[Editor’s note: In addition to the usual celebration of DIY cinema, the recently completed Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival also held ‘Camp Puff,’ a campy (of course) night of movies. Iz Lee, a college filmmaker, attended the event and brings us this report.]
All things alternative, campy, and retro had their perfect summer home this past Thursday at the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival’s “Camp PUFF”. Part of the festival’s five-day program of films and social events, the night featured a mix of shorts and feature films. With a combination of horror comedies and extravagant drag costuming, it was a night of frights and campy fun.
Taking the elevator down to the basement of Theater Exile on South 13th St. transports you to the wacky world of Camp PUFF. Festival goers were immediately greeted by a “Welcome Campers” sign along with a solid display of camp snacks and a classic red punch. The lobby space offers an intimate area that encourages mingling between attending filmmakers.
Theater Exile’s space is small but allows viewers a very cozy viewing experience. Staying on theme, the theater itself was filled with camp gear and even a tent. The program started off strong with Lucrecia & the Witches (Lecuona, 2026), a Mexican short following an unlucky drag queen and her pursuit of a ritual cleansing before a big audition. Then it was followed by two feature-length horror comedies, Cramps! A Period Piece (Cellars, 2026), a fun vintage fever dream combining drag queens, beauty salon battles, and period monsters. Last was Friday the 69th (Montilla, 2026), a parody slasher following a college spring break gone very wrong. Continuing the comedy horror theme, interspersed between the features were two music video shorts “Murder’s Not So Bad” and “Slash Me Once”, both directed by Justin Miller. Although the theater cannot host a huge crowd, the energy certainly wasn’t low thanks to the work of the night’s camp counselor and charismatic host, Jack Stallion, and the excitement of the viewers.
The punk, queer, and alternative spirit of the film festival is unique and makes it a great place to find new films and new friends. Built for filmmakers, the festival offers a very friendly and intimate environment with a vibrant community that makes networking not only easy but hard to avoid.