PHOENIX FEARCON X 2021: 10 years of Fantastic Films

Phoenix FearCON – a celebrated go-to event in Arizona and – as of last year – a major player in the virtual film festival arena around the world – is celebrating a decade with a powerhouse celebration. The festival will be premiering over three-dozen independent horror/sci-fi/fantasy films from around the world and will feature over 25 guests, live, at the event. FearCon sets itself apart from most other fests as it celebrates the genre through film, TV, live theatre, and even academia. This year marks the iniauruation of the REGGIE AWARD for excellence and dedication to the genre. It is named after Reggie Bannister (of Phantasm franchise fame) and will be awarded to Lloyd Kaufman (founder of Troma Entertainment). The event will be hosted by horror genre historian and media personality, JAY MICHAELS and sponsored by OCTANE MULTIMEDIA. The festival also will be launching FearCon TV. Working with JMC: Channel i, FearCon TV features interviews with genre celebrities and and indie films. Original programming is next. Also, there is now a FearCon Foundation. A nonprofit organization that enlists members of the genre in matters of philanthropy and education.

Phoenix FearCon Independent Horror Film Festival is a community-driven event focusing on the independent genre film maker and the obstacles they face trying to get their film projects noticed. In addition, PFC aims to make its events interactive, so that there are not just film screenings. More than three-dozen guests from the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy film, theatre, and music community will be on hand at panels, interviews, and meet/greets with their fans. Phoenix FearCon is dedicated to strengthening the general understanding of the horror genre by providing audiences independent, cutting‐edge, original films – authentic representations of the genre from around the world.

While FearCon looks to the future it also celebrates those that have laid the foundation of this popular and profitable industry. This year, FearCon will initiate THE REGGIE BANNISTER Lifetime Achievement Award honoring those that opened doors and our minds. The inaugural honoree is the great master himself, the mastermind behind Troma Entertainment, Lloyd Kaufman. Lloyd and Reggie will be on hand for the Saturday night gala event.

SPECIAL EVENTS, GUESTS, AND PANELS:
THE MACABRE MOVEMENT ——————-————————-

OPENING REMARKS by Chris McLennan and Jay Michaels, and guests

Where IT all Began (opening event): Celebrating 90 years since the opening of Universal’s Dracula and Frankenstein, and 80 years since the Wolfman, Professors Britt Rhuart and Jay Michaels, along with author and media personality, Joe Moe discuss how we’ve gone from a few “B Pictures” to an entire industry that wins academy awards. It will also include a tribute to Forrest J Ackerman who – with the creation of Famous Monsters of Filmland – memorized and archived these movies, monsters and artists.

THE STOKERVERSE – Graphic Dracula: Chris McAuley (of Stoker & McAuley) will unveil a new series of Bram Stoker stories as graphic novels, films, and games and their new campaign, ending next year with the 125th Anniversary of the publishing of Dracula.

COME TO THE LAB, SEE WHAT’S ON THE SLAB: John Grizzy aka Professor Sparks takes us on a tour of the original equipment used in Universal’s Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein … and Young Frankenstein.

THE WOLF’S BANE: Rob Cobasky shares his “dead werewolf” with onlookers and offers a photo with the eerie corpse.

THE AWESOMELYS – Killer 80s!: Michael Flanders, Jim Miller, Britt Rhuart, and Hal Astell discuss rare 80s slasher films in depth – and in gory detail.

INDUSTRY MASTER CLASSES ——————————————-

Giving My Creatures LIFE: Marcus Slabine, Elizabeth Piper, Michael Leavy, Bianca Luedeker, Steve Della Salla, and Roy Shellef – together having nearly a dozen films go to distribution and accolades will elucidate the audience on how to make a monster … movie. Films to discuss: The Dark Offerings, The Last Call, Stream, Alone, Terrifier & Terrifier 2, to name a few. The online version of this discussion includes Victor Gallo, Brandon Keenan and Nick LaMantia.

