Indie Spotlight

We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes release details for Zombie, Indiana, a Circus of the Dead teaser trailer, news on the line-up for FearFest Glasgow, an Escaping the Dead trailer, the trailer for BB, and much more:

Zombie, Indiana Release Details: "The newest novel in Scott Kenemore’s bestselling series, Zombie, Indiana is the tale of a harrowing undead attack on the heartland of America. From the highest echelons of state government—to the gritty world of an eastside narcotics detective—to the elite folds of the state’s most-expensive prep school—this novel explores the impact of an invading zombie horde on a trio of Hoosier protagonists… each of whom has some dark secrets to keep.

Indiana governor Hank Burleson has spent eight years cutting social services, castrating the unions (not literally…yet), and chipping away at the already-loose environmental laws that keep his state ranked second-worst in the nation by the EPA. When the dead begin to rise and seek the flesh of the living, he can’t fathom that his policies could have anything to do with it. Instead, he doubles-down…trusting in Hoosier ingenuity to find a way out.

When the governor’s daughter mysteriously disappears on a field trip in the south part of the state, IMPD Special Sergeant James Nolan is sent to investigate. Known throughout Indiana as the “great white hope” who almost was—a basketball phenom whose pro chances ended tragically after a shady accident in college—the celebrated police officer is used to being trusted with the most important and delicate matters in the state. However, when it becomes clear that murderous zombies have risen from their graves and attacked the missing schoolgroup, Nolan wonders if he has finally bitten off more than he can chew! With the power grid failing and cell phones down, Nolan must embark alone on a surreal Odyssey across the Hoosier state on the hunch that the governor’s daughter may still be alive.

Kesha Washington is a scholarship student, and one of the only black students, in the most prestigious (and lily-white) prep school in Indianapolis. When her class is attacked by zombies on a field trip to the caverns on the Kentucky border, she at first believes herself the only survivor of the horrible massacre. As the zombie outbreak rages and roils around her, Kesha’s desperate hope is to reunite with her father back in Indianapolis. But when she meets a police officer who is convinced that one of her famous classmates may still be alive, Kesha joins him on his quest to find her. At the same time, she worries that her own family’s sinister connection to the governor may somehow emerge at the worst possible time… Soon, their quest to find the governor’s daughter becomes a quest to redeem the very soul of the state itself.

With humorous, memorable characters, tense action sequences, and brutal zombie violence, Zombie, Indiana will put readers in mind of some of the most compelling works of contemporary horror fiction. Zombie, Indiana will connect with fans of Max Brooks’s World War Z and Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead series, as well as gritty tales of the Midwest such as Frank Bill’s Crimes in Southern Indiana. At once a mystery, a thriller, and a horror novel, Zombie, Indiana is a rollicking tour through America’s heartland, and a tour de force for zombie fiction fans!"

Zombie, Indiana will be available on May 6th. To pre-order this novel, visit Barnes and Noble or on Amazon. You can also learn more about the novel at:

• http://scottkenemore.com/zombie-indiana/

---------

Second Circus of the Dead Teaser Trailer: "A man becomes entangled in a deadly morality game when the circus comes to town and a sadistic clown forces him to examine the things in life he takes for granted in the most horrific ways.

Family man Don's visit to an old, run down Big Top circus and chance encounter with a nihilistic group of clowns leaves him fighting for his life and the lives of those he loves. As Don becomes drawn deeper into lead clown Papa Corn's games, he comes closer to the edge of reason and sanity. Armed with guns, knives and a '68 Camaro, the clowns lead Don on an all night crime spree through oil soaked West Texas. Papa Corn's wild ride brings blood, gore and mayhem to all he encounters."

Directed by Billy Pon, Circus of the Dead stars Chanel Ryan and Bill Oberst Jr. For more information on this film, go to: http://www.circusofthedeadmovie.com

---------

FrightFest Glasgow Line-Up and Promo Trailer: "From Thursday Feb 27 to Sunday March 2, the UK’s favorite horror fantasy festival returns to its second home at the Glasgow Film Festival for the 9th year with an impressive slate of the hottest new horror films.

Welcome to a long weekend of wonderful weirdness as Film4 FrightFest Glasgow enters a world of, gritty serial killers, stark staring horror, comic book thrills and spills, favorite maniacs, sci-fi delirium, doc shock and mind-bending mystery.

