HEX FILM FEST 2020: JAY CLARKE TO LEAD SHORT FILM PROGRAMMING

The Hexploitation Film Festival is proud to announce that HXFF team member Jay Clarke will be assuming the new role of Lead of Short Film Programming for the Hexploitation Film Festival: Feb 20-22, 2020. 

Jay Clarke: Lead of Short Film Programming

Born in Oakville, Ontario and raised on a steady diet of eighties horror flicks, Jay has been a programmer for the Hexploitation Film Festival for over five years. He has written and directed several short films which have screened across North America. Jay also continues to program for the Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival, Toronto Smartphone Film Festival and Toronto's monthly genre short film showcase Little Terrors. He is the founder of The Horror Section, a VHS archive and horror media blog.

Regular submissions for Hexploitation Film Festival 2020 close October 26, 2019!

HXFF 2019 AWARD WINNERS

2019 AWARD WINNERS

The Hexploitation Film Festival is proud to announce the following Feature Film & Short Film Award Winners for our 2019 season, as voted by the HXFF programmign team.

~~ SHORT FILM AWARDS ~~

MILK (2018, DIR. SANTIAGO MENGHINI)

** BEST HORROR SHORT **
** BEST CANADIAN SHORT **

BITTEN (2018, DIR. SARAH K REIMERS)

** BEST COMEDIC SHORT **

MAW (2018, DIR. JASPER VRANCKEN)

** MOST SHOCKING  SHORT **

THE WORLD OVER (2018, DIR. HEATH C. MICHAELS)

** BEST SCI-FI SHORT **

HAMMER DOWN (2018, DIR. DAN PASTO)
** BEST ANIMATED SHORT**

~~ FEATURE FILM AWARDS ~~

FRAMED (2018, DIR. MARC MARTÍNEZ JORDÁN)

** MOST SHOCKING FILM **
** BEST SPECIAL FX **
**ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP FX ** 
** BEST ACTOR (Alex Maruny) **
** BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Júlia Molins) **
** BEST WRITING (Marc Martínez Jordán & Jaume Cuspinera) ** 

CRYSTAL EYES (2017, DIR. EZEQUIEL ENDELMAN & LEANDRO MONTEJANO)

** SCARIEST FILM **

** BEST VILLAIN **

** BEST DIRECTOR (Ezequiel Endelman & Leandro Montejano) **

** BEST ACTRESS (Erika Boveri) **

** BEST MUSICAL SCORE (Pablo Fuu)** 

FP2: BEATS OF RAGE (2018, DIR. JASON TROST)

** FUNNIEST FILM **

** BEST VISUAL FX**

THE ISLE (2018, DIR. MATTHEW BUTLER-HART)

** BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Pete Wallington) **

** BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Conleth Hill) **

WOLFMAN'S GOT NARDS (2018, DIR. ANDREW GOWER)

** BEST DOCUMENTARY **

CREATURE FROM CANNIBAL CREEK (2019, DIR. JOHN MIGLIORE)

** BEST MONSTER **

Congratulations to all this year's winners!

Audience Choice Award Winners to be Announced March 9th

HXFF 2019 Full Lineup, Schedule, & Tickets

HEXPLOITATION FILM FESTIVAL 2019
FULL LINEUP, SCHEDULE, & TICKETS NOW LIVE! 
The Staircase Theatre (27 Dundurn St. N, Hamilton, ON)

Admittance restricted to people 18 years of age or older (unless otherwise specified).

FOR UPDATES please subscribe to the HXFF Facebook Page, Twitter Feed, Instagram, and sign up for our Email Newsletter

FILM FESTIVAL & SCREENING SCHEDULE (Updated 2/1/18)

THURSDAY - FEB 21, 2019
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8:00pm: THE ISLE (UK) || Canadian Premiere ||

On a remote island off the west coast of Scotland in 1846, three survivors of a shipwreck row ashore. They soon discover that the shrouded isle is almost abandoned except for four sole residents....with no way off. When they begin to investigate the myth of a ghostly siren haunting the island, they are lead to uncover a truth that may cost them their lives. Screens with short film THE BLUE DOOR.

