Advisory board
The FrightFest Advisory Board comprises film industry professionals and festival supporters/employees who have experienced how the festival works and understand the unique ethos that drives it. Their role (purely voluntary) is to contribute constructive ideas and solutions on strategically developing and growing the festival and improving the filmmaker and audience experience, embracing diversity, inclusivity & safety.
Claire Bueno - Claire is a film journalist, presenter and interviewer, having moderated BAFTA, Royal Television Society (RTS), Women in Film and Television (WFTV) and hosted Comic Con panel talks. She is also a media coach, offering practical coaching sessions and a safe environment for talent to perfect their interview technique before facing the press. Claire also produces the documentary CLEANIN’ UP THE TOWN: Remembering Ghostbusters and the upcoming TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Remembering Ghostbusters II.
Katie Bonham - Kate is an award-winning writer and director with an extensive back catalogue of work across short film and theatre. Her work is recognised for its poignant style and original vision in exploring social commentaries within the concepts of folklore, fantasy and horror, with a passion for championing unheard stories and supporting new talent. She also works closely with local charities across Berkshire, mentoring young aspiring filmmakers and creatives. A female directing collective Cinesisters and Directors UK member and a recent recipient of the prestigious Melies D'Argent, awarded by the Méliès International Festivals Federation.
Chloe Chudasama - Chloe worked as a Project Manager for over ten years at one of the UK’s leading PR and live event companies, managing campaigns for some of the world’s leading businesses, such as Sony Pictures, XBOX and Adidas. Transitioning her skills into film production, Chloe has produced three shorts and, through Nocturnal Pictures, her debut feature, The Last Rite. In 2021 Chloe was selected for the Edinburgh International Film Festival Talent Lab and then chosen as one of thirteen Producers for Creative England's Market Trader Programme.
Kat Hughes - Kat is a film journalist specialising in reviewing horror films. She is a Rotten Tomato Approved Critic and an Online Association of Female Film Critics member. Kat primarily writes and edits for The Hollywood News but also guests on various podcasts and has bylines in Film Stories and Filmhounds, amongst others. A regular on the genre festival circuit, Kat loves championing the freshest talent in independent horror. Through her role with THN, Kat has developed a relationship with FrightFest based on a shared ethos of showcasing new voices.
Mal Jutley - Mal has been a FrightFest attendee for over ten years and an advocate of the genre, speaking on podcasts and panels and promoting movies and cinema on social media. He works as a Product Manager and has 10+ years of building digital solutions. Mal is also a mental health advocate, personally and professionally, and sits on the mental health committee within work and the Diversity & Inclusivity committee.
Leroy Kincaide - Leroy has over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera and is one of the UK’s top professional Wrestlers. In 2014 he created Nocturnal Pictures, has since written and directed several short films and music videos and completed his debut feature film, The Last Rite, which led him to be nominated for the Screen International “Genre Rising Star Award.
Mark Logan - Mark is a lifelong horror fan. After a varied career path, including acting, theatre directing and stand-up comedy, Mark enrolled on the Raindance MA in Film, graduating in 2018. As a writer and director, he has made several short films, including RATS, starring Laurence R. Harvey and Nicholas Vince, award-winning shorts, SOLITARY and ALAN and a segment in the portmanteau feature, FOR WE ARE MANY, which played FrightFest in 2019.
Helen Nicholson - Helen has been volunteering at Film Festivals in various roles for almost 20 years. She volunteered at FrightFest in 2010 before becoming Box Office Manager in 2012. She currently works for the NHS as a manager in the Professional Standards team.
Damon Rickard - Damon has been a FrightFest regular for 13 years. This provided him with the inspiration and belief to move into filmmaking, and he has since produced eight short films and is currently developing a feature film. As part of his day job, Damon is involved in several project boards looking to shape what the business will look like over the next five years, including sourcing new technologies. Alongside that, he is also a certified Mental Health First Aider.