Some of FrightFest’s favorite filmmakers take centerstage this year, including Ti West, who has teamed up with producer Eli Roth for the cult of the damned shocker The Sacrament. As well as screening the film, FrightFest’s Alan Jones will be talking to Ti at a special presentation on Thursday February 27 at the GFT Screen 2.

FrightFest also welcomes director Jake West and producer Marc Morris, who will be introducing the world premiere of Video Nasties: Draconian Days, their sequel to the critically acclaimed Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape documentary. It promises to provide even more engaging knowledge and sobering insight into the heinous blot on 1980s film culture. The screening will be followed by a (no doubt) lively panel discussion.

FrightFest is also hosting the world premiere of The Scribbler, based on Dan Shaffer’s bestselling graphic novel featuring a super hot cast. Director John Suits, producer of Cheap Thrills, will be in attendance.

As will Jordan Barker, director of the terrific sucker punch home invasion chiller Torment, starring Katharine Isabelle, which will receive its European premiere.

Also attending is Indiana writer/director Zack Parker, with the UK premiere of his extraordinary film Proxy, a daring and highly original chiller. Parker has slowly been building a following with Inexchange, Quench and Scalene and will be flying in from the USA to talk about his burgeoning career.

Other UK premieres on show are the bigger and wickeder Wolf Creek 2 and Killers, a dark, twisted tale from the Mo Brothers duo of Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto. Then there are two highly impressive feature debuts - Cliff Prowse and Derek Lee’s Afflicted, a clever spin on the found-footage trend and Spanish director Jorge Dorado’s probing, twisty Mindscape starring Mark Strong.

Plus there are Scottish premieres for the Sci-fi shocker Almost Human directed by Joe Begos and director Michael S. Ojeda’s provocative and compelling Savaged.

With surprises on screen and off, and the festival’s unique community feeling, FrightFest at the GFF has now become a must-attend occasion on the horror fantasy fan's calendar.

Passes: £70 - for all eleven films on Fri 28 Feb and Sat 1 March. Single tickets: £8.50, £6.50 (concession) for ‘In Conversation with Ti West’ event on Thurs 27 Feb and the five Sunday repeat screenings on Sun 2 March.

Please note that there are no single tickets available for the Friday and Saturday films."

For the full line-up at the Glasgow Film Festival, visit: http://www.frightfest.co.uk

---------

Found Footage 3D Production Details: "The producers of Found Footage 3D announced this week that they are entering pre-production. The independently financed film, produced by Texas Chainsaw Massacre co-creator Kim Henkel, is scheduled to begin shooting mid-May near Austin, TX.

The film tells the story of a group of filmmakers who set out to make "the first 3D found footage horror film," and find themselves in the first 3D found footage horror film when the evil entity from their movie escapes into their behind the scenes footage.

Henkel has produced nine films to date, which have grossed $224 million at the worldwide box office."

To learn more, and to keep up with the progress of this film, visit: http://www.foundfootage3d.com or on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/FoundFootage3D

---------

Escaping the Dead Trailer: "Escaping the Dead is inspired by a series of articles about the deathdrug "Krokodil" that was published about the same period of time when Ronald Poppo had his face eaten by a naked man hooked on bathsalt in Miami. It is the perfect zombie plot: a deathdrug that turns people into zombies.

The film has its starting point in a typical day for the lead character, David. David is the local marihuana pusher, but he is the kind of dealer that smokes more than he sells. In the meantime the country has been hit by a new deathdrug and when David and his partner in crime Ahmir is offered some exceptionally cheap cocaine they see it as an opportunity to earn big money at the big techno concert the following Friday, but the cocaine turns out to have a terrible side effect that creates a giant zombie outbreak that spreads across the entire Copenhagen. In the film we follow David and his bloody fight out of the city.

Directed by Martin Sonntag and Bastian Brinch Pedersen, the film stars Bastian Brinch Pedersen (who is also the co-director and producer of the film) as David, Rama Øzel as Ahmir, along with Daniel Hutera, Ali Öezkan, Iben Ma Bønnelycke, Nicolai Huan Nguyen, Camilla Ludvigsen and Kim Sønderholm ("Blood Fare", "The Winedancers", "Sinister Visions") playing Lars the policeman."

