Telluride Horror Show: 1st Wave of Films & Guests

16 Sep Telluride Horror Show: 1st Wave of Films & Guests

The Telluride Horror Show is Colorado’s first and longest-running horror film festival. Every year, the event attracts the latest and best genre films from around the world. For three-packed days, fans experience an eclectic mix of horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi, and dark comedy in Telluride’s unique theaters, with many of the films showing for the first time in the US.

“20 Coolest Film Festivals” – MovieMaker Magazine
“13 Horror Film Festivals To Die For” – MovieMaker Magazine

The Telluride Horror Show 2019, October 11 – 13, features Joe Bob Briggs with “TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL,” film premieres, and much more to come. Three-day passes, 6-packs, and limited festival lodging specials here.

The Telluride Horror Show  recently released the first wave for its 10th anniversary film festival, scheduled for October 11-13, 2019 in Telluride.

The first wave includes horror icon Joe Bob Briggs, a “TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL” tribute, the first round of special guests, and several returning filmmakers with features and short films making their U.S. and Colorado premieres.

Joe Bob Briggs will bring his “How Rednecks Saved Hollywood” show to the Telluride Horror Show and will also host a special 10th anniversary presentation of “TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL,” which screened at the inaugural Telluride Horror Show in 2010. That is considered one of the best redneck movies and horror comedies of all time. Director Eli Craig will be in attendance after the screening to answer questions from Joe Bob Briggs and the audience.

Kelly Link will serve as this year’s guest author, leading “Creepy Campfire Tales” (the festival’s public reading), as well as participating in a book-signing and conversation with returning guest author Jeremy Robert Johnson (“Entropy in Bloom,” “In the River,” “Skullcrack City”). Link is credited with  collections such as “Stranger Things Happen,” “Magic for Beginners,” “Pretty Monsters,” and Pulitzer finalist “Get in Trouble.”

Guest artist Joshua Hoffine will share new work and  present a slideshow of his renowned horror photography, along with a teaser for his forthcoming film “NIGHT OF THE HATCHET MAN.” A limited number of signed prints will be available at the festival.

Fangoria’s Meredith Borders rounds out the first wave of special guests, returning as a guest host.

FEATURE FILMS / First Wave

1BR
USA | 2019 | 90 min | Director: David Marmor
COLORADO PREMIERE
After leaving behind a painful past to follow her dreams, Sarah scores the perfect Hollywood apartment. But something is not right. Unable to sleep, tormented by strange noises and threatening notes, her new life quickly starts to unravel. By the time she learns the horrifying truth, it’s too late. Caught in a waking nightmare, Sarah must find the strength to hold onto her crumbling sanity…or be trapped forever in an existential hell.

Girl on the Third Floor
USA | 2019 | 93 min | Director: Travis Stevens
COLORADO PREMIERE
Bursting pipes, rotting walls, and unidentifiable slime were not what Don Koch (WWE legend Phil “CM Punk” Brooks) expected when he convinced his wife Liz (Trieste Kelly Dunn) that he could rehab their new Victorian home himself. In over his head, under duress, and tempted by his old weaknesses, Don soon discovers the house has its own dark, sordid history and won’t be so easy to renovate after all….

Making Monsters
Canada | 2019 | 82 min | Directors: Justin Harding & Rob Brunner
COLORADO PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Justin Harding (Director) and Alana Elmer (Lead Actor)
When a celebrity couple famed for their YouTube scare-prank channel are invited to a friend’s converted church in the countryside for a weekend getaway, a series of startling events unfold that spiral them into an inexplicable nightmare. Festival alum Justin Harding returns with his first feature film. His short films “Point of View,” “Kookie,” and “Latched” were all official Telluride Horror Show selections.

Mutant Blast
Portugal | 2019 | 83 min | Director: Fernando Alle
COLORADO PREMIERE
From Troma Entertainment: After a scientific experiment goes horribly wrong and results in a zombie apocalypse, a fearless soldier named Maria has to partner up with TS-347, a man with superhuman strength and Pedro, a survivor who battles zombies as hard as he’s battling his hangover. It’s up to Maria to lead a quest to a safe place before a nuclear explosion threatens to wipe out the entire city.

