With its first full lineup of in-person screenings, Fredericton horror flick fest returns September 23-25 to showcase the best in indie horror from around the world.
Matt Carter
While the arrival of Covid-19 forced many artists to put their plans on hold, others like Fredericton filmmaker Jared Carney seized the opportunity for what it was; a chance to try something completely different. In the fall of 2020, Carney co-founded the Demonic Brilliance Film Festival, a Fredericton-based film fest showcasing the best in indie horror from around the world.
Initially launching strictly as an online event, the 2021 festival brought horror lovers a mix of online and in-person screenings. This year’s program continues the shift by hosting screenings live and in-person at venues across the city. This year’s festival runs September 23-25 with a special event for international audiences happening on the 26th, the day after local screenings wrap up.
“There’s a lot more buzz online about the festival now, and the team is really excited to see DBFF turn into something people love,” said Carney. “The film submissions we have received so far are coming from all over the world from places as far away as Spain, the UK, South Korea, France, and Slovenia. It’s so cool to see such a diversity and intersectionality in the horror genre too. We’re seeing more and more women horror filmmakers, queer horror filmmakers. It’s great!
“This year we have some amazing judges who are all horror artists in their own unique way, and we’ll soon be announcing our huge opening feature film which is sure to excite people,” he said.
“But most importantly, the biggest purpose for the Demonic Brilliance Film Festival is to celebrate greatness in the horror genre. A lot of festivals refuse to do it because of the stigma surrounding the genre, like it’s a lesser art, but I want to create a safe and empowering place for all horror filmmakers and fans alike.”
As a way of giving back to the community that has supported the festival from day one, and perhaps to show that horror fans aren’t just a bunch of blood and guts yahoos, Carney and the rest of the team behind this year’s festival will be donating 100% of the submission fees and ticket sales to local charities.
Submissions for this year’s festival are ongoing with a closing deadline of August 31.
Follow DBFF below and watch for this year’s lineup announcing shortly.
Demonic Brilliance Film Festival | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
