The best US indie genre fest is back with another great program of soon to be cult favorites and hidden gems!
One of my favorite genre film fests, the Chattanooga Film Festival is back for their 12th year, June 20-28, once again highlighting some of the freshest voices in indie horror, with their biggest program yet. This is thanks to not only their crackerjack programming team who definitely know how to pick’em, but their dual hybrid, virtual (June 20-28) and in person (June 20-22) flavors that lower the bar for fans to access a plethora of soon to be hidden gems and cult favorites. I’ve been covering the fest since 2020 and every year they somehow manage to surprise me with more titles that are seared into my brain, after seemingly coming out of nowhere.
This year they have around 130 short films and almost 50 feature films. I know short programs are sometimes treated like the bratty younger step sibling at festivals, but I think for genre fans, this program alone is worth the badge. Given they are specifically – the keyword here is, curating for the horror crowd – they really have the luxury to explore the breadth of the genre and its many sub-genres. So there’s some real care and thought in the variety there and some truly one of a kind discoveries since they have that scope as a festival. The feature selections are always an eclectic mix that also run the gamut of the genre from your tried and true slashers, to the more cerebral and surreal.
So there’s usually something for everyone along with their excellently curated Red Eye late night virtual screening series that also offers some off the beaten path late night virtual watch parties. This along with special live episodes of podcasts on site film fans will know, definitely make this another great outing for the fest. You can still pick up badges here! And if you’re looking for another reason, here’s a rundown of the current program for those on the fence:
EXORCISMO (d. Alberto Sedano)
Under the Franco dictatorship, Spain’s rigid censorship laws had repressed any form of sexuality outside of Catholic marriage. But after Franco’s death and the consolidation of democracy, ‘Clasificada S’ films – restricted to those over 18 years old, with the warning that their content may offend the sensibilities of the viewer – embodied a period in Spanish history when sex went from being a sin to becoming a cinematic expression of political freedom. In the new documentary EXORCISMO, director Alberto Sedano explores the history behind Clasificada S, the battles it fought, and the distinctive dramas, thrillers and horror shockers that subverted the values of the former dictatorship. Narrated by Iggy Pop, featuring revealing interviews with actors, directors, historians, and showcasing clips from films by Jess Franco, José Ramón Larraz, Ignacio Iquino and more, EXORCISMO tells the incredible true story of a film movement that rocked Spanish culture, changed the face of genre films, and left its transgressive mark on global cinema forever.
FOUL EVIL DEEDS (d. Richard Hunter)
A series of comedically dark vignettes that give way to a fragmented anthology of humanity’s everyday pettiness, as seen through the voyeuristic lens of a distanced point of view. Tapping into society’s addiction to the judgement of others, FOUL EVIL DEEDS is stacked with black humour amid the everyday cruelty of the banal suburban life.
FAUST (1926; d. F. W. Murnau)
Special Screening with Original Live Metal Score by The Silent Light
God and Satan war over earth; to settle things, they wager on the soul of Faust, a learned and prayerful alchemist.
FUCKTOYS (d. Annapurna Sriram)
Special Screening
Fucktoys is a lush, 16mm fever dream that reimagines The Fool’s Journey of the Major Arcana Tarot through the story of AP: a peppy, sanguine young woman seeking salvation from a curse. AP is promised by not one, but multiple psychics that—for a cool $1000 and the sacrifice of a baby lamb— it can be lifted. So, she makes money the only way she knows how, scootering her way deeper into the night, into the uncouth underbelly of Trashtown. Dark, irreverent, and sexy, AP stumbles upon new characters and absurd situations, each more unhinged than the last, as she winds her way toward the inevitable. Fucktoys is a campy romp that explores the intersection of intimacy, exploitation, and class in a pre-millenium alternate universe of dilapidated urban decay and pastel cotton candy skies.
