Ghostly film screening ambiance
Knoxville is buzzing with excitement as the 16th annual Knoxville Horror Film Festival approaches! Mark your calendars for an incredible week filled with chills and thrills, running from Wednesday, October 16 to Sunday, October 20. As Halloween creeps closer, locals are gearing up to embrace the spooky season, and what better way to dive in than by celebrating with fellow horror fans?
The Knoxville Horror Film Festival first kicked off back in 2009, starting as a humble short film festival. Since then, it has blossomed into a must-visit event for film lovers and horror aficionados alike. This year, prepare yourself for a feast of films with 17 feature screenings spanning over five action-packed days — plus, expect to enjoy four to five hours of short films too!
Excitingly, the festival will take place at both Central Cinema and Parkway Drive-in. Thursday and Friday are particularly thrilling days, when various events and screenings will be hosted at the drive-in theater. With space for nearly 600 vehicles, there’s plenty of room for you and your friends or family to join in on the fun!
But that’s not all! Throughout the five-day extravaganza, festival-goers can expect several interactive activities. More than ten local vendors will be showcasing unique items like art, jewelry, VHS tapes, and other goodies at Parkway Drive-in. Plus, there’ll be an exciting competition that had teams crafting their best exploitation trailers over the past two weeks. You won’t want to miss the chance to see these trailers, set to premiere on Thursday evening.
The festival was brought to life by visionary UT alumni, Nick Huinker and William Mahaffey, who recognized a gap for genre-specific film festivals in the Knoxville area. They aimed to create a platform for students and budding filmmakers to showcase their talents. “We want to ensure everyone feels included,” Mahaffey says. “That’s why we’re not just showing horror films; we’re including a variety of movies that incorporate horror elements, making it appealing to a wider audience.”
This year’s lineup features a special tribute to none other than Wes Craven, one of the most celebrated horror directors in cinematic history. Film fans are in for a treat with screenings of classics such as “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” celebrating its 40th anniversary, alongside “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare,” marking its 30th anniversary, and “Shocker,” which adds a dose of comedy to the horror mix!
Local students are particularly enthusiastic about the festival as Halloween approaches. Madi Rogers, a sophomore studying chemical engineering, expressed her excitement saying, “The horror fest makes me super excited for Halloween, which is my favorite holiday! I love seeing Knoxville embrace the spirit of fall and host events like this.”
If you’re eager to be part of the festivities, visit the festival’s website to grab your tickets for Thursday or Friday’s showings at the drive-in. With so many films, vendors, and activities lined up, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
So get ready, Knoxville! The Knoxville Horror Film Festival is here and it promises to deliver an unforgettable experience packed with horror, creativity, and community spirit. Embrace the spooky season with a fantastic festival that celebrates everything thrilling about film!
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