Independent Horror

Paramount Home Media Distribution today announced that it has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the independent film Ghost Team One.  

Produced by Flying Monkeys Entertainment and Foresight Entertainment, Ghost Team One is a hilarious and subversive horror send-up and an official selection at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival. 

The film follows two friends who are both trying to impress a girl who believes the spirit of a vengeful madam is haunting their home.  They set out to make a documentary about a murder that took place in their house decades ago and, much to their surprise, soon capture some terrifying - and uproarious - supernatural activity that leads them to believe that the ghost is not only real…she’s also into them.

DeInstitutionalized LLC has released the first poster for their horror thriller A House is Not a Home.  The film notably stars Gerald Webb (True Blood), Bill Cobbs (Night at the Museum), Eddie Steeples (My Name is Earl) and Richard Grieco (21 Jump Street).  Head inside for a larger look.

The Williams’ Family have recently moved into their residence, but something is not right. Shapes and shadows move in the home, late at night and a presence is stalking this family.

Post-production wraps on the film in June.

Weirdsmobile Productions announced that its new horror-comedy, Chastity Bites, will be making its World Premiere at the 16th edition of the Dances With Films film festival on June 1, 2013 at 11:45pm in Hollywood, California.   And, inside, we have an exclusive first look at the trailer for you.

The film, written and produced by Lotti Pharriss Knowles (producer on HBO Documentary Films' Vito and I Am Divine), marks the feature film directorial debut of John V. Knowles (short film SHADOW.NET).  

Filmmaker Kyle Kuchta has revealed the official trailer for his horror convention documentary Fantasm.

The doc analyzes the tight-knit community that attends horror conventions in an exploration of how the genre brings fans together. "Fantasm was filmed over six conventions, and I felt myself growing closer and closer to the genre that we all love so much," says Kuchta. "It means a lot to be able to share that love with people, and that's what Fantasm is all about."

In addition to a variety of devoted fans, Fantasm features insight from popular horror actors and filmmakers, including Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Tom Atkins (Escape from New York), Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2), Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger) and more.

The Bela Lugosi-starring White Zombie (1932) was remade by indie horror director Creep Creepersin and, after the jump, you'll be able to see the fruits of his labors via a trailer.

This contemporary redo stars Elina Madison (interview), Creep Creepersin, Tony Slade, Mindy Robinson, Dean Mounir, Myles Crawford, Anne Montavon, Lea Vonn, Joseph Daniels, Tim Chizmar, Jake Osti, Edward Joyce and Adam Jaffe.

No word yet on a release date.

Here's the latest poster art for the indie horror film The Secret Village.  Greg, an unsuccessful screenwriter and Rachel,a beautiful journalist research an outbreak of mass hysteria in a small village. They start to uncover a secret about ergot poisoning that has affected this village for years. But the cult activity has been kept a secret by the locals and when Greg disappears, Rachel is left alone to unravel the mystery and save their lives.

Distribution news is said to be coming for this title, we'll keep you posted.

Ali Faulkner, Jonathan Bennett, Stelio Savante, and Richard Riehle star.  Swamy M. Kandan directed based on Kandan and Jason B. Whittier’s script. 

Michael Madsen is featured in this new photo from writer/director Brian A. Metcalf’s anticipated new horror/drama The Lost Tree, which also stars Thomas Ian Nicholas, Lacey Chabert, Scott Grimes  and Clare Kramer .

The Lost Tree is centered around a man, Noah (Nicholas), who is guilt-ridden for the death of his wife, Emma (Kramer).

He travels to an isolated cabin in search of peace and isolation. But he soon learns of the dangerous surroundings of the area.  Michael Madsen plays, John, Noah’s dad. 

A teaser trailer for the indie horror film, Bind, has hit the web, offering a first look at the Dan Walton-directed picture.

The film stars Emmanuelle Vaugier, Edward Furlong, Sierra Pitkin, Alisha-Jo Penny, Shalyeligh Pruzina and Sasha Neuhaus.  In this tale, a family moves into an abandoned orphanage and they soon learn that their charming orphanage has a disturbing history and is convinced they aren't alone. 

Devin McGinn is in post-production on a new supernatural thriller entitled Skinwalker Ranch starring Jon Gries, Kyle Davis, Erin Cahill, Devin McGinn and Matt Rocheleau.

In the film, a scientific research team investigates and documents the supernatural events surrounding the disappearance of a cattle ranchers 10-year-old son.  