Get Tickets

FRIDAY - FEB 22, 2019
____________________________________________________

8:00pm: CREATURE FROM CANNIBAL CREEK (CANADA) || World Premiere ||

Nature spawns a creature driven by vengeance to destroy a group of cold-blooded cannibals who have been kidnapping people and keeping them imprisoned in the forest. The latest from Hamilton filmmaker John Migliore! FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE Screens with short film SPLIT DECISION.

9:35pm: FP2: BEATS OF RAGE (USA) || Canadian Premiere ||

Despite hanging up his boots, JTRO, the legendary Beat-Beat Revelation warrior, must return to the deadly dance sport one last time. JTRO will quest deep into The Wastes, a land decimated by the Beat Wars, to compete in the ancient Beat-Beat tournament, "Beats of Rage," and face AK-47 the sole stealer, JTRO's most powerful and personal foe yet. Screens with short film TIME HEALS NO WOUNDS.

Get Tickets 11:59pm: FRAMED (SPAIN) || Hamilton Premiere || At Alex’s farewell party with his friends, three psychopaths descend on the house with the intent to kidnap and torture them. Their goal: to broadcast the violence via a controversial, uncensored streaming platform and become viral sensations. Screens with short film HAMMER DOWN. Get Tickets SATURDAY - FEB 23, 2019 ____________________________________________________ 1:30pm: THRILLER & HORROR SHORTS A block of shorts comprised of local and international thriller and horror shorts featuring: BINGE THE BLOODY BALLAD OF SQUIRT REYNOLDS GRIDLOCK MAW MILK ROAD TRASH THE WHISTLER THE WORLD OVER Get Tickets 4:00pm: CRYSTAL EYES (ARGENTINA) || Canadian Premiere || Buenos Aires, 1985: It's the first anniversary of the tragic death of supermodel Alexis Carpenter, and a haute couture magazine is planning a shoot to commemorate her death. However, the night before the shoot is to take place, Alexis's original dresses are stolen and soon important members of the fashion magazine industry begin to disappear or turn up dead. Has Alexis returned from the grave for revenge? Screens with short film DAWN OF MAN. Get Tickets 7:30pm: JOHNNY GRUESOME (USA) || Canadian Premiere || Rebellious high school senior Johnny Grissom is murdered while on a drunken joyride. Soon, Johnny's classmates turn up dead, murdered by an unknown assailant. Johnny's best friend Eric begins to suspect Johnny has returned from the grave to wreak havoc on those who wronged him. Screens with short film CHOWBOYS: AN AMERICAN FOLK TALE. Get Tickets 9:30pm: WOLFMAN'S GOT NARDS (USA) || Canadian Premiere || This heartfelt documentary explores the power of cult film told through the lens of the 1987 classic The Monster Squad and the impact it has on fans, cast and crew, and the industry. Screens with short film BITTEN. Get Tickets

BLACK ROSES SCREENS SATURDAY (OCT 20)

The Hexploitation Film Festival's  RETRO GRADE movie night series continues with a screening of the 1988 heavy metal cult creature feature BLACK ROSES preceded by an exclusive walking tour of the film's Dundas, ON shooting locations!

BLACK ROSES (1988)
|| RETRO GRADE ||

DIR. JOHN FASANO, 84 MIN. CANADA/USA

TOUR TIME: Saturday, October 20, 2018 @ 11:00am (Thirsty Cactus, Dundas, ON)
MOVIE TIME: Saturday, October 20, 2018 @ 8:30pm (Staircase Theatre, Hamilton, ON)

SHORT SUMMARY

Demons hypnotize the general public by posing as a rock and roll band.

MOVIE DESCRIPTION

1980s satanic panic becomes reality in this hilariously schlocky glam rock, heavy metal horror creature feature filmed almost entirely in Dundas and Hamilton, ON!

