The best of the horror film world gathered in New York to celebrate the New York City Horror Film Festival. The festival kicked off October 19th with a huge party at the famed Don Hills Night Club followed by four days of sold out film screenings, celebrity appearances, and an incredible and informative panel discussion at Tribeca Cinemas in Lower Manhattan.
In addition to showcasing some of the best new horror films in the competition series, the NYCHFF also presented the world premiere of Tobe Hooper’s MORTUARY. The Festival also celebrated the release of Showtime’s Masters of Horror series with the world premiere screening of Don Coscorelli’s Incident on and Off a Mountain Road. With both director Don Coscrelli (Bubba Ho Tep) and actor Angus Scrimm (theTall Man) in attendance. The NYCHFF also presented horror premiere’s of Three Extremes, Lions Gate’s Tamara and a charity screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to benefit the hurricane relief efforts.
The NYC Horror Film Festival and Dark Castle Entertainment awarded horror legend Roger Corman with the Festival’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. During a special program honoring Mr. Corman’s career as Producing and directing pioneer, the Festival screened Mr. Corman’s directorial masterpiece, the outstanding “Masque of the Red Death” staring Vincent Price. Mr. Corman then granted the packed house with an entertaining Q&A after the ceremony.
On Sunday, October 23 the fourth NYC Horror Film Festival announced awards in six categories:
BEST FEATURE: “THE DARK HOURS” – Directed by Paul Fox
Starring Kate Greenhouse, Aidan Devine, Gordon Currie
Dr. Samatha Goodman, a psychiatrist, joins her husband and
sister for a weekend at a winter cottage when an unexpected
guest arrives from her past. The NYCHFF would like to congratulate
Paul and everyone involved with this disturbing and amazing film!
BEST SHORT: “ZOMBIE MOVIE” – Directed by Michael j. asquith
New Zealand,1986. The zombie apocalypse is here and three mates are stranded. The trusty Holden is out of gas. With only fast food scraps and a few cigarettes for sustenance, surviving each other may prove harder than facing the undead outside.
BEST ACTOR: JASON CAMBELL for “NIGHTMARE”
Directed by Dylan Bank
A director is forced to make a movie chronicling the murders he thinks he is committing. Congratulations to both Nicole and Jason for outstanding performances.
BEST ACTRESS: NICOLE RODERICK for “NIGHTMARE”
Directed by Dylan Bank
A director is forced to make a movie chronicling the murders he thinks he is committing. Congratulations to both Nicole and Jason for outstanding performances
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: “HEADSPACE” Cinematography by William Miller.
Directed by Andrew Van Den Hauten
Alex’s nightmare begins when he meets Harry, a mysterious artist and chess master. Long suppressed memories surface and Alex must face the terrors of his violent past. But it is only the beginning of Alex’s calamity. Congratulations to William and Andrew for the award and providing the audience with disturbing and creative imagery.
BEST MAKEUP EFFECTS: “NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH” Special Effects by Leonard MacDonald
Directed by Graeme Whifler
Nothing bad could ever happen on quiet, tree lined Wormwood Drive. At least that’s what Bob and Wendi thought, before they met their new neighbor, Adrien. Behind Adrien’s grin lurks a dark obsession with poison and self-mutilation. Congratulations to Leonard and Graeme for causing one of our patrons to actually pass out!!
AUDIENCE CHOICE: “ROAD KILL” Directed by Mark Mardini
With one murder left to complete the greatest killing spree of all time, the Southside Butcher picks an easy target to complete his masterpiece. But chaos becomes inevitable when his final victim turns out to be more of a challenge than he originally expected. The NYCHFF would like to thank Mark for making such a hilarious and original film, and to all of the audiences who voted for it!
2005 Panelists included: Bill Lustig (Director / Producer / CEO of Blue Underground), Michael Gingold (Writer / Managing Editor, Fangoria Magazine) Armand Mastroianni (Director, He Knows Your Alone, Tales from the Dark side) Kim Bangash (President HorrorNet, Film Financier)
For more info, visit the New York City Horror Film Festival website.