According to the film's sales team, this tale is "based on the true story of 'Skinwalker Ranch' which shocked the paranormal community around the world."

Foresight Features, the studio behind Monster Brawl and Exit Humanity, has teamed up with acclaimed writer Tony Burgess ("Pontypool Changes Everything") for a 1950's style throwback entitled Hellmouth.

Directed by John Geddes (Exit Humanity), the film stars Stephen McHattie (Pontypool) as Charlie Baker, a dying grave keeper who’s forced to take one final job. The film also features Siobhan Murphy, Julian Richings, Boyd Banks the star of Exit Humanity, Mark Gibson and some iconic cameo's including, Bruce McDonald (PontyPool). An ode to classic horror and fantasy, Hellmouth is a VFX spectacle that chronicles Charlie Baker's dark descent through gothic landscapes, demonic worlds and medieval realms as he journeys to discover the secret behind a mysterious cemetery. 

North American rights to Ruthless Pictures’ Mischief Night, a home invasion thriller based on a pitch by Jesse Baget (Breathless, Cellmates) and Eric D. Wilkinson (The Man From Earth, Paranormal Movie), has been picked up by Image Entertainment, a subsidiary of RLJ Entertainment.  The film directed by Richard Schenkman (Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies), from a screenplay by Baget and Schenkman. 

Mischief Night tells the story of a terrifying home invasion on the eve of Halloween.  Young Emily Walton (Noell Coet), who has suffered from psychosomatic blindness ever since a car accident that took her mother’s life, must summon every instinct at her disposal to protect herself and her loved ones from a mysterious intruder

Origin Releasing has released the first stills from The Underneath which began rolling cameras.  The subterranean thriller stars Holt Boggs, Natalie Wilemon and Larry Jack Dotson and is directed by Brian T. Jaynes (Biohazard: Patient Zero, Boggy Creek).

The film follows a young newlywed couple who find themselves trapped in a network of underground caves. With her husband (Boggs)  injured, the new bride (Wilemon) is forced to find her way back to the surface in order to save his life. In the process, they discover a terrifying truth about the "underneath", that they are not alone.  Something evil is hunting them...

The film was shot on location and in studio in Mineola, Texas, where the crew constructed a full subterranean cave set in which most of principal photography took place.

Paul Solet's been keeping busy since directing Grace.  Lately, he's been dabbling in photography, however, recently he directed a short film called Going Down for Black Box TV.  You can watch this bite-sized tale inside.

The film stars Marc Senter (The Devil's Carnival) and Dinora Walcott (Scandal, Midnight Movie).  The synopsis goes as such: Gunther Cleary has his whole day mapped out, but a simple elevator ride shows him that life doesn't always go as planned. 

Jennifer Blanc-Biehn (Among Friends, The Divide) is making her directorial debut with the sci-fi/horror film The Night Visitor which is currently shooting.  

Lony Ruhmann scripted this tale which will combine "found footage" with a traditionally-told narrative.  The film is being geared for a straight-to-VOD release and we have a look at the poster - you can check out a larger version inside.

Brianne Davis plays the role of Jen, a mother of six-year old Ricky, who’s being tormented by a demented Alien.  Gary Cairns, Blanc-Biehn, Mark Gantt and Tara Buck co-star.

Based on true events, a Vegas-style birthday bash goes terribly wrong in the horrifying thriller Stripped, coming to DVD May 14th from Inception Media Group. 

To celebrate a 21st birthday, four friends embark on a road trip to Vegas – anticipating debauchery and memories that will last a lifetime – with Cameron recording the entire raucous excursion.

Once on the fabled strip, the guys waste no time getting the revelry started, arranging to meet strippers and undaunted by the girls’ request to hook up in a remote location.

Café Oscuro Films, in collaboration with Atlantic & Pacific Pictures, are at work on the horror film Nevermore.

The film takes place in Cedar Rock Falls, a small fictional town in North Carolina where a man (James), his wife (Jennifer) and 7 year-old son (Danny) decide to move temporarily after the death of James' mother. Soon, the family begins to experience strange and frightening episodes of paranormal activity in the house, as they discover ghostly apparitions of children.

There's another film on the way taking the moniker of The Factory.  Not to be confused with the John Cusack-starring thriller which hit DVD this year, The Factory is a film by Dena Hysell and it's set to star Azura Skye (American Horror Story), Bill Sage and John Hennigan, says Variety.

