SALEM — Movie star Kathy Najimy will headline Salem Horror Fest next month, one of the first times a Sanderson sister has been back in Witch City since filming the 1993 hit film “Hocus Pocus.”
The festival will run April 25 to May 5, and has featured hundreds of filmmakers in its annual celebration of horror and diversity in the genre. This year, it will branch out into venues around Salem and Boston to screen classic hits and indie films.
Najimy, who played Sanderson sister Mary, will kick off the festival with a Q&A session moderated by Andrea Subissati, editor of Rue Morgue Magazine, and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” from 7:30-11 p.m. on April 25 at the Peabody Essex Museum.
The night will feature a keynote speech by Alexandra West, author of “Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror,” a performance by Salem Drag Queen Miz Diamond Wigfall and speeches by Suzanne Desrocher-Romero of the George A. Romero Foundation, ‘80s horror icon Linnea Quigley and Salem Horror Fest Director Kay Lynch.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Kathy to Salem, not only to celebrate her genius as a comedic performer, but especially to honor her long history in advocacy work for AIDS awareness, women’s empowerment, reproductive rights, gay rights and animal rights,” Lynch said in a prepared statement.
“(‘Hocus Pocus’) may not be pure horror, but its cultural impact at the local level cannot be denied.”
Najimy also starred as Sister Mary Patrick in the “Sister Act” Films, voiced Peggy Hill in the animated TV series “The King of the Hill,” and acted in more than 25 films and more than 100 television shows, according to the statement. She has also starred on stage and is a director, writer, producer and activist.
During the festival, the Peabody Essex Museum will host live podcasts that accompany screenings of “Cat People” (1942), “Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight” (1995) and “The Grudge” (2004).
“The Judgement,” a pair of Middle Eastern Queer-themed horror films by director Marwan Mokbel, and a director’s cut of “Black Lake” from Salem Horror Fest alum and Romero Fellowship recipient K/XI will also play at the museum, according to the statement.
Filmmakers will compete in the festival to be chosen by the Romero Foundation for mentorships under film industry pros such as Travis Stevens and Jenn Wexler.
Other Horror Fest venues include Die With Your Boots On, Salem Access Television, Koto, Hallowed Ground and Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline.
The festival previously partnered with Cinema Salem, but split off from the downtown Salem theater this year.
“They’re just not a good fit for us. I’m always bewildered when people in the Halloween capital of the world resent the horror genre,” Lynch said in the statement.
“While my audience was being exploited and taken for granted, I was being disrespected and misgendered — even after two years of working together. I’m ashamed for having tolerated it for this long.”
Responding to a request for comment Tuesday, Salem Cinema Owner Marshall Strauss said, “We wish the festival well,” but did not comment further.
For more information about Salem Horror Fest, visit salemhorror.com.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated this is Najimy’s first time back to Salem since filming the 1993 film “Hocus Pocus.” The actress visited Salem to meet fans in 2019.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.