SOUTHERN UTAH’S “HORROR-FEST” RETURNS FOR 15TH CONSECUTIVE OUTING AND THIS TIME…THEY’RE BRINGING IN THE CLOWNS!
On Saturday October 29th at Megaplex’s Red Cliffs Cinema, Southern Utah’s “Horror-Fest” is back for its 15th straight year and this time, they’re bringing in the clowns! Each October, programmers behind this spooktacular shindig look to give the community a scary good time. In honor of its 15th anniversary, the 2016 event returns with a vengeance by way of a Halloween-inspired cinematic get-together programmers are affectionately referring to as “Horror-Fest Episode XV: Attack of the Clowns.” Here’s a look at the line-up.
THE GUERILLA SHORTS SHOWCASE
As always, the centerpiece of the event will see the return of the long running and increasingly popular “Guerilla Shorts Showcase.” This “Showcase” was designed to give local filmmakers of all ages and all skill sets an opportunity to make short films using any resources available to them. For this particular event, filmmakers were given the theme “Clowns,” a specific line of dialogue, a clown-appropriate prop, and a running time of six minutes or less. Local storytellers then had a few short weeks to put together their projects. This recent “Challenge” attracted over 25 storytelling teams, a “Guerilla Shorts Showcase” record! There are plenty of familiar faces in the mix alongside a handful of creative individuals new to the proceedings. Here’s the official Guerilla Shorts Showcase line-up:
THE CIRCUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Directed by Lonie Black and Brandon Tippetts
UNDERCOVER CLOWN
Directed by Mike Crockett
DREAMING BY NUMBERS
Directed by Ned Cordery
SIDESHOW HOTEL
Directed by Derek Dowsett
THE CLOWN
Directed by Caleb Hatton
SASHA’S BIRTHDAY
Directed by Jeremiah Holt
LAUGHING MATTER
Directed by Tanner Lund
SMILE
Directed by Liz Baxter
CLOWN CALLING
Directed by Aaron Eames
TINKER
Directed by Kipp Howard
ODD JOB
Directed by Phil Sargent and Mike Wiest
ONLY LOVE
Directed by Shaun Labrecque and Alexis Vencill
SWEET DREAMS
Directed by John Pugh
THEY ALL FLOAT DOWN HERE
Directed by Adam Mast
SQUIRT
Directed by Rebekah Jackson
LOSING IT
Directed by Christian Navarrete
2 FOR THE SHOW
Directed by Cragun Clayburn
SILLY WILLY
Directed by Dan Bringhurst
These incredibly inventive, undeniably entertaining shorts include everything from live action to animation and range from funny, to serious, to terrifying. One thing all these shorts have in common is that they were made with tender loving care by the teams behind them. And now, event attendees will have an opportunity to experience these mini-cinematic creations on the big screen. Attendees will also have an opportunity to get in on the action by voting for their favorites. That’s right! There will be prizes awarded to the strongest Guerilla films of the bunch.
A TRIBUTE TO LOCAL FILM AFICIONADO, RODRICK STEPHAN MEDIGOVICH
Chances are, if you’re a movie goer and you’ve lived in the St. George area for the past several years, you’ve crossed paths with local movie legend, Rodrick Stephan Medigovich. The man was known for his cinematic intellect and when he wasn’t writing screenplays and appearing in 80s and 90s commercials, he’d be engaging in relentlessly entertaining movie conversations with fellow film-goers while changing out the marquees at our local movie theaters. Sadly, Mr. Medigovich recently passed away but thankfully, he’s left behind a wonderful collection of short film appearances to remember him by. This 30-minute tribute will be curated by long-time friends, collaborators, and fellow film enthusiasts Lonie Black and Brandon Tippetts, and it promises to be an entertaining look back at a man who will be missed but certainly not forgotten.
KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE (PG-13)
This undeniable sci-fi/horror charmer finds a strange, other-worldly circus tent and its inhabitants touching down in everytown U.S.A. and wreaking havoc on unsuspecting townsfolk. Simply put, “Killer Klowns From Outer Space” is one of the great B-movies of the 80s. It’s certainly an acquired taste but after watching it, it’s easy to see why it has acquired such a rabid cult following through the years. This low-budget gem is the brainchild of the Chiodo Brothers, a team of sibling puppeteer/visual effects geniuses who would go on to work on everything from “Elf” to “Team America: World Police.” “Killer Klowns From Outer Space” is endlessly campy, deceptively creepy, undeniably inventive, and righteously hilarious. It’s a ton of clown-inspired fun from beginning to end. There have been whispers of a sequel or a possible t.v. series for years and for good reason. After you get a look at “Killer Klowns From Outer Space” on the big screen, it’s safe to say you’ll be as bewitched by it as I am. Having said that, if you have a phobia of clowns, you might want to stay away.
COSTUME CONTEST
“Horror-Fest” attendees are greatly encouraged to attend festivities in their Halloween best! There will be a prize awarded for best costume.
When it comes to its 15th anniversary, Horror-Fest ain’t clowning around!
WHAT: “HORROR-FEST EPISODE XV: ATTACK OF THE CLOWNS”
WHERE: MEGAPLEX’S RED CLIFFS CINEMA
WHEN: OCTOBER 29TH: “GUERILLA SHORTS SHOWCASE” at 6 PM (Tickets on sale at 5 PM, Doors at 5:30 PM)
RODRICK STEPHAN MEDIGOVICH TRIBUTE at 8:15 PM
GUERILLA AWARDS at 8:45 PM
“KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE” SCREENING at 9 PM
COST: $6 for an entire evening of Halloween-inspired entertainment! (CASH ONLY)
Time, schedule, and venue subject to change. For updated information, be sure to visit “Southern Utah’s Horror-Fest” Facebook page.
*Special thanks to Scott Mathews for all “Horror-Fest XV” artwork.