Daily Dead was proud to sponsor and attend the first-ever Overlook Film Festival in 2017, and we're excited to be a sponsor once again for this year's festival, which will take place next week at the historic Bourbon Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. Some new live events have been announced, and if you're thinking about going to the 2nd annual Overlook Film Festival, but you haven't purchased a pass yet, then Friday the 13th is your lucky day, because the festival has opened up discounted all-access passes that are only available until 11:59pm EST tonight!

Taking place April 19th–22nd at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in the festive French Quarter of The Big Easy (with screenings being held at Regal Cinemas Cinebarre Canal Place 9 Movie Theater), the 2018 Overlook Film Festival will showcase 23 feature-length films from around the world, including the buzzed-about Hereditary, UpgradeUnfriended: Dark Web, and the world premiere of Darren Lynn Bousman's St. Agatha.

In addition to movie screenings, this year's Overlook Film Festival is once again brimming with live performances, immersive events, and filmmaker Q&As that we've listed below. Check out our previous coverage to see this year's feature film lineup for The Overlook Film Festival, visit their official website to learn more about their all-access discounted passes, and be sure to say "hi" to Daily Dead if you're going to the festival!

From The Overlook Film Festival: "We all know Jason Voorhees was terrifying, but did you know that he also loved a great deal? In his thrifty honor, on Friday the 13th, from 7AM - 11:59pm EST, you can use code FRIDAY13 to take $130 off the cost of an All-Access Pass to The Overlook Film Festival! Your Pass includes priority admission for one to:

  • All regular festival screenings
  • Opening Night Film + Party
  • Closing Night Film + Party
  • Centerpiece Film + Friday Night Filmmaker Party
  • Exclusive access to Virtual Reality Experiences
  • Exclusive access to register for Immersive Experiences
  • All panels and live shows
  • Priority registration available for Overlook Immersive game (a weekend long mystery game, starring you), Dead Right Horror Trivia, and other activities requiring advance sign-up.

We've packed 41 films (23 features and 18 short films from 12 countries), parties every night, interactive events, and spooky live experiences into four days of thrills and chills in New Orleans. Come play!

Get Your All-Access Pass

Earn Tickets & Party Access through Volunteering!

The Overlook Film Festival runs on volunteer power! Be part of the team that makes this 4-day festival happen, while seeing films, meeting filmmakers and going behind the scenes at this one-of-a-kind festival experience. Sign up now to volunteer for parties & events, film screenings, transport films & filmmakers and more.

Sign Up to Volunteer Today

Immersive Registration opens Monday, April 16

BLACKOUT
Creators: Kristjan Thor, Josh Randall
In 2009, an underground immersive horror experience swept through the NYC art scene and began a path that would transform the international theater community. BLACKOUT, the X-rated fear experience designed for adults over 18 to walk through completely alone. Created by directors Kristjan Thor and Josh Randall, BLACKOUT has had productions in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Now at the Overlook Film Festival, BLACKOUT presents the world premiere of a rare and unique opportunity for the adventurous to make their way through what the NEW YORK TIMES has called the “most extreme theater event of the year.” Available exclusively for all-access pass holders. Registration begins on April 16th. Click here to purchase an all-access pass.

Explore All 2018 Special Events"

EVENT UPDATES

DEAD RIGHT HORROR TRIVIA

Friday, April 20th, 2018
4:30pm, Dragon's Den

Do you consume horror as voraciously as zombies eat flesh? The hit Los Angeles horror event comes to the Overlook Film Festival! Join your hosts Ryan Turek (Blumhouse Productions) and Sam Zimmerman (Shudder) to test your horror knowledge in eight rounds of terrifyingly titillating trivia. Scare yourself with how much you actually know about horror.

THE CANON PODCAST LIVE

Saturday, April 21st 2018
11:00am, Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Live Show

Host: Amy Nicholson

What films should be included in the list of all-time greats? Film critic Amy Nicholson and a guest debate, discuss and sometimes harmoniously agree about whether a film should be Canon-ized. At this special live edition of the show, join Amy and noted comedian, writer, and performer Thomas Lennon (The State, Reno 911), who appears in Overlook world premiere PUPPET MASTER: THE LITTLEST REICH to debate Cast your vote, and decide the legacy of each movie forevermore. No pressure.

Click here to purchase tickets.

SHOCK WAVES PRESENTS

Saturday, April 21st 2018
11:00am, Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Live Show
Host: Ryan Turek
Overlook welcomes Ryan Turek, co-host of Blumhouse’s hit horror podcast Shock Waves, for an insightful discussion with the directors of BLOOD FEST, THE RANGER, and additional filmmakers to be announced.

Click here to purchase tickets.

NEW PANEL! HOMETOWN HORROR: Making Genre Work

Friday, April 20th 2018
3:15pm, Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Panelists: Michael Arcos (Ex-Den Film Productions), Zandashe Brown (BLOOD RUNS DOWN), Darcy McKinnon (NOVAC), Misty Talley (Fable House), Additional panelists TBA.

New Orleans lays claim to more than 200 years of haunted history and lore. The city’s one-of-a-kind ambience and atmosphere has made it a hotbed of countless film and television productions and a home for all manner of unusual storytellers Hear from a variety of local artist working within the horror medium as they talk about the joys, challenges, trials and tribulations of making genre work locally.

CHECK OUT ALL THE FILMMAKERS

Many of the filmmakers will be in town for Q&As following their screenings. Visionary Award Recipient Leigh Whannell will present his new film UPGRADE. Director Darren Lyn Bousman will be joined by his cast for the world premiere of ST. AGATHA. Actors Thomas Lennon, Barbara Crampton, Michael Pare, and Udo Kier will appear on-stage for THE PUPPET MASTER: THE LITTLEST REICH. See a complete list of attending artists HERE

JOIN US FOR A 4-DAY CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS HORROR

The best way to enjoy the festival is by booking a room near our festival headquarters, Bourbon Orleans Hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter. Our screening venues are Le Petit Theatre and Cinebarre Canal Place 9, both in walking distance of headquarters.

Plan Your Fest Experience

Our Sponsors

Thanks to these wonderful folks, we're bringing four days full of horror films, panels, live shows, parties, VR experiences, and more, to New Orleans!"

  • Derek Anderson
    About the Author - Derek Anderson

    Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.

    When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.