Stanley Film Festival Skips 2016, Plans for Return in 2017 and New Film Center

As regular Daily Dead readers know, I was a huge fan of last year's Stanley Film Festival. With a solid film lineup, a great mix of special guests, and unique events you won't see at any other film festival, this was a must-attend event for horror fans. Sadly, it's been announced that the festival will not be returning in 2016, but it's due to a major investment into the hotel that will result in a new film center and the festival's return next year:

"Announcement from Official Stanley Film Festival website:

Dear fans and supporters of the Stanley Film Center and Festival:

The Stanley Hotel is pleased to announce a major investment to ensure its legacy as a global destination for the horror film genre. The State of Colorado has awarded the Stanley $11.6 million to build a world-class film center, archive and auditorium on the grounds of the Historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. The funding will allow the Stanley Hotel to offer 365-day programming, special exhibits and events that will thrill and inspire the next generation of film fans. The Film Center will serve as an extension of the Stanley Film Festival, launched in 2013, and will allow us to build on our past success to accomplish even more ambitious endeavors for years to come.

As a direct result of this exciting new development, we are calling on our friends, partners and creative thinkers from around the world to help us define our vision. This year from April 20-22nd , instead of the standard film festival, we will be hosting a special think-tank symposium and creative session to kick-off this mission. This special 3-day event will be our chance to collect ideas and feedback from those who have supported us over the past years as well as an opportunity to capture new perspectives.

The outcome is simple: to create a Film Center and Festival that will exceed the expectations of the industry, and of our dedicated fans.

While this year’s event is limited to film ambassadors and planners, the festival will return as a bigger and better public celebration of the horror film genre in April 2017.

Thanks for your support of the Stanley Film Center and Festival as we grow and evolve to surpass all of your expectations!"

It was recently announced that the Denver Film Society, who produced and presented the festival for the past two years, will no longer be involved with the festival and Stanley Film Center, but my hope is that the Stanley Hotel will be able to continue the festival in 2017 with the same mix of guests and programming that made the previous years special. We'll keep Daily Dead readers posted on any announcements.