Watch the Trailer for SCREAMBOAT: "Steven LaMorte's SCREAMBOAT, a hilariously violent take on Steamboat Willie set aboard the Staten Island Ferry, arrives in cinemas on April 2nd - and to celebrate, IndieWire has debuted the first theatrical trailer for the "splatstick" comedy earlier today!
Be our guest on a New York City ferry ride that turns into a hilarious nightmare when a mischievous mouse named Steamboat Willie becomes a monstrous reality. As passengers set sail, their trip turns deadly when the tiny terror unleashes murder and mayhem. Packed with big kills, big laughs, and a miniature menace, SCREAMBOAT is a cinematic thrill ride that re-imagines Steamboat Willie like never before!
From the producers of Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3, STEAMBOAT is written and directed by Steven LaMorte, who created "The Mean One", 2022's blockbuster horror parody of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
The SCREAMBOAT cast includes David Howard Thornton (the "Terrifier" franchise's Art the Clown), Allison Pittel (“Stream”), Amy Schumacher (“The Mean One”), Jesse Posey (“Selena”), Jesse Kove (“Cobra Kai”), Kailey Hyman (“Terrifier 2”), Rumi C Jean-Louis (“Hightown”), Jarlath Conroy (George A. Romero’s “Day of the Dead”), and Charles Edwin Powell (“The Exorcist III”), with cameos from Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”), Brian Quinn (“Impractical Jokers”), and stand-up comedian Joe DeRosa (“Better Call Saul”).
SCREAMBOAT is produced by Amy Schumacher, Martine Melloul, Steven LaMorte, Steven Della Salla, and Michael Leavy, with executive production by Kali Pictures, Sleight of Hand Productions, Reckless Content, and Julien Didon. The film opens in select cinemas for a limited time on April 2, 2025, from Iconic Events Releasing, followed by a digital and home video release from DeskPop Entertainment, who are also handling worldwide sales for the picture."
In Theaters April 2nd
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VOICES CARRY:"VOICES CARRY, the new thriller from writer/directors Abby Brenker and Ellyn Vander Wyden, will World Premiere as part of Cinequest 2025 on Saturday, March 15th. The celebrated San Jose film festival is proud to welcome the picture into the world, accompanied by a red carpet event and post-screening Q&A with the picture's cast and crew.
Looking for a new beginning, Sam and Jack leave Boston and move into Sam’s childhood home on a picturesque lake in New Hampshire. Despite the natural beauty and small-town charm, the couple struggles to adjust. Sam wrestles with her stagnant career and is forced to confront the traumatic events of her past.
Their uneasy transition becomes even more unsettling when Henry, a peculiar lifelong local and neighbor, raises suspicion. When Sam discovers a necklace she believes belonged to her late mother and an antique diary, she begins to suspect that the spirit of an ancestor is trying to reach her.
As the seasons pass, tension escalates. Sam starts sleepwalking, inexplicably drawn to the icy lake at night, and becomes consumed by the past. Her growing obsession drives Jack away, leaving her to face the bitter cold and isolation of winter entirely alone.
Public tickets to the film's World Premiere, which will occur on March 15th at 3Below Theaters San Jose, are available here.
The film, written and directed by Abby Brenker and Ellyn Wander Wyden, stars Gia Crovatin, Jeff Ayars, Jeremy Holm, and Geraldine Singer and is produced by Jeff Ayars, Abby Brenker, Ellyn Vander Wyden, and Mauricio Vasquez."
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From Activist to Author: A Decade-Long Journey of Dedication and Storytelling: "A decade after the release of his debut novel, professor and LGBTQ+ activist Joe Chianakas is stepping into the national spotlight with a wave of exciting achievements. Last week, Chianakas delivered his first TEDx Talk. This week, he's preparing for the hardcover release of his latest novel, Darkness Calls, discussing audio and international publishing deals with his agent, breaking preorder records, and collaborating with Hollywood talent—including a creator of Netflix’s Cobra Kai, who has endorsed his work.
A two-time Professor of the Year, Chianakas continues to inspire his students while pursuing his literary ambitions. His success is a testament to his philosophy: consistent, daily steps toward your goals can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Love, Loss, and a Monster in the Woods: Darkness Calls Brings Horror with Heart
When Chianakas lost his mother to cancer, he turned to the genre that had always connected them: horror. As a child, his mother nurtured his love for storytelling, encouraging him to read every Goosebumps book and eventually every Stephen King novel. As an adult, their bond remained strong, with weekly horror movie nights becoming a cherished tradition. After her passing, Chianakas found himself drawn back to horror—not just for entertainment, but for understanding.
“Horror entertains, of course,” Chianakas explains, “but it also helps us process life’s real terrors—death, grief, the loss of loved ones, and the search for meaning.”
These themes became the foundation of Darkness Calls (March 4, 2025), a gripping “monster in the woods” story that blends atmospheric horror, mystery, and art. Inspired by childhood adventures near Springdale Cemetery in Illinois, the novel features unforgettable characters who defy societal norms to confront the unknown.
With Darkness Calls, Chianakas delivers more than just a terrifying tale; he offers a deeply personal exploration of loss and resilience, proving the power of horror as a tool for healing.
A Must-Read for Horror Fans
For fans of atmospheric horror and childhood lore, Darkness Calls promises to captivate readers with its blend of wonder and bone-chilling suspense. As the first installment of a two-part series, the novel will leave readers eagerly awaiting its sequel.
Queer Representation
A proud member of and fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Chianakas writes characters and themes to shine light on the challenges facing our community and aims to inspire and uplift at the same time. In his new novel, evil is defeated by understanding and connecting our differences, a powerful theme needed for our community and allies.
About Joe Chianakas
Joe Chianakas is a Peoria-based author, educator, and two-time Professor of the Year. His works include Rabbit in Red, Singlets and Secrets, Pride and Persistence, and the upcoming Darkness Calls. He is celebrated for his ability to blend horror with heartfelt storytelling, creating narratives that resonate deeply with readers."
Learn more at: https://joechianakas.weebly.com/darkness-calls.html#/
After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.
As the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dead, Jonathan is responsible for bringing the latest horror news to millions of readers from around the world. He is also consulted with as an expert on zombies in entertainment and pop culture, providing analyses of the zombie sub-genre to newspapers, radio stations, and convention attendees.
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