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.
CONTEST! ENTER TO WIN: ADVANCE SCREENING tickets to see THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT
See the upcoming sequel to horror cult hit THE STRANGERS before its wide-release!
“A road trip to visit relatives takes a dangerous turn when a family arrives at a secluded mobile home park that's mysteriously deserted -- until three masked psychopaths show up.”
THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT stars Bailee Madison (Tv’s GOOD WITCH), Christina Hendricks (MADMEN, THE NEON DEMON), and Martin Henderson (SMOKIN’ ACES)
THE STRANGERS PREY AT NIGHT opens in theatres on March 9. One (1) lucky HXFF fan will win a pass for two to see an advance screening of the film, Monday March 5, 2018 at 7:00PM at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, ON (259 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3M6)
HOW TO WIN:
Email info@hexfilmfest.com with THE STRANGERS in the subject line and include the following:
1) Your full name.
2) Indicate consent (write yes or no) to sign up for the HXFF email list for future fest and contest updates and news
3) Answer this question: WHAT FILM ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THE 2018 HEXPLOITATION FILM FESTIVAL? (see schedule)
Contest closes at 11:59PM, Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Contest open to residents of Ontario, Canada, the age of 18 or over. ONE ENTRY PER EMAIL. MULTIPLE ENTRIES WILL BE DELETED. Winners will be chosen at random and contacted on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Passes courtesy of Elevation Picturess TARO PR Strangers: Prey At Night
The Hexploitation Film Festival is proud to bring announce our full 2018 lineup of thrills, chills, and kills coming this March 23 - 25 at the Staircase Theatre (27 Dundurn St. N.) in Hamilton, ON.
Feature films just added to the schedule include the Hamilton Premiere of Canadian killer pagan cult horror tale THE HERETICS, the Ontario Premiere of UK police thriller CHARISMATA, the Canadian Premiere of extreme weekend getaway gone wrong RUIN ME, and the Canadian Premiere of grindhouse horror spoof THE VELOCIPASTOR. These films join our first wave of announced features: Troma's RETURN TO RETURN NUKE'EM HIGH (aka VOL. 2), Mexican fright film I WISH I WISH, horror-comedy BLOODSUCKA JONES VS. THE CREEPING DEATH, as well as a our highly anticipated special event: THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN 48th Birthday Celebration and panel event featuring Special Guest Mitch Markowitz.
Scroll down to see the complete day-to-day schedule and to buy tickets to screenings at the 2018 Hexploitation Film Festival. Click film names for more information.
If a film is listed as Sold Out in advance, you can still try for tickets in person by joining the Rush Line at the venue; you will be issued a number on a first come, first served basis. After an empty seat count, a few mins before the show, any spare tickets will be issued to Rush Line number-holders in the order they were received.
Seating is limited. Avoid disappointment at the door; buy your Tickets & Passes now!
All screenings are Restricted to Adults Age 18+ with the exception of all THE HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN 48TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, which is free and all-ages.
