We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting the recent independent horror news sent our way. Today's feature includes screening details on Avenged and Serpent's Lullaby, a new Hayride 2 trailer, concept teaser and production details for The Void, first details on short film Paralysis, and more:

Details on Q&A Screenings of Avenged: "Avenged is showing at the Arena Cinemas in Hollywood from March 6. Uncork’d Entertainment will release the critically acclaimed Avenged at Arena Cinemas Hollywood on March 6, 2015.

As part of the opening night celebrations, the 10:15 PM screening on Friday March 6 will be followed by a Q&A with cast and crew - including star Amanda Adrienne and director Michael S. Ojeda.

A second Q&A session will be held after the Sunday March 8 6:30 PM screening.

These two Q&A sessions are EXCLUSIVE to Los Angeles. A lethal injection of scares, thrills, romance, and the supernatural, director Michael S. Ojeda’s confronting revenge film “delivers on all levels” (Bloody Disgusting) and “deserves to be viewed, discussed, and then viewed again” (The Horror Honeys).

After a gang brutalizes a deaf girl (Amanda Adrienne), her lifeless body is inhabited by the spirit of a revenge-seeking Apache warrior.

The Apache spirit that possesses the body of Adrienne's character in the film is reportedly based on a real life figure, Mangas Coloradas. The war chief had fought Mexican and US troops.

In an interview with International Business Times, Adrienne said: “When I researched about what went down between Mangas and the U.S. government and the Apache, my heart just broke. High school history classes don't really get into the depths of it."

Avenged will also be available on VOD."

For tickets to the Arena Cinemas sessions, visit: http://www.arenascreen.com

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Hayride 2 Release Date and Trailer: "Freestyle Releasing and Freestyle Digital Media (FDM) announced today that they have acquired theatrical and VOD rights to the horror thriller Hayride 2, from writer/director Terron R. Parsons, starring Sherri Eakin (Hayride), Richard Tyson (There's Something About Mary) with Jeremy D. Ivey, Jeremy Sande, David ‘Shark’ Fralick and Corlandos Scott. The film was produced by Parsons and Jonathan Kelly, with Richard Tyson and Tara Kleinpeter exec producing.

The action picks up directly following the events of "Hayride" when the survivors, including Amanda (Sherri Eakin) arrive at the county hospital to recover from the previous night's savage massacre. Unfortunately for them, the survivors are not the only ones en route to the hospital. Rayborn, the local farmer known as "Pitchfork," who Paramedics make the mistake of thinking is incapacitated from his wounds, brutally attacks them leaving the ambulance crashed in flames on the side of a country road. The seemingly invincible “Pitchfork” is on the loose again with one location in mind…the hospital. Meanwhile, Detective Loomis’ (Corlandos Scott) recent brush with this legendary “monster” seems to fuel his need to uncover the secrets of the man behind the mask. Where was he hiding for 20 years? Loomis finds that to stop a killer he must first learn his history, which may be closer than anyone could imagine.

The deal was negotiated by Chris Charalambous, Head of Acquisitions for Freestyle Releasing."

For more information on Hayride 2, visit: http://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv

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Amityville Theater Release Details: "Terror steals the spotlight in this chilling journey into fear.

Fawn Harriman (Monèle LeStrat )had counted herself lucky the day she inherited a disused theater in the small town of Amityville, Long Island.

With her sights set on a new life in the theatre, she invites a group of friends to join her there for a weekend adventure that will ultimately lead them into the terrifying clutches of an ancient pact between the mysterious locals and a malignant presence from the very bowls of hell.

As the stranglehold of evil grows ever tighter, Fawn's teacher, Victor Stewart, races to Amityville in a desperate attempt to rescue the imperilled party, and put an end to the town's terrifying legacy once and for all.

Featuring Gary Martin (Slaughter High), Ania Marson (Puppet On A Chain), and Spencer Banks & Cheryl Burfield (ATV's Timeslip), this supernatural thriller will leave you cowering in the aisles.

Directed by John R. Walker.

Amityville theater is due on DVD in July in USA and Canada from 4digitalmedia.

It has a different title in the UK. Amityville Playhouse. It will be released April 13th in UK on DVD from 4digitalmedia."

