Nothing says Halloween like Horror-Fest. This cinematic celebration of all things Halloween has been terrifying attendees since 2002. This year’s ghoulish festivities will include a costume contest and other tricks and treats, but the highlight of the event will be the increasingly popular Guerilla Shorts Showcase.
October will mark the 10th anniversary of this filmmaking platform, and it will see southern Utah-based storytellers of all ages and skill sets putting together short films in a limited amount of time using any resources available to them. For the challenge this year, local filmmakers were asked to build their five-minute-long short film projects around fortunes pulled from what event organizers affectionately refer to as “misfortune cookies.”
Come on out and see what these amazing filmmakers come up with. You can also support our local filmmaking talent by getting in on the action and voting for your favorite short. Prizes will be awarded to the strongest films in various categories.
This year’s batch of amazingly talented (and passionate) filmmakers includes Rebekah Jackson, Dan Bringhurst, Jordan Hurd, Cragun Clayburn, Sandi Catten, Derek Solberg, Dan Fowlks, Caleb Hatton, Vanessa Hunt, Brandon Tippetts, Lonie Black, Liz Baxter, John Pugh, Matthew Moon, Don Barfuss, Alysha Aldred, Mike Wiest, Shaun Labrecque, Sheldon Demke, Adam Mast, Christian Navarrete, and Kipp Howard.
The Guerilla Shorts Showcase will be followed by a special Local Filmmaker Spotlight. The centerpiece will be director Caleb Hatton’s chilling adaptation of “The Tell-Tale Heart.” This has become something of a tradition in St. George as local filmmaker Dan Fowlks premiered his own creative interpretation of this famed Edgar Allan Poe tale last year. Storyteller Trey Paterson is close to finishing his take on “The Tell-Tale Heart” as well, and with any luck, that version will screen next year.
“Horror-Fest 2015” promises to provide quite the fright for folks of all ages. It should also be noted that part of “Horror-Fest” ticket proceeds will go towards the construction of the All-Abilities Park in Tonaquint. Get the crap scared out of you, and support local filmmaking and a great cause all at the same time!
Horror-Fest 2015 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. at Megaplex’s Red Cliffs Cinema. Be sure to lend your support by spreading the word, and don’t forget to attend in costume. It isn’t mandatory, of course, but it’ll add to the overall excitement of what’s sure to be a joyfully terrifying evening.
For updated info on southern Utah’s cinematic Halloween event of the year, click here.
Check out last October’s award winning Guerilla Short, “Unfortunate Bargain,” directed by Derek Solberg.
