Horror Highlights: BRUTE 1976, WHISPERS OF THE WITCHING HOUR, WIND AND BONE

CINEPHOBIA RELEASING ACQUIRES US RIGHTS TO THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE & THE HILLS HAVE EYES HOMAGE BRUTE 1976 FROM RAVEN BANNER: "Cinephobia Releasing announced today that it has acquired US Rights to director Marcel Walz’s (That’s A Wrap, Pretty Boy) and writer Joe Knetter’s (George A. Romero’s Twilight of the Dead) latest feature Brute 1976 from Tornonto-based genre sales specialist Raven Banner Entertainment. An homage to ‘70s horror cult classics The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. Cinephobia Releasing acquired rights to the film in a deal negotiated between Cinephobia President Raymond Murray, and Cecilia A. Brush, Head of Sales and Distribution of Raven Banner Entertainment.

”Brute 1976 is bloody and sexy, with a deranged family so demented they make John Waters’s Pink Flamingos look like a paradigm of family values,” said Murray. “Brute 1976 restored my faith in horror that shocks.”

The film takes place in 1976, when Raquel and her girlfriend have car trouble and break down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. At the same time, a group of people are in the desert for a photoshoot. Soon, they stumble upon an abandoned town where a family of masked psychopaths reside.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes, both the originals and remakes” said Walz. “Brute 1976 was an amazing experience to shoot: It was hot, it was dirty and it was bloody. I’m sure the audience will feel that on screen.”

"We are so excited to have Brute 1976, our modern take on the 70s horror films we love so much, in the hands of Cinephobia for it's North American release”, said Knetter. “We look forward to everyone experiencing the Birdy family in all their gory glory."

Brute 1976 stars Adriane McLean (Miracles of Christmas), Sarah French (Blind), Gigi Gustin (The Retaliators), Dazelle Yvette (Garden of Eden) and Adam Bucci (NCIS Los Angeles) 

From production company Neon Noir, Marcel Walz, Joe Knetter, and Sarah French produced, with Dirk Schürmann and Tobias Schürman serving as Executive Producers. Robert Kern III (Prey, Creepypasta) provided makeup effects, and Marcus Friedlander (The Getback) served as Director of Photography. 

Cinephobia Releasing will debut the film in Summer 2025 with a limited theatrical launch, followed closely by an on demand and digital release."

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WHISPERS OF THE WITCHING HOUR: "Independent filmmaker Tommy Jackson, founder of  IndieBlackmagic Productions, has premiered his latest feature film, Whispers of the Witching  Hour. Shot in and around the infamous Roff House, with creative partner Ivana Cipurko, the film  blends gothic atmosphere with a harrowing psychological narrative rooted in themes of mental  illness, grief, and love struck obsession. 

Set at the turn of the 20th century, Whispers of the Witching Hour follows a troubled and  desperate young man who turns to forbidden magic in an attempt to possess his brother’s wife to  love him. But the spell fractures more than reality, unleashing horrors that challenge the  boundaries of love, sanity, and damnation. 

As a creative powerhouse, Jackson and Cipurko fully self-funded and produced the film, serving  as the entire crew. Tommy Jackson, who wrote, directed, shot, and edited the film, crafted a  visually stunning and high-caliber project using Blackmagic Pyxis 6K cameras. His partner,  Ivana Cipurko, handled wardrobe, makeup, and producing, demonstrating that bold, professional  filmmaking doesn't require a Hollywood budget—only unwavering vision and skill. 

“Our narrative strikes a chord with those who have encountered the relentless grip of mental  illness or witnessed the slow unraveling of a loved one,” says Jackson. “It’s a raw exploration of  the human psyche that will make you question the true cost of emotional anguish—and how  deeply it can scar those around us.” 

Whispers of the Witching Hour is available now on Vimeo On Demand for rent and purchase. A  haunting, character-driven film crafted entirely by two Chicago locals, it marks the second self produced feature from the duo since 2024."

Watch the film here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/whisperswitchinghour

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WIND AND BONE Trailer: "The horror/thriller Wind and Bone has released an official trailer and poster ahead of its release On Digital and On Demand May 20, 2025. The film follows Sierra, played by Julie Kashmanian (Was Once a Hero, Hemisphere, Ghost Planet), a woman on the run who joins a group of college students out for a weekend getaway that goes wrong when they come face to face with an evil force of nature – the Wendigo.

Wind and Bone was filmed and produced in West Virginia and Maryland and screened at the Chicago Horror Film Festival on May 17, where it was nominated for Best Horror Feature. Presented by production companies Lucid Images, Future Phantoscope – Wind and Bone is an exciting and original psychological kill fest about distrust, isolation and what happens when our inner demons manifest. It is a cryptid film that forces us to look inward when dealing with unresolved trauma.

Wind and Bone marks the feature film debut of writer/director Michael Tuthill, co-directed with longtime filmmaking and acting collaborator Kevin Sylvain. Michael is based in Frederick, MD, where he works alongside his wife and producer, Amy Tuthill. Their previous films include The Inside, which won Best Short Film at the International Horror Film Festival in Chicago, and Was Once a Hero, which took home Best Feature at the Wild Bunch Film Festival in Tucson, AZ. The latter is currently the #1 Western release on Amazon. Both films are now streaming and available to watch.