News

Premiering at FrightFest in London on the 28th August, Teddy Bears Picnic is a proof of concept horror short from Tom Hodge – aka The Dude Designs – the poster artist behind artwork for films such Hobo with A Shotgun (2011), The Innkeepers (2011), The Heat (2013), WolfCop (2014), The Other Side of The Door (2016), and They Live.

Written, produced, directed and financed by Hodge, the short film stars Abby Miller (Justified, Aquarius & The Sinner TV series), Laurence R Harvey (Human Centipede 2+3, ABCs of Death 2 & The Editor) and Lorelei Winterfrost; and is inspired by the classic 1907 melody of the same name… only this time re-envisioned as a nightmarish fable that twists the concept of childhood innocence!

Says Hodge:

I love horror as a genre for its pure unabashed creativity. It gives you a wider scope to create unique characters and settings. What are nightmares if not essentially creative? I particularly loved the creativity of high...

Tagline: "28 new directors...26 new ways to die." A new ABCs of Death film is coming your way. Packed with twenty-six new shorts, ABCs of Death 2.5 will be released this Summer. And, each new tale will begin with the letter "M." Participating shorts include: "M for Moonstruck," "M is for Mother" and Todd E. Freeman's (Cell Count) "M is for Marriage." Each short is up to 3 minutes long. And, this newest film, in the ABCs of Death franchise, is over eighty-five minutes long. The trailer for this latest feature is hosted below. The trailer has all sorts of gooey goodness. From decapitations to shootings, the clip has all forms of maggoty madness. As well, these latest twenty-six shorts have been picked from 500 entries. So, the absolute blood-splattering best will be in this latest incarnation. More on ABCs of Death 2.5 is available below (also called ABCs of Death 2 1/2: World...

MoreHorror.com

The little short film that won't quit is still making waves in the horror community.

After tearing up the film festival circuit, Heir has been nominated for a 14th annual Rondo Hatton Award in the Best Short Film category.

You can cast your vote for this year's awards at the official website here.

Heir Synopsis

After connecting with a stranger of similar interests online, Gordon and his young son Paul, embark on an ill-fated road trip in which Gordon aims to indulge a secret passion. Before the day ends a horrible truth will be uncovered and a harsh lesson will be learned.

Starring Bill Oberst Jr (Resolution, Circus Of The Dead, Take This Lollipop) and Robert Nolan (Familiar, Berkshire Country, Silent Retreat), Written and Directed by Richard Powell (Worm, Familiar), Fatal Pictures’ Zach Green and Richard Powell produced (Worm, Familiar) in association with Marc Roussel and Ron Basch from Red Sneakers Media (Remote,...

The short film Heir has been tearing up the festival circuit and now has been nominated for Best Short Film at this years iHorror Awards.

Heir is the fourth short from Fatal Pictures. You can cast your vote for the short film here, as well as vote for other films which make up the 2016 iHorror Awards list. One of your favorite horror films of last year might be there! Vote Now!

Heir Synopsis

After connecting with a stranger of similar interests online, Gordon and his young son Paul, embark on an ill-fated road trip in which Gordon aims to indulge a secret passion. Before the day ends a horrible truth will be uncovered and a harsh lesson will be learned.

Starring Bill Oberst Jr (Resolution, Circus Of The Dead, Take This Lollipop) and Robert Nolan (Familiar, Berkshire Country, Silent Retreat), Written and Directed by Richard Powell (Worm, Familiar), Fatal Pictures...

The teaser trailer for the critically acclaimed horror short Heir has been released. We have the teaser for you to view below the details.

Heir, the final entry in the "Box Cutter Trilogy" produced by Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media will be hitting the festival circuit in the near future.

The final short in the trio of linked shorts each representing “different theories on the origin and operation of sociopaths” sports Practical FX, which should make horror fans cheer. Read our exclusive interview with Heir Writer/Director Richard Powell and Producer Zach Green here.

Check out a larger version of the poster below as well as a couple movie stills and watch for a review on MoreHorror.com soon!

About Heir

Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media is proud to announce Heir - A touching tale of father & son from the filmmakers that brought you Worm,...

Fatal Pictures released a teaser trailer for Heir - a horror short film directed by Richard Powell. Also in this round-up: release details for Army of Frankensteins and The Horror Network, as well as news on Tokyo Gore School from Myx TV's Horror Programming.

Heir: Starring the iconic Bill Oberst Jr., Heir will have its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival on Tuesday, July 28th:

Press Release: "Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media is proud to announce Heir - A touching tale of father and son from the filmmakers that brought you Worm, Familiar, Remote and The Last Halloween. This practical effects horror short is a monster movie unlike any other, it is a bleak and fantastical examination of one of societies darkest taboos that aims to stimulate the mind and wrench the gut with equal power.

