Sarah O'Donell
Get ready for a thrilling ride as the Popcorn Frights Film Festival returns this year, both in-person and virtually, from August 8-18. The festival is pulling out all the stops for its tenth anniversary, with the second wave of programming promising even more electrifying events and premieres.
According to the press release, the festival is introducing the Golden Skull Award to honor a horror master who has left an indelible mark on the genre. The first recipient of this prestigious award is the legendary actor Tony Todd, known for his chilling performances in over 200 films, including the iconic CANDYMAN. Todd will receive this honor during a special presentation of Candyman, which will be followed by screenings of two new films featuring him: the spine-chilling The Activated Man and the world premiere of The Bunker.
But the terror doesn’t stop there! Just when you thought it was safe to sleep, Popcorn Frights presents its grand finale: an Up All Night With Freddy marathon. This all-night horror fest, made possible by FlickDirect, will feature all seven ELM STREET films, culminating with the Florida Premiere of the audaciously entertaining, Elm Street-inspired Bollywood horror musical Mahakaal.
And the fun isn’t limited to the films! Before the opening night, gear up for Horror Movie Trivia Presented by Paramount Scares, hosted by horror legends Brian Yuzna and William Lustig. Test your horror knowledge to the limits and stand a chance to win special prizes from Paramount Scares.
Popcorn Frights 2024 has also revealed its virtual lineup for those across the country, featuring over twenty films that are sure to send chills down your spine.
Here’s a sneak peek into the second wave of Popcorn Frights 2024 programming:
FEATURE FILM LINEUP
The Activated Man
Special Presentation
United States | 2023 | 115 Min. | Dir. Nicholas Gyeney
In-Theater Exclusive
*Director Nicholas Gyeney and actor Tony Todd expected in person
After a man loses his beloved dog to cancer, he starts experiencing strange visions that force him to question his sanity.
All Alone Together
East Coast Premiere
United States | 2023 | 105 Min. | Dir. Maximus Jenkins
Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)
As a tormented filmmaker’s success skyrockets, the horrors from his film begin to seep into his reality.
Booger
South Florida Premiere
United States | 2023 | 78 Min. | Dir. Mary Dauterman
Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)
After her best friend’s death, a woman becomes obsessed with Booger, a stray cat they had adopted. But when Booger bites her, she begins to undergo a bizarre transformation.
The Buildout
Florida Premiere
United States | 2023 | 70 Min. | Dir. Zeshaan Younus
Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)
A friendship is put to the test when two women encounter something unusual in the desert.
The Ceremony Is About to Begin
Florida Premiere
United States | 2024 | 70 Min. | Dir. Sean Nichols Lynch
Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)
When a documentary filmmaker visits an Ancient Egyptian inspired cult’s rural commune to interview its mysterious leader, chaos and mummification rites ensue.
Haunted Ulster Live
East Coast Premiere
United Kingdom | 2023 | 80 Min. | Dir. Dominic O’Neill
Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)
On Halloween night in 1988, a TV veteran and a popular children’s presenter team up to investigate poltergeist activity in a haunted house in Belfast.
I Will Never Leave You Alone
Florida Premiere
United States | 2023 | 93 Min. | Dir. DW Medoff
Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)
After being released from prison, a man with a dark past must stay in a haunted house to rid it of spirits. But he soon encounters a witch-ghost that might be worse than his time in prison.
Livescreamers
Get Ready for the Florida Premiere of “Livescreamers”
From the United States | 2023 | 90 Min. | Directed by Michelle Iannantuono
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
Join a popular group of content creators as they face the ultimate test of teamwork. A haunted video game begins to kill them off one by one. Will they survive?
Introducing “The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine”
Florida Premiere
From the United States | 2024 | 90 Min. | Directed by Graham Skipper
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
In a post-apocalyptic world, the last man on Earth grapples with his purpose and sanity. His deceased wife and a mysterious stranger confront him with his past, present, and future in the desolate landscape of a dead world.
Unveiling “Mysterious Ways”
East Coast Premiere
From the United States | 2024 | 92 Min. | Directed by Tyler Eaton
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
Two sibling youth pastors accidentally summon a demonic spirit, possessing a member of their youth group. Can they stop her rampage on Halloween night before Satanic forces bring about the End of Days?