IN THE MOUTH (d. Cory Santilli)
Merl has been living his life as a recluse, in complete isolation, unable to leave his house after discovering a giant version of himself protruding from his lawn, blocking any attempt at escape. He’s run out of money, but if he doesn’t pay his rent in the next five days then his landlord is going to evict him. With no other options left, he is forced to get a roommate to pay him the debt in advance. Larry, an older man traveling shockingly light with only the clothes on his back, heeds the call and comes to live with Merl. It’s an adjustment for sure, but maybe they can learn a thing or two from each other. Or maybe Larry’s just found the perfect place to hide…
NOCLIP 2: RETURN TO LUNCHLAND (d. Gavin Charles)
World Premiere
In this sequel to the award-winning found-footage film NOCLIP, the two explorers return from the void in search of even more liminal spaces. In the process, they find backrooms that lead to multiple new surreal locations, plus some familiar ones…
POOLS (d. Sam Hayes)
Kennedy has one day to get her shit together or get kicked out of school for good. Instead of buckling down, she rallies a ragtag crew for a midnight pool-hopping adventure through the lavish estates of her college town. But under the surface, Kennedy is searching for answers to the questions tearing her up inside in the wake of her father’s death. As the secrets spill, this wild escape becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery.
PORTAL TO HELL (d. Woody Bess)
Dunn is a debt collector. His life of routine is interrupted when a portal to hell appears in his local laundromat. A demon follows and explains in no uncertain terms he’s there to drag Dunn’s neighbor, Mr. Bobshank, to hell. Bobshank owes a debt. Helping people pay their debts is what Dunn does best. A deal is offered – three souls to save Bobshank. Dunn says no. But one of his debtors follows him to the laundromat and well… once you do one, what’s another two? Dunn makes good on his end of the bargain. But the portal stays. The demon explains. Who gets into heaven isn’t up to God or the Devil. It’s up to you. Bobshank hasn’t forgiven himself. Dunn can convince Bobshank to do just that. Or find a fourth soul. The question Dunn has to answer is if you throw away everyone that’s made mistakes, who’s left?
SELF-HELP (d. Erik Bloomquist)
World Premiere
A young woman attempts to rescue her mother from a secret online community after she becomes entangled with its enigmatic leader.
THE BELDHAM (d. Angela Gulner)
Struggling single mom Harper moves in with her mother to renovate a fading suburban farmhouse. The two are joined by her mother’s new boyfriend and a mysterious live-in home aide, both who claim to be dedicated to Harper’s postpartum care. But things are not what they seem. A sinister presence lurks within the house… one that has designs on Harper’s child. As Harper investigates, she uncovers dark truths about the nature of her reality, and questions the intentions of those entrusted with her care. A multi-generational love story disguised as a horror, The Beldham explores the fine line between care and control, and the desperate lengths mothers will go to to protect the daughters they love.
THE MOST AUSTRALIAN BAND EVER! (d. Jonathan J. Sequeira)
The Secret Origin of the Hard-Ons. Three ethnic school kids from Western Sydney discover punk music and form a band. Together they fight racism and the music industry to become Australia’s biggest indie band larrikins. Before diversity was a buzzword, there was the Hard-Ons!
THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN (d. Brett Whitcomb, Bradford Thomason)
In 1998, the Disney Channel Original Movie “Halloweentown” was filmed in St. Helens, Oregon. Since then, the town has become a de facto Halloween destination with over 50,000 visitors each October. “The Spirit of Halloweentown” is an observational portrait of St. Helens 25 years later focusing on its residents as they transform the town and navigate their inescapable identity. Just as ghouls and ghosts inhabit the Halloweentown of the movie, many St. Helens residents believe their town to be truly haunted. As visitors pour into the city and specters of all kinds fill the autumn air, life for the locals in Halloweentown becomes much more than the celebration of a movie. It’s a quest for belonging and a reckoning with demons both personal and spiritual.
UNDER THE BURNING SUN (d. Yun Xie)
In a barren, desolate land where abortion is outlawed, Mowanza struggles with her unwanted pregnancy. When she hears of a distant land with a lenient abortion policy, Mowanza, armed with only a half-empty water bottle and a battered car, embarks on a journey across the desert toward the lush land of Iropus.