Starring Bill Oberst Jr. (Resolution, Circus Of The Dead,...

Release details for Forbidden Empire and Doomsdays, along with a promo video for A&E's Damien and details on the horror short, Heir, are featured in our latest round-up.

Forbidden Empire: Starring Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Forbidden Empire hits VOD on May 22nd:

"An 18th century explorer sets out on an epic journey to map the forbidden uncharted lands of Transylvania only to discover its dark secrets and dangerous creatures hidden in a cursed, fantastical forest."

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Doomsdays: A pre-apocalyptic comedy, Eddie Mullins' Doomsdays hits theaters on June 5th:

"A pre-apocalyptic comedy, Doomsdays follows the misadventures of Dirty Fred (Justin Rice) and Bruho (Leo Fitzpatrick), a pair of free-wheeling squatters with a taste for unoccupied vacation homes in the Catskills. Their commitment to the lifestyle is challenged, however, when a runaway teen and an aimless young woman join their peculiar tribe.

A killer new poster design for Heir has been released. Looks pretty sick to us!

Heir, the final entry in the "Box Cutter Trilogy" produced by Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media is set to hit the festival circuit soon.

The final short in the trio of linked shorts each representing “different theories on the origin and operation of sociopaths” sports Practical FX, which should make horror fans cheer. Read our exclusive interview with Heir Writer/Director Richard Powell and Producer Zach Green here.

Check out a larger version of the poster below as well as a couple movie stills and watch for a review on MoreHorror.com soon!

From The Press Release

Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media is proud to announce Heir - A touching tale of father & son from the filmmakers that brought you Worm, Familiar, Remote & The Last Halloween. This practical effects...

Fatal Pictures recently celebrated a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign for their final short film Heir. The film promises to be gory, horrific and monstrous and will showcase practical FX.

We've been sent a few stills from the set and thought we'd share them below. Enjoy!

About Heir

Produced by Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media, "Heir" is the final entry in their "Box Cutter Trilogy", a trio of linked shorts each representing “different theories on the origin and operation of sociopaths,”.

The first two shorts, Worm and Familiar have received excellent reviews from around the genre.

Credits

Starring, The Emmy award winning Bill Oberst Jr. (Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies, Take This Lollipop & Children Of Sorrow) & Robert Nolan (Worm, Sick, Familiar) Written & Directed by Richard Powell (Consumption, Worm, & Familiar) Produced by Zach Green (Consumption, Worm, & Familiar) Marc Roussel & Ron Basch (Remote, Elusive Man & The Sweetest Hippopotamus) & Richard Powell, Associate Producer Seth Metoyer (Cell Count,...

Following previous announcements of their film lineup, the Fantasia International Film Festival has released their full lineup of movies to be shown at the 18th Annual festival, starting July 17.

New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.

Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.

View the whole press release of additional announcements below:

Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday

With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...

FRONTIÈRES International Co-Production Market has announced it’s official selection for it’s return to this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival. Frontieres is the first and only co-production market to connect North America and Europe in an environment focused specifically on genre film production. The initiative began in 2012 with 14 projects selected including works by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson (Resolution), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) and Bruce McDonald (Pontypool). This fourth edition will bring together 12 projects hailing from Canada, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, the UK and the United-States.

Frontieres will take place from July 24th to 27th. This group of filmmakers in particular presents a high volume of fresh filmmakers, many of whom will be presenting their debut feature length films. This is rounded off by a handful of internationally known filmmakers.

The official Frontières selection of Frontières @ Fantasia 2014 consists of the following projects:

Dead Noon (Luxembourg)

Director/Writer: Jeff Desom...

Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, has just announced the official selections of the fourth edition of its Frontières International Co-Production Market.

Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!

From the Press Release

Montreal, Thursday May 15, 2014 – Just over a month after its first European edition in Brussels, the Frontières International Co-Production Market has selected the official line-up of Frontières projects for its 4th edition.

For its return to Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, from July 24 to 27, 12 Frontières projects have been selected, hailing from Canada, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, the UK and the United-States.

This project selection boasts a higher-than-usual concentration of fresh talents, many of them presenting first feature film projects after many award-winning shorts, or second features following debuts that traveled extensively on the festival circuit.

The producers of the upcoming horror flick Squeal: Blood Harvest have officially announced that horror director James Cullen Bressack, known for his work on such films as 13/13/13, Hate Crime, and the forthcoming Blood Lake has officially signed on to direct the psychological horror thriller. Says Bressack:

“I’m very excited to be a part of this awesome project and to push the envelope to a place it hasn’t been yet.”

Bressack is not the only high-profile addition to the film, one of my favourite indie horror actors, Bill Oberst Jr. (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, Children of Sorrow) has joined the production and is set to play the lead role of Uncle Ollie.