Five cousins discover a diabolical board game that grants their deepest desires, they just have to be prepared to lose the most valuable things in their lives to see their wishes come true. Screens with short film LATCHED by Justin Harding and Rob Brunner
2017, DIR. ANDY COLLIER & TOOR MIAN, 96 MIN. UK **Director & Producer In Attendance for Q&A!**
Psychological horror about a rookie police detective whose sanity begins to unravel as she investigates a series of brutal ritualistic murders. When the chief suspect takes a personal interest in her, a game of cat and mouse ensues which sees Rebecca's grasp on reality beginning to spiral out of control. Screens with short film A DOLL DISTORTEDby Niall Shukla
The Hexploitation Film Festival invites you and your family to join us on March 24th for a free Saturday Morning Cereal Buffet as we celebrate this historic made-in-Hamilton series with a special screening of two original episodes It'll be fiendishly funny fun for the whole family
Hexploitation Film Festival director Aaron Allen moderates a panel discussion about the history and cultural legacy of The Hilarious House of Frighteinstein and its origins in Hamilton. Panel guests include Mitch Markowitz (co-producer and co-star), Stacey Case (filmmaker, musician, and Frightenstein Super Fan), and Chris Alexander (filmmaker, film critic, and composer)
A program of the best in indie horror, exploitation, and cult genre shorts from Canada and around the world including local Hamilton filmmakers. This block includes:
A notorious cult kidnaps a young girl, and sacrifice themselves by the light of the locust moon. The next morning the girl awakes, caked in dried blood and surrounded by corpses...but safe - or so she thinks. Years later, the locust moon is about to rise again and the girl is captured once more by a surviving member of the cult. She is taken to a remote cabin where she learns that a demon has been growing inside of her all these years, and before the dawn it will rise. Screens with short SCRAPSby Christopher Giroux
In Volume 2 of Troma's two-part event film RETURN TO NUKE'EM HIGH, Lauren and Chrissy, two lesbian lovers, must face and defeat not only the mutant glee-club Cretins who have taken over Tromaville High but also the corrupt and evil forces of the Tromorganic Foodstuffs Conglomerate which threatens to destroy Tromaville... and the world! Screens with short TERMITATORby Camille Monette, Roxane De Koninck, and Keenan Poloncsak
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. Screens with short THE JERRY SHOW by Stephen Stull
The baddest mofo with the killer afro -- Bloodsucka Jones -- and his gorgeous sidekick Vanessa must help a couple of idiots fight an army of zombies unleashed by an evil group of vampires. Screens with short film LUNCH LADIES(a Clarissa Jacobson production directed by J.M. Logan).
Alexandra reluctantly tags along for Slasher Sleepout, an extreme event that is part camping trip, part haunted house, and part escape room. But when the fun turns deadly, Alex has to play the game if she wants to make it out alive. Screens with short BON APPETIT by Erenik Beqiri.
The wait is almost over! On February 20, we will reveal the full lineup and schedule for the 2018 Hexploitation Film Festival in Hamilton, Ontario (March 23-25).
Formerly known as the Fright Night Theatre Film Festival, the Hexploitation Film Festival (HXFF) has carved a bloody name for itself as Hamilton, ON's only screening event dedicated to premiering and showcasing the best in indie horror, exploitation, and cult genre entertainment. If you're looking for shocking gross weirdness, scary tales of terror, and sexy n' silly B-movies choked full of maniacs, monsters and murder, then this is the festival for you.
Just look at the films already confirmed for this year's festival!
RETURN TO RETURN TO NUKE'EM HIGH (aka. Volume 2)
|| HAMILTON PREMIERE || FEATURE FILM
2017, DIR. LLOYD KAUFMAN, 84 MIN. USA
Return to Return Nuke 'Em High (aka Volume 2) is the continuation of Lloyd Kaufman's two-part indie event film, the first part of which took home our coveted BEST FILM - AUDIENCE CHOICE award in 2014. Lauren (Catherine Corcoran) and Chrissy (Asta Paredes), two lesbian lovers, must face and defeat not only the mutant Cretins who have taken over Tromaville Highschool but also the corrupt and evil forces of the Tromorganic Food Stuffs corporation which threatens to destroy not only Tromaville... but the world! Boobs! Blood! Farts! Slime! Mutant Ducks! The last film appearance of Lemmy Kilmister! Grab your festival pass today to guarantee enrollment for Return to Return to Nuke'em High (aka Volume 2).
I WISH I WISH
(Deseo Deseo)
|| CANADIAN PREMIERE || FEATURE FILM
2017, DIR. EDUARDO M. CLORIO, 82 MIN. MEX
Five cousins reunite while cleaning out their recently deceased grandmother's estate. Hidden amongst the junk, they discover a curious board game titled "I WISH I WISH (Deseo Deseo)" that promiseds to make their dreams come true for a price. The rules are simple: each player may ask for 3 wishes that will be fulfilled after completing a challenge presented by the game. If they carry it out they will have what they desire otherwise there are extreme consequences. For those who have chosen not to fulfill the challenge, the game releases a vicious creature to enforce punishment. They soon discover that the only way to survive is to keep playing, even if it means only one will make it out alive.