QUEENS OF THE DEAD (d. Tina Romero)
Closing Night Selection
When a zombie apocalypse breaks out in Brooklyn on the night of a warehouse party, an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must put aside their drama and use their unique skills to fight against the brain-thirsty, scrolling undead.
CROSSWORD (d. Michael Vlamis)
Following the death of their daughter, Tessa pours herself into her best selling children’s book series, “Lily Learns,” while her husband, James, attempts to find solace in the daily crossword but quickly unravels as the puzzles seem to take on a mind of their own.
GOOD NIGHT (d. Matías Szulanski)
U.S. Premiere
A young Brazilian girl travels to Argentina to visit her aunt, but after a misunderstanding and the loss of her belongings, she must kill time until the next morning.
HACKED: A DOUBLE ENTENDRE OF RAGE FUELED KARMA (d. Shane Brady)
World Premiere
Based on true events: When their $20K home deposit is stolen by Florida’s most elusive Hacker – The Chameleon – the Rumble family snaps and goes full “John Wick” …Except with way worse planning, more stupidity, and a 5 foot tall battle axe. It’s a revenge mission so insane, it might actually work.
THE HARBOR MEN (d. Casey T. Malone)
World Premiere
During a waterfront viral outbreak, dock worker Steven Dorre witnesses a strange murder that puts him in possession of a case – the contents of which bring into question everything he thought he knew to be true.
HOT SPRING SHARK ATTACK (d. Morihito Inoue)
U.S. Premiere, Opening Night Selection
In a small hot spring town in Japan, a ferocious ancient shark reawakens and begins terrorizing the local hot spring facilities. As the threat escalates, the townspeople band together to protect their beloved town from the menacing predator, leading to a fierce and thrilling battle.
HOUSE OF ASHES (d. Izzy Lee)
Grieving widow Mia must survive psychological and supernatural horrors while under house arrest.
HUNG UP ON A DREAM: THE ZOMBIES DOCUMENTARY (d. Robert Schwartzman)
British Invasion icons The Zombies reflect on paving 60 years and counting of their musical path from teenage friends to legends in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE (d. J. Davis)
I Hate Myself and Want to Die is a dark comedy about a depressed young guy whose attempts to kill himself keep getting interrupted by his family and friends. Unaware of his intentions, they pull him into increasingly bizarre adventures over the course of a single night, while he looks back on his life and decides whether or not to go through with his deadly plan.
I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND (d. G.G. Hawkins)
When a woman grows disillusioned with her golden-boy husband during their tropical honeymoon, she recruits an enigmatic expat to spice things up—for better or worse.
KING BABY (d. Kit Redstone, Arran Shearing)
A warped modern fairytale plays out in a crumbling “kingdom” populated only by a king and a servant. The arrival of a mannequin queen throws their carefully constructed world into isolation, madness, and murderous megalomania.
THE MISADVENTURES OF VINCE & HICK (d. Trevor Stevens)
World Premiere
Recently released from prison, Hick Dunn wants nothing more than to make it to his daughter Katie’s 10th birthday party across the US desert. A chance encounter with a silver tongued con man named Vince Campbell opens an opportunity for Hick to get a ride. The catch? He has to revert back to a life of criminal misadventures.
OBEX (d. Albert Birney)
Conor Marsh lives a secluded life with his dog, Sandy, until one day he begins playing OBEX, a new, state-of-the-art computer game. When Sandy goes missing, the line between reality and game blurs and Conor must venture into the strange world of OBEX to bring her home.
OPERATION WAKALIGA: FATE AND BLOOD (d. Ori Yakobovich, Maya Rudich, Nabwana IGG)
U.S. Premiere
A first of its kind action-comedy cooperation between Wakaliwood in Uganda and Israel. The Ugandan tiger mafia kidnaps the son of the prime minister of Israel. This shadow organization known for black magic and mastery of kung fu, are planning to sacrifice the son prime minister in order to perform a unique spell that requires royal Jewish blood. In order to rescue him, the State of Israel sends a pair of special commando fighters to Uganda, whose partnership was broken up by a bitter conflict in the past. If the commandos won’t be able to overcome their troublesome past the fate of the Jewish and the Ugandan people might be doomed forever.
