The monthly film series Weird Wednesday at Southside Preservation Hall is set to celebrate its 50th screening, showcasing an array of bizarre cult films. This unique initiative, managed by Fort Worth Community Cinema, defies conventional movie marketing practices.
Unlike typical screenings that take place on weekends, Weird Wednesday occurs on Wednesday nights, and audience members remain unaware of the movie title until the projector starts rolling. Attendees are informed only of the genre, which sets the stage for a night filled with unexpected cinematic gems, including titles like “Frankenhooker,” “Cannibal! The Musical,” and “Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.”
Founder and curator Greg TeGantvoort emphasizes that his goal isn’t financial gain, but rather to share his passion for unconventional films with a growing audience that craves something different within Fort Worth’s film landscape. “We’re creating something Fort Worth has never seen and never had,” TeGantvoort stated. “You used to have to drive out to Oak Cliff to see anything close. We’re satisfying a big gap Fort Worth had here.”
On January 7, the 50th screening is expected to draw a large crowd of enthusiastic film lovers, who actively engage with the movies in a lively manner that makes for a unique theater experience. “We’re trying to make sure you know you are surrounded by likeminded individuals,” TeGantvoort explained, highlighting the audience’s tendency to cheer, boo, and react vocally throughout the film.
Launched four years ago while TeGantvoort was programming for the Isis Theater, Weird Wednesday also serves as a platform for local artists to showcase and sell their work prior to the screenings. David DeGrand, an artist and cartoonist, likened the event to a mix of a flea market and a Halloween-themed store, describing it as “the most fun game of roulette you could imagine.”
Notably, the night market often attracts as many attendees as the film screening itself. DeGrand remarked that Weird Wednesday stands out from traditional comic-cons and art markets by focusing specifically on horror-themed items and cult movie enthusiasts. “I can’t think of any other event, especially locally, where you can go shopping for weird and creepy handmade products from awesome local artists,” he said.
After seven months of operation, TeGantvoort sought to screen more audacious films, leading him to relocate to the Southside Preservation Hall, where he could raise funds for the historic venue through donation-based admissions. The inaugural screening at Southside featured “The Greasy Stranger,” a provocative comedy about a serial killer, setting the tone for the unconventional films that would follow.
In addition to the screenings, Weird Wednesday has partnered with Cowtown Classics to bring notable film personalities to the events. This collaboration has introduced special guests like Rudy Ray “Dolemite” Moore, as well as showcasing works from local filmmakers such as Bret McCormick and Tyler Russell.
Notable filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman, known for the “Toxic Avenger” series, has included Weird Wednesday in his annual Texas tour, showcasing his latest works to eager audiences.
As the series approaches its milestone screening, TeGantvoort aims to keep the details under wraps. He plans to surprise attendees by not revealing the film genre in advance, merely hinting at an experience that promises to be one of the most peculiar yet enjoyable screenings to date. “It’s technically appropriate for all ages. It’s definitely going to be one of the weirdest, most baffling movies we’ve ever screened, but it’s fun. It’s a lot of fun,” TeGantvoort said.