Squeal: Blood Harvest follows the story of young Maggie Crane and her brother Jake as they attempt to unravel the mystery behind Jack’s recurrent nightmares of squealing pigs. After a move to their Uncle Ollie’s farm,...

James Cullen Bressack has officially signed on to direct the psychological horror thriller Squeal: Blood Harvest, and the prolific young indie filmmaker promises to "push the envelope to a place it hasn’t been yet."

Bressack is known for his work on such films as 13/13/13, Hate Crime, and Blood Lake. Bill Oberst, Jr. (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, Children of Sorrow), is set to play the lead role of Uncle Ollie.

The screenplay was written by Michael Hultquist (Arena, Victim) based on an original story concept created by Seth Metoyer (Cell Count, Deadly Punkettes, Ballerina Massacre) and story coordinator Shannon Hilson. The film is currently in pre-production and scheduled for a 2015 release through Oberst and Metoyer's Dismal Productions in association with MOnsterworks66. Executive producer Steve Boyle recently joined the project, and additional casting is in progress.

Synopsis:

Squeal: Blood Harvest follows the story of young Maggie Crane and her brother, Jake,...

We’re back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes DVD release details for Compound Fracture, trailers for Altergeist and Aftermath, first details on Danger Word, the Stage Fright call for submissions, and the lineup from Sci Fest in Los Angeles, a review of the second season of Holliston, and much more:

Compound Fracture DVD Release Details: “Level 33 Entertainment announced today the release of the highly anticipated horror feature film Compound Fracture coming to DVD and VOD on May 13, 2014. Bringing together three iconic figures in the horror pantheon, Compound Fracture stars Tyler Mane (Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s Hallowee), Muse Watson (Ben Willis in I Know What You Did Last Summer), and Derek Mears (Jason Voorhees in the new Friday The 13th). The movie will be available at all major retail and rental outlets including Walmart,...

by David Harkness, MoreHorror.com

The production team of upcoming horror feature, Squeal: Blood Harvest has officially announced that horror director James Cullen Bressack has officially signed on to direct the psychological horror thriller.

“I’m very excited to be a part of this awesome project and to push the envelope to a place it hasn’t been yet.” said Bressack in response to inquiries about his involvement in the much anticipated release.

Bressack is known within the indie horror film industry for his work on such films as 13/13/13, Hate Crime, and Blood Lake. He first exploded onto the scene at the age of 18 with the success of his first feature My Pure Joy and has been generating a considerable amount of buzz ever since. He has also been active in the production of a series of horror anthologies focused on showcasing other up and coming indie horror filmmakers.

Bressack's...

Fatal Pictures has unveiled a Kickstarter campaign for their final short film Heir. The film promises to be gory, horrific and monstrous and will showcase practical FX.

Produced by Fatal Pictures in association with Red Sneakers Media, "Heir" is the final entry in their "Box Cutter Trilogy", a trio of linked shorts each representing “different theories on the origin and operation of sociopaths,” and is looking to raise $17,000.

The first two shorts, Worm and Familiar have received excellent reviews from around the genre. (Check out our review of Familiar). Also be sure to read our exclusive interview with some of the heavy hitters of Heir here.

Be sure to check out the Heir Kickstarter campaign to see how you can get involved and be part of the making of this film. They are offering some great perks!

Credits

Starring, The Emmy award winning Bill Oberst Jr. (Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies,...

The competition for the 26th spot on the ABCs of Death 2 horror anthology is in full swing. Several directors have submitted their films for the top spot of being included in the future release of this film. Todd E. Freeman (Cell Count) has thrown his hat in the ring and his film is titled "M is for Marriage." This short film stars Natalie Victoria (Deadheads) and Jeffree Newman. The film is a disturbing one and it is hosted below, in its entirety. The film's story involves bio-transference psychology and an angry patient. This patient is able to transfer some of her hate, for her husband, onto the psychologist and her darker emotions appear as lesions, on the counsellour. The ending is a blood splattering good time. Fans of Todd E. Freeman or of the short film can help this title win the competition. Viewers simply need to click like on...

We recently heard from the fine folks behind the indie thriller Deep Dark, who have provided us with two exclusive stills to share. Check 'em out now! The voices coming from that dark hole in your room demand it!

In the film directed by Michael Medaglia, Sean McGrath (Cell Count) stars as Herman, a failed sculptor who finds his muse in the most unexpected of places, and their relationship leads to some pretty strange and violent stuff. Deep Dark is described as “a modern cocktail of several genres that serves up equal parts psychological horror and romance because, after all, love can be a little scary.”

Deep Dark was also written by Medaglia and is being produced by Lara Cuddy, Todd E. Freeman, Jason Freeman, Thomas Ethan Harris, and David Woods. Look for more on the film soon!

Synopsis:

A failed sculptor finds a strange, talking hole in the wall.

