MidWest WeirdFest 2020: First Programming Wave Announced!

MidWest WeirdFest announces its first programming wave for 2020 today. The 4th annual festival - a cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, paranormal, and just plain weird - takes place March 6-8, 2020 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

“MidWest WeirdFest is back with the type of cutting edge genre, paranormal, and underground cinema that our regular attendees have come to expect, and that first time fest-goers are going to adore,” says festival founder and programming director Dean Bertram. “We are delighted to announce this year's first wave of feature programming. From murderous puppets and ghostly encounters, through legendary beasties and UFOs, to Lovecraftian nightmares and serial killers; the festival's 2020 program is loaded with weirdness. Some of it real, some of it imagined, and much of it from that mysterious twilight territory that lays in between.”

Discounted festival passes are now on sale here. Individual tickets to each film will go on sale closer to the festival; both on the fest's website, and directly from the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Full program details and filmmaker guests will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The first seven feature films announced follow:

BAD WITCH (directors: Joshua Land and Victor Fink) Xander is a witch whose abuse of black magic has led him to disaster after disaster. After trying to go clean of witchcraft, Xander befriends Roland, a young loner. But he can’t seem to resist sliding back into his old witchy ways, as he begins to help Roland with bullies, girlfriends, and other teenage atrocities. A bloody fun horror flick that's sure to bewitch genre cinephiles.

THE FEAR OF LOOKING UP (Director: Konstantinos Koutsoliotas) While chasing a serial killer inspired by the god of sleep, a cop’s life is overturned by the death of her lover. Looming monsters and the need for revenge cloud the border between her nightmares and reality, in this atmospheric and hypnotizing descent into Lovecraftian madness and terror.

ON THE TRAIL OF UFOS (director: Seth Breedlove) From MidWest WeirdFest alumni filmmaker Seth Breedlove (MOMO: THE MISSOURI MONSTER, ON THE TRAIL OF BIGFOOT) comes the latest Small Town Monsters documentary. With host Shannon LeGro, ON THE TRAIL OF UFOS takes viewers from the gates of Area 51 itself, to the snow-capped White Mountains of New Hampshire. Filmed in several states across the country, no stone was left unturned in putting together the most comprehensive look at the subject ever produced.

PUPPET KILLER (director: Lisa Ovies) While celebrating Christmas at a cabin in the woods, a group of high school students are stalked by a psychotic killer obsessed with horror movie icons. This laugh out loud horror comedy is overflowing with clever homages to the genre, and serves up a perfect mix of gore and gags.

RETURN TO WILDCAT MOUNTAIN: WISCONSIN'S BLACK PANTHER NEXUS (directors: Linda Godfrey and  Nathan Godfrey) Strangely, in some parts of North America, black-furred big cats make up over half the eyewitness reports of mountain lions; but zoologists say black pumas don’t exist. If that’s true, then exactly what are these ebony felines? Might one small central Wisconsin town hold a clue to this growing mystery? The directorial debut of one of the world's leading writers and investigators of the weird: Linda Godfrey (WEIRD WISCONSIN, MONSTERS AMONG US, I KNOW WHAT I SAW).

THE SOUL CONDUCTOR (Director: Ilya Maksimov) Katya is a disaffected and gloomy young woman. But she is endowed with a mystical gift: she is a conduit between the world of the dead and the world of the quick, and helps earthbound souls to regain peace. But her already weird world spirals even further out of control when a demonic serial killer targets both her and her twin sister. A beautiful and creepy supernatural thriller, loaded with twists and frights that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end credits roll.

SQUATCHMORE (Directors:  Dane Mainella, Jay Jadick, and Benjamin R Davis) Two men from rural Western Pennsylvania embark on a quest to track down the legendary monster, Bigfoot. They will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of the great American myth, even as their journey leads them ever deeper into the mind of the beast itself.  Part mumblecore, part early Wes Anderson, part psychedelic trip down the rabbit-hole of Sasquatch belief, SQUATCHMORE delivers the weird like few others.

MidWest WeirdFest 4th Annual Call for Entries

MidWest WeirdFest, the cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, underground and just plain weird announces its 4th annual call for entries today. The film festival will return to the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from March 6-8, 2020.

“I’m so glad I went to the festival with our film,” says Ted Michaels writer and director of TANGOBORN MENCLENTY, the hilarious comedy/sci-fi feature that won the “Best Sci-Fi Film” award at the 2019 event.

“I can’t say enough good things about festival director Dean Bertram and what he’s done with WeirdFest. It’s a truly independent film festival for truly independent film makers. That should be the norm for film festivals, but the reality is that it isn’t. Most films at most festivals are sourced right from studios. Dean actually watches all his submissions. His picks are based on quality and if they fit the weird vibe of his festival, and If you have a work of originality, your submission fee will not be wasted here. I’ll always be thankful that Midwest WeirdFest exists!”

