HorrorFest International announces official selections, ticket sales for 20th anniversary celebration

Scenes from last year's HorrorFest International, St. George, Utah, October 2021 | Photo courtesy of FMASU, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — The nonprofit Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah just announced official selections for the upcoming HorrorFest International Film Festival. Festival dates are set for Oct. 19-22, with Southern Utah’s historic Electric Theater serving as the primary venue for the event. HorrorFest is on the cusp of quite the milestone, as this spine-tingling cinematic celebration of all things horror celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Still image from a 2022 HorrorFest International selection | Photo courtesy of FMASU, St. George News

After viewing hundreds of submissions, HorrorFest programmers have finally zeroed in on the titles that will make up a most epic (and terrifying) lineup. All-access VIP Fright passes, four-day screening passes, day passes and film block tickets are on sale now. 

I couldn’t be prouder of our hardworking and passionate team, and I love the opportunity to help bring this annual festival to St. George each year. I love the experience even more when sharing it with other eager and passionate horror fans in attendance,” said John Pugh, co-director and senior programmer for HorrorFest. “Celebrating 20 years is a big deal, and with that, I am looking forward to a packed lineup of some of the best new genre films from around the world.” 

HorrorFest has screened countless genre titles from all over the world. Additionally, the festival has welcomed multiple special guests, including the likes of Ted Raimi (“Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn,” “Deadwax”), Colin Cunningham (“Falling Skies,” “Preacher,” “Centigrade”), Frank Dietz (“I Hate Kids,” Shudder’s “Creepshow” series), the Adams family (the makers of “Hellbender”) and more. 

This year’s festival, one that the well-respected website Dread Central named one of the best horror festivals in the world, will offer over 60 horror films – shorts and features – from all over the globe over the course of four fright-filled days. Additionally, HorrorFest will host filmmaker Q&As, panels, horror trivia, a live script read, a costume contest, food, an awards ceremony and more. All details are available at FMASU.com/HorrorFest. 

Included in this year’s proceedings will be: the Utah premiere of “Feed Me,” from the twisted minds of Adam Leader, Richard Oakes and Neal Ward; the Utah premiere of Shudder’s high-energy crowd-pleaser “Deadstream”; the Utah premiere of the World War I-set slice of isolated terror “Bunker”; the extensive love letter to the genre and rock world that is “The History of Metal and Horror”; and a mystery screening of yesteryear that’s sure to scare the living daylights out of you.

Additionally, HorrorFest will highlight a handful of films produced right here in the state of Utah. Included are Rob York’s “Curse of Crom: The Legend of Halloween,” a love letter to the likes of Amblin ’80s movies and the works of R.L. Stine, the haunting black-and-white mother/daughter tale “Lupe,” the sci-fi thriller “Moonstruck” and the atmospheric shocker “Quietus.”

HorrorFest is also hosting a feature and short screenplay competition.

Scenes from last year’s HorrorFest International, St. George, Utah, October 2021 | Photo courtesy of FMASU, St. George News

“The script reading was a daunting task for me and several of our esteemed screenplay committee team members,” HorrorFest co-director and senior programmer Jeff Sanders said. “However, we couldn’t be any more pleased with the submissions overall. I would even go so far as to say there were several classics in the mix! A wild, wicked, diverse ride it was this year.”

Additionally, expect plenty of special guests, including the return of Frank Dietz. This screenwriter and artist will be on hand with his nonprofit Scripts Gone Wild to do a live reading of an ’80s horror classic during what is sure to be a lively opening night afterparty. Also on hand this year are “Deadstream” creators Joseph and Vanessa Winter as well as James Huntsman and Michael Huntsman, the filmmaking team behind “Bunker.” More guests to be announced. 

HorrorFest International takes place in St. George. Just a two-hour drive north of Las Vegas and is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenic locales in the United States, including Zion National Park, Pine Valley and Snow Canyon. Come for the horror films and stay for the sights. 

This is a weekend of horror you won’t soon forget. Click here for a look at the official selections. 

HorrorFest International 

Since the early 2000s, HorrorFest has prided itself on showcasing countless horror gems of yesteryear in a bid to not only keep the spirit of horror film history alive but also to entertain audiences and champion the big screen experience.

Through the years, this long-running fest has brought titles like “The Exorcist,” “Psycho,” “Jaws,” “Dawn of the Dead,” “Phantasm,” “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” “Halloween,” “Poltergeist,” “The Omen,” “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” “Evil Dead II,” “Fright Night,” “Creepshow” and “The Shining” back to the big screen in terrifying fashion. All in all, HorrorFest has screened well over 100 influential horror properties throughout its two-decade run.

HorrorFest would eventually evolve even further and become a showcase for various film projects produced in Southern Utah and throughout the state. Since 2020, HorrorFest International has opened its arms to genre storytellers from all over the world, making for what will most certainly be the most fun you’ll ever have being scared. 

Still image from a 2022 HorrorFest International selection | Photo courtesy of FMASU, St. George News

“It’s been an exciting ride, and we couldn’t be any more excited about our upcoming 20th anniversary celebration,” HorrorFest co-director and senior programmer Adam Mast said. “We simply can’t wait to welcome a wide range of genre storytellers out in an effort to help us scare the pants off of attendees.” 

Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah

Formed in 2017, FMASU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to encourage, inspire, nurture and educate filmmaking talent and to preserve film history and the theatrical experience. FMASU does this by way of several film-related events throughout the year, including the Desertscape International Film Festival, HorrorFest International, The Electric Film Series, A Merry Movie Christmas and the Guerilla Filmmaking Challenges – quick-turnaround filmmaking competitions that take place three times per year.

While FMASU prides itself on its Southern Utah roots, the alliance is equally interested in championing storytellers from all around the world. Of course, the primary goal is to engage everyone through the culturally expansive nature of the world’s greatest art form: cinema! To learn all about FMASU and/or to donate, visit FMASU.com

•  S P O N S O R E D   C O N T E N T  •

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!