According to the outlet, the film "chronicles a group considering buying an old factory who then get trapped inside trying to escape the demons from the factory’s past."

Eagle One Media has acquired worldwide rights to Scare Zone, director Jon Binkowski’s debut feature film.

The film will hit this summer on DVD, VOD, and digital platforms within North America and rolled out globally in various territory markets.  Shot on a Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights set, Scare Zone features Neil Brown Jr., Arian Ash, Simon Needham and Jordan Woods-Robinson.

Scare Zone is Oliver's pride and joy. Sure, it's just another strip-mall Halloween Horror House, but as always, he's put his heart and soul into it for the last two years. This year the theme is "Scare Zone III: the Psyco-Splatter Raw-topsy Slaughter Dungeon" where he's created an entire creepy Victorian maze featuring all of his best scenarios: the Living Amputation, the odiferous Toilet of Terror, the Vampire Bride (featuring Bat-Baby), and of course a final encounter with the chainsaw wielding Pumpkin Carver.

Jennifer Blanc-Biehn (Among Friends, The Divide) is set to make her directorial debut with the sci-fi/horror film The Night Visitor.  Lony Ruhmann scripted this tale which will combine "found footage" with a traditionally-told narrative.  The film is being geared for a straight-to-VOD release.  Shooting begins April 4th in Los Angeles.

A Vimeo "pick of the week" has proven to be a short but sweet animated film called Saturday the 14th (no relation to the live-action horror-comedy of the same name).

Animator Kristjan Lyngmo introduces you to Mason, a killer who has to contend with a few issues being a "masked" maniac.

According to the Vimeo page, "Saturday the 14th is a 3D animated short film made during a 6 month period while studying at the 3D Animation and Visual Effects program at Vancouver Film School. It was created using Autodesk Maya 2013, Nuke, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Premier."

Origin Releasing has acquired Cowboys vs. Vampires, written and directed by Douglas Meyers and starring Jasen Wade (Amber Alert), Angelica Celaya (Perro Amor) and Shannon Whirry (Me Myself and Irene).

The story of a western movie actor (Johnny Dust) still trying to make it big in a western film studio and theme park, when a 'new management team' takes over the park and turns the film studio into a fright-fest for the month of Halloween. Haunted by the image of his dead western movie hero, who appears to him on the little screen, Johnny unravels the real intent of management and its opening night 'spectacular', which takes place in the depths of the park's cave.

The film will have a presence at  LONE STAR COMIC CON in San Antonio next week in addition to making a short festival and convention run in preparation for the release to top outlets such as Walmart, Target, Redbox and more. The official street date will be announced next month along a full list of outlets

Indie filmmaker A.D. Calvo alerted us to the trailer for his latet film, The Midnight Game.  Calvo previously directed The Other Side of the Tracks, The Melancholy Fantastic and House of Dust.  His latest is due for release sometime this year and you can check out the trailer inside.

In the film, a group of high school students find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of their worst fears after playing a Pagan ritual on a dare.

Renee Olstead, Shelby Young, Guy Wilson, Valentina De Angelis and Spencer Daniels star.  Stay tuned for release details as they come in.

Inside, you're going to find the trailer for American Ecstasy, an indie film that literally jumped onto my radar as of this morning.  It marks the directorial feature debut of photographer Jonathan Leder and if you're familiar with his work then you'll see this film fits right in with his style.

American Ecstasy is described, by the official website, as "An anthology film exploring tales of resilient women snared in a single terrifying, hallucinatory nightmare, fates left gasping in the gloved hands of a mad everyman, this is the movie that will prove, once and for all, that the most monstrous of highway predators is America itself."

Britany Nola (November 2012 Playboy Playmate), Amy Hood and Lindsay Roan star.  More on this film as it comes in!

The sequel to the Canadian cult '70s-inspired throwback hit If a Tree Falls, which had its world premiere at Fantasia in 2010, is axing its way into 2013 with a new teaser poster.  The '80s-inspired sequel entitled If a Tree Falls 2: Exist to Nowhere is fronted by the same team producing team, Ryan Barrett and Gabriel Carrer.  Breanne teBoekhorst also returns as the leading axe-wielding lady, Vanessa. More as it comes in...  Check out the poster inside.

Zeroinside Films and Pinnovating Productions have revealed The Black Dahlia Haunting - written and directed by Brandon Slagle - has been picked up by Origin Releasing for North American distribution..

