Friday, Nov. 2nd
12:30 pm Block 1 Assorted Shorts (1 hr. 35 mins)
#Selfie (Germany, Thriller, 5 mins)
Hold Your Peace (USA, Musical/Student, 17 mins)
Halim (Austria, Srama, 30 mins)
Nadine (USA, Horror, 3 mins)
A Pair of Horns on a Female Homo (Iran, Drama/Student, 10 mins)
Annabelle Crane (USA, Drama/Thriller/Student, 21 mins)
Backstory (Germany, Drama, 8 mins) time jumps
2:30 pm Block 2 Closer Than You Think (USA. Documentary, 86 mins)
Documentary on the life and work of imagineer Arthur Radebaugh, who visualized the future in the "Closer Than You Think" comic strip.
4:30 pm Block 3 Science Fiction Shorts (1 hr 45 mins)
Andromeda (USA, Science Fiction, 15 mins)
The Shipment (Canada, Science Fiction, 25 mins
Caronte (Spain, Science Fiction, 15 mins)
Through Her Eyes (France, Science Fiction, 23 mins)
Paleonaut (China/Japan/Singapore/USA, Science Fiction, 16 mins)
Prenatal (USA, Science Fiction, 11 mins)
6:45 pm Block 4 I'll Take Your Dead - NYS Premiere (Canada, 83 mins)
Black Fawn Films (Bite) returns with its most accomplished film to date. A man who disposes of dead bodies and his young daughter who communicates with spirits are imperiled when they offer refuge to a woman criminals want buried. New York State Premiere.
Short: Within the Woods (WNY, 13 mins) World Premiere.
9:00 pm Block 5 Post Apocalyptic Commando Shark
(WNY Comedy, 83 mins)
World Premiere of local filmmaker Sam Qualiana's camp comedy about a
Russian invasion of the US spearheaded by humanoid sharks. Q&A.
Short Feature: Slimoids (Canada, Cult, 49 mins). World Premiere.
Saturday, Nov. 3rd
12:00 pm Block 6 I Dare You To Open Your Eyes (WNY, 89 mins)
Film Festival Premiere of young local filmmaker Hope Muehlbauer's
nihilistic slasher drama about a high school student dealing with bullies. Q&A with Muehlbauer.
Short: Inked (USA, Comedy/Horror/Student, 7 mins) USA
2:15 pm Block 7 The Next Kill (USA, Action, 81 mins) US Premiere
Bold, hyper-stylized action yarn involving a masked vigilante and a serial
killer. Q&A with filmmaker Mike McCutchen.
Short: I Am the Doorway (UK, Horror, 20 mins) First rate adaptation Stephen King of Stephen King's classic sci-fi horror tale.
4:30 pm Block 8 Clickbait (USA, Horror/Satire, 80 mins) NYS Premiere
Clever, strikingly directed film about a serial killer and the quest for social
media fame. Q&A with filmmakers Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola (Blood of the Tribades). New York Premiere.
Short: Melatonin (Canada, Horror, 11 mins) World Premiere.
7:00 pm Block 9 Johnny Gruesome (WNY, Horror, 87 mins)
Film festival premiere of local filmmaker's long awaited adaptation of his
award-winning horror novel, about a murdered teenager who returns from
the grave as a rotting zombie hell bent on revenge. Starring Anthony De La Torre (Young Jack Sparrow) and Michael DeLorenzo (New York Undercover).
Short: Murder House (USA, horror, 20 mins) Directed by authors Richard Chizmar and Billy Chizmar (Widow's Point).
9:30 pm Block 10 The Child Remains (Canada, Horror, 1 hr 47 mins)
The most frightening horror film of the fest, a first rate supernatural chiller about a couple on a romantic getaway in an old country inn
is a haunted maternity home where unwanted infants and mothers were murdered. Inspired by the true story of the infamous "Butterbox Babies."
Starring Cannes Best Actress winner Suzanne Clement (Mommy), Allan Hawco (Frontier), Shelley Thompson (Labyrinth).
