Screamfest Horror Film Festival Explained

Screamfest Horror Film Festival
Location:Los Angeles, US
Founded:2001
Language:International

Screamfest Horror Film Festival is a horror film festival founded by film producers Rachel Belofsky and Ross Martin in August 2001.[1] [2] [3] [4] It runs over ten days during the month of October and is hosted at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Los Angeles, California.[5] [6] In 2015, the festival celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and has been credited as being the largest and longest running horror film festival in the United States.[7] [8] The 2016 Screamfest was from October 18 through the 27.[9] [10]

Screamfest premieres and showcases new work from American and international independent horror filmmakers.[11] Films that have premiered at the festival include Paranormal Activity, the series' final installment, ,[12] [13] 30 Days Of Night, Let The Right One In, The Grudge, and The Human Centipede.[14]

Screamfest has received praise from AMC as being an "audience-friendly fest that celebrates indie and foreign horror and is run for the fans more than the industry".[15] The festival was also featured in a 2012 episode of Cupcake Wars, where the winning team would create cupcakes for the festival's closing VIP event.[16]

Skull Awards

The Screamfest Skull Award is awarded at the festival in several categories, which can include the following:[17] [18] [19]

Career achievement awards are also occasionally awarded at the festival.[21] [22]

Convention history

Dates Location Awards
October 24–25, 2001Vogue Theater Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, California		Most Creative Short: Earth Day, Best Student Short: The Appointment, Best Animation: , Best Screenplay: Vampire's Hell, Best Short Screenplay: The Bloated Beetle, Honorable Mention Screenplays: Shadows of Life, Abductions, Best Special Effects: Cradle of Fear, Best Editing: Cradle of Fear, Best Cinematography: Deep in the Woods, Best Makeup: Night of the Headsman, Best Actor: Jeff Rector (Fatal Kiss), Best Actress: Jennifer De Martino (The Appointment), Audience Choice Award: Night of the Headsman, Best Director: Jeff Rector (Fatal Kiss), Best Foreign Film: Blood: The Last Vampire, Best Film: Y2K[23]
October 17–20, 2002TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Repossessed, Best Student Short: Off, Best Animated Short: Puphedz, Best Horror Comedy Short: Bad Father, Best Screenplay: Bloodlines, Best Horror Comedy Screenplay: Ravenna, Best Short Screenplay: Reset, Best Special Effects: Curse of the Forty-Niner, Best Cinematography: R.S.V.P., Best Makeup: Kolobos, Best Actor: Rick Otto (R.S.V.P.), Best Actress: Marianne Hayden (Ghostwatcher), Best Documentary: ISPR Investigates: The Ghosts Of Belgrave Hall, Best Director: Todd Ocvirk and Daniel Liabtowitsch (Kolobos), Best Foreign Film: , Best Picture: Kolobos, Career Achievement Award: William Friedkin[24]
October 10–19, 2003TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Ice Cold, Best Student Short: 3AM, Best Animated Short: Deadtime Stories, Best Horror Comedy Short: R.I.P., Best Editing: A Tale of Two Sisters, Best Special Effects: Ghost System, Best Cinematography: A Tale Of Two Sisters, Best Makeup: Sangre Eterna, Best Musical Score: Ghost System, Best Actor: Juan Pablo Ogalde (Sangre Eterna), Best Actress: Im Soo-jung (A Tale Of Two Sisters), Best Short Screenplay: Souls, Best Screenplay: Desolate, Best Director: Kim Jee-woon (A Tale Of Two Sisters), Best Picture: A Tale Of Two Sisters, Career Achievement Award: Wes Craven[25]
October 15–24, 2004TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: El Ciclo, Best Student Short: The Taking, Best Animated Short: Day Off The Dead, Best Documentary: , Best Editing: The Invisible, Best Special Effects: Cube Zero, Best Cinematography: The Invisible, Best Makeup: Cube Zero, Best Musical Score: Drowning Ghost, Best Actor: Gustaf Skarsgård (The Invisible), Best Actress: Tuva Novotny (The Invisible), Best Short Screenplay: Lock Up, Best Screenplay: The Domain, Best Director: Mikael Håfström (Drowning Ghost), Best Picture: The Invisible, Career Achievement Award: Stan Winston[26]
October 14–23, 2005TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Staring At The Sun, Best Student Short: Dead West, Best Animated Short: Little Dead Girl, Best Horror Comedy Short: Zombie Movie, Best Editing: Brasil, Best Special Effects: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Best Cinematography: The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, Best Makeup: , Best Musical Score: The Echo, Best Actor: Brad Hunt (Cookers), Best Actress: Cyia Batten (Cookers), Best Screenplay: Nightfall, Best Director: Dan Miintz (Cookers), Best Picture: Cookers, Audience Choice Award: The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, Career Achievement Award: Sean S. Cunningham[27]