PAVEMENTS (d. Alex Ross Perry)
An examination of the iconic 90s indie band, “Pavements” appears to be just another music documentary, until it doesn’t. A prismatic, narrative, scripted, documentary, musical, metatextual hybrid, the film intimately shows the band preparing for their sold-out 2022 reunion tour while simultaneously tracking the preparations for a musical based on their songs, a museum devoted to their history and a big-budget Hollywood biopic inspired by their saga as the most important band of a generation.
THE PEE PEE POO POO MAN (d. Braden Sitter Sr.)
A paranoid young man launches a bizarre crime spree against the citizens of Toronto in this psycho-spiritual thriller comedy starring Rishi Rodriguez, Spencer Rice (Kenny vs. Spenny) and Paul Bellini (Kids in the Hall).
ABIGAIL BEFORE BEATRICE (d. Cassie Keet)
An isolated woman is confronted by her past when a fellow former cult member reaches out with news that their leader has been released from prison early. What happens when your search for love and acceptance leads you to a toxic relationship? How do you move on when you can’t let go?
ALAN AT NIGHT (d. Jesse Swenson)
World Premiere
When fledgling podcaster and prank-channel proprietor Jay Conley finds himself in sudden need of a roommate, he hastily welcomes a shy, Alabamian herpetologist named Alan into his Bushwick apartment. Despite his social clumsiness and a snore that could move needles on the Richter Scale, Alan initially proves himself to be an excellent houseguest. But soon his harmless quirks give way to increasingly alarming nocturnal behaviors and Jay reacts as any decent, young content-creator would – by capturing the proceedings on camera. As Alan’s erratic conduct and mysterious symptoms escalate to a violent crescendo, our camcorder-wielding protagonist and his idler best bud must choose between their consciences, their safety and the allure of views, likes and subscribes.
BOB MORGAN’S JUST GOING TO TELL SOME STORIES (d. Tom Marksbury, Grayson Tyler Johnson)
Bob Morgan’s Just Going to Tell Some Stories… about art and garbage, sex and drugs, aids grief, cultural subversion and being an outsider turned community icon. The story of an assemblage artist and queer Kentucky.
DARK MY LIGHT (d. Neal Dhand)
Detective Mitchell Morse’s investigation into a beachfront serial killer is complicated by a hothead new partner, a severed foot on the beach, his fracturing relationship with his wife, and his own slipping sanity.
ITCH! (d. Bari Kang)
Amid a mysterious deadly outbreak called the ITCH. A widower and his estranged young daughter take sanctuary in a department store, only to realize the real terror is inside with them.
OLD WOUNDS (d. Steven Hugh Nelson)
An aspiring filmmaker documents a road trip with his girlfriend to meet her family. As he learns more about her past, they discover he’s not the only one filming them.
PATER NOSTER AND THE MISSION OF LIGHT (d. Christopher Bickel)
Max, a young record store clerk stumbles upon a rare vinyl LP and is drawn into the world of a 1970s hippie commune. An invitation to the remnants of the cult and its unholy spawn leads to grave circumstances for Max and her friends.
SOLVENT (d. Johannes Grenzfurthner)
While searching for Nazi documents in an Austrian farmhouse, a team of experts uncovers a hidden secret buried in its bowels. American expatriate Gunner S. Holbrook becomes obsessed with solving the mystery, and as his sanity wanes, he must confront an insatiable evil. Can he find redemption before it drains the life out of him?
THE ONLY ONES (d. Jordan Miller)
Six friends set out to a secluded house for a relaxing weekend away, when they unwittingly start a snowballing effect of chaos, death and paranoia. As the body count climbs, the survivors don’t know who to trust, or who is next.
THEY WERE WITCHES (d. Alejandro G. Alegre)
Mia, an expert speaker in witchcraft, takes a trip to see a therapist. On the way she meets a group of young people who will begin to die one by one to bring an evil spirit back from death.