Short: Good Bye Old Friend (USA, Horror, 6 mins)
Sunday, Nov. 4th
11:30 pm Block 11 Family Films (60 mins)
The Girl Who Talks to the Moon (Canada, animated, 6 mins)
Lily Goes Fishing (USA/Young Student, 18 mins)
The Hood (WNY/Young Student, 15 mins)
12:45 pm Block 12 Murder In High Heels (Canada, Noir, 63 mins)
USA Premiere of Brett Kelly's loving tribute to classic film noirs. Q&A.
Shorts: New York Song Series (18 mins)
2:45 pm Block 13 Batraticus (USA, Comedy/Horror, 80 mins)
Camp comedy about a Bronx community facing a zombie outbreak and a giant, mutated bat-rat hybrid. Q&A with writer-director Jerry Landi.
Short: Pumpkin Bitch (WNY, Horror, 11 mins)
5:00 pm Dreamer Awards Presentation in the WBBZ TV Studio, free to the public
5:00 pm Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart
(USA, Offbeat Comedy/Drama/Thriller, 72 mins)
Don't want to watch the Dreamer Awards? Then check out this unique
film from writer-director Mickey Reece, which screens again Thursday
afternoon. Newlyweds David and Madeline Middleston have just purchased a historic hotel near the town where Madeline's estranged mother Dianne resides. When Dianne comes to visit, she brings with her an uninvited guest. This surreal story builds to a shuddering climax.
7:00 pm Block 14 Red Spring (Canada, Action/Horror, 1 hr 45 mins)
Action packed supernatural yarn about a small band of survivors battling
a horde of vampires that has overrun the planet. Q&A with writer-director
Jeff Sinesac, who also stars.
Short: Ernesto - (WNY, Science Fiction/Horror, 11 mins) World Premiere
of a short film by local filmmaker Rick Masi.
9:30 pm Block 15 WTF: Framed (Spain, Horror, 80 mins)
Extremely violent and gory film combining the home invasion and found
footage genres, in a story reminiscent of The Purge.
Short: Pappy's World (CNY, Horror, 8 mins)
Short: The Devil’s Due (Canada, Horror/Comedy, 4 mins)
Monday, Nov. 5th
12:30 pm Block 16 Short Films: Iran & Belgium (1 hr 52 mins)
Limit (Iran, Drama, 7 mins)
Isolated Crows of Solitude (Iran, Drama/Student, 20 mins)
Swimming in Gold (Germany/Iran, Documentary, 13 mins)
Utopia (Iran, Drama, 17 mins)
Salmon (Iran, Horror, 16 mins)
Family for Sale (Belgium, Comedy, 15 mins)
Caducea (Belgium, Horror, 25 mins)
3:00 pm Block 17 Matty Fresno and the Holoflux Universe
USA, Sci-fi/Comedy/Drama, 92 mins)
5 pm Block 18 Short Films/ The Necropath (78 mins)
The Necropath (US, Horror, 51 mins) - violence, gore
Alice (Spain, Thriller, 10 mins)
The Patient - Act One (German, Thriller. 11 mins)
Road Trash (US, Horror, 6 mins)
Hands Free (UK, Comedy, 7 mins)
7 pm Block 19 Will O' The Wisp
(WNY, Experimental/Thriller, 60 mins)
World Premiere of Mick O'Keefe's bizarro, avant garde tale of a man against the norms of his time fighting to save his daughter. A brilliant
first film that will leave people talking long after the festival ends. Q&A
with the artist.
Short: One Shot - (USA, Drama, 12 mins)
Short: The Coffeemaker - (USA, Crime, 13 mins)
Short: How Do You Type a Broken Heart (USA, Drama, 13 mins)
9:30 pm Block 20 Derelicts (USA, Horror, 74 mins)
Violent, subversive and outrageous tale of derelicts who turn a family's Thanksgiving dinner into a nightmare.
Short: What Metal Girls Are Into (USA, Horror/Comedy,16 mins)
Tuesday, Nov. 6th
Election Day! Be sure to vote!
