2 blockchain which will further support its community-driven approach. Following the release of  Cold Wallet on Web3VOD on February 28, 2025, DCP will continue its commitment to the Web3VOD initiative with the upcoming launch of DCP+.

Filmmakers interested in applying for DCP awards are invited to submit a sample of their unfinished film, alongside other pitch materials. Their samples should showcase the vision, potential, and artistic merit of the project, and provide a glimpse into its unique storytelling and creative direction.

About Decentralized Pictures:

Decentralized Pictures is a revolutionary platform that leverages blockchain technology to empower filmmakers, enabling them to secure funding and distribution opportunities in a transparent and inclusive environment. Through its decentralized approach, the platform fosters innovation, creativity, and collaboration, making it a game-changer in the film industry.