Presenting “Old Wounds”
World Premiere
From the United States | 2024 | 109 Min. | Directed by Steven Hugh Nelson
Exclusive In-Theater Screening
*Director Steven Hugh Nelson and producers Erica Nelson and Anthony Cousins expected in person
An aspiring filmmaker documents a road trip with his girlfriend to meet her family. As he delves into her past, they discover he’s not the only one filming them.
Introducing “Sheryl”
Southeast US Premiere
From the United States | 2023 | 71 Min. | Directed by Justin Best
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
After being dumped by her serial killer boyfriend, a beauty-obsessed woman embarks on a blood-soaked quest to create the perfect female face. All while navigating her new relationship with the cop investigating the murders.
Unveiling “Sigil”
Southeast US Premiere
From the United States | 2024 | 111 Min. | Directed by Jacob Perrett
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
Two girls unknowingly summon a witch while celebrating their anniversary in the countryside. What will happen next?
Presenting “Video Vision”
Florida Premiere
From the United States | 2024 | 84 Min. | Directed by Michael Turney
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
A RetroTech Romance about a woman who unlocks the dark dimension of Dr. Analog through an old VCR. What secrets will she uncover?
Introducing “The Wheel of Heaven”
South Florida Premiere
From the United States | 2023 | 103 Min. | Directed by Joe Badon
Exclusively Available Virtually in the US
A woman caught up in predatory relationships is thrown into a multi-layered world of choices after she discovers a mystical book in a thrift store. What path will she choose?
IN THEATER RETRO LINEUP
Relive the Horror with “A Nightmare on Elm Street”
40th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
From the United States | 1984 | 91 Min. | Directed by Wes Craven
Teenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life.
Experience the Terror of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge”
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Join us for the “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon!
From the United States, 1985, 87 Min. Directed by Jack Sholder
Experience the terror of a teenage boy haunted in his dreams by Freddy Krueger, a deceased child murderer who seeks to possess him and continue his reign of terror in the real world.
Next up, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon continues
From the United States, 1987, 87 Min. Directed by Chuck Russell
Join a psychiatrist who is all too familiar with Freddy Krueger, the knife-wielding dream demon, as he helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams.
Don’t miss A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: Dream Master
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon continues
From the United States, 1988, 93 Min. Directed by Renny Harlin
Witness as Freddy Krueger returns once again to terrorize the dreams of the remaining Dream Warriors, as well as those of a young woman who may hold the key to defeating him for good.
Next, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
35th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
From the United States, 1989, 89 Min. Directed by Stephen Hopkins
Through the dreams of an unborn child, Freddy has resurrected himself, hoping to be reborn into the real world.
Special Presentation: Candyman
From the United States, 1992, 99 Min. Directed by Bernard Rose
*Actor Tony Todd expected in person
The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster’s myth.
Finally, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare
“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon concludes
From the United States, 1991, 89 Min. Directed by Rachel Talalay
Dream-haunting Freddy Krueger returns once again to prowl the nightmares of Springwood’s last surviving teenager, and of a woman whose personal connection to Krueger may mean his doom.
Don’t miss Mahakaal
30th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
From India, 1994, 132 Min. Directed by Shyam Ramsay & Tulsi Ramsay
A dream demon torments the family and friends of a young woman in order to take revenge on his death, which was caused by her police-officer father.
And finally, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
30th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
From the United States, 1994, 112 Min. Directed by Wes Craven
A demonic force has chosen Freddy Krueger as its portal to the real world. Can Heather Langenkamp play the part of Nancy one last time and trap the evil trying to enter our world?
Access to the in-theater experience is free and open to the public on a first come first served basis. However, a limited number of In-Theater All-Access VIP Badges are available for guests who want an all-inclusive experience with reserved seating for all films and special events at the Savor Cinema Fort Lauderdale and Paradigm Cinema’s Gateway Theater, Popcorn Frights’ official host venues. Separate virtual passes are also available, providing 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.
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