CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — The Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah has announced official selections for the upcoming HorrorFest International Film Festival on Oct. 18-21. With Southern Utah’s historic Electric Theater once again serving as the primary venue for the event, Andrew Bowser’s “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls” is the opening night selection, with Toby Poser, Zelda Adams and John Adams’ “Where the Devil Roams” taking the closing night slot.
This year’s edition of the international survey of horror/thriller cinema will screen 46 films (eight features and 38 shorts) representing 15 countries. In addition, 16 feature-length scripts and eight scripts for short films will also participate in the film festival’s script competition over the four-day, fright-filled event. Additionally, HorrorFest will host its always-anticipated secret screening, filmmaker and horror-themed panels, its traditional trivia event, a live script read of a beloved horror classic, a costume contest and more.
Recognized as one of the top horror festivals in the world and taking place in beautiful St. George, HorrorFest not only has the benefit of utilizing one of the truly historic theaters in the United States as its festival hub, but it is also surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenic locales in the U.S., including Zion National Park, Pine Valley and Snow Canyon.
“This year’s lineup not only offers up great thrills and scares, but also challenges our preconceptions of what makes a horror film a horror film,” HorrorFest co-founders and senior programmers Adam Mast and John Pugh said. “Filmmaking and storytelling in the horror/thriller genre seems to be amid another artistic renaissance and is seeing a growing appreciation by audiences that aren’t what we traditionally think of as horror film audiences.
“We love that idea and once again will enthusiastically bring those filmmakers and audiences together at the Electric Theater in St. George.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, Andrew Bowser’s “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls” will kick things off as the opening night selection. Based on writer, director and star Bowser’s viral character, which has accumulated over 300 million views online with over 1 million followers on TikTok, the film follows amateur occultist Onyx just as he’s about to pack in his paranormal pursuits.
However, he receives an invitation to meet with his idol, Bartok the Great, to take part in a ritual to revive an ancient demon. Onyx makes friends with fellow disciples as things take a turn for the worst and they battle to keep their souls.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, Toby Poser, Zelda Adams and John Adams’ “Where the Devil Roams” screens as the closing night selection. Set in the aftermath of World War I, the film centers on a traveling carnival as it begins to wind down. The members of a family living within the troupe are each battling their own inner demons.
Eve is unable to speak, Seven is battling intense PTSD from his time as a war medic, and Maggie struggles with murderous tendencies. However, all are happy with their nomadic existence and when that comes under threat, the trio are more than willing to do unspeakable acts to ensure its continuity.
Other highlights among the highly curated list of features include critically acclaimed quirky indie filmmaker Zach Clark’s genre-bending comedy “The Becomers.” The story of a body-snatching alien trying to make its way in our world utilizes science fiction elements heavily inspired by the original “Star Trek” series.
Caye Casas’ Spanish black comedy “The Coffee Table” focuses on a young couple whose unwise purchase of a gaudy golden coffee table plunges them into a calamity-filled unbearable hell. Pirie Martin’s Australian thriller “Psychosis” follows a criminal fixer who experiences auditory hallucinations and is forced to confront old demons after a new contact drags him into a surreal maelstrom of mind-altering drugs, delusional vigilantes and a sadistic hypnotist who seems more monster than man.
Beyond that, the 2023 edition of HorrorFest will showcase dozens of outstanding short films and offer filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, mystery screenings, horror trivia, afterparties, an awards ceremony and more. Actor Jamison Newlander (“The Lost Boys,” “Bone Tomahawk,” “Waking Nightmare”) will be on hand to chat about his career via a live episode of “The Cinemast Podcast” with host Brandon Treadway.
Returning HorrorFest favorite Frank Dietz will be back to host another edition of the immensely popular “Scripts Gone Wild.” Justin Geldzahler, who was a writer on HBO’s hit “Succession,” will also be in attendance to talk about his film “Glue Trap” and to participate in a panel called “What is Horror?” Finally, Marshall Moore (“John Carter,” “After Earth,” “The Giver”) will draw on his experience as a veteran location manager and discuss the importance of locations in the world of horror.
To purchase festival passes or to find more information about HorrorFest, please go to fmasu.com/horrorfest.
About HorrorFest
Since the early 2000s, HorrorFest has prided itself on showcasing countless horror gems of yesteryear in a bid to not only keep the spirit of horror film history alive, but also to entertain audiences and to champion the big screen experience.
Through the years, this long-running festival has brought titles like “The Exorcist,” “Psycho,” “Jaws,” “Dawn of the Dead,” “Phantasm,” “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” “Halloween,” “Poltergeist,” “The Omen,” “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” “Evil Dead II,” “Fright Night,” “Creepshow” and “The Shining” back to the big screen in terrifying fashion.
All in all, HorrorFest has screened well over 100 influential horror properties throughout its two-decade run. HorrorFest would eventually evolve even further and become a showcase for various film projects produced in Southern Utah and throughout the state.
Since 2020, the HorrorFest International Film Festival has opened its arms to genre storytellers from all over the world, making for what will most certainly be the most fun you’ll ever have while scared!
About the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah
Formed in 2017, the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to encourage, inspire, nurture and educate filmmaking talent and to preserve film history and the theatrical experience. FMASU does this by way of several film-related events throughout the year, including Desertscape International Film Festival, HorrorFest International Film Festival, The Electric Film Series, A Merry Movie Christmas and the Guerrilla Filmmaking Challenges, quick turnaround filmmaking competitions that take place three times per year.
While the alliance prides itself on its Southern Utah roots, it is equally interested in championing storytellers from all around the world. Of course, the primary goal is to engage everyone through the culturally expansive nature of the world’s greatest art form: cinema! To learn all about this alliance and/or to donate, log on to fmasu.com.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.