Ted Michaels introducing his award winning film TANGOBORN MENCLENTY at MidWest WeirdFest 2019.

MidWest WeirdFest is now accepting submissions in the following categories: Feature films, Documentary films, Short films, Animated short films, TV or web content, and Music videos.

The festival also hosts two screenplay competitions: One for feature length screenplays, and one for short screenplays.

For more details, or to submit your film or screenplay, visit: http://www.midwestweirdfest.com/submit

MidWest WeirdFest 2019 Winners Announced

The 3rd annual MidWest WeirdFest wrapped last week at the Micon Downtown Cinema, Eau Claire Games and Arcade, and Ivy Creatives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The festival once again provided enthusiastic audiences a cinematic smorgasbord of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird. Today, MidWest WeirdFest announces the winning films of the 2019 event.

Jason Trost introducing THE FP and FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE double feature at MidWest WeirdFest 2019 (photo by Luong Huynh)

“Midwest WeirdFest is everything you could ask for as a filmmaker,” says Jason Trost, winner of the fest's “Best Director” award for FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE, the long-awaited sequel to his cult classic THE FP. “The fest goes to great lengths to give every film and filmmaker their time to shine. Most importantly, the fest's passionate fan-base of film lovers creates a place that truly gives our best and weirdest ideas a place to call home.”

An overview of the festival's other winning films follows:

Lonnie Martin and Cindy Marie Martin THE LAST OF THE MANSON GIRLS (photo by Luong Huynh)

Director Lonnie Martin and producer/actress Cindy Marie Martin's psychedelic re-imagining of one of the darkest byways of Americana, THE LAST OF THE MANSON GIRLS, was awarded “Best Film”. While the captivating THE SECRET OF BYRON PREISS by writer/director James Renner took “Best Documentary”.

James Renner during the Q&A for his documentary THE SECRET OF BYRON PREISS (photo by Luong Huynh)

The atmospheric and chilling THE INVISIBLE MOTHER won the festival's “Best Horror Film” award. The satirical and hilarious TANGOBORN MENCLENTY from Ted Michaels was awarded “Best Sci-Fi Film”. And the side-splitting black comedy superhero spoof ZEROES (directed by Charles Smith) captured the “Independent Spirit Award”.

L to R: Jacob Gillman, Matthew Diebler (THE INVISIBLE MOTHER) and Ted Michaels (TANGOBORN MENCLENTY) on the panel at MidWest WeirdFest’s Filmmaking Master Class (photo by Luong Huynh)

Charles Smith at MidWest WeirdFest’s opening night screening of his film ZEROES (photo by Luong Huynh)

“Best Short Film” was won by the disturbingly hilarious BFF GIRLS (directed by Brian Lonano). The trippy and mesmerizing DEATH VAN (directed by Michael Enzbrunner ) was awarded “Best Animated Short”. The award for “Best Sci-Fi Short” went to the dark futuristic vision of CIVET (directed by and starring Benjamin Capps). “Best Horror Short” was won by the eerie and atmospheric GREY CANYON (Zeshaan Younus). While the P. K. Dickian cyber-thriller series SUBVERSE (directed by Joseph White) took “Best TV / WEB content”. And “Best Music Video” was awarded to the animated space opera HALF AN ORANGE - BUZZ LIGHT YEAR (directed by Michael Maloof & Andrew Spellman.)

Benjamin Capps, director and star of CIVET (photo by Luong Huynh)

3rd Annual MidWest WeirdFest: Cutting-Edge Films, Filmmaking Class, Dance-Off, and More!

MidWest WeirdFest - the cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird - returns to the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire from March 8-10. Now in its third year, the festival is expanding to include more special events, more guests, more films, and introduces two additional venue partners: Eau Claire Games and Arcade, and Ivy Creatives.

“MidWest WeirdFest is co-hosting two free events this year that I'm thrilled about,” says festival director Dean Bertram. “Before the fest's double feature screening of the cult classic film THE FP and the brand new sequel FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE – at Micon Downtown Cinema on Saturday March 8 - we are presenting a free 'Dance Off’ around the corner at Eau Claire Games and Arcade. Jason Trost, the films' star and director, will be competing against any challengers on the arcade's 'Pump It Up Fiesta' dance machine, just as he does in his two iconic films. Then, on Sunday March 10 at 2:15pm, the festival is presenting a Filmmaking Master Class with Ivy Creatives at their offices across the street from the Micon Downtown.”

Some of MidWest WeirdFest's feature filmmaker guests, who will be presenting their films at the festival and will be part of the Filmmaking Master Class, include:

Jason Trost, writer/director/star of the cult classic THE FP and FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE, which are screening back-to-back at the fest.