12:30 pm Block 21 Shorts: Spain, Mexico, Brazil (87 mins)
Fortune Teller (Spain, Fantasy, 20 mins)
Reflections Devour You (Spain, Fantasy, 19 mins)
Sol (Brazil, Horror, 14 mins)
The Peephole (Mexico, Horror, 8 mins)
Caronte (Spain, Science Fiction, 15 mins)
2:30 pm Block 22 Ingenium (German, Sci-Fi/Thriller, 88 mins)
Inventive and surprised filled action tale that begins as an international
thriller and takes a sharp detour into science fiction.
4:30 pm Block 23 Animation & Musical shorts (87 mins)
BANG! BOOM! POW! (USA, Musical/Student, 21 mins)
Our Wonderful Nature (Germany, animated, 4 mins)
Run Rostam Run (Iran, animated, 12 mins)
Fanman’s Basement (USA, animated, 7 mins)
The Fox (Animated, Iran, 12 mins)
When Counting Flamingos to Sleep (USA, animated, 11 mins)
Aftercare (WNY, animated/student, 5 mins, Mature) Plus One! (USA, Musical/Student, 23 mins)
6:30 pm Block 24 Tommy Battles the Silver Sea Dragon
(USA, Musical, 2 hrs 10 mins)
When a man finds himself on trial in a courtroom haunted by his own demons, he must reckon with the guilt of his mother's death before it destroys him and the one he loves. A dramatic, full blown musical from first-time writer-director-producer Luke Shirock.
9:20 pm Block 25 Local shorts (WNY, 81 mins)
Welcome to Space Force - (WNY, Comedy, 8 mins)
Once Around Is Never Enough - (WNY, Documentary, 26)
Aftercare (WNY, animated/student, 5 mins, Mature
Unbridled - (WNY, Horror/Comedy, 6 mins)
Test of Faith - (WNY, Science Fiction, 36 mins
Wednesday, Nov. 7th
1:00 pm Block 26 Shorts: United Kingdom, France, Germany, USA
(1 hr 36 mins)
Songbird (UK, Fantasy, 14 mins)
The Last Drop (Germany, Comedy/Horror, 10 mins)
The Dark Room (France, Fantasy/Student, 19 mins)
Doppelganger (USA, Horror/Student, 3 mins)
Night (USA, Drama/Student, 10 mins)
Dreamwisher (USA, Family/Fantasy, 8 mins)
The Quiet Room (USA, Horror, 28 mins)
Heimlich (USA, Thriller, 14 mins)
3:15 pm Block 27 Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart
(USA, Offbeat Comedy/Drama/Thriller, 72 mins)
Newlyweds David and Madeline Middleston have just purchased a historic hotel near the town where Madeline's estranged mother Dianne resides. When Dianne comes to visit, she brings with her an uninvited guest. This surreal story builds to a shuddering climax.
5:00 pm Block 28 Jasper (Switzerland, Dark Fantasy, 86 mins, subtitled)
In an undertemined time and place, Jasper, a solitary soul, rescues a young woman left for dead in an alley and takes her home to look after her, unaware that this will change his life...
7:00 pm Block 29 Three Fantastic Short Films
Kaya: Taste of Paradise (USA, Musical/Student, 25 mins)
Locke (WNY, Science Fiction, 29 mins)
Sound from the Deep (Finland, Horror, 29 mins)
9:20 pm Block 30 Lieutenant Jangles
(Australia, Action/Comedy, 1 hr 44 mins)
An over the top, politically incorrect spoof of 80s buddy action films. In the most crime ridden city of Australia, only one man keep evens the scales of justice: cowboy detective Lieutenant Jangles. After his partner is killed in a blazing shootout, Jangles goes on an explosive and blood soaked mission to avenge his death.
Thursday, Nov. 8th
12:30 pm Block 31 Best of the Fest Encore - To Be Announced!
