POPCORN FRIGHTS ANNOUNCES SECOND WAVE OF PROGRAMMING FOR HYBRID FESTIVAL

Highlights include the inaugural Golden Skull Award presented to Horror Legend Tony Todd at a Special Presentation of CANDYMAN; an “Up All Night with Freddy” Closing Night marathon featuring all seven ELM STREET films presented overnight; and the unveiling of the Festival’s Virtual Program premiering 20 feature films

The Tenth Annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival will be a hybrid experience presenting both in-theater and virtual film offerings from August 8-18, 2024

Prepare yourselves for a decade of dread as Popcorn Frights celebrates its tenth anniversary with its most ambitious lineup yet! From August 8-18, the festival will unleash 48 feature film premieres and special presentations, delivering a retina-reeling, round-the-world showcase of the weird, strange, and most badass genre films on the big screen and online across the US.

To commemorate its awesome milestone, Popcorn Frights introduces the Golden Skull Award, honoring a master of horror whose made an everlasting impact on the genre and our darkest dreams. The inaugural recipient is legendary actor Tony Todd, the haunting star of over 200 films, including the iconic CANDYMAN. At a special presentation of CANDYMAN, Todd will receive this honor, accompanied by the screening of two new films featuring him: the unsettling tale THE ACTIVATED MAN and the previously announced world premiere of THE BUNKER.

But the horror doesn’t end there! Just when you thought it was safe to go back into bed, Popcorn Frights unleashes its grand finale: an UP ALL NIGHT WITH FREDDY marathon hosted over one single night, made possible by the generous support of Flick Direct. Kicking off with the 40th anniversary of Wes Craven’s A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, the event will feature all seven ELM STREET films with the Man of Your Dreams, culminating with the Florida Premiere of the brazenly outrageous, Elm Street-inspired Bollywood horror musical MAHAKAAL, complete with its own horrifically disfigured dream-stalker with a razor-clawed glove.

Among the twelve feature film world premieres at this year’s festival is Steven Hugh Nelson’s OLD WOUNDS, an edge-of-your-seat found footage chiller. The film stars Popcorn Frights alum Chelsey Grant (FROGMAN, V/H/S/85) and follows a couple on a road trip who encounter a mysterious stalker, forcing them to confront their past.

Fans can also look forward to experiencing Popcorn Frights’ online virtual component featuring more than 20 films and granting audiences across the entire United States the opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled experience of the festival, no matter where they are.

Notable films exclusively playing in the virtual program include the shocking creepfest ALL ALONE TOGETHER, the acclaimed body-horror comedy BOOGER, the desert-set terror THE BUILDOUT starring TERRIFIER’s Jenna Kanell, the found footage mummy tale THE CEREMONY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN, the chilling haunted house mockumentary HAUNTED ULSTER LIVE, the disturbingly witchy horror I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE, the screenlife found footage fright fest LIVESCREAMERS, Graham Skipper’s personal cosmic tale from the heart THE LONELY MAN WITH THE GHOST MACHINE, the hilarious horror comedy MYSTERIOUS WAYS, the murderous blood-soaked thriller SHERYL, the unnerving tale of witchcraft gone wrong SIGIL, the retrotech romance VIDEO VISION, and the genre-hopping cinematic mixtape THE WHEEL OF HEAVEN.

The excitement doesn’t end with the films — before the opening night curtains rise, prepare for HORROR MOVIE TRIVIA PRESENTED BY PARAMOUNT SCARES and hosted by horror legends Brian Yuzna and William Lustig! Expect some mind-benders and maybe some bone breakers, as your wits and horror knowledge are tested to the limits for a chance to win special prizes from Paramount, Epic Studios, Kino Cult, and MVD.

So grab your friends, your favorite swim trunks, and get ready for the most electrifying, sunny, and frightfully fun-packed summer event of the year. Popcorn Frights is coming for you, and you won’t want to miss a single moment of it!

Access to the in-theater experience is free and open to the public on a first come first served basis, but a limited number of In-Theater All-Access VIP Badges will be available for guests who would like an all-inclusive experience with reserved seating for all films and special events hosted at the Savor Cinema Fort Lauderdale and Paradigm Cinema’s Gateway Theater, Popcorn Frights’ official host venues. Separate virtual passes are also available and will provide access to every film streaming in the festival’s virtual program. To order an In-Theater All-Access VIP Badge,click here, to order a Virtual All-Access Pass, click here.

This year’s Popcorn Frights official poster was created by South Florida artist Kent Hernandez, who previously crafted imagery for the event in 2022 and 2023, and has designed a new original poster for the festival.

The tenth edition of the Popcorn Frights Film Festival is made possible with the support of its generous sponsors, including AGFA, Dark Sky Films, Epic Pictures, Fangoria, Flick Direct, Kino Cult, MVD, Nightmare Weekend Miami, Paradigm Cinemas, Paramount Scares, Savor Cinema, and its loyal fans.

IN-THEATER FEATURE FILM LINEUP
(Second Wave):

A Nightmare on Elm Street
40th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1984 | Dir. Wes Craven

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1985 | Dir. Jack Sholder

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1987 | Dir. Chuck Russell

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: Dream Master
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1988 | Dir. Renny Harlin

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
35th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1989 | Dir. Stephen Hopkins

The Activated Man
Special Presentation
USA | 2023 | Dir. Nicholas Gyeney
*Director Nicholas Gyeney and actor Tony Todd expected in person

Candyman
Special Presentation
USA | 1992 | Dir. Bernard Rose
*Actor Tony Todd expected in person

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1991 | Dir. Rachel Talalay

Mahakaal
30th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
India | 1994 | Dirs. Shyam Ramsay & Tulsi Ramsay

Old Wounds
World Premiere
USA | 2024 | Dir. Steven Hugh Nelson
*Director Steven Hugh Nelson and producers Erica Nelson and Anthony Cousins expected in person

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
30th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
USA | 1994 | Dir. Wes Craven

VIRTUAL FEATURE FILM LINEUP
(Second Wave):

All Alone Together
East Coast Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. Larry Wade Carrell

Booger
South Florida Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. Mary Dauterman

The Buildout
Florida Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. Zeshaan Younus

The Ceremony Is About to Begin
Florida Premiere
USA | 2024 | Dir. Sean Nichols Lynch

Haunted Ulster Live
East Coast Premiere
UK | 2023 | Dir. Dominic O’Neill

I Will Never Leave You Alone
Florida Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. DW Medoff

Livescreamers
Florida Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. Michelle Iannantuono

The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine
Florida Premiere
USA | 2024 | Dir. Graham Skipper

Mysterious Ways
East Coast Premiere
USA | 2024 | Dir. Tyler Eaton

Sheryl
Southeast US Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. Justin Best

Sigil
Southeast US Premiere
USA | 2024 | Dir. Jacob Perrett

Video Vision
Florida Premiere
USA | 2024 | Dir. Michael Turney

The Wheel of Heaven
South Florida Premiere
USA | 2023 | Dir. Joe Badon