And the award for dirtiest sounding headline of the day goes to... Hey, it's Hump Day! Whattaya expect? That being said, check out these two new stills from the indie flick Deep Dark.

In the film directed by Michael Medaglia, Sean McGrath (Cell Count) stars as Herman, a failed sculptor who finds his muse in the most unexpected of places, and their relationship leads to some pretty strange and violent stuff. The flick is described as a modern cocktail of several genres and serves up equal parts psychological horror and romance because, after all, love can be a little scary.

Synopsis:

A failed sculptor finds a strange, talking hole in the wall. The hole has the power to fulfill his wildest dreams, or it just might become his worst nightmare.

Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!

Got news? Click here to submit it!

Hear voices in the comments section below!

The first frame grab from the feature film “Deep Dark” shows lead character Hermann (Sean McGrath, Cell Count) in his new home. In this dilapidated apartment he finds his muse and the film showcases the strange, sometimes violent relationship that develops between them. A modern cocktail of several genres, the film serves up equal parts psychological horror and romance, because after all, love can be a little scary.

Michael Medaglia says, “Deep Dark is an indie … Continue reading →...

Ever be sitting alone in your room when all of a sudden you hear a voice emanating from a dark hole beside you? If you were in the 1977 soft-porn classic Chatterbox, this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but in Deep Dark? Yeah, not good.

In the film directed by Michael Medaglia, Sean McGrath (Cell Count) stars as Herman, a failed sculptor who finds his muse in the most unexpected of places, and their relationship leads to some pretty strange and violent stuff. The flick is described as a modern cocktail of several genres and serves up equal parts psychological horror and romance because, after all, love can be a little scary.

Check out the first still below.

Synopsis:

A failed sculptor finds a strange, talking hole in the wall. The hole has the power to fulfill his wildest dreams, or it just might become his worst nightmare.

Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!

My favorite line from this trailer: “The blood and guts fly out….the camera does not stop rolling!”…Well, let’s hope not!

The movie’s lead actor, who is slicing his way through more than half-naked nubile bodies is Bill Oberst Jr. If you were at the screening of the St. Louis-lensed shocker Coyote last month at Mx Theater, you saw that film’s star Mr. Oberst who is currently swinging for the title of “Hardest Working Man In Horror” with no less than twelve major roles in independent horror films this year. Bill’s most famous role was as honest Abe in Abraham Lincoln Vs Zombies (2012), which, though not quite as good as Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter, was far superior than that boring-ass Speilberg movie.

The Los Angeles-based actor has just arrived in the woods of Kentucky to start shooting his 6th feature film of the year (The...

by Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

A new teaser video for Ditch Day Massacre has been released (watch it under the details below).

The bloody film stars actor Bill Oberst Jr. as the axe wielding killer. Oberst is on track to complete 12 horror films this year, now that's some heavy lifting!

Check out all the details below and don't miss Ditch Day Massacre when it releases.

From The Press Release:

(With 12 Flicks In One Year, Is This The Hardest Working Man In Horror?)

A new teaser vid for the film Ditch has posted and the movie's lead actor is slicing his way through more than half-naked nubile bodies: Bill Oberst Jr. is swinging for the title of Hardest Working Man In Horror.

Oberst is on track to complete roles in 12 independent horror/thriller movies by year's end. The Los Angeles-based actor has just arrived in the woods of Kentucky to start...

By Terry Farmer, MoreHorror.com

The latest news from Hollywoodland is that two horror powerhouses – Seth Metoyer and Bill Obert Jr’s Dismal Productions and Maria Olsen’s MOnsterworks66 – have joined forces to bring their rabid horror fans Squeal: The Harvest, a dark and sordid feature that will leave audiences gasping and, yes, squealing!

Michael Hultquist (Arena, Victim) has written a cracker of a script exploring murder, mutilation and mayhem, and the cast will be headed by the ultra-creepy Oberst as Uncle Ollie. Oberst is probably best known for winning a Daytime Emmy award for his role in the internet sensation Take This Lollipop, which was actually blocked on Facebook under suspicion of being a malicious app when it was first released. His other on-screen horror triumphs include Children of Sorrow, Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, The Shunning and Deadly Revisions.

Squeal will also feature Olsen in a supporting role, and...

Brothers Todd and Jason Freeman are a filmmaker duo who have been working together for more than 15 years. They collaborate closely during the creative process yet each writes and directs their own films. I caught them fresh off of completing two microbudget movies back-to-back. Jason’s feature, The Weather Outside, is a kind of noir drama which takes place over the Christmas holidays. Todd’s film, Cell Count, is a body horror flick about the side-effects of an experimental drug treatment. Filmmaker: How do you work as both brothers and a filmmaking team? Jason: Well, it starts early on. One of …...

