The 23rd annual Fantasia International Film Festival has put out a call for submissions to all directors, producers, and other creatives. The deadline is May 2nd. Also in today's Horror Highlights: a look at episode 3 of Adam Mason's Black Antenna from the minds of Alice in Chains, as well as a trailer and release details for Made Me Do It.

Fantasia 2019 Submissions Deadline Confirmed: "The Fantasia International Film Festival returns July 11 to August 1, 2019, to celebrate its 23rd edition. This Summer will again see three weeks of festive screenings, exciting premieres, and activities for both the public and industry professionals.

Fantasia programmers are currently hard at work curating a memorable selection of films. Directors, producers, and industry professionals have until May 2 to submit their titles. Information and conditions related to submissions can be found on the festival website at fantasiafestival.com/en/submissions

Since 2011, the majority of Fantasia's artwork has found inspiration in a traditional Quebec tale, the legend of Trois-Pistoles' black horse, Le Cheval Noir. Throughout the years, other fantastic characters have joined the roster, such as last year's fan-favorites: a luchador pug and enormous flying cat, who proudly return alongside Le Cheval Noir.

This year, the festival again partners with artist Donald Caron, whose work has represented Fantasia for the last eight years. With so many iconic science-fiction films taking place in 2019 - including BLADE RUNNER, AKIRA, THE ISLAND, DAYBREAKERS, and THE RUNNING MAN - this year's poster is set in space, proudly highlighting the historic link between 2019 and the magical world of sci-fi.

Forthcoming press releases will announce Fantasia 2019's official selections, special events, guests, and juries.

For more information about the festival, please visit www.fantasiafestival.com"

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Black Antenna Episode 3 Details: Press Release: "ALICE IN CHAINS has released the 3rd episode of “Black Antenna,” a dark sci-fi thriller set against the backdrop of the band’s Grammy-nominated album, Rainier Fog (BMG).

“Black Antenna” was directed by Adam Mason, written by Paul Sloan and Adam Mason and produced by Elizabeth Mason and Nick Vallelonga, who recently won two Oscars (“Best Original Screenplay”) and (“Best Picture”) for “Green Book.”

“Black Antenna", tells the story of Alpha (played by “Green Book” actor Paul Sloan) and his 21-year-old daughter, Beta (Viktoriya Dov), who drive their beat-up truck across California in silence, speaking only telepathically. Together they rob and steal from the men the girl seduces, taking cellphones, laptops, whatever they can find. Alpha is trying to build something - an antenna - desperately trying to find a way to get a message to their people back home. Meanwhile, there are unspeakably dark forces who have discovered their existence and are now hell-bent on tracking them down and eradicating them before more of their kind can come and join them.

“We get some new answers in ‘Red Giant,’” says Mason. “Alpha isn’t from this world. He crash landed here in his true alien form, stole a human body, and is now desperately trying to get a message to his people back home. We also realize that Beta wasn’t always with him and that Alpha essentially pulled her from his own body, birthing her, because he was so lonely here on earth. Consequently, Beta is caught between two places, feeling neither from our planet, or her own. We also learn that US immigration has a terrifying dude called Nil working for them, who is similarly not of this world, and is hell-bent on tracking down and killing any illegal aliens that come onto his radar.”

“Black Antenna” also stars Darri Ingolfsson (Dexter) as Nil, Lily Robinson as Malum, Eric Michael Cole (Gia, White Squall, Hangman), Mike Hatton (Green Book), Luke Shelton, Jerry Raines, and Daniel Louis Rivas.

Special makeup effects are by Autonomous FX (“Blade Runner 2049,” “Bright,” “Mindhunter,” “Maze Runner”). Jason Collins is an executive producer along with Alice In Chains.

(Warning: Episode 2 contains some nudity) ALICE IN CHAINS first teased the film/album connection with last May’s release of lead track “The One You Know,” which was directed by Mason and featured an electrifying band performance interspersed with cryptic cinematic scenes from the film.

The band just wrapped a tour of Australia and New Zealand and recently announced an epic co-headlining summer amphitheater tour with Korn.

ALICE IN CHAINS is touring in support of Rainier Fog, which hit No. 1 across Billboard’s Rock, Alternative and Hard Music Charts and No. 1 on the iTunes Rock Album Chart and earned them a Grammy nod for “Best Rock Album.” Over the course of their remarkable career, ALICE IN CHAINS (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Inez and vocalist/guitarist William DuVall) have garnered multiple Grammy nominations, sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and amassed a diehard international fanbase whose members number in the millions.

Their discography features some of the biggest and most important albums in rock history, including 1992’s quadruple-platinum-certified Dirt, 1994’s triple-platinum-certified EP Jar of Flies, which was the first EP in music history to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and 1995’s self-titled double-platinum-certified Alice In Chains, which also entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 1. They returned in grand style in 2009 with the critically acclaimed Black Gives Way To Blue, which hit No. 1 across the rock and alternative charts, earned a Grammy nomination, was certified Gold and hailed by Vice as “a record that’s as powerful as anything the band has done.” ALICE IN CHAINS remains one of the most successful and influential American rock bands of all time.

OFFICIAL SITE http://aliceinchains.com/
TWITTER https://twitter.com/AliceInChains"

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Made Me Do It Trailer and Release Details: "The dark, indie thriller Made Me Do It is the latest title to be released by U.S. based distributor Indican Pictures. A psychological look at the creation of a serial killer, Made Me Do It takes a first-hand look at a troubled slasher villain. Shot with almost complete practical effects, Made Me Do It is a film from director Benjamin Ironside Koppin. And, the film stars: Anna B. Shaffer (“Strange Angel”), Kyle Van Vonderern (“Death Lust”), Cortney Palm and Jason Gregory London. A preview of the film’s upcoming theatrical and home entertainment launch is available now.

Thomas Berkson (Vonderen) is the portrait of a tortured soul. Abused and rejected, Thomas has only one outlet left - murder! Encouraged by the voices in his head, Thomas seeks out victim after victim as his crimes become ever more bloody. Now, he has targeted Ali (Shaffer) and her family. And, this confrontation will leave everyone scarred.

Made Me Do It will host its theatrical release, today, in Los Angeles. This release will be followed by another one on DVD and Digital platforms. In LA, this title will have at least seven showings, at the Arena Theater; filmmakers will be in attendance. On April 23rd, Indican will make this terrifying title available, across the United States, on home entertainment platforms. Horror fans will not want to miss this disturbing look at the creation of a killer, this month!

For more on the seven-day theatrical launch visit the Arena website: http://arenascreen.com

The film’s official synopsis: After a lifetime of abuse and rejection Thomas Berkson has found unconditional love – through murder. He has become a serial killer following the voices in his head. Poor college student Ali Hooper, her little brother, and ex-boyfriend find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this throwback to the classic 80’s slasher films comes this harrowing journey for survival against an unstoppable force of nature.

Release Date: April 12th, 2019 (Theatrical) and April 23rd, 2019 (DVD, VOD).

Director: Benjamin Ironside Koppin. Writers: Benjamin Ironside Koppin, Matthew John Koppin.

Cast: Anna B. Shaffer, Kyle Van Vonderen, Cortney Palm, Jason Gregory London, Liston Spence

The film’s official website: http://mademedoitthemovie.com/

About Indican Pictures: Indican Pictures acquires and distributes feature films to a broad range of entertainment outlets by providing a diverse selection of movies across theatrical, home video, TV, VOD, PPV and streaming platforms."

  • 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).