UNIVERSE 25 (d. Richard Melkonian)
Mott the angel is sent on a holy mission in London and Bucharest. In his search for a mysterious saint, he encounters a world that sends him off course and forces him to face his true identity.
CFF 2025 SHORT FILM ANNOUNCEMENTS (FULL LINEUP)
401 (d. Neal Tyler)
’77 (d. Christopher Perna)
A DIVINE COMEDY: WHAT THE HELL (d. Valerie Lee Barnhart)
A FOREST (d. Isabel Nola)
A HAUNTING AT ALMA DRIVE (d. Dalton Allen)
AGORAPHOBIA (d. Ashley Wong)
ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS (d. Becky Sayers)
ANIMAS FORKS (d. Samuel Blakesberg)
ANY LAST WORDS (d. Isaac Rathé)
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? (d. Zen Pace)
ARSON (d. Erin Broussard)
BAKING AND ENTERING (d. Lance Harbour, Cole Keisling, Andrew Lacy, Zach Legaux, Brooklynne Scivally)
BANANAHEAD (d. Christopher Greenslate)
BATHROOM SPIDER (d. Christine Weatherup)
BEAST OF THE NORTHWOODS (d. Harrison Reeder)
BEEF CREEK – Animated Pilot (d. Kurt Vinci, Seby X Martinez)
BLOODY MARIAN (d. Sommar Ashleigh Boulware)
BLUBBER (d. Chloë Levine)
BRICK BOY (d. Scott Vasey)
BUMP (d. Kyle Kasabian)
C.U.N.T. (SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY) (d. Gabriela Perez Figuereo)
CAT & FISH (d. Nilram Ranjbar)
CEASE TO EXIST (d. Taylor Nodrick)
CHECK PLEASE (d. Shane Chung)
CHERRY-COLORED FUNK (d. Chelsie Pennello)
CHICKENBOY (d. Matthew Rush)
CLOSED CIRCUIT (d. Karl Redgen)
CANCER SZN (d. Zachary Green)
DAMN HANDY (d. Peter Filardi)
DAMNED (d. Lukas Anderson)
DAUGHTERS OF EVIL (d. Adam Taylor, Natasha Malone)
DEAD PET SHARK (d. Misha Gankin)
DEADLY DUELS VII (d. Justine Beed)
DESTROYER (d. Judd Myers)
DID MY HEART LOVE TILL NOW (d. Veronica Tullo)
DID YOU REMEMBER THE CAT? (d. Daniel Foster)
DISFIGURA (d. Jake Bradbury, Toni Blando)
DON’T BUY THE LIVERWURST (d. Nathaniel Hendricks)
DON’T SCREW THIS UP (d. Nathan Evans)
DON’T LOOK (d. John Wyatt)
DREAM AMERICAN (d. Greg Marcks)
ELDRITCH KARAOKE (d. Joe Loftus)
ELEGANCIA (d. Maria Shevtsova)
EMPTY JARS (d. Guillermo Ribbeck)
ENDZGIVING (d. Tina Carbone)
ESCAPE (d. Lorenzo Manetti)
FACES (d. Blake Simon)
FEED (d. Kara McLeland)
FOREVER YOURS (d. Elliott Louis McKee)
FRANKENBABES FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE! (d. Andrew Bowser)
FRENCH LESSONS (d. Anna Maguire, Kyle Greenberg)
HER HOUSE (d. Will Lee)
HI I JUST MOVED HERE (d. Alessandro Pulisci)
HIVE (d. Felipe Vargas)
HOWL IF YOU LOVE ME (d. John R. Dilworth)
HUMAN RESOURCE (d. Henry Chaisson)
I DREAMT OF BEING AN ACTRESS (d. Isabel Nola)
IS THAT A MIME? (d. Michael Spencer)
IT DRAWS CLOSER (d. Joshua David Matthews)
KRAKENS MAW (d. Miro Santeri Seppanen)
LOLA (d. Grace Hanna)
LOUD (d. Adam Azimov)
MANNY WOLFE (d. Trevor Neuhoff)
