SCHEDULE & BLOCK INFORMATION TBD (LIKELY SPRING 2021)
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A STRANGE CALM (USA)
SYNOPSIS: When 12-year-old Rosie and Miles encounter a strange man on the 4th of July, their journey to watch the fireworks on the outskirts of town becomes an unexpected fight for survival.
RATINGS GUIDE: Mild Violence
DIRECTOR: Austin Rourke
GENRE: Horror
PREMIERE STATUS: Regional Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Austin Rourke is a Los Angeles-based writer/director currently in pre-production on his sixth short film, WITHOUT ADDRESS. His AFI thesis film, A STRANGE CALM, is an official selection at a number of festivals around the world, including Fantasia International, Sitges International and Dances with Films. Most recently, Austin was hired as 2nd Unit Director for Palme d’Or-nominated director, Michael Spiccia, based on the strength of his work. A Boston-area native, Austin holds a BA in Journalism & Cinema Studies from Rutgers University and an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute.
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DOWNS OF THE DEAD (NORWAY)
SYNOPSIS: When the zombie apocalypse hits, it sucks being stuck at work. Especially when you work at a home for the intellectually disabled. Nurse Morten has to get away, but can’t leave Arvid and the other residents behind. The only thing between them and freedom are blood thirsty zombies, a dance band, a slimy boss, and all-consuming love. What can possibly go wrong?
RATINGS GUIDE: Mild Violence, Mild Language
GENRE: Horror, Comedy
PREMIERE STATUS: USA Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Ever since Even Husby Grødahl watched Kill Buljo in primary school he has wanted to make films. Funny films. What began as just silly fun with a camera and a few friends has developed into…silly fun with a camera and a few friends, it’s all just a little more thought through now. «Downs of the Dead» is Even’s graduation film from Westerdals Høyskolen Kristiania.
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EXIT (RUSSIA)
SYNOPSIS: A trio of construction workers isn’t too happy to find a supernatural anomaly in the house they’re renovating. But what if there’s a finder’s fee to be gained from this?
RATINGS GUIDE: Mild Violence, Strong Language, Intense Images
DIRECTOR: Ivan Basov
GENRE: Horror, The Beyond
PREMIERE STATUS: Regional Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: After over a decade of various jobs in the Russian film industry, in 2019 Ivan Basov graduated from Moscow Film School with a horror short film of his own.
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EYE FOR AN EYE (AUSTRALIA)
SYNOPSIS: A young woman journeys into a mysterious and secluded forest, and finds herself disorientated and thoroughly, unnervingly lost. Her safe exit relies solely on Nature itself, and her own willingness to submit to its enigmatic forces.
RATINGS GUIDE: All Audiences / Family Friendly
DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Cullen
GENRE: Fantasy, The Beyond, Fanastic
PREMIERE STATUS: USA Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Elizabeth Cullen is an Australian actor, filmmaker and writer originally from Cairns, Far North Queensland. She is best known for playing ‘Imogen’ a feisty young elf in Jonathan M. Shiff’s The Bureau of Magical Things (2018), which screened on Australian Channel 10, and globally on Nickelodeon in over 170 countries. The show received critical acclaim both domestically and internationally: awarded the 2018 AACTA award for Best Children’s Program, and the Kidscreen Best New Series Tween/Teen award in 2019. At the 2015 Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA), Elizabeth was named Best Director and Best Overall Filmmaker, and awarded a full scholarship to attend Bond for her student films Alone (2014) and The Artist (2015). The Artist also received the Best Overall Film award at Understory in 2016.
Her additional short Mothlight (2017), which she wrote, directed and acted in during her time at university, won Best Film at Understory 2017 and was screened in the Open category at PortShorts International Film Festival. Elizabeth has recently completed her Bachelor of Film and Television degree, as well as her graduation film Eye for an Eye – a short fantasy narrative about nature – which she wrote, directed and stars in. She is currently in production for The Bureau of Magical Things Season 2 on the Gold Coast, QLD.