James Renner, writer/director of the fascinating documentary THE SECRET OF BYRON PREISS.

Charles Smith director of the festival's opening night film: The hilarious superhero black comedy ZEROES.

Matt Diebler and Jacob Gillman, whose atmospheric and terrifying supernatural chiller THE INVISIBLE MOTHER world premieres as MidWest WeirdFest's 2019 closing night film.

Ted Michaels, director of the delightfully dark, surprisingly sweet, science-fiction-political-satire-love-story TANGOBORN MENCLENTY.

Filmmakers in attendance to present their short films at the festival include: Benjamin Capps (CIVET), Troy Deutsch (BROWN FISH), Matt Erman (THE LEGEND OF HOLCOMB ROAD), Drew Angle and Katelyn Douglass (TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT THE BREAD FACTORY), Stewart Koski (SASQUATCHES), and Paul von Stoetzel (THE CONQUEROR WORM).

Tickets to each session as well as discounted festival passes can be booked here:

http://www.midwestweirdfest.com/tickets/

MidWest WeirdFest's full 2019 feature film line-up follows (you can also browse the full program here)O

27 WEST (Tait Colberg) A solitary man's morning and evening routines appear ordinary enough. But during the hours in between, his chores grow darker each day: with quiet efficiency, he procures an unregistered vehicle, an untraceable weapon, and tools for demolition. What is he planning? Will he succeed? Should he? Don't miss this compelling, brilliant, and unique thriller.

THE FP (director: Jason Trost and Brandon Trost) Two rival gangs feud for control of rural wasteland Frazier Park ('The FP') in the deadly arena of competitive dance-fight video game "Beat-Beat Revelation." After hometown hero BTRO is slain on the dance platform by thug leader L Dubba E, his protégé younger brother JTRO (Jason Trost) goes into isolation, vowing never to duel again. One year later, The FP is in ruins, and JTRO must find the courage to return and restore order in a ruthless battle for revenge that can only leave one man dancing.

FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE (director: Jason Trost) Despite hanging up his boots following the events of the cult classic “THE FP”, JTRO must return to the blood sport of Beat-Beat Revelation one last time. JTRO and KCDC - his mystical hype man - will quest deep into The Wastes, a land decimated by the Beat Wars, to compete in the ancient Beat-Beat tournament, called "Beats of Rage", face AK-47, and, hopefully, save the world. Imagine a MAD MAX style future, where battles to the death are fought via the video game Dance Dance Revolution, and you might have an inkling of the crazy and hilarious post-apocalyptic world of THE FP…..

THE INVISIBLE MOTHER (directors: Matthew Diebler and Jacob Gillman) WORLD PREMIERE at MidWest WeirdFest 2019! When lesbian stoner Marcy returns to her grandparents’ home to help care for her mentally declining grandmother, she discovers they are being terrorized by a malevolent force from a Victorian post-mortem photograph. THE INVISBLE MOTHER is a giallo-styled, terrifying descent into supernatural terror.

LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER (director: Ryland Tews) The eccentric Captain Seafield hires a crew of specialists to help him plot revenge against the creature that killed his father. After several failed attempts, Seafield is forced to take matters into his own drunken hands. What began as a simple case of man verses beast, soon turns into a rabbit hole of mysterious unknowns and Lovecraftian hijinks. LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER -- banned in four lakes!

THE LAST OF THE MANSON GIRLS (director: Lonnie Martin) Convinced there's more to the Manson murders than meets the public eye, counterculture journalist Paul Krassner embarks on an LSD tinged investigation of the last of Manson's disciples: Brenda McCann, Sandra Good, and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. What he finds could change how the world sees the 60s... if he lives long enough to tell the story. A riveting, speculative, and psychedelic journey into one of the darkest byways of 1960s Americana.

LET'S SCARE JULIE TO DEATH (director: Jud Cremata) WORLD PREMIERE at MidWest WeirdFest 2019! Shot in 85 real-time minutes, this is a bona fide one-shot movie and one of the first of its kind in the United States. The movie is a form of a cinéma vérité. The camera is a fly on the wall witnessing a ghost story unfold as it follows a group of teenage girls - who conduct a doomed Halloween prank - into the rainy, inky night. It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.

MILLENNIUM AFTER THE MILLENNIUM (Jason Morris) This new documentary focuses on Chris Carter’s landmark television series MILLENNIUM. Set twenty years after the show ended, we take a look back at what makes the show so enduring to fans and critics alike. Featuring every major crew and cast member: including Chris Carter, Lance Henriksen, Frank Spotnitz, Chip Johannessen and many, many more

ON THE TRAIL OF BIGFOOT (director: Seth Breedlove) From Small Town Monsters, and MidWest WeirdFest alumni filmmaker Seth Breedlove (THE MOTHAN OF POINT PLEASANT, THE BRAY ROAD BEAST), comes this enthralling documentary examining the history of the Bigfoot phenomenon. ON THE TRAIL OF BIGFOOT was filmed coast to coast during 2018 and features witnesses and investigators of the elusive creature. Prepare to go deeper into the Bigfoot subject than you've ever gone before.