Sator
USA | 2019 | 85 min | Director: Jordan Graham
U.S. PREMIERE
Secluded in a desolate forest, a broken family is observed by Sator, a supernatural entity who is attempting to claim them.

She Never Died
Canada | 2019 | 90 min | Director: Audrey Cummings
COLORADO PREMIERE
Lacey, a socially detached loner is cursed with immortality and a never-ending tedium of existence. In her attempts to keep her compulsions in check, she seeks out the darkest souls humanity has to offer. Lacey must now face her own inner demons while simultaneously finding her next meal. The female-driven follow-up to “He Never Died,” an official selection at the 2015 Telluride Horror Show.

The Wretched
USA | 2019 | 95 min | Directors: Brett Pierce & Drew Pierce
COLORADO PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Brett & Drew Pierce (Directors)
A defiant teenage boy, struggling with his parents’ imminent divorce, faces off with a thousand-year-old witch, who is living beneath the skin of and posing as the woman next door. From the directors of “Deadheads.” Their short film “Smush,” A DeadHeads Short, was an official Telluride Horror Show selection.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
USA | 2010 | 89 min | Director: Eli Craig
SPECIAL PRESENTATION WITH DIRECTOR ELI CRAIG AND JOE BOB BRIGGS!
Tucker and Dale, two best friends on vacation at their dilapidated mountain house, are mistaken for murderous backwoods hillbillies by a group of obnoxious, preppy college kids. When one of the students gets separated from her friends, the boys try to lend a hand, but as the misunderstanding grows, so does the body count.

“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” was the closing night film at the inaugural Telluride Horror Show in 2010.  In 2011, the film still hadn’t been released, so Telluride showed it again at the 2nd Telluride Horror Show, simultaneously at two venues to sold-out crowds. “Tucker & Dale” was a big part of the early years, so the encore performance to celebrate the festival’s 10th anniversary. But this time director Eli Craig weighs in at a special conversation following the film. The event is hosted by the ultimate horror buff and redneck expert ,Joe Bob Briggs.

VFW
USA | 2019 | 92 min | Director: Joe Begos
COLORADO PREMIERE
Pitched as “THE WILD BUNCH” meets “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD,” the story follows Fred and his military buddies as they are forced to defend their local V.F.W. post – and an innocent teen – against a deranged drug dealer and his relentless army of punk mutants. These Vietnam vets have been to hell and back, but this will be the longest night of their lives.

VFW is the fourth feature from festival alum Joe Begos and his first collaboration with FANGORIA. The cast of genre legends includes Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Fred Williamson, Martin Kove, David Patrick Kelly, George Wendt, Sierra McCormick, Travis Hammer, and Tom Williamson. Begos was previously at the Telluride Horror Show with “The Mind’s Eye.”

Z
Canada | 2019 | 83 min | Director: Brandon Christensen
COLORADO PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Brandon Christensen (Director)
A family find themselves terrorized by their eight-year-old son’s imaginary friend.

SHORT FILMS / First Wave

“Abyssus”
Finland | 2019 | 9 min | Director: Kim Westerlund
COLORADO PREMIERE
A man regains consciousness as he is being buried alive. Overwhelmed by panic he tries to force his way out of the box he finds himself in, without success. Equipped with nothing but a single lighter he wallows in hopelessness until strange sounds approaches, and with it, true fear.

“Bad Hair”
Estonia | 2019 | 15 min | Director: Oskar Lehemaa
COLORADO PREMIERE
Insecure and balding Leo has closed himself in his apartment. A mysterious hair growth liquid arrives at his doorstep and Leo uses it to fix up his looks. The liquid causes a series of grotesque metamorphoses as Leo tries desperately to get bodily changes under control as the events of the evening quickly turn into chaos.

“Bedtime Story”
Spain | 2019 | 9 min | Directors: Lucas Paulino & Ángel Torres
U.S. PREMIERE
A witch his observing from the apartment across the street and a story no child should ever hear…

“Call for a Good Time”
USA | 2019 | 5 min | Directors: Jon Rhoads & Mike Marrero
COLORADO PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Jon Rhoads
A stoner finds out why you never call the numbers scrawled on the bathroom stall.