BLOODSUCKA JONES vs. THE CREEPING DEATH
|| CANADIAN PREMIERE || FEATURE FILM
2017, DIR. JUSTIN ARMAO, 96 MIN. USA
The baddest mofo with the killer afro -- Bloodsucka Jones (Preston Gant) -- and his gorgeous sidekick Vanessa must help a couple of idiots fight an army of zombies unleashed by an evil group of vampires. Bloodsucka Jones is back bigger and more hilarious than ever. More gorgeous girls! More graphic violence! More giggles and guffas! Bloodsucka Jones vs. The Creeping Death is a rapid-fire, free-wheeling exercise in comedy destined for cult film status.
FIRST WAVE - SHORT FILMS
Screening March 23-25 at the HXFF
HUMAN CATTLE
|| SHORT FILM || 2017, DIR. CARLOS HENRIQUES & PHIL PATTISON, 9 MIN. CAN
The Amazon is a beautiful place to visit but you wouldn’t want to die there! Three sexy teenagers take a fun-filled trip out to the Amazon for an exciting getaway filled with seductive pleasures and forbidden desires. Failing to hear the canoe tour guide’s (Mitch Markowitz, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein) warnings about the evils that lurk in the Jungle, they will now have to fight for survival against trigger-happy bounty hunters, blood-thirsty Cannibals and massive flesh-eating monsters. Featuring gruesome gore and crazy creature FX by Hamilton's The Butcher Shop FX Studio, HUMAN CATTLE is a non-stop, action-packed, all you can eat buffet that critics are calling a “Full-Throttle Balls Out Mind Melter!” (Chris Alexander, ShockTillYouDrop.com).
We dare you to come along for the ride!
BUZZCUT
||HAMILTON PREMIERE|| SHORT FILM
2017, DIR. JOHN RHOADS & MIKE MARRERO, 8 MIN. USA
Jane is just a girl trying to get some loving from her girlfriend Melanie who refuses to have sex until Jane's awful haircut is fixed. While Jane is in the process of having her head shaved, the apocalypse happens and her barber is reduced to a pile of ash leaving Jane's hair in even worse condition. She must navigate the crumbling world, fighting zombies and demons along the way to find a barber who can finish her buzzcut so she can get laid before she dies.
LATCHED
||HAMILTON PREMIERE|| SHORT FILM
2017, DIR. JUSTIN HARDING & ROB BRUNNER, 16 MIN. CAN
A choreographer pursues creative inspiration at a cottage retreat while attempting to wean her demanding toddler — and unknowingly awakens a vile fairy corpse in the process. When she discovers the creature’s terrifying intentions, she will have to put her creativity to good use to lure the repugnant beast.
Attention filmmakers! Our earlybird deadline for the 2018 Hexploitation Film Festival closes December 1st!
Submit your feature-length or short horror, cult, and genre films before the end of the month to take advantage of reduced submission fees. Join the hundreds of filmmakers who are already in the running for early selection offers.
Earlybird Deadline: December 1, 2017
Standard Fee: $10 USD (features) / $5 USD (shorts) Student Fee: Free (with proof of student status)
The Hexploitation Film Festival is the only festival dedicated to horror & exploitation genre cult cinema in the greater Hamilton, ON and proudly accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com, the world's best online submission platform. FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more. Click to submit with FilmFreeway.
What filmmakers are saying about the HXFF
"By far one of the best festivals I have ever had a film play at|- Drew Marvick (writer/director Pool Party Massacre)
"Loads of fun!" - Craig Anderson (writer/director Red Christmas)
"This is a top festival run by people with a deep passion for the horror genre" - David Gilbank (writer/director Polterheist)
HXFF in the Press
"Aaron Allen [festival director] is Hamilton's unofficial horror meister, or, if you prefer, our master of misery, perhaps even guru of gore … earl of eerie, duke of dark, lord of the lurid, sultan of slash." - The Hamilton Spectator
"[T]he historical Canadian city of Hamilton (located just half an hour outside of Toronto), is a hotbed for horror." - Shock Till You Drop
