MidWest WeirdFest, the cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, paranormal, and just plain weird, returns for its 8th annual edition to the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this weekend March 1-3, 2024.
Programming director Dean Bertram and the rest of the festival team are delighted to introduce the filmmakers who are presenting their films in person at the 2024 event.
Writer/director Jethro Waters filming a scene from GUNFIGHTER PARADISE
“There is nothing so important for the independent filmmaker as experienced, smart, and passionate curators.” says writer/director Jethro Waters, whose stunning dark dramedy/thriller GUNFIGHTER PARADISE world premieres at the fest. “And this is exactly why the film community is so fortunate that we have Dean Bertram and crew putting on festivals like this. I'd been eyeing Midwest WeirdFest for a few years in the lead-up to completing GUNFIGHTER PARADISE, and I speak for my entire crew in relating how fortunate we feel to have our world premiere in a festival that champions the breed of cinema still stretching the edges of film.”
Waters will be introducing his beautiful yet disturbing film when it screens Saturday, March 2, at 8pm. Joined by some of his cast and crew, he will also partake in a Q&A following the film's screening.
Other feature films represented by filmmakers at the festival follow:
BLIND COP 2 writer/director Alec Bonk (backseat/center) directs lead George Fearing (right) & Isaac McKinnon (left)
BLIND COP 2 this riotous action comedy is a sequel to a film that doesn't exist. Writer/director Alec Bonk will intro its world theatrical premiere at MidWest WeirdFest. And, following the screening, partake in a Q&A along with cast and crew.
Writer/director Zeshaan Younus on set of THE BUILDOUT
THE BUILDOUT is the haunting feature debut from award winning filmmaker and MidWest WeirdFest alum Zeshaan Younus. The film examines the profound impact of the paranormal on the lives of two women. Younous will introduce and Q&A at the screening.
One of many harrowing moments from Craig Tuohy’s edge-of-your-seat thriller EVERYONE IS GOING TO DIE
EVERYONE IS GOING TO DIE, a terrifying and twisting home invasion film from the UK, is having its first ever sneak peek screening at the fest. Writer/director Craig Tuohy will be flying in to introduce and Q&A.
Co-writer and lead actress Virginia Rand in LAST WEEKEND
LAST WEEKEND is a stunning Neo-noir thriller, with an unforgettable and show-stopping performance from co-writer Virginia Rand. The film's director Curtis Anthony Williams will introduce his remarkable film, and be joined by other key creatives for the Q&A.
Short filmmakers, TV and web content creators, music video artists, and screenwriters presenting their work in person at the 2024 MidWest WeirdFest, include:
Michael Basha (DRUNK), Derek Bauer (I WANT YOU), Steve Chappell (ED GEIN'S MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS), William J. Kampf and Steve Dayton (LYLE AND THE DEVIL), Ben Manhanke (SMILEY) L. M. Oliver (T-MINUS), Walt Peterson and B. Harris (THE MEMO), Nick Rohr (STUXNET -OUR WORLD WAS ALWAYS FALLEN BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS LIGHT), Tim Schwagel (“WHEN YOU'RE HERE, YOU'RE PIZZA!”) (Jake Viaene (SENTINEL), Alexander Vikulov (OVERCLOCKING), Samuel T. Weston (Screenplay: THE BROKEN FELLOWSHIP).
Full list of attending filmmakers along with head-shots and biographies can be seen here
MidWest WeirdFest's full 2024 program and schedule can be viewed here
Tickets to all films, along with discounted festival passes, are available to purchase here
During the festival tickets will also available to purchase at the Micon Downtown Cinema box office