The New York City Horror Film Festival (NYCHFF) is celebrating a milestone of 20 years bringing the ghouls and scares to the fans of horror and suspense. This year the festival will be back live at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, 260 West 23rd Street, New York December 1st – 4th. Over 50 films will be screened from around the world as well as a surprise lifetime achievement guest.
There are 13 programs, each program consists of features and shorts combined to satisfy the fright in you along with Q&A panels, and a Bar.
NEW YORK CITY – The 20TH New York City Horror Film Festival kicks off from December 1st- 4th with the East Coast Premiere feature Candyland by Director John Swab. Some of the cast include Olivia Luccardi, Owen Campbell, Eden Brolin, Guinevere Turner, Brad Carter , Sam Quartin, Billy Blair and William Baldwin. The film follows a young disciple of a religious cult, Remy, who stumbles upon a rag-tag group of truck stop sex workers known as “lot lizards” who take her under their wing. As Remy immerses herself in this new underground world, her true colors are revealed in a way that neither her former nor new family could have ever imagined.” After its live premiere on December 1st at Cinepolis, fans who are aren’t able to make the live screening would be able to stream it online the next day.
East Coast Premiere of Beaten to Death by Director Sam Curtain. Who returns with his third feature in a loose trilogy of harsh survivalist tales. If you thought BLOOD HUNT (2017) and THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE KILLER (2020) were hardened, grim fare, you’re about to be sucker-punched because Sam Curtain delivers a king hit. Some of the cast include Nicole Tudor, Benny Blake, Thomas Roach and David Tracy.
The following shorts will also kick off at the opening night: A Quarter Past Three, by Directors Michael Leavy, Jason, Leavy, Love You, Mama by Director Alexandra Magistro, From Where It Hides by Director Quinn Halbeck, Repression by Director Kevin K Lee, and Unreel by Director Chris Smith.
The festival will also be featuring Worst Laid Plans — Three tales of vacation-themed horror adapted from the bestselling book by Grindhouse Press by Directors Christopher Moore, John Hale and Jeremy Herbert. They are “Deep in the Heart” —a fractured family tries to reconnect while touring a cave system that hides a horrifying secret. “You’ve Been Saved” a story of two reunited friends on a road trip full of nostalgia and hangovers. When one of them is slipped a cryptic note by a young girl, their vacation takes a sinister turn. “And finally, “Taylor Family Vacation ’93″— a father on vacation notices someone’s been secretly filming his family in their hotel room and decides to take matters into his own hands with a game of cat-and-mouse played within his own camcorder.”
There will also be virtual screenings which will be available one day after the live screening. VIP passes and tickets are on sale now.
The NYC Horror Film Festival is the brainchild of Michael J. Hein. He created the festival in 2001 as a venue for newer independent horror filmmaking. After Michael’s passing in 2011, the festival created the Michael J. Hein Achievement Award to celebrate the hard work and perseverance of creators in the field. Rob Zombie, Stuart Gordon, Tom Atkins were the first recipients of this award. The very first Festival took place at Tribeca Cinemas in 2001.
After two years hiatus, this year, the festival will continue its Lifetime Achievement Award that honors the scare masters of horror. George Romero was the first recipient of this award followed by Tom Savini, Tobe Hooper, Roger Corman, Mick Garris, Herschell Gordon Lewis, Frank Henenlotter, Bill Lustig, Robert Englund, Late Wes Craven, Lloyd Kaufman, Angus Scrimm, Sean Cunningham, Adrienne Barbeau, Brad Dourif, Tony Todd, and Greg Nicotero.
For more information about the festival and to purchase passes and tickets, please go to www.nychorrorfest.com