For more information, visit the film's IMDB page at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3334746/

---------

Death Do Us Part DVD Release Date: "On April 15, orange blossoms will be replaced by bloody roses when Anchor Bay Entertainment releases a story of shattered trust and broken vows: Death Do Us Part. From writer/producers Julia Benson, Peter Benson and Ryan Copple, the film was nominated for three Leo Awards and directed by award-winner Nicholas Humphries (Screamfest, Best Short Film: The Little Mermaid) Death Do Us Part tells of two people on the threshold of beginning a new life together: a threshold that turns into a precipice of death! Pre-book is March 19.

Kennedy Jamieson (Julia Benson, Stargate Universe, That Burning Feeling) has waited her whole life for her perfect wedding. Engaged to the charming Ryan Harris (Peter Benson, The Killing, Arrow), it looks like her dream is about to come true. Except for one thing - the young couple hasn’t had a chance to celebrate their respective bachelor/bachelorette parties. Ryan’s best man Chet (Kyle Cassie, True Justice, Lost Boys 2: The Tribe) books a remote cabin in the woods to throw them a “Jack and Jill” party that they’ll never forget. It doesn’t take long before things take a horrifying turn as members of the group are brutally picked off one by one. Kennedy and Ryan had planned for the celebration of a lifetime – but how long will that lifetime last?

So prepare for a deadly reception from where there is no escape; not until ‘Death Do Us Part’!"

---------

Teaser and Episode Details from Lee Martin's The Midnight Hour: "When you’re in the top five of your graduating class, you may find yourself facing some serious “hater” issues. It could be the envy of the class under-achievers which sets you apart. Or it could be the resentment that faculty members, born on wrong side of the tracks, feel towards silver spoon students. Or maybe it’s just your time to die, as in February's episode of "Lee Martin's The Midnight Hour."

On Saturday, February 1st, the series premieres an all-new episode, “Final Exam.” In this exciting entry, co-eds at Mauvais University are being systematically bumped off by a dimly seen red-head in a 1989 Buick Riviera.

There are several suspects and possible scenarios to consider, and the ending is tantamount to a final exam for viewers who have tried to match wits with the story line.

On display are several fine performances (especially by the episode’s lead players), stylish cinematography by Nic Car and sound design by Eben Mannes. Post production supervisor Fred Mossman’s special photographic effects add a lot to the proceedings and “Final Exam” is in fact a great ride for fans of the sexy Giallo genre.

“Final Exam” airs every Thursday and Saturday night throughout February, 2014.

Cast: Nikki Bagozzi, Bello Pizzimenti, Don Couture, George Avgoustis, Teri Lee, Jessika Johnson, Abdul Shukairy, Ramsey Valentyn, Giancarlo Evola, and Alely Valiente."

---------

Off-Centered Film Fest Call for Entries: "The Alamo Drafthouse and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery are pleased to announce an open call for short film entries for the seventh annual OFF-CENTERED FILM FEST. The short film competition is at the heart of each year's OCFF, an epic multi-day celebration of craft beer, delicious food and cinema that takes place at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX. This year's fest will take place Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26, 2014.

Each year's filmmaking competition is centered around a theme. This year, it's "Off-Centered, Stuntin','" a celebration of classic awe-inspiring feats in the spirit of iconic daredevils like Evel Knievel.

To enter, filmmakers must submit an original 5-minute or less short film incorporating this theme. Submissions open January 31st and close March 1st. Online voting to select the finalists starts as soon as a film is uploaded and will end March 5th.

The top 12 shorts, as voted by the public and a panel of judges, will be chosen and announced on March 6. The grand prize OCFF winner will be chosen at the festival, and 12 of the top-rated shorts will screen at the Alamo during the fest.

The grand prize includes $2,500 cash, "The Delaware Dogfish Experience" (a one-of-a-kind trip to Dogfish's HQ that includes 2 nights at the Dogfish Inn, a brewery tour, a kayak outing and more), and a Fantastic Fest Fan Badge for the 2014 fest in Austin, Texas.

First, second and third place finalists will also be chosen, with prizes that include airfare to Austin, accommodations for the fest, admission to all the OCFF events, and a bag full of Alamo and Dogfish Head goodies.

