Terror Creeps into Philly

In late October 2006, for four days, a building of ethical foundation, was transformed into nightmarish delights, and hellish pleasures, while the buzz of Halloween swirl in the night air, this event called the Terror Film Festival unleashed itself to spread the toxics of horrors unto the public.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has now entered into the realm of horror film festivals joining the prestigious grounds of the elite in such cities of New York and Los Angeles, with their respective events. Yes, the Terror Film Festival did not have the big stars there, or the press, in fact any major press, well except me - one who found out about the event on Myspace. Nevertheless, what it the event organizers did bring to the forefront was integrity and talent.

The event organizers were, Claw and The Princess of Horror, with help from their friends and family, combine with their dedication and talent the Terror Film Festival shown at the Ethical Society Building in Philadelphia, was a success on many levels and will continue to be one.

One hundred and forty-four films were submitted for this festival, they came from all across America and from, Poland, Spain, Germany, and even South Africa. This was not a festival of any small proportion, nor was it limited to any individual or nationality, but rather to the best independent film production. Among the countless films, Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horrorwas submitted to the festival, but alas, it was also declined... Why? "It did not fit into the fest's definition of an independent film and with its large budget, [which dwarfed the competition,]" stated Felix. While the film would have guaranteed a larger turnout and most likely more press coverage, it did not warrant the festival's acceptance, nor that of the event judges. Again, the event organizers were passing on guarantee dollars and their own acclaim to fame.

Nevertheless, the Terror Film Festival style is an intimate film festival personal and enjoyable for all who attended setting itself apart from other festivals by not limiting the films to certain years or to MPAA ratings, though they did still offer a shot at cash prizes and award known as 'CLAW'.

However, one can argue on the definition of independent films and the quality of those said films with regard to budgets. Yet, it cannot be argued about the talent that was showcased here in Philadelphia, thanks to Felix, a man who decline to be interviewed except to state that the event is for the filmmakers, the fans, and those who aspire for greatness and not himself.

This event was very hauntingly special. Instead of attending a haunted house and ghost, tours it was a friendly and fiendishly enjoyable time that started on October 17th highlighted six short films all nominated in various categories. Among which was entertaining animated short called Teddy Scares if sound familiar it should be it was made the same company that produces the collectible toy bears of the same name. This independent production highlighted the talent voices of Clive Barker and Linda Blair (of Exorcist fame) just to name 2 stars of cast. This film's screenwriter, Jim Hankins, went on to win in the category: Writers Boot Camp 6 Week Online Class. After, a short intermission break which allowed for a question and answered session with any of the filmmakers that were presented, the first full length feature of the festival played it was, Under Surveillance, a quirky film that lived up to a Hitchcockian style. This film also won best screenplay.

The first night, Tuesday of the four - day festival ended with a second short films program of five programs. It was wonderful to see the talents and how wide reaching this festival was as films presented here were from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa (The Mamtsotsi Bird) by Jo Horn to Barcelona, Spain (Happy Birthday 2 You). The first film of the second Short Film Program was even from Gothenburg, Sweden that journeyed here to haunt the fans with Bad Dreams.

Wednesday wickedly kicked off the night with a similar format as the previous night, seven short films in differ categories, with Dear Sweet Emma, a six-minute film that will have you rethinking about sweet old granny in the neighbor. Ben an audience member stated after this movie, "He never be short tempered with a senior citizen again." Half Price $ale was one of the hometown favorite created by Mike Zaleski, this short of 7 minutes came up 'short' in the category of best screenplay. Maybe the Dancing with Stars (television show), may take notice and cringe!

Next was the first of two full length features of the night was Satan's Whip, this was not only my personal favorite but also one of the crowd's favorites, The mixture of stylish tones and the material made for a colorfully entertaining film that pushed the boundaries. Pete Barker was truly the star of this film that played a one eyed priest, Father William; he was the audience's favorite character in all the films of the festivals. His serious deadpan remarks and sinister humor was a change pace. Many in the audience thought he should have been nominated for the best actor award, but he was not to displeasure of many in attendance. The director, Jason Maran, was one of the few filmmakers on hand most were not presented even those were very local did not attend, but we were thankful that their glorious films were on hand for our ghastly delights.

The second feature of the night was highly promoted and praised by fans on Myspace, which was, The Murder Game, though its story line had been before it was clever and entertaining. It also, have the most ingenious murder scene that one has witness in while and that was with a fire extinguisher and it not how you would ever think - great special effect, for this low budget film.

Thursday was as thrilling as possible, with the format that was dead on for a repeat of Tuesday with to be slashing fun, with four films that clocked in just over an hour. Project: Adam was in the same vein as television series, Twilight Zone, yet it was very entertaining film and intriguing screenplay, by my friend and drinking mate Jacob Buchheit won multiple awards. It won for the best sci-fi film and won for the Writer's Boot Camp Six Week Online Class and for Writer's Boot Camp Script Consultation; he was on hand for the event and an extensive Q&A session.

The feature film of the night was They Must Eat!, which was a black humor and horror mixed together and great gore scenes. This film was big crowd gathering which really showed the word-of-mouth of the Terror Film Festival's potential growth. This film had no CGI or other computer enhancements like most of films at the festival, just incredible and talented actors being hellish monsters without corny masks and just minor costumes mixed with a minimum makeup tricks. It was shot on DV (digital video) as were most of the other entries in the fest.

The night finished with four more shorts and the big draw of the night, which was Penny Dreadful (not the same film from the After Dark festival or After Dark distributors). This film starred the legendary actress Betsy Palmer (of Friday the 13^th) and went on to win the fest's CLAW award for Best Actress for her minor but significant role. Also, in the second segment of the short film program of the night it contained the fest's shortest short, of one minute, which was gruesome and bloody, and known as The Butcher, Baker and Nightmare Maker.

On the final night Felix, displayed his personal talent as a filmmaker, it was shown in between the two short film segments as a feature film, even though it was not a full-length feature. The showing of this film came with much prompting and dedicated fans, it was a horror spoof that honored Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and to the slasher genre of the greats of Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers, Leatherface, Lector, Norman Bates and of course Janet Leigh's role. The film was highly enjoyable and funny as a fan film; it had won several awards at other film festivals many years ago.

This Friday was fiendish and was filled with eight shorts and one trailer, another big winner was the movie Steves true homage to the movie The Shining, and the most experimental film called Room 101 from Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. The festival made every effort to impress with no tricks just treats for the audience to enjoy. The trailer that was eerie and left everyone wanting to see it was named The Séance created by Arun Vaidyanathan from New Jersey.

The final film of the night was the second hometown favorite, Of Darkness, and it was no finer a film to end with making the audience leery to venture into the city's darkness which is always scary and making sure we known to fear the unknown. This film's storyline was great and true to the horror genre with a great cast directed by Gary Irwin, who had also a fantastic killing soundtrack. The screenwriter, Matt Casale, of local fame, of this film won honors with Writers Boot Camp 6 Week Online Class.

The only downside of the, Terror Film Festival was the starting time 4:30 in the afternoons and the festival itself had to end, many new bonds were created and smiles abound all - from the fans to the filmmakers to Felix Diaz and his crew. But fret not it was announced at O'Sheas - a local bar that held after party events each of the festival - that the festival would resurrect itself again and devour the living in October 2007.

For more information including a full list of the previous nominations and winners and to stay update, visit the Terror Film Festival's website.