CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Gather around the campfire and get ready for four days of spine-tingling entertainment during the 21st annual HorrorFest International Film Festival. This cinematic celebration of all things horror is the perfect way to usher in the rapidly approaching Halloween season.
This year’s edition of HorrorFest is set for Wednesday, Oct. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 21, and it’s all happening downtown at the historic Electric Theater. The festival’s organizers have been working hard to bring Southern Utah movie buffs a diverse and memorable mix of horror-centric titles. While HorrorFest will feature higher-profile genre films that have played the likes of Sundance, Fantasia Fest, Fright Fest, Beyond Fest and Popcorn Frights, attendees can also expect plenty of movies that are new to the horror festival circuit.
“The lineup this year is one of our very best,” said John Pugh, the festival’s co-founder and co-director. “We have films that are currently in the festival circuit, big buzz-worthy movies, and we’ve brought them here to St. George.”
The fun begins Wednesday afternoon with a chilling block of short films followed by the opening night feature, “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls.” Starring YouTube sensation Andrew Bowser, who also wrote and directed, it’s a lively throwback to the horror comedies of the ’80s.
Other features making their Utah premiere include “The Coffee Table,” a brutal and tense character-driven import from Spain that’s sure to leave viewers shaken, and the horror comedy anthology “Lore,” filled to the brim with tales of monsters, ghosts and slashers.
The organizers of HorrorFest enjoy pushing the boundaries of the genre and challenging viewers to ask themselves, “What is horror?” This year, the festival explores the experimental side of horror with Australian director Pirie Martin’s creative low-budget indie “Psychosis.” Also on the docket is “Glue Trap,” a slow-burn slice of relationship-centric terror. There’s even animated horror by way of Zach Passero’s “The Weird Kidz,” a nostalgic fusion of youth-centric, ’80s-inspired horror adventures and ’50s monster movies.
HorrorFest will close Saturday night with “Where the Devil Roams,” the new feature from the incredibly talented filmmaking brood known as the Adams family. Having already made a splash at HorrorFest in 2021 with “Hellbender,” their latest effort is a twisted take on the American dream set against the backdrop of the Great Depression.
Beyond the features, this year’s festival will showcase dozens of outstanding short films and offer filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, horror trivia, afterparties, an awards ceremony and much more. As always, attendees can count on a handful of very special guests, including “The Lost Boys” actor Jamison Newlander.
Additionally, HorrorFest favorite Frank Dietz will be back to host another edition of his Scripts Gone Wild live script reading event, and writer/director Justin Geldzahler will be on hand to discuss his new film “Glue Trap” and lead a panel called “What is Horror?” Veteran location manager Marshall Moore will also deliver a presentation on the importance of locations in the world of horror.
“We’re here to scare, but we’re also here to enlighten and teach,” HorrorFest co-founder and co-director Adam Mast said. “It’s definitely more than just watching movies. It’s an experience.”
Festival tickets cost $10 per film block, $25 for a day pass and $75 for a four-day screening pass. The best way to experience HorrorFest, however, is by purchasing the all-access VIP fright pass for $125, which includes food and a swag bag. Discounted tickets are available for students.
And don’t miss the first-ever HorrorFest preview night on Tuesday, Oct. 17. This special viewing event will feature the 2006 animated comedy horror flick “Monster House” as the perfect way for film fans of all ages to celebrate Halloween. It’s free to attend, but tickets are required.
Afterward, stick around for the screening of a surprise horror/comedy classic of yesteryear presented on glorious 16mm film. Tickets cost $8 per person or $25 for a group of up to five people. Click here to buy tickets for all HorrorFest attractions.
Presented by the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the art of cinema while nurturing, celebrating and inspiring local filmmakers, HorrorFest has been recognized as one of the world’s best horror film festivals by Dread Central. Since its inaugural edition in 2002, the festival has grown from only screening horror classics to showcasing genre films from around the world.
Event details
- What: HorrorFest International Film Festival.
- When: Wednesday, Oct. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 21, all day.
- Where: The Electric Theater, 68 E. Tabernacle St., St. George.
- Tickets: Single film block tickets, $10; day passes, $25; four-day screening passes, $75; all-access fright passes, $125.
- Resources: Website.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
• 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.