By David Harkness, MoreHorror.com

Dismal Productions has unveiled the first poster and details for the upcoming horror film Squeal (working title).

The movie is currently in pre-production and has tapped Ted Payson (The Cohasset Snuff Film, Sunday Night Slaughters) to direct. The story is by Seth Metoyer (Cell Count, Slink) and Shannon Hilson. The script was penned by Michael Hultquist (Arena, Victim). Poster design was created by Charlie Hintz of Mental Shed Studios.

Squeal is currently casting for minor roles, but actor Bill Oberst Jr. (Children of Sorrow, Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies) will be playing the role of Uncle Ollie. Consequently, Oberst and Metoyer co-own Dismal Productions. When speaking with Oberst about his role as Uncle Ollie, Oberst said it was "perfect" for him because he is "so twisted".

When speaking about the script, Oberst added that it has a "very fun and scary vibe...it's like Escape To Witch Mountain...

In Cell Count, Russell reluctantly agrees to support his dying wife, Sadie, in taking part in an experimental treatment. Russell is recruited to participate in the program, as well. Sadie’s Doctor promises results that seem too good to be true. But, despite their skepticism, the couple goes along with the program anyway. The problem is that their skepticism is not unfounded. In fact, it is more than warranted. It seems that 'the cure' may be worse than the disease.

Robert McKeehen (Grimm) stars as Russell and Haley Talbot (Grimm) as Sadie. The performances are reasonably good. The characters are easy enough to either relate to or empathize with. The only performance that I have any criticism against is Ted Rooney (Roswell) as Abraham. Rooney’s performance is a bit over acted at times. His performance is believable for most of the film, but he becomes a bit hammy in the final fifteen minutes.

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

Bill Oberst Jr, the actor who brings your worst nightmares to life on the big screen has just been cast in the upcoming feature film Cell Count II: Blood Count.

"Blood Count" is the counterpart to the slow burning original film Cell Count (review). Check out a larger version below the press release of the cool artist illustration of the character Oberst will be playing, Ernest Freemont.

Stay tuned for more details about this film as they become available.

From The Press Release:

The feature film “Cell Count” went to film festivals all over the world in 2012 and is now available on all leading digital VOD stores including iTunes. It is now the Freeman Brothers’ profound pleasure to announce that horror icon Bill Oberst Jr. will be coming onboard for the upcoming sequel entitled “Cell Count II: Blood Count.”

“Blood Count” starts where the first...

There is something about an intriguing movie poster, and Cell Count certainly had one of those. Created by The Dude Designs, the original poster (see it here) was filled with characters from the film but dominated by that freaky no-face guy. Well, dig the new teaser poster for the film's sequel.

Todd E. Freeman, the writer/director of the original film, will return to take the helm of Cell Count 2: Blood Count, which picks up where the original left off, taking the survivors on a high-speed journey filled with monsters and fugitives. Kinda like Tommy Boy meets The Devil's Rejects, right?

Freeman says, "I’ve been so excited to get started on the sequel ever since writing the original screenplay for Cell Count. That film was always meant to be the first act in a much bigger story. Blood Count is the second and much more insane act. I...

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

The feature film Cell Count (review) went to film festivals all over the world in 2012 with much critical acclaim and is now available on all leading digital VOD stores including iTunes. It is now the Freeman Brothers’ profound pleasure to present the Teaser poster for the upcoming sequel entitled “Cell Count II: Blood Count.”

“Blood Count” starts where the first film left off and takes our survivors on a high speed journey filled with monsters and fugitives. It is a bloody high octane counterpart to the slow burning original film “Cell Count.”

“"I’ve been so excited to get started on the sequel ever since writing the original screenplay for Cell Count. That film was always meant to be the first act in a much bigger story. Blood Count is the second and much more insane act. I liken it to Road Warrior meets Aliens.

The latest edition of the Indie Spotlight contains all of the recent independent horror news sent our way. This week’s feature includes a new trailer for Girls Against Boys, first photos from Slamdance films Ghost Team One and Jug Face, a review of Bradley Scott Sullivan’s I Didn’t Come Here to Die, and much more:

New Trailer for Girls Against Boys: “When Shae (Danielle Panabaker), a naïve college student, is tormented by several men in a matter of days, she reaches her breaking point, and is drawn into coworker Lu’s (Nicole Laliberte) twisted plan for revenge. Together, the two embark on a gruesome killing spree, terrorizing and brutally murdering not just their attackers, but any man who gets in their way. However, after a wild weekend of retaliation, the friendship between the girls shifts into a dangerous obsession, and their perverse game becomes a desperate...

Fans of religious horror, keep your eyes on Todd and Jason Freeman's Wake Before I Die, a feature length film adapted from the novel My Soul to Take by their pastor father Dale Freeman. Check out the trailer and a new poster from artist Tom Hodge at The Dude Designs - and Fear Thy Neighbor!

