HorrorFest International Film Festival, which takes place in St. George, Utah, just concluded its 20th Anniversary edition and frankly, served as a reminder as to the baseline value of a good fest, run by people who take a creative approach, pay attention to the details, and legit love the films they program and the filmmakers they host.
Well-curated without hanging their festival’s hat on an A24 “elevated horror” title or some other celebrated genre film with famous names in it, but instead leaning heavy into actual independently produced films – both features and shorts, the trio behind the fest (Adam Mast, John Pugh, and Jeff Sanders) seriously impressed me with their approach and their care for the attending filmmakers.
The Q&As and personal conversations were a reminder of how fulfilling and fun the film festival experience can be beyond the business benefits of having your film at a good regional fest. Add to that, having a true horror filmmaking veteran and ambassador to the art of making horror films, Frank Dietz, as a reassuring and informative presence for the young filmmakers was very much the cherry on top for the whole thing.
Here’s a photo gallery with some of the attending talent…
BUNKER’s creative brothers team: James Huntsman (PROD), Michael Huntsman (SCR) (Photo by Wildman)
HorrorFest’s Adam Mast, Jeff Sanders, BUNKER’s duo of James Huntsman (PROD), Michael Huntsman (SCR), and HorrorFest’s John Pugh (Photo by Wildman)
STATIC’s Johnny Giacalone (Co-SCR/PROD/CAST) (Photo by Wildman)
MILO’s Sarah de Groot (DIR/Co-SCR/PROD) (Photo by Wildman)
MILO’s Sarah de Groot gets her close up. (Photo by Wildman)
MILO’s Deon Scott (Co-SCR/CAST) (Photo by Wildman)
MILO’s Deon Scott gets his close up. (Photo by Wildman)
MILO’s Robert de Groot (AC) (Photo by Wildman)
MILO’s Robert de Groot (AC) with the close up. (Photo by Wildman)
The MILO team (Robert and Sarah de Groot, and Deon Scott) made the trip from Atlanta to Utah to represent their film at Horrorfest International. (Photo by Wildman)
Sarah de Groot (MILO) being interviewed. (Photo by Wildman)
HorrorFest International’s video captures the MILO team (Robert and Sarah de Groot, and Deon Scott). (Photo by Wildman)
Christopher Stevens, director/co-writer, and producer of VIRGIL (Photo by Wildman)
VIRGIL’s Christopher Stevens (DIR/Co-SCR/PROD) (Photo by Wildman)
VIRGIL’s Christopher Stevens joined by his wife, Hailey (Photo by Wildman)
The VIRGIL close up: Christopher and Hailey Stevens (Photo by Wildman)
VIRGIL’s Christopher Stevens being interviewed. (Photo by Wildman)
THE DEVOTED director, writer, executive producer, and DP, Gabrielle Paciorek (Photo by Wildman)
Gabrielle Paciorek (THE DEVOTED) gets her close up. (Photo by WIldman)
THE DEVOTED producer Julie Bersani (Photo by Wildman)
Julie Bersani (THE DEVOTED) with the close up. (Photo by Wildman)
THE DEVOTED team: Julie Bersani and Gabrielle Paciorek (Photo by Wildman)
Julie Bersani (PROD) and Gabrielle Paciorek (DIR/SCR/EXEC PROD/DP) of THE DEVOTED give some close up attitude. (Photo by Wildman)
THE DEVOTED women (Julie Bersani and Gabrielle Paciorek) being interviewed. (Photo by Wildman)
Before they go Julie Bersani and Gabrielle Paciorek of THE DEVOTED want to show where their horror filmmaking hearts are.. (Photo by Wildman)
BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE’s Choni Francis (DIR/CAST) (Photo by Wildman)
BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE’s Choni Francis gets his close up. (Photo by Wildman)
BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE’s producer Brittney Harris (Photo by WIldman)
Brittney Harris (BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE) (Photo by Wildman)
The BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE dynamic duo of Brittney Harris (PROD) and Choni Francis (DIR/CAST) (Photo by Wildman)
The big close up on Brittney Harris and Choni Francis (BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE) (Photo by Wildman)
Choni Francis (BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE) is the center of attention. (Photo by Wildman)
BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE’s Choni Francis being interviewed. (Photo by Wildman)
David Love, director, writer, and executive producer of CREEPER (Photo by Wildman)
CREEPER’s David LOVE (Co-DIR/SCR/EXEC PROD) (Photo by Wildman)
CREEPER’s David Love being interviewed. (Photo by Wildman)
David Love (CREEPER) talking to the HorrorFest International camera. (Photo by WIldman)
Horror Renaissance man Frank Dietz showing he could’ve been a J.Crew model in another life. (Photo by Wildman)
Frank Dietz takes time off from talking about horror films to get a close up. (Photo by Wildman)
THE APPLICANT’s Jared Tipton (SCR/ED/CAST) (Photo by Wildman)
Jared Tipton (THE APPLICANT) gets his close up. (Photo by Wildman)
Jared Tipton (THE APPLICANT) being interviewed. (Photo by Wildman)
HorrorFest International Film Festival’s Adam Mast and John Pugh (Photo by Wildman)
HorrorFest International Film Festival’s Adam Mast, John Pugh, and Jeff Sanders (Photo by Wildman)
All in the horror family: HorrorFest’s Adam Mast, BLACK ZOMBIE MOVIE’s Brittney Harris and Choni Francis, special guest Frank Dietz, and HorrorFest’s John Pugh (Photo by Wildman)
DEADSTREAM’s Vanessa and Joseph Winter with HorrorFest’s Adam Mast