“Hellevate”
USA | 2019 | 4 min | Director: Dusty Brown
WORLD PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Dusty Brown
A man must deal with an elevator company’s incompetent customer service while stuck between floors.

“Hopes”
Spain | 2019 | 10 min | Director: Raúl Monge
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
An unexpected story of a little homeless girl and her hooded companion.

“In Sound, We Live Forever”
USA | 2019 | 12 min | Director: Joshua Giuliano
COLORADO PREMIERE
Something bad has(is) happened(happening).

“It Crawled in Through the Window”
USA | 2019 | 2 min | Directors: Isaac Ruth & Ali Petre
COLORADO PREMIERE
A couple has horrifying pillow-talk.

“La Noria”
Spain | 2018 | 13 min | Director: Carlos Baena
COLORADO PREMIERE
Darkness isn’t always what it seems.

“Lili”
The Netherlands | 2019 | 9 min | Director: Yfke van Berckelaer
COLORADO PREMIERE
A young actress’ (Lisa Smit) audition for an older man (Derek de Lint) grows increasingly less comfortable with every line read in this single-take horror for the #Metoo era.

“Most Steps Ever”
USA | 2019 | 4 min | Directors: Nesib (CB) Shamah & James Allen Smith
COLORADO PREMIERE
A hiker, a smart watch, and a maniac with a lawnmower blade.

“Nest”
USA | 2019 | 14 min | Director: Mike Fontaine
COLORADO PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Mike Fontaine & Lukas Hassel (Lead Actor)
A genre author becomes obsessed with the vivid nightmares of his young son and turns to them for inspiration.

“Night Crawl”
USA | 2019 | 9 min | Director: Gregory Shultz
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Two inmates tunnel through the walls of a hellish prison, only to find something more terrifying than death row.

“O.I.”
Canada | 2018 | 19 min | Director: N’cee van Heerden
COLORADO PREMIERE
Barry has a unique problem. He came up with a truly original idea. And sharing it has consequences.

“Spasms”
USA | 2018 | 5 min | Director: Todd Redenius
In a small town where not much happens a barrel of toxic waste is found leaking into a creek. No one notices that people everywhere are having uncontrollable spasms resulting in them dying in gory and outlandish ways due to contaminated drinking water.

“The Burden”
The Netherlands | 2019 | 17 min | Director: Nico van den Brink
COLORADO PREMIERE
A young woman visits her boyfriend’s family home and learns about a sinister history with his creepy neighbor. Soon, all kinds of skeletons emerge from the closet.

“The Dreamer”
Norway | 2018 | 14 min | Director: Kenneth Karlstad
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
A mother struggles with her daughter’s violent sleeping disorder.

“The Fortune Teller”
USA | 2019 | 4 min | Director: David Ferino
WORLD PREMIERE
IN PERSON: David Ferino
Things get freaky when a little girl finds an origami fortune-teller.

“The Procedure 2”
USA | 2019 | 3 min | Director: Calvin Reeder
COLORADO PREMIERE
A man is forced to endure another strange experiment.

“Toe”
USA | 2019 | 7 min | Directors: Neal O’Bryan & Chad Thurman
COLORADO PREMIERE
IN PERSON: Neal O’Bryan & Chad Thurman
A starving boy eats a rotting toe he finds sticking out of the ground. Later that night, something dead comes to his bedroom wanting it back.

“Wash”
Sweden | 2019 | 7 min | Director: Kiggs
WORLD PREMIERE
A short horror film about the worst fear a parent can have.

“Wild Love”
France | 2018 | 7 min
Directors: Paul Autric, Quentin Camus, Léa Georges, Maryka Laudet, Zoé Sottiaux, Corentin Yvergniaux
While on a romantic getaway, Alan and Beverly cause a fatal accident. The crime won’t remain unpunished…

“Wither”
UK | 2019 | 4 min | Director: Ethan Evans
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
In a town acclaimed for honoring ancient folklore, a young girl finds herself vulnerable to a sinister mythological farmer after failing to contribute to the annual tradition.

SECOND WAVE COMING SOON!