The Problem with the Saturn Awards

Every year, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films presents its annual Saturn Awards. The Academy claims that its goal is to recognize genre excellence.

The problem is, it doesn't even try to do so.

The Academy's genre definitions are so elastic, all manner of non-horror (and non-science fiction/non-fantasy) films qualify for Academy screenings and Saturn Awards.

Who or what is to blame? Among the prime culprits are studio publicists.

I wrote about this problem back in 1997. My article eventually saw print in 2001.

It's now available for free online at Communist Vampires.

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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.

Los Angeles Hosts World's Largest Zombie Walk

What is a zombie walk? It's when a group of people in zombie makeup gather for a mass saunter. (Real zombie saunter rather than walk or run.) Horror film festivals and conventions sometimes host zombie walks. Other zombie walks are standalone events.

Last weekend, Los Angeles hosted what claims to be the world's largest zombie walk to date. According to the L.A. Weekly:

"About 800 people gathered around Pershing Square in the guise of the brain-hungry undead in an attempt to break the world record for biggest mob of zombies in a group walk on Friday, May 13. Many of the gore-goers were dressed head-to-toe and said they'd prepared their costumes weeks in advance, while others came straight from work and simply doused themselves in red paint. The youngest zombie was just over a year old, proof you're never too young to get in on a little flesh eating.

You can see photos at the L.A. Weekly.

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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.

Indie Film Net Announces Midnight Movie Series

This press release was submitted by IndieFilmNet's Bob Golibersuch:

IndieFilmNet (IFN) a digital/e-cinema network currently providing major arthouse movies and performing arts presentations to theatres worldwide, has announced the launch of IFN:MIDNIGHTS a movie series and theatrical release slate dedicated to horror and other edgy genre titles.

IFN:MIDNIGHTS will be featuring new horror titles from indie filmmakers, monster and grindhouse revivals, as well as other genre-bending movies to thrill midnight audiences.

"Horror and midnight movies have a rabid and dedicated fan base in almost every city," said Bob Golibersuch, IFN Director of Movie Programming and owner of Screening Room Cinemas (home to the Buffalo Screams Film Festival). "We intend to combine midnight classics and undiscovered thrillers with the new crop of indie horror movies to create a series of titles that will satisfy horror fans and be an exciting big screen group experience."

Depending on the release, IFN acts as either the theatrical distributor or digital release partner. Theatres are able to book midnight shows, single screenings or full-run engagements for any title in the series.

Initial titles include the award winning Australian exploitation homage, El Monstro del Mar, the must-see movie of the spring Hobo With a Shotgun, and a digital revival of The Brain That Wouldn't Die.

IFN is a digital/e-cinema network assembled for the theatrical distribution and presentation of movies and alternative content. With its head office in New York and operations center in Montreal, the network focuses on delivering performing arts productions, concerts, major specialty releases and independent features to digitally equipped cinema venues in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, UK and other territories.

For more information on submitting movies for consideration OR booking IFN:MIDNIGHTS for your theatre, please contact: Bob Golibersuch, 716-837-0376, 716-465-0651, bobg@screeningroom.net

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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.

Tabloid Witch Award Winner Christopher Alan Broadstone's Latest Projects

Filmmaker Christopher Alan Broadstone, whose film, Human No More won 3 Tabloid Witch Awards in 2005, discusses his upcoming projects:



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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.

Chemical Burn Seeks Horror Films for Distribution

Received from Warren Croyle, CEO of Chemical Burn Entertainment:

Chemical Burn Entertainment is an international horror film producer/distributor that strives to bring the consumer the best Horror, Gore, Sexploitation and Grindhouse from around the globe. We are interested in supporting talented, up and coming, filmmakers and are accepting screeners from festival entrants who would like to be considered for possible distribution.

Interested filmmakers should send a screener, along with complete contact information to:

Chemical Burn
PO Box 91
Foresthill, CA 95631

We will review all submissions and then contact the filmmakers directly if we are interested. Thank you for your hard work in support of the film community, we appreciate your efforts very much.

ADDENDUM (May 30, 2012): Chemical Burn informs me that their films are no longer distributed by Warner Bros.

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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.

New York City Horror Film Fest at Tribeca and TromaDance

Submitted by the New York City Horror Film Festival:

The New York City Horror Film Festival is co-hosting screenings as part of the late night "Cinemania" selections during the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, April 20 - May 1.

The New York City Horror Film Fest is giving away 6 pairs of free tickets to Cinemania! To enter this drawing, send an email to NYHorrorprogram@aol.com with the phrase: "Free Tribeca Horror Tickets" in the title.

Winners chosen at random and notified through email. Tickets will be pick-up at theater (will call) at time of screening only.

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New York City Horror Film Fest director Michael Hein will serve on a discussion panel on Saturday, 5 p.m., at the TromaDance Film Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey. April 22-23, 2011.

Other panelists include Michael Gingold (managing editor of Fangoria), animator John Goras (Chirpy), actress Debbie Rochon, animator Bill Plympton, and New York State Film Commissioner Pat Kaufman.

TromaDance founder, Lloyd Kaufman, will serve as moderator.

The panel's topic: Selling Your Movie in the Age of Digital Revolution: Now that the digital revolution allows anyone to make a movie, how do filmmakers live off them in a media world controlled by giant conglomerates?

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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 African HorrorFest -- Call for Entries

Paul Blom writes:

These genre events from Flamedrop Productions are still the only of its kind on the African continent:


South African HorrorFest

Film Submissions are open for our 7th annual South African HorrorFest Film Festival (October / November 2011). All info at the Submission tab on Horrofest.info.

We include feature films and short films, and the short story competition which was launched last year will again be a part of the event (in addition to the live movie soundtrack to a classic silent horror movie by The Makabra Ensemble, Halloween dress-ups & more). We're also looking at re-launching the dark art & photography exhibition this year.

Celludroid

In addition, our 2nd Celludroid Sci-Fi / Anime / Fantasy Film Festival will this time happen mid-July 2011 (awaiting word on a visiting director). Feature and short film submission info can be found at Celludroid.net.

X Fest

The 4th X FEST Extreme / Cult / Underground Film Festival will go down August / September 2011. All info at Xfest.org.

These and other alternative film festival web links can be found at Flamdrop.com.

No entry fees charged for movie submissions at any of the festivals. Closing dates listed at the web sites.

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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.