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GASLIGHT (AUSTRALIA)
SYNOPSIS: One night, a bar waitress encounters a mysterious and predatory stranger whilst waiting at a bus terminal.
RATINGS GUIDE: Mild Violence, Mild Language, Intense Images
DIRECTOR: Louisa Weichmann
GENRE: Horror
PREMIERE STATUS: Regional Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Australian/ German director based in Melbourne. Exploring the more macabre aspects of everyday life through filmmaking, Louisa strives to create a visually rich aesthetic inspired by her background in visual arts and textiles.
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LOVE (AND SO ON) (USA)
SYNOPSIS: In an alternate reality, a mercurial artist struggles to steady his marriage.
RATINGS GUIDE: Brief Nudity, Strong Sensuality
DIRECTOR: Stephanie R. Clark
GENRE: Fantastic
PREMIERE STATUS: USA Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Stephanie immigrated from Honduras to pursue a career in filmmaking. She enjoys working with others as well as baking for others in her spare time.
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MILK TEETH (USA)
SYNOPSIS: An orphanage spirals into mayhem when a boy discovers a shadowy creature who comes to collect more than just the children’s teeth…
RATINGS GUIDE: Mild Violence, Intense Images
DIRECTOR: Felipe Vargas
GENRE: Horror, Fantasy, Fantastic
PREMIERE STATUS: Regional Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’SBIO: Felipe Vargas is a Colombian-Floridian Director in the realm of awe-inspiring magical realism: heartfelt stories with a twist of fantasy, science-fiction, or horror. Felipe’s short film “The Guide”, about a guardian angel-like young girl guiding a man through his first love, premiered online at DUST, where it garnered over 3.4 million views and is among the most viewed films on the platform. Felipe co-edited “Breaking Their Silence”, a groundbreaking feature documentary on young women on the frontline of the poaching crisis. The film won best feature at San Diego Film Festival, and was featured on CNN, TEDx, and The Today Show. His films have screened at over 30 film festivals, winning top prizes. His Florida-based films “Summer’s End” and “Vessel” were broadcast nationally on PBS. Felipe directed one of four greenlit USC Thesis Films, the horror-fantasy “Milk Teeth”, and will be co-directing a feature adaptation of “Phantom of the Opera”.
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NYMPH (IRELAND)
SYNOPSIS: When betrayal stalks their camping trip, three friends unwittingly conjure up the wild, elemental spirits of vengeful Nature, with horrifying consequences.
RATINGS GUIDE: Mild Violence, Brief Nudity
DIRECTOR: Caoimhin Gaughan Coffey
GENRE: Horror
PREMIERE STATUS: World Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Caoimhin Gaughan Coffey is a filmmaker from Killeenaran, County Galway. He’s majoring in Film Direction at the National Film School of Ireland, IADT. Coming from a bilingual Irish-English background, Caoimhin is most interested in exploring the conflictions of the Irish psyche. “As I’m still in a formative phase in my filmmaking career, I knew Nymph, as my graduate film, would represent a high-water mark of this period. Until now, I’ve spent time experimenting with mood, tone and style. With this project I knew story would come first and foremost and ideally be drawn from personal experience. This is why we focus on the story of three teenagers with nothing better to do than go drinking in a field. Horror is something I’ve always loved. The terror of watching Jaws at the age of six and the revelation of discovering Argento’s Suspiria in first year of film school are the two most important waypoints in Nymph’s gestation. The freedom of expression offered by horror meant we’d be telling a story while still flexing and extending our creative muscles”
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SOON COMES NIGHT (USA)
SYNOPSIS: Death waits for no one.