3:00 pm Block 32 Shorts: US & Canada (76 mins)
Silence Please (USA, Fantasy, 11 mins)
The Dryad Tree (USA, Horror, 18 mins)
Living Nightmare (USA, Horror, 17 mins) Kiss the Devil in the Dark (USA, Horror, 30 mins)
Starring Doug Jones
5:00 pm Block 33 Jimmy (USA, Dark Comedy, 78 mins)
Gabe wants to marry Jo Lee, but she's on the fence because he procrastinates. Jo Lee sends her troubled brother Jimmy a casual invitation to visit her, and Jimmy arrives and overstays his visit. A hilarious character portrait with dark undercurrents written and directed by Jason Balas, who stars.
Short: Be My Guest (German, Comedy, 11 mins)
7:00 pm Block 34 Eullenia (2 hrs 9 mins)
A stylish, hypnotic, and beautifully filmed thriller from Paul Spurrier, writer-director of the elegant ghost story The Forest which we screened two years ago. A wealthy, philanthropic UK banker (Alec Newman, star of SyFy's Dune and Children of Dune) who prowls the streets of Bangkok at night in search of young teenage girls to murder becomes the target of a revenge plot.
9:30 pm The Fear Footage (72 mins, plus short)
This year's found footage movie is terrifying! On April 19th, 2016, Deputy Leo Cole vanished. The next morning, his body camera was found...
Short: Trespass (USA, Horror, 6 mins)
Feature film Summaries:
Batraticus (USA, Comedy/Horror/Cult, 80 mins). A Bronx community faces a zombie breakout following the appearance of a mutated "bat rat." A wildly entertaining horror comedy for the cult crowd from writer-director Jerry Landi (Krackoon, South Bronx Bigfoot). WNY Premiere.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/266594824
THE CHILD REMAINS (Canada, Horror/Thriller, 1 hr. 47 mins) First rate chiller in which an expectant couple's intimate weekend turns to terror when they discover a secluded country inn is a haunted maternity home where unwanted infants and mothers were murdered. Inspired by the true story of the infamous "Butterbox Babies." Written and directed by Michael Melski, starring Cannes Best Actress winner Suzanne Clement (Mommy), Allan Hawco (Frontier), Shelley Thompson (Labyrinth) and genre hero Geza Kovacs (Scanners, The Dead Zone). Quality horror. WNY Premiere.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/290560592
Clickbait (USA, Horror/Thriller/Satire, 80 mins) A college student who will do just about anything for Internet fame is kidnapped by a fan, and her reluctant roommate is the only one who can save her in this horror satire of popularity culture. Written by Michael J. Epstein and Jeremy Long, expertly directed by Epstein and Sophia Cacciola, the team that brought us Blood of the Tribades. A prime example of quality indie filmmaking on a tight budget. NYS Premiere.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/280361846
Closer Than We Think (USA, Documentary, 86 mins) Entertaining documentary about the art and life of Arthur Radebaugh, the visionary imagineer and creator of the Sunday comic strip "Closer Than We Think," which predicted how future technology would impact every day life. Directed by Brett Ryan Bonowicz.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/261247037
Derelicts (Derelicts Film) (USA, Horror/Cult, 74 mins) A strained suburban family's Thanksgiving is disrupted by a gang of vicious vagrants. Barbarity abounds and secrets are brought to the table in this pitch black burlesque. Violence, gore, sexual situations. Written and directed by BC Glassberg. This is a really well made, suspenseful entry in the home invasion subgenre. It's also this year's entry in the "horrible holiday." If you're a horror fan, we doubt your first viewing will be your last.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDQU19nGMBM
Eullenia (Thailand, in English, Thriller, 2 hrs. 9 mins). A stylish, hypnotic, and beautifully filmed thriller from Paul Spurrier, writer-director of the elegant ghost story The Forest which we screened two years ago. A wealthy, philanthropic UK banker (Alec Newman, star of SyFy's Dune and Children of Dune) who prowls the streets of Bangkok at night in search of young teenage girls to murder becomes the target of a revenge plot. Derived from a three-part TV mini-series, this classy and cinematic effort is perfect for fans of Dexter.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y58HlxmXQM
The Fear Footage (USA, Horror, 72 mins) This year's found footage movie is terrifying! On April 19th, 2016, Deputy Leo Cole vanished. The next morning, his body camera was found... from writer-director Ricky Umberger: "I created The Fear Footage for one reason, to scare the viewer! It’s a dirty, grainy midnight movie that when watched in the proper setting (no lights and the volume up) is sure to stay with the viewers long after the final moments." We like when an indie horror film is actually scary, and this one is.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhk2eUOny_k
Framed (Spain, Horror, 80 mins). This year's WTF extravaganza is both a home invasion thriller and a satire on social media and the quest for fame. It is also a gory, over the top, practical special effects-filled visual feast! Directed by Marc Martinez, co-written by Martinez and Jaume Cuspinera. When Alex has a farewell party with his sister and three friends before he goes away to college, three strange invaders kidnap them and stream their insane torture as a viral internet show. Violence, nudity, gore, intensity, and a whole lot of fun.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch…