For more about this year's Off-Centered Film Fest and for submission guidelines, visit: http://offcenteredfilmfest.com. To see the 2014 OCFF STUNTIN' Video Competition sizzle, visit: https://vimeo.com/84258780."

---------

Trailer for BB: "BB is the provocative story of a girl named Leah who, under the name "Candy Cummings," performs strip shows online from her apartment for thousands of strangers every day, never fully knowing the extent of evils that could be watching on the other side of the screen.

[BB is] ...from filmmaker C.J. Wallis (@FortyFPS), assuming all roles on the film's production & execution and introduces Jennifer Mae (@PurpleStar420) in the lead role of Candy."

---------

House of Manson First Details: "Micro Bay Features is pleased to announce that it's newest feature film, a Charles Manson biographical thriller, "House of Manson" is now in production.

Brandon Slagle (Dead Sea) is attached to write and direct the bio picture.

Award winning actors, Ryan Kiser (Truth Or Dare) and Devanny Pinn (The Black Dahlia Haunting) are set to star as Charles Manson and Susan Atkins.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in March."

For more information, and to stay up-to-date on the progress of this film, visit: http://www.Microbayfeatures.com or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/houseofmanson

---------

Blue Noon Teaser Trailer: "Avant garde film collective c.3.3 has released a new teaser for their debut feature film "Blue Noon," currently in pre-production.

"Blue Noon" features an eclectic cast that so far that includes Lynn Lowry, Sophia Disgrace, Theodore Bouloukos, Sean James Sutton, Gypsy Lee Pistolero, Darren Bransford, Katrina Cottafavi, Rahel Kapsaski, Roseanna Leathley, Lisa Kitty Leverseidge, Annah Rae, Zoey Funnell, Yasmine Davies, Lina Boycheva, and Demari V. S., with more to be announced!

“Blue Noon” is a collaborative film odyssey that pays homage to the late Jesus Franco and Jean Rollin and tells the tale of the immortal, bloodthirsty, mysterious, love-hungry Sea Siren and her trials and lovers throughout time. Five different underground and experimental filmmakers (Scott Barley, Salem Kapsaski, Christopher Marsh, Jesse Richards, and Cassandra Sechler) will give their take on this mitigator of death in a different segment, each focusing on a different time in her desolate life."

To learn more, go to: http://www.bluenoonfilm.com

---------

The Invoking DVD and VOD Release Details: "Image Entertainment, an RLJ Entertainment brand, brings you The Invoking available on DVD, digital download and VOD February 18, 2014.

After inheriting a house from the family she never knew, Samantha Harris (Trin Miller) and three friends head to rural Sader Ridge to inspect the property. Soon after arriving, Sam begins to experience horrific visions of savage brutality and unspeakable evil. Plagued by the sinister forces closing in around her, Sam descends into a waking nightmare when the demons from her past refuse to stay buried any longer.

The film is directed by Jeremy Berg and stars Trin Miller, Brandon Anthony, Josh Truax, and D'Angelo Midili."

For more information, visit: http://www.us.rljentertainment.com/product/invoking-the/9c220e4e-bb14-e311-92d1-020045490004

---------

Second Teaser from The Dreamlands: "The Dreamlands will be the first feature-length film adaptation of Howard P. Lovecraft 's "dream cycle".

March 1st, the founders of Sphärentor Huan Vu and Jan Roth, are starting a Kickstarter campaign to fund The Dreamlands."

---------

The Sugar Skull Girls First Details: "Potent Media, the creators behind last year's crime thriller "Deer Crossing" and the highly anticipated science-fiction thriller Apocalypse Kiss (releasing April 8th) have announced their most recent project-- Potent Media's The Sugar Skull Girls. A trilogy of comedic children's films with a theme of Halloween-like horror.

The film is about a man (John Amplas from Romero's "Martin") who hires a witch to bring his dead daughter back to life. When the spell goes terribly wrong then enters three neo-gothic sisters in his daughter's place. Playing the oldest of the Sugar Skull Sisters is The Walking Dead's Addy Miller as Luna, a forever-fourteen year old vampire with a Victorian sass. Joining her as her siblings are Cece Hagen as Blue the Ghost and Isabella Sobejano as the catty shape-shifter named Venus.

