The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival Announces Panels, Parties & More
East Coast Genre Fest Resurrects for 10th Anniversary
Festival to include Panels on Horror, the Film Industry, Podcast Recordings, VFX Tutorials, a Blood Drive and More!
The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival (BHFF) has announced their full list of parties, panels, podcasts and more for its 2025 incarnation, running 10 days this year in celebration of their 10-year anniversary. The festival will run from October 16-25 with all screenings held at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg, where many events will take place. Most events are open to the public, with VIP access for festival badgeholders.
Opening Night will kick things off with with the Opening Night Zombie Bash Presented by IFC/Shudder with DJ Sara Jabarri. The party starts at 10:30 pm at the Nitehawk and will run until the late hours. Friday night heads into the weekend with DJ Nuclear Volcano at Lo-Res at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg. There will be drinks, dancing and mayhem most nights at Lo-Res. On Saturday, October 25, the festival will head into hibernation after the Closing Night Halloween Party, presented by Dark Sky Films. Costumes are encouraged!
HIGHLIGHT OF SPECIAL EVENTS
NYBC Busmobile Blood Drive
We’re excited to be back with the New York Blood Center and their Busmobile to create an easy opportunity for our community to donate blood (in a safe and clean way) and help save lives. The Busmobile will be parked right in front of the Nitehawk so donate blood and save lives before/after films.
Saturday, October 18, 1-7 pm
BHFF Artists and Artisans Market
Since 2015, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival has worked with artists and brands in Brooklyn and beyond to help showcase our genre films. As a part of our 10th anniversary, we’re showcasing artists, artisans and brands that we love in the same way we’ve been able to showcase films and filmmakers the last ten years. Come out to discover and support your next favorite spooky artist.
Saturday, October 18, Sunday, October 19, 12-5 pm
Final Exam Horror Trivia
Presented by Dark Sky Films
Do you think you know more about horror films than the rest of Gotham? Then it’s time to prove it via five blistering rounds of expert level creepy trivia with hosts Ted Geoghegan (director of We Are Still Here and Shudder’s Brooklyn 45) and journalist Michael Gingold (of Fangoria and Rue Morgue fame)! Meet new friends, win amazing prizes, and learn more about horror cinema exclusively at Final Exam!
Monday, October 20, 7-9 pm
Certified Forgotten Podcast w/ Special Guest Tina Romero
Certified Forgotten is a 60-minute bi-weekly horror movie podcast with a focus on underseen films. Hosts Matt Donato and Matt Monagle speak with creators, filmmakers, and critics about their lifelong relationships to the horror genre. Each episode also highlights another unique genre title with ten-or-fewer reviews on aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes that’s picked by the guest, letting them champion each episode’s title to their heart’s content.
Saturday, October 18, 2-3 pm
Blerdy Massacre Podcast w/ Special Guest Ernest Dickerson
Join Xero Gravity and Sharai The Slayer as they Blerd-out through chaotic, topical conversations that any nerd of color would peel an ear for. Horror, sci-fi, pop culture; the whole bag.
Sunday, October 19, 2-3 pm
Live Zombie SFX Makeup Tutorial
Witness the dead come to life as makeup and special effects expert Jackie Hughes (TERRIFIER 2 & 3, CANNIBAL MUKBANG) performs a live zombie makeup tutorial. Fill your braaaains with insider knowledge on materials needed and application tricks to eat your competition alive!
Sunday, October 19th, 4-5 pm
The Rocky Horror Personality Test
Presented and performed by Alison Foreman, “The Rocky Horror Personality Test” is an interactive floor show that teaches audiences the history of the midnight movie. Volunteers will answer a series of personality test questions to determine their Rocky Horror character and act out scenes from the infamous 1975 film that spawned an entire queer movement — no musical talent or rehearsals required. As much a meditation on individuality in art as it is a reflection on flawed history and personal growth, the R.H.P.T. is a thought-provoking and funny lecture that reminds you why some movies feel like church.
Sunday, October 19th, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Panel: Raising and Praising the Dead
Join authors Lowell Greenblatt, Mary Beth McAndrews, Michael Gingold and Payton McCarty-Simas as they celebrate the releases of their new books and discuss how new life and meaning can be conjured for underappreciated films through the power of recontextualization. Moderated by Avery Coffey (The Unbound & Rewound Podcast).
Panelists
Lowell Greenblatt – Nightmare Autopsis: A Return to Elm Street
Mary Beth McAndrews – Paranormal Activity
Michael Gingold – Armies of the Night: The Warriors and its Legacy
Payton McCarty-Simas – That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism and the American Witch Film
Wednesday, October 22, 5-5:45 pm (panel), 5:45-6:45 pm (signing)
Motion Picture Pop Quiz: Brooklyn Horror Edition
The only game where you can come in knowing NOTHING and leave a big winner!
A hybrid screening party and anti-trivia competition, hosted by creator Charles Kilbourne.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
BHFF would like to thank their 2025 Sponsors:
Premium Sponsors
Arrow Video
Dark Sky Films
Gushers
Independent Film Company
Shudder
Supporting Sponsors
Cut + Measure
Den of Geek
El Buho
Horror Press
KCBC
Macabre Daily
Nightflight
Vinegar Syndrome
Yellow Veil Pictures
Read on for the list of events below.
