There’s lots of work, but plenty of play and never a dull moment at The Overlook Film Festival, a four-day snowbound celebration of scare cinema held at Oregon’s Timberline Lodge—better known as the ominous exterior hotel of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Badge holders have the distinct privilege of playing “The Game”—Overlook’s real-life horror mystery that lasts throughout the festival, and whose story is kept secret until your arrival. Formerly the Stanley Film Festival, held at the Colorado hotel that Stephen King based his Shining novel upon, Overlook’s new digs are “more remote,” says one panelist who “not coincidentally” shot a miniseries at the fest’s former location, but “because now you don’t leave the hotel, you’re even more immersed in a manse filled with like-minded horror film fans.”
Winter Horrorland: The Overlook Film Festival’s titular hotel in Mt. Hood, Oregon. Photograph courtesy of The Overlook Film Festival
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Loved reading this, especially seeing Roger Corman, Larry Cohen(THE STUFF), Michael Moriarty(Q THE WINGED SERPENT), Adrienne Barbeau(ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) and more recognizable memorable greats in film. Thanks for sharing!
Who knew there are so many fests dedicated to horror. Excited to have these in my conscious reservoir to keep up with their output in the future.
I felt it could have had more members to the panel more diversity of people who head to the larger fests as well as the rest. Of course there will be interweaving festivals but this list primarily focuses on larger ones but does not include many of the fests who r in the mid part of the US among other things.
Don't get me wrong, I'm Not putting down what this article is and contains. For me, it's not a piece that shows festivals that are on the rise or in the tier below many of these. Have nothing but respect for panel and the writer. No doubt more incarnations to come ... ;)
Missing Nightmares FILM FEST!!!
Solid list, but missing the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival is a huuuuge oversight. One of the best genre film festivals in Europe since 1983! One of the few festivals I've been to worldwide that truly has unique, internal festival culture. Really fosters a sense of community.
Other stuff worth mentioning includes:
Shockproof (Prague)
Next Fest (Los Angeles)
PUFF (Philadelphia)
Telluride Horror Show (Telluride, Colorado)
I feel like this is not a complete list of the best genre fests! some of these are all genre fest with a horror event thrown in. What about my favorite one Shriekfest? I've been submitting and involved with that fest for years now and they treat everyone great! The fest director is the best I've ever met!