When the sleepy town of Mill Basin (aka. Dundas, Ontario) is invaded by a sleazy band of satanic rockers, the self-righteous adults of the town attempt to shut down the concert series. But when the band -- BLACK ROSES -- overcomes parental censorship and takes to the stage, all hell breaks loose and the town's population of good kids begin to turn bad. BLOODSHED, RIOTS, and MASS MURDER assail the defenseless townspeople as their youth begin to change into murderous monsters before their very eyes!

RETURN TO MILL BASIN -- BLACK ROSES LOCATIONS TOUR

Join Hexploitation Film Festival director Aaron Allen for a personal, guided tour of the film's exterior shooting locations in historic Dundas, ON. Take a trip back to 1987 and experience, first hand, the extensive use of Dundas landmarks and locations immortalized in BLACK ROSES to portray the sleepy, midwestern town of Mill Basin USA. Learn interesting and quirky trivia about the making of this obscure yet endearing heavy metal horror flick in the days before Hamilton became a hot Hollywood shooting location.

* Exclusive Tour Swag for all tour attendees including:

• Exclusive Poster
• T-Shirt
• Other surprise goodies to be announced!

Departure Location: The Thirsty Cactus (2 King Street East, Dundas, ON L9H 1B8)

Check-in Time: 11:00am

Tour Duration: Approx. 90min

Tour Ticket Purchasers will receive an email with detailed tour information.

Starring: John Martin (Fire in the Night), Sal Viviano (The Jitters), Paul Kelman (My Bloody Valentine), Julie Adams (Creature form the Black Lagoon), Frank Dietz (Zombie Nightmare)

*JOINING VIA WEBCAST FOR Q&A - STAR FRANK DIETZ*

HXFF Retro Grade Celebrates BLACK ROSES with Dundas Tour of Shooting Locations and Screening!

The Hexploitation Film Festival's  RETRO GRADE movie night series continues with a screening of the 1988 heavy metal cult creature feature BLACK ROSES preceded by an exclusive walking tour of the film's Dundas, ON shooting locations!

BLACK ROSES (1988)
|| RETRO GRADE ||

DIR. JOHN FASANO, 84 MIN. CANADA/USA

TOUR TIME: Saturday, October 20, 2018 @ 11:00am (Thirsty Cactus, Dundas, ON)
MOVIE TIME: Saturday, October 20, 2018 @ 8:30pm (Staircase Theatre, Hamilton, ON)

SHORT SUMMARY

Demons hypnotize the general public by posing as a rock and roll band.

MOVIE DESCRIPTION

1980s satanic panic becomes reality in this hilariously schlocky glam rock, heavy metal horror creature feature filmed almost entirely in Dundas and Hamilton, ON!

When the sleepy town of Mill Basin (aka. Dundas, Ontario) is invaded by a sleazy band of satanic rockers, the self-righteous adults of the town attempt to shut down the concert series. But when the band -- BLACK ROSES -- overcomes parental censorship and takes to the stage, all hell breaks loose and the town's population of good kids begin to turn bad. BLOODSHED, RIOTS, and MASS MURDER assail the defenseless townspeople as their youth begin to change into murderous monsters before their very eyes!

RETURN TO MILL BASIN -- BLACK ROSES LOCATIONS TOUR

Join Hexploitation Film Festival director Aaron Allen for a personal, guided tour of the film's exterior shooting locations in historic Dundas, ON. Take a trip back to 1987 and experience, first hand, the extensive use of Dundas landmarks and locations immortalized in BLACK ROSES to portray the sleepy, midwestern town of Mill Basin USA. Learn interesting and quirky trivia about the making of this obscure yet endearing heavy metal horror flick in the days before Hamilton became a hot Hollywood shooting location.

* Exclusive Tour Swag for all tour attendees including:

• Exclusive Poster
• T-Shirt
• Other surprise goodies to be announced!

Departure Location: The Thirsty Cactus (2 King Street East, Dundas, ON L9H 1B8)

Check-in Time: 11:00am

Tour Duration: Approx. 90min

Tour Ticket Purchasers will receive an email with detailed tour information.