REBORN (director: Julian Richards) A stillborn baby girl is brought back to life by a morgue attendant using electrokinetic power. On her sixteenth birthday she escapes her captor and sets out to find her birth mother leaving a trail of destruction behind her. Don’t miss this stunning modern twist on 70s and 80s horror classics like CARRIE, FIRESTARTER, and THE FURY. Stars genre legends Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR, BEYOND THE GATES) and Michael Parle (STREETS OF FIRE, THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT).

THE SECRET OF BYRON PREISS (director: James Renner) When journalist James Renner follows the clues from Byron Preiss's enigmatic 1982 book 'The Secret,' his cross-country search for buried treasure uncovers even deeper mysteries. This compelling documentary from a master storyteller, is one of the most fascinating documentaries of the decade.

TANGOBORN MENCLENTY (director: Ted Michaels) An absurdist comedy about an artificially manufactured moron (Tangoborn) who is tasked with saving the Earth from itself. There is your usual cast of Aliens, Bikers, Ninjas and a Refraction Biopter named Marigold. A pimp named Parquet keeps things grounded, as Tangoborn learns the importance of loyalty, true love, and putting on a good live sex show. A delightfully dark, surprisingly sweet, science-fiction-political-satire-love-story!

ZEROES (director: Charles Smith) After leaving a Halloween party dressed as ninjas, Kenneth and Ray - two drunken roommates - thwart a robbery and their heroics go viral. No litterer or public urinator is safe until an actual serial killer begins to ravage the city. Our inept crime-fighting duo, with the help of the enigmatic and insanely wealthy Gary, must catch the killer before Kenneth’s crush Kate becomes the next target. Hilarity abounds in this superhero spoof.

MIDWEST WEIRDFEST 2019: FIRST PROGRAMMING WAVE ANNOUNCED!

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, January 16, 2019 – MidWest WeirdFest announces its first programming wave for 2019 today. The third annual festival - a cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird - takes place March 8-10, 2019 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

“This year's fest line-up is set to delight fans of cutting edge horror, sci-fi, underground, and documentary cinema”, says festival founder and programming director Dean Bertram. “We've put together a heady and eclectic mix of speculative genre offerings, underground strangeness, and paranormal revelations: From a psychedelic Manson Family reimagining and a post-apocalyptic dance-off epic, through tales about a reanimated electrokinetic teenager, haunted stoners, and inept buddy superheroes, to a bonkers lake monster adventure and the most in-depth Bigfoot documentary ever produced. And that's just from MidWest WeirdFest's first programming wave of 2019!”

Discounted festival passes are now on sale here.

Individual tickets to each film will go on sale closer to the festival; both on the fest's website, and directly from the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Full program details and filmmaker guests will be revealed in February.

The first seven feature films announced follow:

FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE (director: Jason Trost) Despite hanging up his boots following the events of the cult classic “THE FP”, JTRO must return to the blood sport of Beat-Beat Revelation one last time. JTRO and KCDC - his mystical hype man - will quest deep into The Wastes, a land decimated by the Beat Wars, to compete in the ancient Beat-Beat tournament, called "Beats of Rage", face AK-47, and, hopefully, save the world. Imagine a MAD MAX style future, where battles to the death are fought via the video game Dance Dance Revolution, and you might have an inkling of the crazy and hilarious post-apocalyptic world of THE FP.

THE INVISIBLE MOTHER (directors: Matthew Diebler and Jacob Gillman) When lesbian stoner Marcy returns to her grandparents’ home to help care for her mentally declining grandmother, she discovers they are being terrorized by a malevolent force from a Victorian post-mortem photograph. THE INVISBLE MOTHER is a giallo-styled, terrifying descent into supernatural terror.

LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER (director: Ryland Tews) The eccentric Captain Seafield hires a crew of specialists to help him plot revenge against the creature that killed his father. After several failed attempts, Seafield is forced to take matters into his own drunken hands. What began as a simple case of man verses beast, soon turns into a rabbit hole of mysterious unknowns and Lovecraftian hijinks. LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER -- banned in four lakes!

THE LAST OF THE MANSON GIRLS (director: Lonnie Martin) Convinced there's more to the Manson murders than meets the public eye, counterculture journalist Paul Krassner embarks on an LSD tinged investigation of the last of Manson's disciples: Brenda McCann, Sandra Good, and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. What he finds could change how the world sees the 60s... if he lives long enough to tell the story. A riveting, speculative, and psychedelic journey into one of the darkest byways of 1960s Americana.