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Pre-Production Details and Concept Teaser for The Void: "Cult indie directors Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie (Manborg, W is for Wish from The ABC's Of Death 2) partner with producer Casey Walker of Cave Painting Pictures (A Little Bit Zombie) on their original horror film, The Void, that pits a small-town police officer against all manner of otherworldly creatures in a derelict rural hospital.

“I'm excited to be producing such a terrifying film by these two visionary directors!,” says Walker. “The Void is the kind of horror film fans have been waiting on for a long time.”

The Void marks a new chapter in the rising trajectory of Kostanski and Gillespie, who are also both design and FX artists that have worked on major Hollywood productions (including Pacific Rim and NBC's Hannibal with Kostanski working for Mindwarp Productions).

Known for their work with Winnipeg’s much touted Astron-6 collective, the filmmakers shed their parodic sensibilities in pursuit of a more serious and scary tone with The Void, but still maintain their commitment to practical special effects.

“It’s important to start building our film's creatures immediately to ensure we can realize them practically,” says Kostanski. “And with that we have launched an IndieGoGo campaign that will ensure we have the necessary resources to do so.”

Productions tend to access funding weeks before a shooting window, often necessitating that visual effects be implemented during post-production when the filmmakers have more time and resources to apply them. “Through crowd-fundraising support,” says producer Walker, “Cave Painting Pictures intends to buck that trend by prioritizing the pre-production period and permitting Steven and Jeremy to get a head start in the development of the various creatures that will terrorize the heroes of The Void.”

The film is on track to go to camera this summer."

For more information, and to support this film, visit: http://www.thevoidmovie.com or on Twitter or Instagram.

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Serpent's Lullaby Screening Details: "Acclaimed horror and fantasy short film Serpent’s Lullaby, directed and produced by L.A. based Canadian filmmaker Patricia Chica, won the Best Short Film Award at the Magnolia Independent Film Festival in Starkville, Mississippi.

The filmmaker wishes to thank the cast, crew and sponsors for making this movie possible. Starring Jenimay Walker (Medusa), Annabella Hart (Mother), Richard Cardinal (Stone Man), and Samuel Nadeau (Baby), this short film’s key members include screenwriter Charles Hall, veteran producer Byron A. Martin, cinematographer Richard Duquette, VFX makeup artist Steph Miramontes, animal wrangler Kim Rock, executive producers David Angel and Lily Spencer, as well as American composer Sean O’ Bryan Smith. Post-production by RedLab Digital, Switch VFX and Premium Sound.

Patricia Chica (@PatriciaChica) is presently putting the final touches of her latest short A Tricky Treat at the RedLab Studios in Toronto. Chica is part of the Women in Horror Recognition Month’s Massive Blood Drive PSA. She directed the segment Ripe N’ Bloody that was qualified by Fangoria Magazine as “the most deliciously vile of the blood bath”! According to Dread Central, Patricia Chica “is known for making bold, edgy, and visually striking independent films” and listed her as one of the “Rising Female Filmmakers” to watch, among other notable directors - the Soska Sisters (American Mary) and Jennifer Kent (The Babadook).

Serpent’s Lullaby continues to tour with screenings to come in Montreal, QC, Hamilton, ON, and Scotland, UK among others."

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Fish Friend Release Details: "You never forget your first pet: this is the lesson ten-year-old Sally learns when she discovers, the hard way, that her new goldfish is actually a bloodthirsty piranha. As Sally and her fish friend forge a lasting relationship, the carnivorous pet wreaks havoc on an unsuspecting neighborhood.

Fish Friend is a love story about a little girl and her murderous piranha. Our short is inspired by 1950's Americana, Tim Burton, and the shorts of Pixar.

[Also,] take a moment to meet Vincent, our stop-motion piranha! http://youtu.be/yFCGiCb8NSc.

This sweet and disturbing story was created by a close group of friends including, director Jordan Blum (American Dad, Community), producers John Swartz (Lucasfilm) and Justin Wagman (OJ: The Musical), editor Spencer Houck (Community, Franklin & Bash) and award-winning cinematographer Devin Doyle."