The film stars Devanny Pinn, Britt Griffith, Noah Dahl, Alexis Iacono, Cleve Hall, Jessica Cameron and Sarah Nicklin.

The acclaimed film, which nabbed Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Monster at Shockfest in Hollywood this past November will hit stores, VOD outlets, and other markets in the U.S. and Canada in the third quarter of 2013.

Alex House (Todd & the Book of Pure Evil) is on-board to co-star alongside horror icon Bill Moseley in the slasher-comedy The Ballad of Sadie Grace.

Plot details are being kept under wraps but House will play a struggling author who reluctantly returns home to face his questionable past with local slasher legend Sadie Grace. 

The script is written by standup comedian Josh Arnold (The Impersonators) and will be directed by Joshua Hull (Beverly Lane, The Impersonators). 

Highland Myst Entertainment and Wolfclan Productions are proud to announce their newest film, The Harrowing, a demonic, horror-thriller currently filming on location in Dallas, Texas.  

In the tradition of Shutter Island and Jacob's Ladder, The Harrowing follows fallen-from-grace Vice Detective Ryan Calhoun. After a routine surveillance goes horribly wrong, Calhoun is accused of the ritualistic murder of his best friend and partner, a prostitute, and a corrupt Congressmen.  Unhinged and tormented by demonic dreams, and bent on discovering the truth, Calhoun is admitted to a forensic hospital for observation where, his sanity slowly sipping away, he begins to uncover the darkest, most terrifying truth imaginable.

Writer/director Brian A. Metcalf (Fading of the Cries) has just released the official teaser trailer for his new horror/drama The Lost Tree and you can check it out in the player after the break.

The Lost Tree stars Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie, The Rules of Attraction), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill), Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls, “Party of Five”), Scott Grimes (Robin Hood, “American Dad”) and Clare Kramer (Bring It On, The Rules of Attraction).

The horror thriller is centered around a man, Noah (Nicholas), who is guilt-ridden for the death of his wife, Emma (Kramer). He travels to an isolated cabin in search of peace and isolation. But he soon learns of the dangerous surroundings of the area.

Just the other day, we informed you of the film playing at Slamdance, Ghost Team One.  A, sort of, "Harold and Kumar meets Paranormal Activity" (their description, not ours).  The film has released a trailer, which you can find inside.

In order to impress a girl, two roommates set out to make a documentary about a murder that took place in their house decades ago.  The girl thinks that the victim's ghost still resides there, and the two guys think that making a movie with her will get them laid.  But after setting cameras up around the house, the legitimately supernatural occurrences that follow make it apparent that the ghost is not only real, but that she’s a vengeful Vietnamese madame from the 1930’s that’s become smitten with our guys.

The "found footage" is at a point now where we're starting to see comedic spins permeate the sub-genre.  This Friday sees the release of A Haunted House and this month, at Slamdance, there's the debut of Ghost Team One from directors Scott Rutherford and Ben Peyser.

The film, described as Harold and Kumar meets Paranormal Activity (which sounds like a Harold and Kumar sequel title in and of itself) and we've received a few images.  Carlos Santos, J.R. Villarreal, Fernanda Romero and Tony Cavalero star.

In order to impress a girl, two roommates set out to make a documentary about a murder that took place in their house decades ago.  The girl thinks that the victim's ghost still resides there, and the two guys think that making a movie with her will get them laid.  But after setting cameras up around the house, the legitimately supernatural occurrences that follow make it apparent that the ghost is not only real, but that she’s a vengeful Vietnamese madame from the 1930’s that’s become smitten with our guys.

Michael Madsen, Lacey Chabert, Scott Grimes, Thomas Ian Nicholas and Clare Kramer (pictured) will star in Brian A. Metcalf’s new horror/drama The Lost Tree.

Written, directed and produced by Metcalf, The Lost Tree is centered around a man, Noah (Nicholas), who is guilt-ridden for the death of his wife, Emma (Kramer). He travels to an isolated cabin in search of peace and isolation. But he soon learns of the dangerous surroundings of the area.

Madsen is set to play the role of John, Noah’s dad. Chabert will play Jenna, Noah’s best friend and coworker while Grimes will be Alan, a real estate agent.

Shooting begins this October on The Lost Tree, reports Variety.  The film will star Thomas Ian Nicholas, best known for his turn in the American Pie series.