MASKS (d. Andre LeBlanc)
MEEET (d. Laama Almandani)
MIRROR MAN (d. Jakob Owens)
MODEL CITIZEN (d. Rachael Dahl)
MR. STATIC (d. Mike Williamson)
OK/NOTOK (d. Pardeep Sahota)
OPEN WIDE (d. Sam Fox)
PARKING LOT SEAGULLS (d. Michael Curtis Johnson)
PHROG (d. Brandon Vallee Ross)
POCKETMAN (d. Ericka Clevenger)
POP MONSTERS (d. Megan Brooks)
PUMPKIN GUTS (d. Bryan M. Ferguson)
RADIATION (d. Peter Collins Campbell)
RANDY AS HIMSELF (d. Margaret Miller)
RED IRON ROAD: IN THE HEAT (d. Sam Chou)
REM (d. Blair Bathory)
ROUGE (d. Nicholas Jackson)
SECOND DATE WITH WET SARA (d. Creston Whittington, Evan Enderle)
SEMPRE AVANTI (d. Matthew Barber, Nathaniel Barber)
SEVERED (d. Megan Duffy)
SEWING MACHINE (d. Tyler William Hagen)
SICK DAY (d. Hughes Ransom)
SIN EATER (d. Corey Simpson)
SKEETER (d. Chris McInroy)
SLOW (d. Rebecca Berrih)
SLUSH (d. Ashley George)
SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH KIT (d. Lida Everhart)
STRINGS (d. Ava Pearson, Eleanor Smith, Nina Zandvliet)
STRIYA (d. Paige Campbell)
SUPPER (d. Joshua Ryan Dietz)
SWEET DREAMING (d. Andrew Laudone)
TEAGAN AND HIS BROS (d. Ronald Short)
TERROIR (d. Casey Rogerson)
TETHER (d. Meredith Berg)
THE ANGEL (d. Barrett Burgin, Jessica Burgin)
THE ANOMALIST (d. Matt Farren)
THE BEGUILING (d. Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby)
THE BOHANNONS – NIGHT CONSTRUCTION – Official Music Video (d. Matt Eslinger)
THE CONFECTION (d. Christopher Jason Bell)
THE CREATURE OF BLOOD LAKE (d. Dylan A. Young)
THE FLACALTA EFFECT (d. Rochée Jeffrey)
THE GIRLIES (d. Natalie Couture)
THE HUMMING GROWS (d. Aughbar)
THE KEY CLUB (d. Lee Boxleitner, Sam Boxleitner)
THE KOLA TAPE (d. South Turk)
THE LAST THING SHE SAW (d. Anthony Cousins, Rebecca Daugherty)
THE LILY & THE SCORPION (d. Charlie Netto)
THE PLEDGE (d. Jackson Stofka)
THE PRINCESS OF COYOTE PALMS (d. Danielle McRae Spisso, Stephen Vanderpool)
THE SELKIE (d. Sara Friedman)
THE THINGS WE KEEP (d. Joanna Fernandez)
THE TRAVELER (d. Matthew Scheffler)
THE TRAVELER & THE TROLL (d. Adam Murray)
THE VANITY (d. Megan Rosati)
THERE IS NO ANTIMEMETICS DIVISION (d. Adria Marie Lang)
TIL DEATH DO US PART (d. Bronwyn Blanks-Bludell, Alexander Protich)
TIN SOLDIERS (d. Aris Federman)
TO WRITE THE ENDING (d. Shaler Keenum)
TWO BREATHS (d. Kateryna Kurganska)
VHX (d. Alisa Stern, Scott Ampleford)
VOTE FOR WYRM (d. Benjamin Percy)
WAKE (d. Sean Carter)
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT BALLOONS (d. Jennifer Bonior)
WHAT’S LEFT (d. Ryan Gentle, Austin Quarles)
WRONG GUY (d. Brett Maline)
YOU WAKE TO FIND YOURSELF ALONE IN THE WOODS (d. Brad McHargue)
YOU’RE AN ANGEL (d. Zachary Eglinton)
YOUR HUSBAND WAS A GOOD MAN (d. Jamie