I Dare You To Open Your Eyes (Western New York, Horror/Thriller, 89 mins) Niagara Falls director Hope Muehlbauer (Zombie Kids The Movie), who co-wrote the script with her father Tom Muehlbauer, tackles bullying in this dramatic slasher film. Max Adams, a high school sophomore dealing with the loss of his mother, a depressed father, and inescapable bullies, has a series of nightmares which may push him over the edge. Filmed in sequence over a couple of years, this is a surprisingly adult and nihilistic film from an 18 year old filmmaker, and one of the strongest local films we've seen.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJTVe8MhKt0
I'll Take Your Dead (Canada, Horror, 83 mins) Black Fawn Films (Bite) returns with its most accomplished film to date. William has an unusual job, illegally disposing of the bodies that gangbangers in a nearby city bring to the isolated house he shares with his young daughter, Gloria has developed the ability to see and communicate with the spirits of these victims. The delicate balance of their existence is threatened when one of the bodies brought to William is still alive, placing this unusual family in jeopardy. Criminal and supernatural forces clash in a terrifying climax. Written by Jayme Laforest, directed by Chad Archibald, and starring Aidan Devide (Outlander), Ava Preston (The Odd Squad, Shazam), and Jess Salgueiro (Channel Zero, The Strain).
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBhOnm8cSoY
Ingenium (Germany, Science Fiction/Thriller/Action, 88 mins, subtitled) An international thriller takes a turn into the fantastic with a plot twist we can't spoil. As Felicitas' life is turned upside down she doesn't know if her nightmares are taking over or if something bigger is trying to control her - and the only way to find out the truth is her best friend Natascha, who is locked up in an asylum. Action abounds in this surprise filled trip written by Michael Knoll and directed by Steffen Hacker.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5h5i-l1r_4
Isabelle (Canada, Horror, 80 mins) A young couple's dream of starting a family shatters as they descend into the depths of paranoia and must struggle to survive an evil presence that wants nothing more than their very own lives. A top notch supernatural thriller in the vein of Rosemary's Baby, written by Donald Martin and directed by Rob Heydon, starring Amanda Crew and Adam Brody.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/287651872
Jasper (Switzerland, Dark Fantasy, 86 mins, subtitled) In an undertemined time and place, Jasper, a solitary soul, rescues a young woman left for dead in an alley and takes her home to look after her, unaware that this will change his life... Directed by Julien Nicaud, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alain Berset. An unsettling fairy tale for adults that borders on horror, with imaginative cinematography and special effects.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/226565494
Lieutenant Jangles The Motion Picture (Australia, Action/Comedy, 1 hr 44 mins) An over the top, politically incorrect spoof of 80s buddy action films. In the most crime ridden city of Australia, only one man keep evens the scales of justice: cowboy detective Lieutenant Jangles. After his partner is killed in a blazing shootout, Jangles goes on an explosive and blood soaked mission to avenge his death. Written and directed by Nicolas Champeaux.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZpagKANnwQ
Mattie Fresno and the Holoflux Universe (USA, Science Fiction/Drama) Why does Mattie Fresno get kidnapped three times in the same day? Angela Pierce, Orson Bean, Carol Alt and Robert Clohessy star in this unreleased, offbeat, award-winning tale of public relations, hallucination, assassination and theoretical physics, screening exclusively at Buffalo Dreams. Non-competition screening. WNY Premiere.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRyTtBahhEg
Murder in High Heels: A Film by Brett Kelly (Canada, Film Noir/Thriller, 63 mins) A lovingly crafted tribute to classic film noir, directed by Brett Kelly, Ottawa's most prolific filmmaker. The bartender of a burlesque nightclub falls for the charms of a seductive femme fatale. Murder ensues. Written by Janet Heatherington, starring Andrew Galligan and Zoe Towne. Heatherington and Kelly hit all the write notes. USA Premiere.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/266798749
The Next Kill (USA, Action/Thriller). A hyper-stylized action yarn, rotoscoped to appear animated, deals with a masked avenger, a serial killer, and assorted badasses. After the city’s deadliest serial killer breaks out of jail, the aging Texas Ranger that put him away comes out of retirement to stop the monster’s rampage, this time for good. Violence and hilarity ensue as the city is thrown into chaos with explosions, gun fights, car chases, and more! Directed by Mike McCutchen, who co-wrote the script with producer J.J. Weber. USA Premiere.
