News

Nightmares Film Festival 2018 was an Indie Filmmakers Dream

Published

6 years ago

October 31, 2018

On the weekend of October 18-21, 2018, independent filmmakers from around the world gathered at the Gateway Film Center in Columbus, Ohio for the third annual Nightmares Film Festival, and it was a weekend few will ever forget.

Just before the lights went down for the festival’s first showing, Bill Lustig (Maniac Cop) gleefully set the mood for the rest of the weekend as he related how his production team had inadvertently misplaced the original negative for their 1980 classic slasher Maniac. They had labeled all of the storage boxes with their working title which they had used on permits, call sheets, etc. so that people would be less likely to balk at their filming a horror film in certain locations…and then forgot about their own hilariously devious plotting.

It was a move that many in the audience seemed to relate to, and as the lights came up after the 4K restoration of Maniac screened, Lustig happily answered questions and spoke to fans.

As the festival got into its groove, these Q&As hosted by festival directors Jason Tostevin and Chris Hamel along with Bridget Oliver and a host of other staff and volunteers coordinating the efforts, became one of the places to be after screenings.

Filmmakers eagerly answered questions about their craft and as they came to an end one could inevitably pick out several other filmmakers who had been making their own mental notes and were making plans to apply them to future endeavors.

This environment of sharing and learning from each other is carefully cultivated at Nightmares Film Festival. They even went so far as to set aside an hour with zero programming this year so that directors, writers, actors, etc. could gather and network.

It was moments like these that set the tone and prove their dedication to their Better Horror hashtag.

In fact, the weekend could just as easily be defined in introductions and connections made as it could be by the films that were screened.

And speaking of those films! I could write 200 hundred articles and never cover the breadth of programming this festival had to offer.

I do want to call out a few highlights, however.

This year’s Horror Comedy Shorts block on opening night was a special treat for fans with dark humor to spare especially with Randy Gonzalez’s Amigos.

The writer/director took a look into a dark possible future of the U.S. in which people of color are rounded up and sold for cash. He unflinchingly looked at those who would join such movements and turned a mirror on their actions with razor-sharp wit. He also wins my personal prize for best closing line of a film from the entire weekend which I won’t share to avoid spoilers.

Friday started the day with a bang with director Rob Grant‘s Alive, written by Chuck McCue and Jules Vincent which told the harrowing story of a seriously injured man and woman who awaken in a dirty, abandoned hospital with only a seriously disturbed doctor (Angus Mcfadyen) to care for them.

It was a twisted film with a surprise ending that no one in the audience saw coming.

Nightmares Film Festival co-directors Chris Hamel and Jason Tostevin were in the thick of things throughout the weekend.

Friday also saw the premiere of this year’s NFF Esprit de Gore winner Chris Ethridge’s new sci-fi/horror film Haven’s End. Ethridge was in attendance with a large portion of his cast and crew including Catherine Taber, Anthony Nguyen, and genre favorite Hannah Fierman (V/H/S) along with producer and VFX artist Stacey Palmer–who also spoke on the festival’s Social Progress Through Horror panel later in the weekend.

Everyone was talking about Michelle Iannantuono’s Livescream on Saturday. The feature, which was paired with Torin Langen’s exquisitely strange extended media short film Offerings, was something completely different for the audience as the director took us inside a Twitch channel where a sinister new game began killing off viewers as it tormented the man playing the game.

Iannantuono not only directed the film, but also created the game using Unreal Engine earning her ALL of the available cool points to be spared.

Fans also filled the theater to watch Vincente DiSanti’s epic Friday the 13th fan film, Never Hike Alone, and were struck not only by its intensity but also by the fact that, though it might not be an official sequel, it might be one of the best produced sequels we’ve seen in decades.

Through it all, the creatives and fans gathered around the Gateway Film Center’s bars to discuss the magical process that is filmmaking. It was not out of place to overhear deals being made and new partnerships forged over drinks and dinner in the Torpedo Room or upstairs in the VIP lounge.

And all the while, the NFF staff made the rounds, introducing filmmakers, chatting about projects, and underlining by practice and not just words that they’re dedicated to being the best independent horror film festival they can be.

If you missed this year’s Nightmares Film Festival, never fear. Plans are already under way to make 2019 even better, and iHorror will keep you informed as details emerge in the new year!

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Movies

’47 Meters Down’ Getting Third Movie Called ‘The Wreck’

Published

17 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Deadline is reporting that a new 47 Meters Down installment is heading into production, making the shark series a trilogy.