RATINGS GUIDE: Intense Images
DIRECTOR: Austin Rourke
GENRE: Horror
PREMIERE STATUS: Regional Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Austin Rourke is a Los Angeles-based writer/director currently in pre-production on his sixth short film, WITHOUT ADDRESS. His AFI thesis film, A STRANGE CALM, is an official selection at a number of festivals around the world, including Fantasia International, Sitges International and Dances with Films. Most recently, Austin was hired as 2nd Unit Director for Palme d’Or-nominated director, Michael Spiccia, based on the strength of his work. A Boston-area native, Austin holds a BA in Journalism & Cinema Studies from Rutgers University and an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute.
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THE BEAST (UK / USA)
SYNOPSIS: An off-beat, modern-day fairy tale centered on a lonesome beast as he struggles to navigate a shallow dating world.
RATINGS GUIDE: Language
DIRECTOR: Luke Howe
GENRE: Fantasy, Comedy
PREMIERE STATUS: USA Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’SBIO: Luke Howe is a filmmaker and visual artist based in New York City. He recently completed his MA at the London Film School, where he produced, wrote and directed his graduation film, “The Beast,” which will be traveling on the international festival circuit in 2020. Before moving to the UK, Luke lived and worked in both New York and Los Angeles, receiving his BA from the University of Southern California. Over the years, he’s worked across the spectrum of entertainment, holding a variety of positions in the worlds of film, theatre, television, and commercial video. He currently works as a writer and producer for a production company in New York.
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THE HISTORY OF MONSTERS (USA)
SYNOPSIS: Haunted every night by monsters of unknown origin, an isolated woman finds a stranger in the woods and struggles between her safety and her sexual desires.
RATINGS GUIDE: Language, Brief Nudity, Strong Sensuality
DIRECTOR: Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz
GENRE: Horror
PREMIERE STATUS: Utah Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Chilean director, screenwriter and producer, Fulbright Scholarship Award recipient and winner of the 2020 HBOAccess Directing Fellowship in the United States. Graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, California and Bachelor of Social Communication and Audiovisual Direction from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. His award-winning work has been exhibited at dozens of film festivals around the world including the New York Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival. He currently works as Creative Director at Pajareza Films, a Chilean audiovisual production company where he is developing feature films and TV series for the United States and Latin America.
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THE RULE OF THREE (USA)
SYNOPSIS: A woman haunted by her OCD and intrusive thoughts must overcome herself to survive the night in the event of a terrifying home invasion by three masked slashers.
RATINGS GUIDE: Violence, Intense Images
DIRECTOR: Elwood Quincy Walker
GENRE: Horror
PREMIERE STATUS: Regional Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’SBIO: Elwood Quincy Walker is a horror film director & writer living in Los Angeles. As a child his love for halloween & Blockbuster Video led to his passion for horror filmmaking. Since then he has gone on to work as a professional commercial director at age 13, making spots for Disney & TEDx, intern at Blumhouse Productions, & make several short films that have screened & received accolades around the world. After a successful run on the festival circuit, his short film “Kissed” recently premiered online on ALTER. His latest short film “The Rule Of Three” is currently making its way on the festival circuit & he is developing it into a feature length script.
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WITCHIN’ (USA)
SYNOPSIS: A young witch’s dream of making the best potion in her class takes her to the mysterious world of human males, in search of a powerful ingredient: Big Dick Energy.
RATINGS GUIDE: Violence, Language, Sensuality, Adult Content
DIRECTOR: Christina Diamantara
GENRE: Fantasy, Comedy
PREMIERE STATUS: Utah Premiere
AWARDS NOMINATIONS: TBD
DIRECTOR’S BIO: Christina Diamantara is a Los Angeles-based writer and director currently developing her feature screenplay, GORGONA. Originally from Greece, her first short film won the Audience Award at the Thessaloniki Short Film Festival. Christina holds a BA with honors in Philology/Linguistics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute. Having gained valuable experience through her tenure at renowned production companies such as Lumad Productions – Greece and Phoenix Pictures – Los Angeles, she is currently engaged as a voice director at Horseless Cowboy Productions, where she directs English dubs for foreign Netflix shows.
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