October 13–22, 2006TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Happy Birthday To You, Best Editing: The Beach Party At The Threshold Of Hell, Best Special Effects: Frostbite, Best Cinematography: The Marsh, Best Makeup: Frostbite, Best Musical Score: Frostbite, Best Actor: Marc Sentner, The Lost), Best Actress: Essie Davis (Isolation), Best Screenplay: Childish Things, Honorable Mention: The Tripper, The Beach Party At The Threshold Of Hell, Best Director: Billy O'Brien (Isolation), Best Picture: Isolation, Career Achievement Award: Clive Barker[28]
October 12–21, 2007TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: In The Wall, Best Student Short: Angel, Best Editing: Alone, Best Special Effects: Storm Warning, Best Cinematography: Alone, Best Makeup: Inside, Best Musical Score: Storm Warning, Best Actor: Everon Jackson Hooi (Dead End), Best Actress: Katie Featherston (Paranormal Activity), Boost Mobile's Best of the Next in Horror: Stem, Honorable Mention: Oren Peli, Audience Choice Award: Wasting Away, Best Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom (Alone), Best Picture: Alone[29]
October 10–19, 2008TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Detour, Best Student Short: Citizen, Best Editing: Splinter, Best Special Effects: Splinter, Best Cinematography: El rey de la montaña, Best Makeup: Splinter, Audience Choice Best Documentary: Spine Tingler!The William Castle Story, Best Musical Score: Splinter, Best Actor: Leonardo Sbaraglia (El rey de la montaña), Best Actress: María Valverde (El rey de la montaña), Best Screenplay: Haunted High, Audience Choice Award: Trick 'r Treat, Honorable Mention: Dance of the Dead, Boost Mobile's Best of the Next in Horror: Clown[30]
October 16–25, 2009TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Harry Doright's Prelude To Hell, Best Student Short: Else, Best Editing: Before The Fall, Best Special Effects: The Revenant, Best Cinematography: Before The Fall, Best Makeup: The Revenant, Best Musical Score: The House of the Devil, Best Actor: Victor Clavijo (Before The Fall), Best Actress: Jocelin Donahue (The House Of The Devil), Best Screenplay: Hate Night, Best Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez (Before The Fall), Best Picture: The Human Centipede[31]
October 8–17, 2010TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: The Legend Of Beaver Dam, Best Editing: The Pack, Best Special Effects: The Pack, Best Cinematography: Black Death, Best Makeup: Needle, Best Musical Score: Black Death, Best Actor: Sean Bean (Black Death), Best Actress: Zoé Félix (Caged), Best Screenplay: Controlled, Best Director: Christopher Smith (Black Death), Best Picture: Caged[32]
October 14–22, 2011TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: The Little Mermaid, Best Editing: Urban Explorer, Best Special Effects: The Tunnel, Best Cinematography: Crawl, Best Makeup: Urban Explorer, Best Musical Score: The Innkeepers, Best Actor: Klaus Stiglmeier (Urban Explorer), Best Actress: Georgina Haig (Crawl), Best Director: Paul China (Crawl), Best Picture: Urban Explorer[33]
October 12–20, 2012TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Incident on Highway 73, Best Animated Short: PostHuman, Best Horror Comedy Short: Killer Kart, Best Student Short: Eaglewalk, Best Editing: On Air, Best Special Effects: Crawlspace, Best Cinematography : American Mary, Best Makeup: American Mary, Best Musical Score: Crawlspace, Best Actor: Pierre-Francois Legendre (Fear of Water), Best Actress: Katharine Isabelle (American Mary), Best Director: The Soska Sisters (American Mary), Best Picture: American Mary, Career Achievement Award: John Carpenter[34]
October 8–17, 2013TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Luna, Best Student Short: Aftermath, Best Editing: Chimeres, Best Special Effects: Beneath, Best Visual Effects: Beneath, Best Cinematography: Beneath, Best Makeup: Beneath, Best Musical Score: Goldberg & Eisenberg, Best Actor: Yahav Gal (Goldberg & Eisenberg), Best Actress: Rosie Day (The Seasoning House), Best Director: Ben Ketai (Beneath), Best Picture: Beneath, Screamfest Launchpad Award Sponsored by Matador Pictures: The Banishing[35]
