Can this be done with Category Strips?
 

Is it possible to remove the link text from a category strip, and replace the text with a gif image that has writing on it that says the name of that particular category? For example, a category that says HORROR FILMS as it's link. Removing the link text, and replacing that with a clickable gif image that has HORROR FILMS written on it?

To be honest, I'm not sure what the category strip is, but - it seems like if you named your images using the forum id, then you'd probably just have to find the right template and replace the link text with an image tag (where the src is built using the forum id). Unless what you're asking is which template to change - that I don't know.