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Dragonfly Release Details: "Brutal cop, DS Mike Blake is no stranger to violence. He finds himself caught in a web of conspiracy, corruption, deceit and murder when investigating the cold case of a Politician’s missing daughter. If he solves the case, the elite in power will make sure he won’t be prosecuted for the death in custody of a young black teenager. Solving the case will lead to his redemption, but ultimately he could pay the price and his life will spiral into a deeper hell. Which leads him to a Rock Star who has sold his soul to the Devil, and Gangsters who want to protect a secret.

A multi-layered neo-noir thriller, peeling away to reveal the dark conspiracies in today’s society. A Very British Thriller set in the backdrop of a bloody scandal that has rocked the Government. The Police, Politicians & the Underworld fear the rise of anger against them in the streets & will do anything in their power to suppress it.

Cast includes - Andrew Tiernan (300, The Pianist), Ann Mitchell (Deep Blue Sea, Widows, Eastenders),
Ramon Tikaram (Game of Thrones, This Life), Mark Wingett (Quadrophenia, Snow White & The Huntsman),
Shona McWilliams (Mrs. Henderson Presents), Frank Boyce (Hornblower, Nathan Barley), Nick Reynolds (Alabama 3), Joe Egan (Sherlock Holmes), Ricky Grover (Guy Ritchie’s Revolver), Jo Martin (Batman Begins, Top Boy), Sean Cernow (Prisoners' Wives, Three Musketeers) & Jessica Henwick (Star Wars: The Force Awakens & Game of Thrones)."

To learn more, and to purchase this film online, visit: http://www.dragonflyfilm.co.uk

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First Details on Paralysis: "The psychological horror genre is getting more diverse with the new short film Paralysis. Award-winning Director/Writer R. Shanea Williams explained why this film is different. “It has a black female protagonist. That alone separates it from many psychological horror films,” said Williams.

Paralysis tells the story of an emotionally fragile woman who moves into a new apartment. Plagued by a sleep disorder, she fears she may be taunted by a supernatural entity.

“I'm fascinated by the mind and how it can be more dangerous and monstrous than anything outside of us,” said Williams who has always wanted to make a psychological horror film. “The films that have been the most unsettling for me have always dealt with human consciousness. For me, Paralysis is my attempt to explore the strange and eerie depths of the mind.”

“There are hundreds of stories out there and we perhaps see about five or six variations on screen. I ask people to support this campaign who want to see more diversity on screen and more diverse storytelling,” said Williams.

“This film will be a game changer in the world of African-American independent film,” said producer Anthony Davis. “I know Indiegogo is an excellent platform to generate funding for this production.”

Paralysis is the 3rd film from Williams and Davis’ production company Vision 75/80 productions. Their last short film, Contamination, was selected into eight film festivals, nominated for Best Short Film at the 2014 HBO/BET Urban World Film Festival and the 2014 BronzeLens Film Festival, and won for Best Actress Drama at the 2015.

Mshon Pulliam has signed on to be the associate producer for the production, which will film in New York."

For more information on this film, and how to support its continued progress, visit: http://www.vision7580.com

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The Mourning Trailer and Release Date Announced: "20 years after going MIA in Desert Storm, Aaron returns home under mysterious conditions, not having aged since his disappearance, and must reestablish relationships with loved ones before an imminent return to an ambiguous other-worldly existence.

Directed by: Marc Clebanoff (Break, Gerald). Starring: Michael Walton (The Darkness Descending), Louis Mandylor (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Dominique Swain (Lolita), Sally McDonald (Crushed), Larry Hankin (Home Alone), Peter Dobson (Frighteners), Kinga Phillips (6 Ways to Sundown) and Brooke Lewis (Starship: Rising).

Release Dates: Pre: February 17th; Street: March 17th."

  • Tamika Jones
    About the Author - Tamika Jones

    Tamika hails from North Beach, Maryland, a tiny town inches from the Chesapeake Bay.She knew she wanted to be an actor after reciting a soliloquy by Sojourner Truth in front of her entire fifth grade class. Since then, she's appeared in over 20 film and television projects. In addition to acting, Tamika is the Indie Spotlight manager for Daily Dead, where she brings readers news on independent horror projects every weekend.

    The first horror film Tamika watched was Child's Play. Being eight years old at the time, she remembers being so scared when Chucky came to life that she projectile vomited. It's tough for her to choose only one movie as her favorite horror film, so she picked two: Nosferatu and The Stepford Wives (1975).