Showing posts with label cult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cult. Show all posts

Feb 5, 2020

Hexploitation Film Festival: Feb 20-22, 2020

 

THE HEXPLOITATION FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO HAMILTON FOR THREE NIGHTS OF MANIACS, MONSTERS, AND MURDER!

 

ABOUT THE 2020 FESTIVAL

The Hexploitation Film Festival (HXFF) is the only festival dedicated to horror & exploitation genre cult cinema in the greater Hamilton, ON area. The annual competitive film festival will screen 7 feature films and 14 shorts over the course of three exciting nights of genre film mayhem at the Staircase Theatre located at 27 Dundurn St. N in western Hamilton. The HXFF promises the best in envelope-pushing indie horror & exploitation film-making designed by fans, for fans.

If you're planning to attend the festival, please join the Official HXFF 2020 Facebook Event and invite your friends. To get major announcements, sign up for the HXFF Mailing List.




IMPORTANT FESTIVAL DATES




FEB 20-22, 2020: SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE

TICKET PRICES

 $12.00 regular single admission. If you’re planning on seeing multiple movies, sign up for a Friday (Feb 21) or Saturday (Feb 22) pass! 3-Day Festival Passes are also available ($65.00) or upgrade for the best value and get a 3-Day VIP Pass ($84.00)


VENUES

All Screenings will take place at the Staircase Theatre (27 Dundurn St. N).

The Staircase Cafe Theatre i located at the cross roads of highways 8, 2 and 403. For locals the simplest directions are “one block north of King Street on Dundurn, in the old Hydro building, yah the big brick thing that looks like a school.” For hard core Hamiltonians the simplest directions are “its the big brick building you can see from the King Street Tim Horton’s drive through.” Please call for directions if needed. 905.529.3000

SOCIAL MEDIA

Stay connected to all things HXFF by following our social media feeds:

- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram

Sep 30, 2019

HXFF Retro Grade presents TAMMY AND THE T-REX (1994) * 25th Anniversary - Restored Gore Cut


TAMMY AND THE T-REX (1994)
*25th Anniversary - Restored Gore and Uncut*
|| RETRO GRADE ||


DIR. STEWART RAFFILL, 90 MIN. USA

SHOW TIMES: Saturday, November 16, 2019 @ 8:30pm (Main Theatre)



SHORT SUMMARY

An evil scientist implants the brain of a murdered high school student into a robotic Tyrannosaurus. He escapes, wreaks vengeance on his high school tormentors, and seeks to reunite with his sweetheart Tammy.


FULL DESCRIPTION

It’s the 25th Anniversary of 2019’s most unbelievable repertory film discovery. Directed by Stewart Raffill (MAC AND ME, THE ICE PIRATES), TAMMY AND THE T-REX is a love story as old as time.


This post-JURASSIC jam stars Denise Richards (STARSHIP TROOPERS, WILD THINGS) and the late Paul Walker (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) in an unprecedented mishmash of rom-com tropes and R-rated horror thrills. When Paul's mauled by the local zoo’s toothier residents, his love affair with Denise doesn’t cease — even after his brain is transplanted into an ancient animatronic predator. Oh, and did we mention “Bernie” from WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S is the villain?


Originally filmed as a gorefest w/ impressive splatter by SFX guru John Carl Buechler, TAMMY’s only minimal release back in the day was cut to PG-13, funneled straight-to-video and inexplicably marketed as a “kids’ film.” Thanks to the intrepid efforts of top-notch archival pals Vinegar Syndrome, this gonzo gem is fully restored and ready to scorch your audience's ganglia into dust!


(American Genre Film Archive)

POSTER


Jan 15, 2019

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 PageTwitter FeedInstagram, and sign up for our Email Newsletter


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

THURSDAY - FEB 21, 2019
____________________________________________________

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



Sep 10, 2018

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*



Aug 6, 2018

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.

Mar 16, 2018

Hexploitation Film Festival: March 23-25 (Hamilton, ON) - Horror, Exploitation, Cult Films!


The Hexploitation Film Festival is coming March 23 - 25 to the Staircase Theatre (27 Dundurn St. N.) in Hamilton, ON for three days of Horror, Exploitation, and Cult genre film mayhem!

Get Tickets 

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION (updated 3/16/18)

  • Advance Sales of Friday and Sunday Passes ($15.00 ea.) End on 3/22/18 at 11:55pm (ET) 
  • Online Sales of Individual Film Tickets will Remain Open for the Duration of the Festival
  • Individual Film Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $11.00 (cash or credit card * subject to additional service charge)
  • Please print your online tickets from Universe.com and bring them to the event to check in and redeem your admission or pick up your pass. 
The HILARIOUS HOUSE OF FRIGHTENSTEIN 48TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (March 24th) is FREE. No passes or tickets are required. General admission seating - first come, first served.

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018- OPENING NIGHT!


7:30 pm: I WISH I WISH (Canadian Premiere!)
2017, DIR. EDUARDO M. CLORIO, 83 MIN. MEX
== DIRECTOR IN ATTENDANCE FOR Q&A ==
*Subtitled in English*

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

50% SOLD OUT
Get Tickets

2017, DIR. ANDY COLLIER & TOOR MIAN, 96 MIN. UK
== DIRECTOR 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 DISTORTED by Niall Shukla

60% SOLD OUT
Get Tickets

SATURDAY MARCH 24, 2018

== SPECIAL GUEST MITCH MARKOWITZ IN ATTENDANCE ==

 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

FREE EVENT


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)

2017, DIR. CHAD ARCHIBALD, 90 MIN. CAN
== FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE FOR Q&A ==

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 SCRAPS by Christopher Giroux

70% SOLD OUT

2017, DIR. LLOYD KAUFMAN, 84 MIN. USA
== TROMA MERCH FOR SALE & PRIZES! ==

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 TERMITATOR by Camille Monette, Roxane De Koninck, and Keenan Poloncsak

65% SOLD OUT

2017, DIR. BRENDAN STEERE, 70 MIN. USA

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

60% SOLD OUT
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018- CLOSING NIGHT!


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).

40% SOLD OUT

7:00pm: RUIN ME (Canadian Premiere!)
2017, DIR. PRESTON DEFRANCIS. 87 MIN. USA

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.

40% SOLD OUT

Feb 20, 2018

FULL 2018 LINEUP & SCHEDULE REVEALED


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.

BROWSE COMPLETE DIRECTORY OF ALL 2018 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

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.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018- OPENING NIGHT!


7:00 pm: I WISH I WISH (Canadian Premiere!)
2017, DIR. EDUARDO M. CLORIO, 83 MIN. MEX
*Subtitled in English*

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

Get Tickets

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 DISTORTED by Niall Shukla

Get Tickets

SATURDAY MARCH 24, 2018

**Special Guest Mitch Markowitz in Attendance**

 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)

2017, DIR. CHAD ARCHIBALD, 90 MIN. CAN

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 SCRAPS by 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 TERMITATOR by Camille Monette, Roxane De Koninck, and Keenan Poloncsak


2017, DIR. BRENDAN STEERE, 70 MIN. USA

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2018- CLOSING NIGHT!


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).


7:00pm: RUIN ME (Canadian Premiere!)
2017, DIR. PRESTON DEFRANCIS. 87 MIN. USA

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.