ON THE TRAIL OF BIGFOOT (director: Seth Breedlove) From Small Town Monsters, and MidWest WeirdFest alumni filmmaker Seth Breedlove (THE MOTHAN OF POINT PLEASANT, THE BRAY ROAD BEAST), comes this enthralling documentary examining the history of the Bigfoot phenomenon. ON THE TRAIL OF BIGFOOT was filmed coast to coast during 2018 and features witnesses and investigators of the elusive creature. Prepare to go deeper into the Bigfoot subject than you've ever gone before.

REBORN (director: Julian Richards) A stillborn baby girl is brought back to life by a morgue attendant using electrokinetic power. On her sixteenth birthday she escapes her captor and sets out to find her birth mother leaving a trail of destruction behind her. Don’t miss this stunning modern twist on 70s and 80s horror classics like CARRIE, FIRESTARTER, and THE FURY. Stars genre legends Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR, BEYOND THE GATES) and Michael Parle (STREETS OF FIRE, THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT).

ZEROES (director: Charles Smith) After leaving a Halloween party dressed as ninjas, Kenneth and Ray - two drunken roommates - thwart a robbery and their heroics go viral. No litterer or public urinator is safe until an actual serial killer begins to ravage the city. Our inept crime-fighting duo, with the help of the enigmatic and insanely wealthy Gary, must catch the killer before Kenneth’s crush Kate becomes the next target. Hilarity abounds in this superhero spoof.

Book your discounted 2019 festival pass now!

MIDWEST WEIRDFEST 3rd ANNUAL CALL FOR ENTRIES

MidWest WeirdFest, the cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, underground and just plain weird announces its call for entries today. The third annual film festival will return to the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from March 8-10, 2019.

"MidWest WeirdFest was unforgettable." says Peter Marcy the director of the horror feature film ATTACK OF THE TATTIE-BOGLE that screened at the 2018 event. "Festival director Dean Bertram was a pleasure to meet and a champion of our movie.  Leading up to the fest, he maximized anticipation and got us a 25-minute podcast interview, two reviews by critics, a newspaper article, and tons of social media exposure.  The fest itself was great.  The venue had an old theater charm that I thought had been lost forever.  The crowd was warm and enthusiastic and gave some whoops and applause when the end credits rolled.  We had a lively Q&A afterward that I didn’t want to end.  And downtown Eau Claire was delightful with numerous restaurants and coffee shops within blocks of the theater.  I loved my experience and hope to return."

MidWest WeirdFest is now accepting submissions in the following categories: Feature films, Documentary films, Short films, Animated short films, TV or web content, and Music videos.

And this year, the festival introduces two screenplay competitions: One for feature length screenplays, and one for short screenplays.

Full entry details can be found here.

Peter Marcy during the Q&A for ATTACK OF THE TATTIE-BOGLE at Midwest WeirdFest 2018 (Photo by Luong Huynh)

MidWest WeirdFest 2018 Winners Announced!

The 2nd annual MidWest WeirdFest wrapped this past Sunday, at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The festival again provided enthusiastic audiences a cinematic smorgasbord of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird. Today, MidWest WeirdFest announces the winning films of the 2018 event.

“MidWest WeirdFest was a blast, and winning the festival's Independent Spirit Award is an immense deal to us”, says Kevin Losani, who, along with Michael J. Widger, directed the incredibly ambitious super hero/comedy feature film OFFICER PIGSEY. “To stand out in a lineup consisting of such impressive, creative, and alternative films is major props! We always believed and hoped people would look beyond our film's budget restrictions and recognize all the other aspects that we think make it great. We feel this award honors that.”

An overview of the festival's other winning films follows:

Rob Cousineau Josh Cousineau and Chris Rosik (FUTURE) Photo by Luong Huynh.

Director Usher Morgan's stunning western/neo-noir hybrid PICKINGS was awarded “Best Film”. Amara Cash won “Best Director” for her visionary erotic drama DADDY ISSUES. The mesmerizing and chilling BORLEY RECTORY from British animator Ashley Thorpe captured the fest's award for “Best Documentary”. And “Best Screenplay” went to the darkly comedic time-travel tale FUTURE, written by Joshua P. Cousineau, Rob Cousineau, and Doug Kolbicz (directed by Rob Cousineau and Chris Rosik) .

Drew Krehel, Kyle Talley, Matthew Giordano, Andrew Melzer THE STREET WIZARD'S APPRENTICE

“Best Short Film” was won by the bloody hilarious LUNCH LADIES (directed by J. M. Logan). The monstrous comedy CRYPTO FORCE ALPHA (directed by Megan Kluck) was awarded “Best Animated Short”. While the unique and ambitious thriller MENTAL STATE: REVELATION (directed by Chris Page) took the fest's “Independent Spirit Award – Short Film”. The laugh out loud web series THE STREET WIZARD'S APPRENTICE (directed by Andrew Melzer, Matt Giordano, and Drew Krehel) snagged the fest's “Best Web/TV Content” award. And “Best Music Video” went to director Jed Schlegelmilch's video for HOT COFFIN - “WHISTLE, HAWK & SPIT”.