October 14–23, 2014TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: The Landing, Best Horror Comedy Short: Dead Hearts, Best Student Film: Slut, Best Editing: Julia, Best Makeup: Julia, Best Actress: Ashley C. Williams (Julia), Best Actor: Matthew Gray Gubler (Suburban Gothic), Best Special Effects: Dark Was the Night, Best Visual Effects: Dark Was the Night, Best Cinematography : White Settlers, Best Director: Alejandro Hidalgo (The House at the End of Time), Best Picture: The House at the End of Time, Best Screenplay: Asylum[36]
October 13–22, 2015TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: Daddy’s Little Girl, Best Student Short: Massacre in San Jose, Best Musical Score: The Hallow, Best Editing: Patchwork, Best Makeup: The Hallow, Best Actress: Tory Stolper (Patchwork), Best Actor: Neville Archambault (Slumlord), Best Special Effects: The Hallow, Best Cinematography : The Hallow, Best Director: Corin Hardy (The Hallow), Best Picture: Patchwork, Best Screenplay: Blackvoid[37]
October 18–27, 2016[38] [39] TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California		Best Short: A Nearly Perfect Blue Sky, Best Student Short: Pigskin, Best Editing: My Father, Die , Best Actor: Johnny Galecki (The Master Cleanse), Best Musical Score: My Father, Die , Best Actress: Mimosa Willamo (Lake Bodom), Best Makeup: The Master Cleanse, Best Cinematography: Happy Hunting, Best Special FX: The Master Cleanse, Best Visual FX: The Master Cleanse, Best Unproduced Screenplay: Plum Island , Best Director: Sean Brosnan (My Father, Die ), Best Picture: My Father, Die[40]
October 10–19, 2017 [41] TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California
  • Best Picture: Tigers Are Not Afraid
  • Best Director: Issa López (Tigers Are Not Afraid)
  • Best Cinematography: Ferdinando D’Urbano (The Laplace’s Demon)
  • Best Special FX: Giordano Giulivi (The Laplace’s Demon)
  • Best Visual FX: Giordano Giulivi & Alessandro Zonfrilli (The Laplace’s Demon)
  • Best Actor: Juan Ramón López (Tigers Are Not Afraid)
  • Best Actress: Paola Lara (Tigers Are Not Afraid)
  • Best Makeup/Creature Effects: Tragedy Girls
  • Best Editing: Joaquim Marti (Tigers Are Not Afraid)
  • Best Musical Score: Duccio Giulivi (The Laplace’s Demon)
  • Best Horror Comedy: Dead Ant
  • Best Short: Please Love Me Forever by Holy Fatma
  • Best Unproduced Screenplay: U-666 by Jacqueline Perez
  • Career Achievement Award: Marianne Maddalena
October 9–18, 2018 [42] TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California
  • Best Picture: Tumbbad
  • Best Director: Daniel Robbins (Pledge)
  • Best Cinematography: Davide Piazzolla (You Die)
  • Best Special Effects: Crazy Pictures (The Unthinkable)
  • Best Visual Effects: Gajjar Parth (Tumbbad)
  • Best Actor: Thomas Hedengran (Draug)
  • Best Actress: Suzanne Voss (Dementia II)
  • Best Makeup: Josh & Sierra Russell (Open 24 Hours)
  • Best Editing: Nik Voytas (Pledge)
  • Best Musical Score: Klas Persson (Draug)
  • Best Short: I Am The Doorway by Simon Pearce
  • Best Animated Short: La Noria
  • Best Screenplay: Dead Strays by Neil Chase
October 8–17, 2019 [43] TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California
October 6–15, 2020 [44] Regency Theater Plant Drive-InVan Nuys, California
  • Best Picture: A Ghost Waits
  • Best Director: Adam Stovall (A Ghost Waits)
  • Best Cinematography:Tim Tregoning (Sweet River)
  • Best Special Effects Makeup: Geir Njarðarson (Thirst)
  • Best Visual Effects: Atli Þór Einarsson (Thirst)
  • Best Actor: MacLeod Andrews (A Ghost Waits)
  • Best Actress: Lisa Kay (Sweet River)
  • Best Editing: Baptiste Rouveure (Anonymous Animals)
  • Best Musical Score: Damien Maurel (Anonymous Animals)
  • Best Short: Vikaari
  • Best Comedy Short: Kalley's Last Review
  • Best Student Short: The Rule of Three
  • Best Screenplay: Bloody Mary by Dan Ast and John C. Thursby
October 12–21, 2021TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Hollywood, California
  • Best Picture: Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man’s Night
  • Best Director: Gonzalo Calzada (Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man’s Night)
  • Best Cinematography: Carlos Ritter (What Josiah Saw)
  • Best Special Effects: What Josiah Saw
  • Best Visual Effects: Let the Wrong One In
  • Best Actor: Pepe Soriano (Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man’s Night)
  • Best Actress: Libby Ewing (When I Consume You)
  • Best Special Effects Makeup: Shannon Mulligan & KC Mussman (The Retaliators)
  • Best Editing: Alejandro Narvaez (Nocturna: Side A - The Great Old Man’s Night)
  • Best Musical Score: Leonardo Martinelli (The Returned (Los Que Vuelven))
  • Best Short: The Light by Iago de Soto
  • Best Screenplay: Hangman by JC Doler and Paul Petersen