“Series creator Johannes Roberts, and screenwriter Ernest Riera, who wrote the first two films, have co-written the third installment: 47 Meters Down: The Wreck.” Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine) will direct.

The first two films were a moderate success, released in 2017 and 2019 respectively. The second film is titled 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.

^{47 Meters Down}

The plot for The Wreck is detailed by Deadline. They write that it involves a father and daughter trying to repair their relationship by spending time together scuba diving into a sunken ship, “But soon after their descent, their master diver has an accident leaving them alone and unprotected inside the labyrinth of the wreck. As tensions rise and oxygen dwindles, the pair must use their newfound bond to escape the wreck and the relentless barrage of bloodthirsty great white sharks.”

The filmmakers are hoping to present the pitch to the Cannes market with production starting in the fall.

“47 Meters Down: The Wreck is the perfect continuation of our shark-filled franchise,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “This film will once again have moviegoers terrified and on the edge of their seats.”

Johannes Roberts adds, “We can’t wait for audiences to be trapped underwater with us again. 47 Meters Down: The Wreck is going to be the biggest, most-intense film of this franchise.”

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News

‘Wednesday’ Season Two Drops New Teaser Video That Reveals Full Cast

Published

20 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Cameron McFarland

Netflix announced this morning that Wednesday season 2 is finally entering production. Fans have been waiting a long time for more of the creepy icon. Season one of Wednesday premiered in November of 2022.

In our new world of streaming entertainment, it isn’t uncommon for shows to take years to release a new season. If they release another one at all. Even though we will likely have to wait quite a while to see the show, any news is good news.

The new season of Wednesday looks to have an amazing cast. Jenna Ortega (Scream) will be reprising her iconic role as Wednesday. She will be joined by Billie Piper (Scoop), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Evie Templeton (Return to Silent Hill), Owen Painter (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Noah Taylor (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

We will also get to see some of the amazing cast from season one making a return. Wednesday season 2 will feature Catherine-Zeta Jones (Side Effects), Luis Guzman (Genie), Issac Ordonez (A Wrinkle in Time), and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Devs).

If all of that star power wasn’t enough, the legendary Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas) will be directing the series. As a cheeky nod from Netflix, this season of Wednesday will be titled Here We Woe Again.

Jenna Ortega Wednesday — Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams

We don’t know much about much about what Wednesday season two will entail. However, Ortega has stated that this season will be more horror focused. “We’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror. It’s really, really exciting because, all throughout the show, while Wednesday does need a little bit of an arc, she never really changes and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”

That’s all the information that we have. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Movies

A24 Reportedly “Pulls Plug” On Peacock’s ‘Crystal Lake’ Series

Published

21 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Film studio A24 might not be going forward with its planned Peacock Friday the 13th spinoff called Crystal Lake according to Fridaythe13thfranchise.com. The website quotes entertainment blogger Jeff Sneider who made a statement on his webpage through a subscription paywall.

“I’m hearing that A24 has pulled the plug on Crystal Lake, its planned Peacock series based on the Friday the 13th franchise featuring masked killer Jason Voorhees. Bryan Fuller was due to executive produce the horror series.

It’s unclear whether this is a permanent decision or a temporary one, as A24 had no comment. Perhaps Peacock will help the trades shed more light on this project, which was announced back in 2022.”

Back in January 2023, we reported that some big names were behind this streaming project including Bryan Fuller, Kevin Williamson, and Friday the 13th Part 2 final girl Adrienne King.

“‘Crystal Lake info from Bryan Fuller! They officially start writing in 2 weeks (writers are here in the audience).” tweeted social media writer Eric Goldman who tweeted the info while attending a Friday the 13th 3D screening event in January 2023. “It will have two scores to choose from – a modern one and a classic Harry Manfredini one. Kevin Williamson is writing an episode. Adrienne King will have a recurring role. Yay! Fuller has pitched four seasons for Crystal Lake. Only one officially ordered so far though he notes Peacock would have to pay a pretty hefty penalty if they didn’t order a Season 2. Asked if he can confirm Pamela’s role in the Crystal Lake series, Fuller replied ‘We’re honestly going to be covering it all. The series is covering the life and times of these two characters’ (presumably he’s referring to Pamela and Jason there!)'”

Whether or not Peacock is moving forward with the project is unclear and since this news is secondhand information, it still has to be verified which will require Peacock and/or A24 to make an official statement which they have yet to do.

But keep checking back to iHorror for the latest updates to this developing story.

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