HOT COFFIN - "WHISTLE HAWK & SPIT" director Jed Schlegelmilch. (Photo by Luong Huynh)

Matt Erman writer, producer and cinematographer  of MENTAL STATE: REVELATION (Photo by Luong Huynh)

Filmmaker Guests Attending MidWest WeirdFest 2018

Horror, sci-fi, underground, and documentary filmmakers from around North America descend on Eau Claire, Wisconsin on the weekend of March 9-11 to showcase their films at the 2nd annual MidWest WeirdFest. Taking place at the Micon Cinema in downtown Eau Claire, the film festival is a cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird.

“Bringing together filmmakers and their audience is one of the most important functions of a film festival,” says festival director Dean Bertram. “That audience members get to interact with the films' creators, not just during Q&As, but in the cinema lobby and at after parties, is a rewarding experience for both filmmakers and audiences alike. MidWest WeirdFest is delighted to have a plethora of fantastic directors, producers, writers, and stars in attendance this year.”

Some of MidWest WeirdFest's feature filmmaker guests for 2018 include:

Director duo Rob Cousineau and Chris Rosik (also known as Get Super Rad), and writer/star Joshua P. Cousineau, who are representing their quirky and enthralling lo-fi sci-fi slacker time travel tale FUTURE.

Amara Cash, Hollywood based director of DADDY ISSUES, the fest's closing night film. A compelling, erotic, and at times confronting, underground romantic drama.

Peter Marcy, a Minnesota based filmmaker whose ATTACK OF THE TATTIE-BOGLE - which was filmed in Wisconsin - is an exceptional entry to the “cabin in the woods” sub-genre: with a great ensemble cast of believable adult characters and a realistic portrayal of rapidly descending, unexpected, and brutal violence.

Wayne Clingman, producer of THE MILWAUKEE MAFIA: FRANK BALISTRIERI. A fascinating documentary about Wisconsin's most notorious crime boss, infamous for murdering his enemies with car bombs.

Kevin Losani and Michael Widger co-directors of the indie super-hero epic OFFICER PIGSLEY (Losani also stars), which bats miles above its meager budget, and delivers laughs, gasps, and feels.

Filmmakers representing their short films at the festival include: Jack Birdsall (EARTH TO ISAAC), Carlos Nahuel Cerutti (TIME TO FADE), Steve Chappell (HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT ED GEIN), Matt Erman (MENTAL STATE: REVELATION), Matthew Giordano, Drew Krehel and Andrew Melzer, (THE STREET WIZARD'S APPRENTICE), Marinah Janello and Evan Phennicie (ENTROPIA), Stewart Koski (THE PEPIE LEGEND), Jeremiah Milmine (DITCHPEOPLE), Travis Prow and Nic Thorson (NIGHT SKY), Jed Schlegelmilch (WHISTLE, HAWK, AND SPIT), and Paul von Stoetzel (MULES).

Read the biographies of each of the above filmmakers here.

Tickets to each session as well as discounted festival passes can be booked here.
 

Individual tickets can also be booked directly through the Micon Downtown Cineama. Either at the box office or through their website here.

MidWest WeirdFest's Full 2018 Program Announced

MidWest WeirdFest announces its full 2018 program today. The second annual film festival - a cinematic celebration of of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird - will take place March 9-11, 2018 at the Micon Cinemas Downtown in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

“This year's festival program runs a weird and wonderful gamut, ranging from the boldest and bloodiest in sci-fi and horror, through documentaries of the strange and macabre, to twisting thrillers and erotic underground dramas” says festival director Dean Bertram, an Australian expatriate and veteran of the international film festival scene. “Whether you want to be thrilled, terrified, mesmerized or titillated you're going to find an abundance of entertaining films in this unique cinematic smorgasbord.”

Opening the festival is the Wisconsin premiere of PICKINGS from director Usher Morgan. In this neo-noir, western, thriller a short-tempered mobster and his gang of thugs try to shake down a neighborhood bar. But they're soon confronted with the wrath of its owner: a mysterious southern mother with a dangerous past. PICKINGS is a twisting, blood-drenched, super-stylized, thrill ride.

PICKINGS

And for closing night, MidWest WeirdFest presents director Amara Cash's DADDY ISSUES.  A compelling and at times confronting film that tracks a bizarre love triangle: Maya, a desperate young artist, is unaware that her new girlfriend is involved in an emotionally charged, co-dependent, fetish relationship with a neurotic and drug-addicted sugar daddy: a man who is also Maya's biological father. All three lovers are oblivious to the dark secret of their entanglement, and revelation will change them, forever...

