Michael J. Hein, RIP

Michael J. Hein, founder of the New York City Horror Film Festival, died last Saturday of a heart attack. He was 41.

NorthJersey.com reports that Hein's 2001 directorial debut Biohazardous, "led to the development of the New York City Horror Film Festival.

" 'Mike was submitting Biohazardous to various film festivals and realized there was no horror festival in New York,' said Anthony Pepe, a special-effects makeup artist who worked with Mr. Hein on Biohazardous and other projects.

"Mr. Hein and Pepe launched the five-day, Halloween-season festival in 2002 at the Tribeca Film Center. Mr. Hein was festival director and Pepe the programming director. The event screened 30 films its first year.

"Last year it was based at Tribeca Cinemas. With Mr. Hein's death, the status of the 10th annual New York City Horror Film Festival, is up in the air, his mother said."

2011 Viscera Festival to Screen on July 17th in Los Angeles

Los Angeles's 405 freeway is closing this weekend -- Angelinos are calling the expected traffic nightmare Carmageddon -- but that hasn't stopped the all-women nightmares at the Viscera Horror Film Festival, scheduled for this Sunday.

Viscera promises "some of the most creative and original new short horror films made by women today. Some are terrifying, some are pulse pounding, and some are hilarious. All showcase what can be accomplished when twisted, cool, darkside-proud women get down to business."

TIME:

Sunday, July 17, 2011

5 p.m. -- Screenings begin.
8 p.m. -- Back patio "after party."
10 p.m. -- A second "after party at the Rosewood Tavern, 448 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, Ca 90036, ph: (323) 944-0980

PLACE:

The Silent Movie Theater
611 North Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca. 90036
ph: (323) 655-2520

Tickets may be purchased at: Advance tickets

$15 online. $20 at the door.

==================================

For a behind-the-scenes look at horror film festivals and the festival directors who manage them, see Horror Film Festivals and Awards. This book also includes a directory of over 200 horror film festivals, and a list of festival award winners from dozens of festivals over several decades.

South Africa's Celludroid Film Festival to Honor Richard Stanley

Festival director Paul Blom reports that his upcoming Celludroid Film Festival brings a "wild lineup of Science Fiction, Animation and Fantasy movies."

Apart from film screenings, Celludroid will honor South African horror/sci-fi filmmaker Richard Stanley (Hardware and Dust Devil).

I've seen both films several times, and though produced over 20 years ago, they hold up to contemporary films. Hardware is a powerful and beautiful post-apocalyptic horror/sci-fi thriller, whereas Dust Devil infuses a heavy dose of mysticism to its weirdly horror tale.

Only the latter film was shot in Africa, and Stanley makes effective use of the Dark Continent's unique landscapes.

Celludroid will screen at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town, South Africa. The event runs from July 5-14, 2011.

==================================

For a behind-the-scenes look at horror film festivals and the festival directors who manage them, see Horror Film Festivals and Awards. This book also includes a directory of over 200 horror film festivals, and a list of festival award winners from dozens of festivals over several decades.