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13 Horror Film Festivals to Die For
A Leatherface fan attends the Dark Carnival Film Festival.
Nowadays, horror film festivals seem to be popping up faster than the undead in a George Romero zombie flick. For those looking to spend this Halloween season in style, MM has picked 13 fests that offer just about everything a horror fan would die for. So take a look at some of the most frightfully fun festivals taking place this October. You’re guaranteed to have a spookactular time!
Dark Carnival Film Festival
Bloomington, Indiana
October 21-23
Recognized by MM as one of the top “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” the eerie Dark Carnival has been scaring audiences silly since 2007. This unique fest takes its wicked title to heart (Bloomington was, in the early 20th century, home to many traveling circuses), by creating a terrifyingly twisted carnival atmosphere, complete with cackling psychotic clowns and a live side show. Special events this year include a Monster’s Ball at Jake’s Nightclub (featuring live music and a costume contest) and a special effects workshop. Films, which include the best in indie horror from around the world, are screened in a vintage 1930s-era movie theater, complete with state-of-the-art sound and projection equipment.
Eerie Horror Film Festival
Erie, Pennsylvania
October 21-30
What better excuse to take a trip to Erie, PA this October than by attending the aptly named Eerie Horror Film Festival? Since 2004, the fest has attracted thousands of fans, moviemakers and screenwriters for a four day celebration of the best in genre cinema, featuring celebrity guests, screenings and workshops. Taking place at the prestigious Warner Theater, this year’s special guests include the stars of cult favorite The Boondock Saints (Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus and David Della Rocco), Alex Vincent (little Andy from Child’s Play) and A. Michael Baldwin (the Phantasm series).
Fear Fête Horror Film Festival
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
October 28-30
Louisiana’s premier independent horror film festival, Fear Fête makes its debut this year. The fest will feature local, national and international horror flicks. Fear Fête organizes its films by specific sub-genre blocks (labels include Fantasy Horror, Zombie, Paranormal, Thriller and Comedy Horror), with each program consisting of two or three shorts followed by a feature. The festival ends with a “Best of the Fête” block, concluding with David Valdez and Philip Gunn’s sure-to-be terrifying Klown Kamp Massacre.
Freak Show Horror Film Festival
Orlando, Florida
October 7-9
This October, why not get your Freak Show on at this ghoulishly fun three-day fest? Named one of MM’s “20 Coolest Film Festivals,” Freak Show was founded by veteran independent moviemaker Robert J. Massetti as way to showcase some of the most talented, up-and-coming horror moviemakers working today. This year’s scheduled premieres include George Clarke’s The Last Light, Kenneth Cran’s The Millennium Bug and Travis Betz’s The Dead Inside. Winners receive a unique, specially designed “Freaky” award created by special effects makeup artist Barry Anderson (Jeepers Creepers), and this year’s winning short films will be shown on FEARnet.com. The festival is part of Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend, a huge horror convention that takes place at the Wyndham Orlando Resort.
Madison Horror Film Festival
Madison, Wisconsin
October 8
Featuring a ghoulishly entertaining mix of the latest buzz-worthy independent features (this year, the selection includes the latest from Lucky “May” McKee, The Woman) and shorts, the Madison Horror Film Festival also provides an opportunity for talented young moviemakers to showcase their work. Taking the spotlight this year are Christopher R. Mihm (with Attack of the Moon Zombies) and Thomas Berdinski (with Zombie Abomination: The Italian Zombie Movie - Part 1, The Giant Rubber Monster Movie). And don’t forget to attend the festival pre-party on October 7, which will feature a freakishly fun, “live and undead” performance by The Zombeatles (along with a screening of their film, All You Need Is Brains) and a screening of the much-talked-about Troll Hunter.
Mile High Horror Film Festival
Denver, Colorado
October 7-9
Taking place at the Starz Film Center, the Mile High Horror Film Festival hopes to bring much attention to the film scene of Denver while also showcasing the latest in independent horror. This year, the fest welcomes Daniel Myrick, co-writer/director of The Blair Witch Project, who will serve as a judge for the feature film category. Also in attendance will be actor Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes; The Devil’s Rejects; the genre veteran will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Horror Film. This year, Mile High also offers a number of exciting prizes for winners of the fest, including a chance for the 2011 Best Short Film to be shown in its entirety on FEARnet.com.
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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by Jerry on 10/07/11 at 6:59 pm
Im going to Fear Fete in BAton ROuge. It looks to be awesome!
- Comment by gigoteuse on 11/21/11 at 10:39 pm
I just think it is fantastic!
- Comment by BlitzReview on 11/25/11 at 7:51 am
The horrors are always the most interesting movies. I think is a good idea to try to see the best rated movies of the last year.
- Comment by دردشه صوتيه on 11/30/11 at 7:40 pm
The horrors are always the most interesting movies. I think is a good idea to try to see the best rated movies of the last year.
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