DADDY ISSUES

Some other fantastic titles the festival announces today include:

CANNIBALS AND CARPET FITTERS (Director: James Bushe) A ragtag group of carpet layers are sent on a job to an old English country house in the middle of nowhere. They soon discover it's a trap set up by a savage cannibalistic family. The carpet fitters must fight for their lives or risk ending up as the evening's dinner. Horrific delights abound in this gore filled dish of a horror comedy, that tastes like a wickedly decadent blend of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.

CANNIBALS AND CARPET FITTERS

IMPOSSIBLE HORROR (Director: Justin Decloux) Lily, an insomniac filmmaker, hears a sinister scream outside her window every night. Determined to help the screaming person, she heads into the darkness of her neighbourhood. There she meets Hannah, a veteran “scream hunter”, obsessed with putting a stop to the nightly occurrence. The young women join forces to solve the bloodcurdling mystery, and quickly discover that its source may be an otherworldly threat that drives its victims into madness - and Lily and Hannah are next.

IMPOSSIBLE HORROR

THE MILWAUKEE MAFIA: FRANK BALISTRIERI (Director: Jason Love)
Frank Peter Balistrieri (AKA "Mr. Big", "Big Frank", "Mr. Slick", and "Mad Bomber") was the most notorious and dangerous Mob Boss in Milwaukee's history. In this documentary, learn about the secret world of organized crime through the lens of the most dangerous man in Milwaukee. Known for using car bombs to murder his enemies, Frank Balistrieri was willing to do anything to keep his power over the city.

THE MILWAUKEE MAFIA: FRANK BALISTRIERI

OFFICER PIGSLEY (Director: Kevin Losani, Michael J. Widger) In a a city full of superheroes and monstrous villains, a clumsy police officer stumbles upon an evil conspiracy. He has to decide whether it's worth taking the law into his own hands – and risking his life - to save a city that despises him. An indie epic, that bats miles above its meager budget, and delivers laughs, gasps, and feels.

OFFICER PIGSLEY

See full festival program here.

Festival passes now available for purchase here.

MIDWEST WEIRDFEST 2018: FIRST WAVE OF FILMS ANNOUNCED!

MidWest WeirdFest announces its first programming wave for 2018 today. The second annual festival - a cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird - takes place March 9-11, 2018 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

“We are delighted to unveil this first glimpse at some of the 2018 festival's incredible program”, says fest founder and veteran programmer Dean Bertram. “The selection encapsulates MidWest WeirdFest's mission of showcasing a heady combination of the latest and most original horror, sci-fi, underground, and documentary films. We can't wait for the festival's audience to journey with us on another twisting, terrifying, and at times hilarious journey through the cutting-edge of this season's weird cinema.”

Festival passes are now on sale here. Individual tickets to each film will go on sale closer to the festival, directly from the Micon Downtown Cinema. Full program details and guests will be revealed in February.

The first seven feature films announced follow:

3 DEAD TRICK OR TREATERS (dir: Torin Langen)
After stumbling upon the graves of three murdered trick or treaters, a small town paperboy discovers a series of handwritten horror stories tacked to the children's headstones. Penned by a deranged pulp author driven mad by his craft, the stories chronicle grisly tales of Halloween rites, rituals and traditions. Absent of dialogue and heavy on atmosphere, 3 DEAD TRICK OR TREATERS is a horror chiller unlike any you've seen before.

ATTACK OF THE TATTIE-BOGLE (dir: Pete Marcy)
A group of unlikely bunkmates gathers at a mutual friend's cabin in remote Wisconsin. Armed with all the comforts of urban life, they are ready to celebrate Independence Day; but when the group is attacked, they are sent reeling. Confused, scared, and unprepared to handle real danger, survivors are forced to battle fears, balance egos, and summon their courage - or die. Forget "cabin in the woods" slashers in the style of FRIDAY THE 13TH. This edge of your seat film depicts believable adult characters being killed with unpredictable, rapidly descending, and brutal violence. It feels uncannily real, and is all the more disturbing for it.

BORLEY RECTORY (dir: Ashley Thorpe)
This spine-tingling film chronicles the true story of “The most haunted house in England”. Narrated by Julian Sands (WARLOCK, GOTHIC, LEAVING LAS VEGAS), and starring Reece Shearsmith (THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN, SHAUN OF THE DEAD), BORLEY RECTORY features a stunning combination of live action re-enactments, animated photographs from the period, and eerie visual effects. Be prepared to be mesmerized and chilled in equal portions by the most haunting film of the festival season.