The Business of Show Business: Pat Swinney Kaufman, executive director of the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development and as deputy commissioner of Empire State Development will host a Q/A about the business end of the movie industry.

ICONS: Terry Alexander and Bill Oberst, Jr. will discuss the genre and what makes a character iconic. Both are celebrated stage actors and that facet of their careers will also be explored.

WRITING NIGHTMARES: John Skipp, Owl Goingback, Vincent Vena Cava, and Rollin Jewett discuss writing horror novels and scripts.

SPECIAL TWO-PART EVENT: THE FINAL GIRL and WOMEN OF COLOR IN TERROR:
Dineta Williams-Trigg and Thommi A’mal explore the female of the species – the final girl, the scream queen, and the “femme fatale.” They then join Cindy Sanabria for a discussion of the new age of terror films and its new set of players in this set of panel discussions.

Live Podcast: HELLBENT ON BRADLEY with S.A. Bradley, host of the popular horror podcast, Hellbent for Horror chat with audience and celebrities at the event.

NEWS UPDATES ———————-———-

Gareth at the Movies/Game Console: Gareth Von Kallenbach – a prominent journalist in films and games – discusses the new wave of horror films and horror games

Father Vampire: Vampirologist Brent Myer shares his current findings on “the real
vampires.”

MUSIC OF THE NIGHT (musical guests) ———————————

Dash Cooper (the son of Alice Cooper) and CO-OP

Fetish Performance Arts Band – Agents of Lust

Twisted original musical group – Redrum

Torso

Highlights of the thinly veiled shadow cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show

DRIVING US CRAZY ———————————

Movie Cars on display include The Umbrella Corporation vehicle from Resident Evil and Ghostbusters’ Eco-Beast

DON’T DREAM IT … BE IT ———————————

Dress like the Dead with AZ CosPlay

THE MAIN EVENTS ————————————————-

[FRIDAY] Ray Bradbury’s Pillar Of Fire featuring Bill Oberst, Jr. – The celebrated character actor and prominent figure in the genre film community presents a one night showing of his one man show based on Ray Bradbury’s compelling short story.

[FRIDAY] Film Premiere: The Last American Horror Show Part II – What’s an American horror movie without an American horror movie sequel? Be the first audience to enjoy this gaggle of gruesome shorts featuring the stars of My Bloody Valentine, Shivers, Game of Death, Sleepaway Camp, Lake of Shadows, and Spiderman to name a few.

[SATURDAY] THE REGGIE: FEARCON’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – FIRST RECIPIENT: LLOYD KAUFMAN: A brief live interview will be done on Friday with Lloyd Kaufman with a Q/A with the award ceremony on Saturday. Opportunities to purchase Troma Merch will be prevalent. We will also show Troma trailers, documentaries, films, etc. Guests at the event will have the chance to offer speeches. A brief interview with Reggie and Gigi Bannister is part of FearCon TV. Both Reggie and gigi will be on-hand for the event. Opportunities to purchase Phantasm/Reggie Merch will be prevalent. We will also show trailers, documentaries, films, etc.

AND JOIN US IN THE “DARK ROOM” for segments seen on the new FearCon TV including DEVELOPING NOIR with Rhett C. Bruno and Joel Eisenberg; MUSIC OF THE NIGHTMARE: HEAVY METAL AND HORROR; PATRICK HICKEY, JR. AND HORROR COMICS TODAY (two part panel); INDIE FILMMAKERS PART II; SCARY READINGS; and one-on-ones with the members of the 2021 FearCon Film Festival Official Selection.

Phoenix FearCon X
Sun Studios of Arizona, Tempe, AZ
October 15-16, 2021
Your official host, Jay Michaels
Official Event Sponsor: Octane Multimedia

https://phoenixfearcon.com/
Tickets available at https://phoenixfearcon.com/box-office/

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!