Clip: https://vimeo.com/262668293
Post Apocalyptic Commando Shark (WNY, Comedy/Action) It's the near future, and Russian troops led by talking, humanoid sharks have taken over the USA! Only the resistance comprised of not-so-bright backwoods freedom fighters can save democracy. Hilarious satire of the world we live in today. Written and directed by Sam Qualiana (Snow Shark: Ancient Snow Beast, The Legend of Six Fingers), starring Simeon Qualiana, the great Debbie Rochon, and Andrew Elias in a shark mask, featuring a cast of dozens of Western New Yorkers. World Premiere.
Trailer: Trailer pending
Red Spring (Canada, Horror/Action, 1 hr. 45 mins) The world has ended, taking humanity with it. Vampires number in the millions and humans have become an endangered species. Amidst the destruction, Ray searches for his wife and daughter. Joined by a group of survivors, each dealing with their own grief and anger, the search takes them through infested city and countryside until a stranger offers refuge. But how long can they hide when every night belongs to monsters? If Richard Matheson's classic vampire novel I Am Legend spawned the modern zombie genre, Red Spring brings everything full circle. Written and directed by Jeff Sinesac, who also stars.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78f3q1mf0WI
Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart (USA, Arthouse/Surreal Thriller/Black Comedy, 72 mins). After last year's Mickey Reece's Alien, an experimental look at Elvis Presley, we don't need convincing that Reece is one of the most unique voices in independent cinema today. The plot sounds simple enough: "Newlyweds David and Madeline Middleston have just purchased a historic hotel near the town where Madeline's estranged mother Dianne resides. When Dianne comes to visit, she brings with her an uninvited guest" - but Reese infuses his tale with notes reminiscent of author John Irving (The Hotel New Hampshire) and filmmaker Todd Haynes (Happiness) in this offbeat tale that builds to a startling conclusion. Few horror films are as unsettling.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdHmscx_4sk
Tommy Battles the Silver Sea Dragon (USA, Musical/Fantasy/Drama, 1 hr 50 mins) When a man finds himself on trial in a courtroom haunted by his own demons, he must reckon with the guilt of his mother's death before it destroys him and the one he loves. A dramatic, full blown musical from first-time writer-director-producer Luke Shirock. We're thrilled to present Buffalo with such a unique cinema event, and encourage viewers to try something different and special.
Trailer: https://www.dropbox.com/s/y58z939a06fjhmq/TRAILER1.mov?dl=0
Will o' The Wisp (WNY, Experimental, running time TBD) This bizarre, experimental film from first time writer-director Mick O'Keefe is so strange and exhilarating that we had to show it! Honestly, it belongs in our WTF slot, but we want it to find the largest audience possible. You've never seen a movie like this before, and it's extremely well made. A man against the norms of his time fights with himself to save his daughter at the expense of others. Who will kill to live? Starring Jason John Beebe, Sam Jindra, Leora Owens, and Meghan O'Keefe. Expect a fascinating Q&A. World Premiere.
Trailer pending