Wake Before I Die was written and directed by The Brothers Freeman. It stars Robert McKeehen, Audrey Walker, Cheyenne Canfield, Elijah Nelson, Nouel Riel, Michael J. Prosser, Joshua St. James, Benedict Herrman, Victor Morris, Danny Bruno, Robert Blanche, Adrienne Vogel, Trish Egan, Betty Moyer, and Josiah Nelson. Robert Blanche produced.

“This was the first film that we shot in 2010," says Todd on the film's website. "Jason and I adapted the screenplay from our dad’s book My Soul to Take. Later that year we shot The Weather Outside, written and directed by Jason, and Cell Count,...

This edition of Indie Spotlight is filled with slashers, zombies, and more of the latest independent horror news sent our way. Continue reading for girls fighting slasher villains in Slasher Squad, release details for Cell Count, and multiple trailers:

First Details on Slasher Squad: “Slasher Squad is an 8 minute, action-horror short film about a team of sexy and deadly women who hunt slasher villains by using themselves as bait. Think of a darker Charlie’S Angels meets Friday The 13th, inspired by the likes of Buffy, Mission Impossible and even Scooby Doo. It’s not a comedy but has a wicked sense of humour, playing with the conventions of the genre alongside films like Wes Craven’s Scream and Joss Whedon’s recent Cabin In The Woods.

It’s a genre mashup of horror and action, taking place in a larger-than-life world. A place where sexy, kick-ass heroines battle terrifying villains.

On October 26-28 Celluloid Screams, the Sheffield Horror Film Festival, will be delivering its fourth year of thrills, spills and chills at Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema. The folks behind Celluloid Screams have lifted the curtain on just which twisted delights are in store for the weekend. Dig in!

Friday, October 26

7:00pm – Opening Gala:

Sightseers

with Certified (Short – UK Premiere)

Chris (Steve Oram) wants to show Tina (Alice Lowe) his world and he wants to do it his way – on a journey through the British Isles in his beloved Abbey Oxford Caravan. Tina’s led a sheltered life and there are things that Chris needs her to see – the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Keswick Pencil Museum and the rolling countryside that accompanies these wonders in his life. But it doesn’t take long for the dream to fade. Litterbugs, noisy teenagers and pre-booked caravan sites, not to mention Tina’s meddling mother,...

The organisers of the Sheffield horror festival Celluloid Screams, which this year takes place at the Showroom Cinema on October 26th – 28th, have announced the line-up of this years festival, including a gala screening of Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers, the UK premiere’s of Cell Count, Memory of the Dead, Resolution and The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh, and the annual “Secret Screening”.

The line-up in full:

Friday 26th October

7.00pm – Opening Gala: Sightseers + Certified (Short – UK Premiere)

9.30pm – Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut + Odokuro (Short)

[Followed by Q&A with Nick Vince, Simon Bamford, Hugh Ross and Russell Cherrington)

Saturday 27th October

10.30am - Manborg + Zombie Chic 3D (Short) + Metal Creepers (Short)

12.05pm – Opera + Yellow (Short)

2.40pm - Into The Abyss: The Savage Cinema Of Dennison Ramalho [Short Film Retrospective followed by Q&A]

4.20pm – V/H/S

7.20pm – Cell Count (UK Premiere – followed by Q&A with Director Todd E. Freeman) + The Captured Bird (Short)

9.45pm – Secret Film + 3.00Am (Short)

00.00am – Hidden In The Woods + The Other...

We’re back with another edition of our Indie Spotlight. This week’s feature includes news on an upcoming screening of American Mary, a newly launched horror magazine, distribution for Cell Count, a T-Shirt for The Walking Dead, and more:

Cell Count Distribution News: “FilmBuff has come onboard to digitally distribute the sci-fi horror film festival favorite, Cell Count from filmmaker Todd E. Freeman (Two Fisted and Pray for Hell), starring Robert McKeehen (“Leverage”), Haley Talbot (“Grimm”), Ted Rooney (“Boardwalk Empire”) and Daniel Baldwin (Grey Gardens).

The film, which had its world premiere at the 2012 Fantaspoa Film Festival in Brazil, is the story of Russell Carpenter, a man who reluctantly admits his wife Sadie into an experimental treatment facility for her life-threatening disease. While locked in this prison-like surrounding, they along with 6 others are unknowingly subjected to a cure that might just be worse than the disease itself.

Cell Count...

