Every year, people are usually asked, or post something about what we’re thankful for. It usually ranges in being thankful for their family, a good job, being healthy, or a variety of subjects of that nature. A lot of those things are stuff we tend to take for granted every other day of the year. But when you really look, I’m sure you’ll find a little more light than dark in one’s life. Even for us evil horror fanatics!

But this year, while I do have plenty of those things to be thankful for, I want to go a little beyond that. I want to say that I am so thankful for serious film fans, archivist, cinephiles, film programmers, and every single person out there who runs a blog, website, fanzine, or any other outlet where they are just expressing their love for the horror genre. It is because of this group that helps keep the genre alive and well, as well as helping to spread that love and passion to the next generation of fans. And when I say “next generation”, I’m not necessarily talking about the age of the film fan, but the age when they realized how special cinema was and start to take those steps forward to learn more about them.

For those working in the preservation industry, spending hours and hours making sure a film look just as amazing as the latest from James Cameron, sometimes literally saving them from the garbage, even though maybe only a thousand people in the world might be as excited about it as the latest Terrifier movie, I thank you. To be honest, any film that is given the care and treatment, no matter the budget, who starred in it, or who directed it, but to know and understand its importance to film history, it makes me proud to know that I’m not the only one that cares about it.

Each time we show this love and passion, it could influence another person to think about the film. Think about it in ways they didn’t before. Think more about the way the movie was shot. Think about the actors in it and how they are making the viewer feel their emotions. Think about not only what they see and what it means to them, but what someone else sees and what it means to them. Doesn’t mean we all agree, but it means we’re sharing in this passion and love of cinema and gets us to think.

Sure, there are films that feel it’s just way too over my head or just can’t figure out why someone would absolutely adore it. But I also know there were titles that I thought that way a decade ago that I see completely different now. It all comes with time.

So . . . for those out there that are feeding that passion, spreading your own personal love about the horror genre, I am very thankful for your hard work and tireless dedication to keeping this genre alive and thriving.

Now, granted my wallet isn’t, but that’s for next month!