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension' to Premiere at Screamfest (Exclusive). Kit. Borys. September 3, 2015. Hollywood Reporter. 2016-08-02.
  2. Web site: In LA? Check Out the Next Screamfest Night of Mayhem. DreadCentral.
  3. Web site: ScreamFest 12th Annual Horror Festival L.A. Report + Photos. Layne. Staci. October 15, 2012. Horror.com. 2016-08-02.
  4. Web site: SCREAMFEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL. 2009. MovieMaker. EbscoHost. 2016-08-02.
  5. Web site: 10 Days of Fright at The Screamfest Horror Film Festival. Ishler. Julianne. 2014-10-08. Entertainment Voice. 2016-08-02.
  6. Web site: Best Upcoming Film Festivals In Los Angeles. Davis. Genie. December 21, 2015. CBS Los Angeles. 2016-08-02.
  7. Web site: Screamfest Celebrates 15th Anniversary in Los Angeles. Wolfe. Clarke. 2015-10-13. Nerdist. 2016-08-02.
  8. Web site: 5 Terrifying Reasons to Check Out Screamfest. Smart. Jack. October 2, 2014. Backstage. 2016-08-02.
  9. Web site: Screamfest Sets Date For Its 16th Annual Horror Film Festival. Allen. Trev. 2016-05-25. Modern Horrors. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  10. News: Screamfest Horror Film Festival returns to Hollywood. 2016-10-31. Daily News.
  11. Web site: Israel's First Slasher Flick at Screamfest!. Pfefferman. Naomi. October 22, 2011. The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. 2016-08-02.
  12. Web site: Screamfest 2015 Film Lineup Revealed; Premiere of Martyrs Remake. Squires. John. 2015-10-01. Dread Central. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  13. Web site: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension to Close This Year's Screamfest. Evry. Max. 2015-09-03. ComingSoon.net. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  14. Web site: 'Central Intelligence' Gets Fest Bow Ahead Of Release; Screamfest 2016 Dates Set. Hipes. Patrick. 2016-05-25. Deadline. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  15. Web site: We All Scream for Screamfest. 2007. AMC. 2016-08-02.
  16. Web site: Cupcake Wars: Screamfest. Food Network. 2 August 2016.
  17. Web site: Screamfest LA 2012 - Best Of The Fest 'Wrap Up'. Coleman. Jason. October 24, 2012. StarPulse. 2016-08-02.
  18. Web site: Screamfest 2015: Special Paranormal Activity Screening and Awards Ceremony Announced. 2015-10-13. Dread Central. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  19. Web site: Screamfest Award Winners Announced. 2010-10-19. ComingSoon.net/Shock Till You Drop. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  20. Web site: 'Paranormal Activity' Franchise Closes With Screams and a Gold Skull. Holmes. Mannie. 2015-10-23. Variety. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  21. Web site: John Carpenter to Receive Career Achievement Award at Screamfest. 2012-10-08. Daily Dead. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  22. Web site: 'Prince of Darkness' John Carpenter honored at Screamfest. 2012-10-19. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  23. Web site: 2001 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  24. Web site: 2002 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  25. Web site: 2003 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  26. Web site: 2004 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  27. Web site: 2005 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  28. Web site: 2006 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  29. Web site: 2007 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 5 November 2016.
  30. Web site: 2008 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  31. Web site: 2009 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  32. Web site: 2010 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  33. Web site: 2011 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  34. Web site: 2012 Screamfest Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  35. Web site: 2013 Screamfest Film Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  36. Web site: Screamfest 2014 Award Winners Announced; The House at the End of Time Best Feature. Dread Central. 3 November 2016.
  37. Web site: SCREAMFEST Closing Night Awards. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  38. Web site: Screamfest Sets Date For Its 16th Annual Horror Film Festival. Allen. Trev. 2016-05-25. Modern Horrors. en-US. 2016-08-02.
  39. News: Screamfest Horror Film Festival returns to Hollywood. 2016-10-31. Daily News.
  40. Web site: Screamfest 2016: Winners Announced!. Screamfest. 3 November 2016.
  41. Web site: 2017 Festival Archive . 2022-05-28 . SCREAMFEST . en.
  42. Web site: 2018 Archive . 2022-05-28 . SCREAMFEST . en.
  43. Web site: 2019 Archive . 2022-05-28 . SCREAMFEST . en.
  44. Web site: 2020 Archive . 2022-05-28 . SCREAMFEST . en.

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