I haven’t seen writer/director Todd Freeman’s sci-fi/horror flick “Cell Count” yet, but that’s apparently going to change later this year. Indie distributor FilmBuff will unleash this low-budget shocker on various digital platforms this November, which means I should, in theory, be able to track down a copy with relative ease. That’s the idea, anyway. Those of you attending Sitges Film Festival and/or Celluloid Screams this October will be able to catch a screening at both events, so do look into that if you’re intrigued by what you see below. Before continuing, let’s study this passage together: The film, which had its world premiere at the 2012 Fantaspoa Film Festival in Brazil, is the story of Russell Carpenter, a man who reluctantly admits his wife, Sadie, into an experimental treatment facility for her life-threatening disease. While locked in this prison-like surrounding, they, along with six others,...

As Sheffield’s premier horror film festival, Celluloid Screams, gears up for its fourth year of delivering the scares this October 26th-28th, we got word on the first batch of announced screenings taking place amidst a packed programme of previews, special guests and more. Check it out!

Feature Films

Special Event: Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut

(UK/USA) – Dir. Clive Barker / Restoration Director. Russell Cherrington

The turbulent production of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed is the stuff of legend, and the film released in 1990 was a far cry from Barker’s original novella, with many significant scenes excised by the film’s producers. Presumed lost for over twenty years, the footage surfaced in the form of two separate workprints and has been integrated with scenes from the original theatrical version to create The Cabal Cut – a fully fleshed-out monster epic that captures Clive Barker’s original vision in vivid detail.

We've been talking about the indie effort Cell Count for quite a few months here on Dread Central, and finally some news has come pertaining to just when and more importantly how we're going to be able to see it!

Written and directed by Todd Freeman, Cell Count is the story of an experimental treatment gone horribly wrong. For more info check out the official Cell Count website, and like Cell Count on Facebook.

From the Press Release

FilmBuff has come on board to digitally distribute the sci-fi horror film festival favorite Cell Count from filmmaker Todd E. Freeman (Two Fisted and Pray for Hell), starring Robert McKeehen ("Leverage"), Haley Talbot ("Grimm"), Ted Rooney ("Boardwalk Empire"), and Daniel Baldwin (Grey Gardens).

The film, which had its world premiere at the 2012 Fantaspoa Film Festival in Brazil, is the story of Russell Carpenter, a man who reluctantly admits his wife, Sadie, into...

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

The feature film Cell Count (review) has been selected by the 2012 Sitges Film Festival in Spain.

Check out the trailer and poster (designed by The Dude Designs) below the official press release.

From the Press Release:

The feature film “Cell Count" premiered on May 20th at the Fantaspoa Fantastic Film Festival and is an Official Selection of this year's Macabro Film Festival in Mexico City. This week offered the Producer's of the film an exciting third acceptance to a film festival so far this year, the Sitges Film Festival in Spain.

The Sitges Film Festival is 'the number one fantasy film festival in the world and represents, at the same time, the cultural expression with the most media impact in Catalonia. With a solid experience, the Sitges Festival is a stimulating universe of encounters, exhibitions, presentations and screenings of fantasy films from all over the world.

The Science-Fiction genre is not something often attempted by independent filmmakers. The aesthetics of the genre can be a little intimidating. Most Sci-Fi films are heavy on effects, and visual style. It takes real talent to craft a film, that matches those standards on a low budget. Todd E. Freeman has managed to capture perfectly, the visual style of a multi-million dollar Sci-Fi/Horror film, with a modest budget that contains far less zeros.

Cell Count follows Russell Carpenter(I see what you did there, and I like it), at the bedside of his wife, Sadie. Sadie is wasting away from an undisclosed disease, and Russell has just been informed that there is nothing more the doctors can do. That is to say, there’s nothing more that can be done at the hospital. Sadie’s doctor, Dr. Victor Grant, alerts Russell to the existence of an experimental, government funded study,...

*full disclosure: a screener was provided by Mr. Freeman. **mild spoilers ahoy! Director/Writer: Todd E. Freeman Cast: Robert McKeehen, Haley Talbot and Christopher Toyne Plenty of Portland, Oregon talent can be found in Cell Count, a film by Todd E. Freeman, also a native resident. Not only does the movie feature cast members who appeared in NBC's "Grimm," but it also showcases this director's other talents like penning a very thoughtful screenplay. This movie is set to make its world premiere at the Fantaspoa, the biggest genre film festival of South America, in Porto Alegre, Brazil this weekend. Portuguese subtitles will be added and the directors of this show see tons of potential for this indie film. They are not alone. Among story analysts, they will find that Freeman crafted a product that will tantalize audiences in many ways. The movie tugs at the heart string with a powerful...

By Jason Lees, MoreHorror.com

Every now and again a film comes along and reminds me why I love movies in general, and our genre in particular. It’s the surprises, those out of left field moments that if you got hit with them anywhere else you’d be pissed.

Here, in our little corner of the movie world, it’s those batshit crazy bits that keep us coming back time and again. If you went to the drive thru, ordered your burger, then bit into it and found out that it was filled with pudding, you’d be ready to beat the cook to death with your happy meal toy.

