10th SA Horrorfest returns

The 10th annual South African HORRORFEST Film Festival and Halloween event launched today, October 29and promises another jam-packed 10 days of thrills and excitement.  

First on the menu is the Bloody Parchment literary night where local authors read from their work at the Book Lounge (cnr. Roeland & Buitenkant Str., Cape Town).

An hour later at the Labia Theatre is the free opening screening of the classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre (all seats unfortunately already taken).  From there onward it is a host of movies (new, rare and classic) and short films (you’re unlikely to see in any other local cinema), a unique live soundtrack performance to a classic silent film, a night market, Halloween dress-up competition, a new kids’ screening, prizes, give-aways, a special free Horror moviemaking master class with SAE & more.

Here are some of the things to look forward to during the ten day festival.

FEATURE FILMS:
On-line ticket links & schedule at: www.quicket.co.za/organisers/576-south-african-horrorfest

CLASSICS
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – A free opening screening of this legendary movie (celebrating its hair-raising 40th anniversary) – already booked solid
Halloween – 35th anniversary special restored & re-mastered re-release of John Carpenter’s classic 1979 slasher (3 shows)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Audience participation screening of this musical cult classic (Sat 1 Nov)
Dementia 13 – One of Francis Coppolla’s first movies (1963 – a decade before his Oscar-winning triumph, The Godfather)
She-Beast – Classic witch possession movie (1966)

LIVE SOUNDTRACK PERFORMANCE
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari – This timeless 1920 silent film will be screened with a new soundtrack performed live by The Makabre Ensemble on Halloween night (Friday October 31), co-inciding with the Halloween dress-up competition and Night Market (with a range of exciting stalls from clothing and jewelry to books, DVDs, HorrorFest merch & more). Live sound by Point Blanc Event Technical Solutions

FOR THE KIDS
The Nightmare Before Christmas – Expanding the HorrorFest to include a special kids’ chapter on Saturday November 1 (Halloween dress up not compulsory, but encouraged)

DOCUMENTARIES
Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey Of Richard Stanley’s The Island Of Dr. Moreau – Documentary on the South African-born director’s crazy experience in the undoing of his labour of love, by many factors – from a vain Val Kilmer to the studio and disastrous weather (Wednesday, November 5).
Yellow Fever: The Rise & Fall Of The Giallo – In-depth documentary on the Italian thriller/horror genre (featuring Dario Argento, Umberto Lenzi and more)

SOUTH AFRICAN CONNECTIONS
In addition to several short films and the Richard Stanley-linked documentary above, other locally connected movies will include:
Julia – South African born director Matthew A. Brown’s stylish neon-noir revenge tale with a twist (shot in the USA). Features music by acclaimed SA group Lark.
Queen of Blood – Vampire sequel to Fangoria editor Chris Alexander’s Blood For Irina (starring SA-born actress Shauna Henry)
Another World – Zombie-action movie (arrive still in costume from the Zombie Walk and get a 2nd ticket free).  Shot in Israel, starring SA-born actor David Lavenski.

WOMEN IN HORROR HIGHLIGHTS
Soulmate – A moody ghost tale has a widow encountering something strange in a Welsh country house (directed by Axelle Carolyn)
Evangeline – A woman left for dead is resurrected by a demon, empowering her with a bloodlust for vengeance (directed by Karen Lam)
Raynard’s Circles- A documentary crew investigates on occult Nazi (co-directed by Maria Valle)
Sunday 2 November’s short film chapter will also feature female directors

MORE INDIE MOVIES
Nymph – An ancient blood thirsty mermaid emerges near an idyllic Mediterranean coastal town (feat. the legendary Franco Nero aka Django)
Candlestick – Clever UK Hitchcockian thriller
Pernicious – A trio of cute tourists in Thailand fall under the spell of a murdered child entity bent on revenge
The Forgotten – A father and son squats in a London flat, but strange noises start coming from next door
The Perfect Husband and many more  films.

SHORT FILMS
SHADOW REALM SHORT FILM COLLECTION – consists of four fantastic anthologies of short films from every corner of the globe, from South Africa, the USA, France and UK, to Spain, UAE, Argentina, Estonia etc.

Best short film prize sponsored by VISUAL IMPACT.