Starring: John Martin (Fire in the Night), Sal Viviano (The Jitters), Paul Kelman (My Bloody Valentine), Julie Adams (Creature form the Black Lagoon), Frank Dietz (Zombie Nightmare)

*JOINING VIA WEBCAST FOR Q&A - STAR FRANK DIETZ*

HXFF's RETRO GRADE presents CURTAINS (1983) with star Lynne Griffin in Attendance!

The Hexploitation Film Festival's brand new RETRO GRADE moving night series kicks off its inaugural show with a special screening of the 1983 cult Canadian slasher CURTAINS with star LYNNE GRIFFIN (also of BLACK CHRISTMAS and STRANGE BREW fame) in attendance!

Every ticket-buyer will have a chance to win some exclusively cool horror movie prizes.

Saturday, August 18 @ The Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N, Hamilton: 8:30PM - 10:30PM

SHORT SUMMARY

Six young actresses auditioning for a movie role at a remote mansion are targeted by a mysterious masked murderer.

FULL DESCRIPTION

In Curtains, a group of actresses are stalked by a masked killer while they are auditioning at the remote mansion estate of a sleazy, shady film director. What begins as a casting session to replace the film's intended and emotionally unstable star devolves into madness and murder when a witch-masked slasher with a creepy doll and some well-sharpened tools makes each wannabe star fight for her life. Curtains features direction by the acclaimed cinematography Richard Ciupka.

Curtains stars a cast of cult film icons including John Vernon (Animal House, Killer Klowns from Outer Space), Samantha Eggar (The Brood, Demonoid), and Lynne Griffin (Black Christmas, Strange Brew).

*IN ATTENDANCE* STAR LYNNE GRIFFIN

 RETRO GRADE is a new, ongoing film series presented by the Hexploitation Film Festival where audience are given the chance to grade our selections from our back catalog of interesting and entertaining thrillers, chillers, and cinematic killers of yesteryear. We also invite special celebrity guests, horror genre film experts, cinema scholars, podcasters, and writers to drop  knowledge bombs about the making of these freaky flicks and school us with their insidious insights and anecdotes

So sharpen them pencils, grab your notebooks, and prepare to venture into the hallowed halls of hackademia for a lurid lesson in retro horror.

Submissions Open for 2019 Hexploitation Film Festival

Hey all you fabulous makers of freaky films! The Hexploitation Film Festival in Hamilton, ON is now accepting submissions for its 2019 Festival Season! 

The Hexploitation Film Festival returns to the Staircase Theatre: February 21 - 23, 2019.

In addition to the festival itself, we will be celebrating a decade of screening horror films in Hamilton.

Enter your film at Film Freeway by clicking on the button below, before the Final Deadline of November 30, 2018.

HXFF 2018 - AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD WINNERS

2018 AUDIENCE CHOICE 
AWARD WINNERS

Each year, the Hexploitation Film Festival places the power to choose the festival's top award winners in the hands of its audience members. Audience members in attendance vote for every short and every feature, and the the film from each category with the highest score is crowned BEST SHORT or BEST FILM of the festival. 

We are proud to announce the following Audience Choice Winners for our 2018 season.

BEST SHORT 
*AUDIENCE CHOICE*

Camille Monette, Roxane De Koninck, Keenan Poloncsak, 2017

Four douche-bags embark on a weekend of partying and debauchery at a cabin in the woods, unaware that they will be disturbing the humanoid-termite mutant: Termitator.

WINNER OF MOST GORE FILM @ SPASM FILM FESTIVAL 2017 IN MONTREAL

WINNER OF PUBLIC'S CHOICE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION @ COURTS MAIS TRASH 2018 IN BRUSSELS

BEST FILM 
*AUDIENCE CHOICE*

Brendan Steere, 2017

After losing his parents, a priest travels to China, where he inherits a mysterious ability that allows him to turn into a dinosaur. At first horrified by this new power, a hooker convinces him to use it to fight crime. And ninjas.

WINNER: FUNNIEST FILM @ HXFF 2018

WINNER: BEST ACTOR @ HXFF 2018

WINNER: BEST MONSTER @ HXFF 2018

Congratulations to this year's winners!

See the full list of 2018 HXFF Award Winners