YouTube filmmakers are gaining ground in Hollywood

Two young YouTubers are drawing attention in Hollywood after their horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, opened strongly at the box office. The CBC report says Kane Parsons, 20, and Curry Barker, 26, built large online followings before moving into feature films. Backrooms, which began as a viral YouTube series, debuted at No. 1 and has quickly become A24’s highestgrossing film in North America. Obsession, made on a much smaller budget, has also performed well globally, adding to the sense that lowcost horror can still attract large audiences. Industry commentators quoted in the article say the films show studios may need to pay more attention to creators with builtin fan bases, especially younger viewers. They note that the success of these movies could shape which projects get approved in the future and reflects a broader shift in how audiences discover film talent.