If you went to your lawyer to finalize your divorce, but found out that he was wearing a clown suit when you got to his office, you’d be in need of two lawyers, one for the ex and...

By MoreHorror.com

Starting next week, on May 4th through May, 20th, Porto Alegre will be the Latin American Capital of Genre Cinema as Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival 2012 unleashes.

Fantaspoa – International Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre, the biggest genre film festival of Latin America will be back for its 8th edition, with 17 days of pure cinephilia, exhibiting 150 films – including 87 features from 32 countries: 5 having their world première, 12 in national première and 43 in their Latin America première. The festival will also bring more than 35 guests, including the duo that will be getting a Career Achievement Award: David Schmoeller and Stuart Gordon. Schmoeller, in the occasion, will also have the première of his first feature in 14 years: “Little Monsters”.

The festival will open and close with two world premières: “Nervo Craniano Zero”, directed by Paulo Biscaia Filho will open the festival and “Cell Count”, directed by Todd E. Freeman will close it.

Latin America is getting in on the genre action! Starting next week, on may 4th and going until may, 20th, Brazil’s Porto Alegre will be capital of Genre Cinema. Fantaspoa – International Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre, the biggest genre film festival of South America will be back for its 8th edition, with 17 days of pure cinephilia, exhibiting 150 films – including 87 features from 32 countries: 5 having their world première, 12 in national première and 43 in their Latin America première. The festival will also bring more than 35 guests, including the duo that will be getting a Career Achievement Award: David Schmoeller and Stuart Gordon. Schmoeller, in the occasion, will also have the première of his first feature in 14 years: “Little Monsters”. The festival will open and close with two world premières: “Nervo Craniano Zero”, directed by Paulo Biscaia Filho will open the festival and “Cell Count”, directed by Todd E. Freeman will close it.

By MoreHorror.com

We do quite a bit of giveaways here on MoreHorror, but this one has a bit of a twist. One of the prizes is a poster design, which happened to be crafted by The Dude Designs, who also designed the poster for another current giveaway we have going on for The Inkeepers movie.

So here's the deal. We are giving away 2 copies of the 'Cell Count' poster (design can be seen to the left) as well as 2 t-shirts of the same design.

To win, simply email your full name and physical address to cellcount@morehorror.com with the subject line "Cell Count Giveway". All winners are chosen randomly, so good luck!

Check out the full press release details about 'Cell Count' and "The Dude Designs" partnering for a nice throw back piece of art to the horror of old. You can also view...

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

Today we were told that the upcoming film Cell Count will be the closing night film at this years The Fantaspoa Film Festival.

Cell Count looks like a pretty slick film that finds a husband reluctantly admitting his wife into an experimental treatment facility to treat her life threatening disease. While locked in this prison like surrounding they, along with 6 others, are unknowingly subjected to a cure that might just be worse than the disease itself.

Check out the official trailer and poster below the official press release.

From The Press Release:

The Fantaspoa Film Festival announced last month that the feature film “Cell Count,” Produced by Polluted Pictures in association with Wooden Frame Productions, would be the Closing Night Film at their Festival in May.

Last year’s Closing Night Film, “Stakeland" (review), was later released in theaters in 2011 by IFC Films and Dark Sky Films.

We’re back with our latest Indie Spotlight. This weekend’s coverage includes The Fields‘ Blu-ray/DVD release, a zombie-killing gorilla with a baseball bat, paranormal investigators, and much more…

The Fields Blu-ray/DVD Release: Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman’s (Fox’s “Raising Hope”) thriller The Fields is coming to Blu-Ray (Srp $29.99) and DVD (Srp 24.99) from Breaking Glass Pictures (5 Star Day, Cropsey, The Living Wake). Written by Harrison Smith (Six Degrees of Hell) and directed by Tom Mattera and David Mazzoni (cult favorite The 4th Dimension), the film also stars Tara Reid (American Reunion) and newcomer Joshua Ormond (Sundance hit Robot and Frank).

Based on actual events, The Fields follows a young boy named Steven during the summer of 1973. Steven (Ormond) is sent to live in the Pennsylvania countryside with his grandparents while his mother (Reid) and father (Faust Checho) work through their marital troubles. Though his grandmother (Leachman...

I'd been unaware of Cell Count up until today, but that was until I saw this cool poster by Tom Hodge at The Dude Designs. The film is written and directed by Todd Freeman (Wake Before I Die) and stars Robert McKeehen ("Leverage"), Haley Talbot ("Grimm"), Ted Rooney ("Boardwalk Empire") and Daniel Baldwin. The film, "is the story of Russell Carpenter, who reluctantly admits his wife, Sadie, into an experimental treatment facility for her life threatening disease. While locked in this prison like surrounding they, along with six others, are unknowingly subjected to a cure that might just be worse than the disease itself."...