Also joining the line-up is Carmela Hayslett as the villainous Pale Witch who wants nothing more than to bring the girls back to her Shadow World but constantly gets side tracked by her own vanity. Hayslett is commonly known to the underground horror world as Roxsy Tyler, a Philadelphia horror hostess. Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) also has a role in the film that core horror fans will love.

Production begins this summer. Addy Miller along with her co-stars Cece Hagen and Isabella Sobejano have taken complete control of the film's Instagram and Twitter accounts. Please follow them there so they can keep you updated!"

To learn more, go to the film's Instagram page at: http://www.instagram.com/sugarskullgirls or on Twitter at: http://www.instagram.com/sugarskullgirls

---------

Bestseller Release Details: "Collective Development Inc. just announced that the feature film “Bestseller” adapted from Christopher Knight’s book of the same name has now officially moved into editing phase. “Bestseller” was directed by Christina Rohn. It stars Melissa Anschutz (7 Stones), DJ Perry (The 8th Plague), Ralph Lister (Oz the Great and Powerful), Lana Wood (Deadly Renovations), Terence Knox (Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town) and Taylor Nichols (Jurassic Park 3). It's about a literary agent terrorized by a writer upset over her lack of enthusiasm over his work.

The producers have hired Compass College of Cinematic Arts grad Chad Ice as their editor. Chad’s previous internship was at Light Iron in Hollywood, California. He has edited several short format projects and this will be his first feature-length film. Chad Ice also worked with the “Bestseller” camera team during production. This was said to be a major factor in him landing the job.

The film is targeting a 2014 release. The premiere will likely be in Michigan. A limited theatrical run is being planned for the film. Several distributors are interested in the project and are excited to see the final film."

---------

Fear, Inc. Release Details: "Ashlynn Yennie (The Human Centipede) and Dean Cates (Ritual) star in “Fear, Inc.”, a horror short film released by Lone Suspect Productions today. The film, about a couple who attempts to hire a company to create a custom scare, asks the question “how scared do you REALLY wanna be?”

“Fear, Inc.” is written by Luke Barnett and directed by Vincent Masciale, whose recent Funny or Die films “A Message to Aaron Sorkin” and “Bud Selig Must Die”, featuring Tony Hale (Arrested Development) and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), gained viral status and rave reviews from Entertainment Weekly, The Huffington Post, and Perez Hilton, among others.

Lone Suspect is currently in development on a feature length version of “Fear, Inc.""

---------

The Reverend DVD and VOD Release Details: "Level 33 Entertainment announces the release of the acclaimed horror film The Reverend on DVD and VOD February 11, 2014. Starring Stuart Brennan (Risen), Tamer Hassan (Batman Begins), Doug Bradley (Hellraiser:Bloodline) and Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner), this soul-scorching film is available on Amazon.com, iTunes and other retail and rental outlets across the U.S.

Written and directed by Neil Jones, The Reverend tells a cautionary tale of belief in the sacred while facing the temptations of the flesh. After delivering his first sermon in a new, small parish, a new Reverend (Brennan) is visited by a beautiful young woman (Emily Booth) who suddenly attacks him, biting his throat. He survives the attack, but awakes with an unknown, uncontrollable thirst. As the Reverend becomes more familiar with his congregation and the wider community, he realizes that this idyllic little town is anything but. It is plagued by drugs, prostitution and violence. The Reverend decides to put his new-found bloodlust to good use with horrific results."

For more information on The Reverend, go to: http://www.level33entertainment.com

---------

The Divine Tragedies First Details: "Writer and director Jose Prendes (The Haunting of Whaley House) announces his next film, the serial killer mind-bender: The Divine Tragedies!

Based loosely on the famous Leopold and Loeb murder case of 1924, it tells the tale of Charles Brubaker (played by Graham Denman, The Haunting of Whaley House) and his half-brother Thomas Lo Bianco (played by Jon Kondelik, Airplane Vs. Volcano), who concoct a deadly game to test their superior intelligence against the dimwitted masses. This game will eventually lead to murder, and when Genevieve, a beautiful single mother, enters their lives they finally find the perfect girl for their first kill. But, problems arise when they quickly discover that Detective Homer Gaul, a cop with a very special gift, is hot on their trail."

For more information on this film, go to the Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/divinetragediesmovie