FAKE BLOOD (dir: Rob Grant)
Rob Grant and Mike Kovac receive a disturbing fan video inspired by their previous horror movie MON AMI, motivating them to investigate the responsibility of filmmakers in portraying violence in movies. In their pursuit of the truth they are unwittingly introduced to the real world of violent criminals and their victims. Few films have managed to so successfully examine the blurred lines between real and imagined violence. FAKE BLOOD will keep you engaged and unbalanced until the final frame.

THE FLATWOODS MONSTER: A LEGACY OF FEAR  (dir: Seth Breedlove)
Ahead of its official release this April, MidWest WeirdFest proudly presents this special sneak-peak screening of the latest, highly anticipated offering from production company Small Town Monsters. It is a terrifying documentary that revisits one of the earliest and most famous alien encounter reports of American UFO lore. The film's director, Seth Breedlove (BOGGY CREEK MONSTER, THE MOTHMAN OF POINT PLEASANT, INVASION ON CHESTNUT RIDGE) is the most important documentarian working in the UFO/paranormal/cryptid field today, and was the recipient of 2017's "Cryptozoologist of the Year" award. Don't miss your chance to be one of the first people on this haunted planet to see his latest film.

FUTURE (dir: Robert Cousineau, Chris Rosik)
A drunken train-wreck of a time traveler offers a suicidally depressed tea store barista a do-over. The catch is, the do-over comes at a murderous price. FUTURE is a poignant and funny low-fi sci-fi that begs the question: If you only had a few days left to live, and you felt like no one wanted you around, what would you do with that time? Would you climb a mountain, fall in love, invent a world saving device? Or would you eat all the junk you usually don't let yourself have, and blow off work to get drunk with your old friends?

THE MOOSE HEAD OVER THE MANTEL (dir: Rebecca Comtois, Bryan Enk, Jessi Gotta, Matthew Gray, Shannon K. Hall, Jane Rose)
Lillian Hoffhienze-Bachman and her family move into the previously abandoned Hoffhienze ancestral home, where their hopeful new start becomes tainted by the discovery of a century's worth of abuse, dysfunction and violence. Lillian becomes consumed by her sordid ancestry, terrified that the past might dictate her son's future. The grisly events of the past 100 years are revealed through the eyes of the family's victims... including the moose head hanging on the mantel wall. Influenced and inspired by the notorious real lives of H.H. Holmes, The Bender Family, Lizzie Borden, Carl Panzram and The Fox Sisters, this dark and unsettling anthology chills to the core.

HAPPY HUNTING - "Best Film" winner at MidWest WeirdFest - in select theaters and VOD now

HAPPY HUNTING the "ruthless social satire" (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) written and directed by Louie Gibson and Joe Dietsch is now screening in select theaters and available on iTunes.

The film opens on Warren (Martin Dingle Wall), a degenerate drifter, scraping by, and suffering from debilitating alcohol withdrawals on a daily basis. On his way down to Mexico, he finds himself stranded in Bedford Flats, a one-horse town nestled deep in the American desert. It was a once-prosperous hunting community that has been reduced to an impoverished dust bowl. Unfortunately for Warren, it turns out that the town’s pastime is rounding up drifters and hunting them as part of an elaborate sporting event. To make matters worse, he'll go into alcoholic withdrawal unless he finds a way to stay intoxicated. It all builds to a blood-soaked, live-or-die showdown deep in the desert.

Martin Dingle Wall in HAPPY HUNTING

Check out the film's official website here: http://www.happyhuntingmovie.com/

Watch the multi-award winning film on iTunes now:  https://itunes.apple.com/ca/movie/happy-hunting/id1267538493

MIDWEST WEIRDFEST ANNOUNCES 2ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL DATES

MidWest WeirdFest, the cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird, announces its 2nd annual festival dates today.

The festival will be returning to the Micon Cinema in Downtown Eau Claire from March 9 to 11, 2018.

“We can't wait to bring a new showcase of underground cinema to our enthusiastic Eau Claire audience." says festival director Dean Bertram. "Festival goers can expect to see the latest in cutting edge films: from genres like horror and sci-fi, through experimental and avant-garde creations, to documentaries about the bizarre and exotic."

Minnesota-based filmmaker Paul Von Stoetzel, whose short film IN THE KITCHEN WITH... played at MidWest WeirdFest 2017, says: "I have been screening at film festivals for over a decade and I've never had such an incredible experience at a fest much less an inaugural year at a festival. The staff was great, accommodating and wonderful to work with as well as the fact that the shorts selection my film was screening with was one of if not the strongest selection of shorts I've ever been programmed with. I cannot recommend MidWest WeirdFest enough. I'm already planning on submitting for next year and I hope to screen and attend there again."

MidWest WeirdFest is now accepting submissions in the following categories: Feature films, documentaries, shorts, animations, music videos, and TV and web content.

Click here to enter your film to the 2018 festival, or for additional information.