For those looking for a fright and a good time, New Orleans is hosting the Overlook Film Festival. The horror movie showcase will be held at various venues in the French Quarter and Downtown on Thursday-Sunday, April 19-22.
The opening night film is Unfriended: Dark Web, a loose sequel to the hit horror flick Unfriended. It plays on April 19 at Le Petit and April 20 at Canal Place.
The centerpiece film is the world premiere of St. Agatha, a new work by director Darren Lynn Bousman (Repo! The Genetic Opera, Saw II, IIIand IV) about a troubled woman held hostage by a coven of vicious nuns. It will screen at both the Canal Place (Apr. 21) and Le Petit Theatre (Apr. 20).
The closing night film is 2018 film festival darling Hereditary (pictured above), starring Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne at Le Petit on April 22. The movie centers around a family curse that arises after the death of a reclusive grandmother.
A total of 40 movies (23 features and 17 shorts from 12 countries) will play at the festival.
Aside from films, the festival features experiences including live podcasts and storytelling shows, as well as immersive attractions like the new show from immersive theatre troupe Blackout and The Overlook Immersive Game (an alternate reality game).
“We’re so excited to unleash this program onto our devoted audience and new fans in this haunted city,” said festival co-director Michael Lerman. “It’s such a great year for horror and the varied nature of this program is really a testament to innovative ways filmmakers are finding to frighten, challenge, and celebrate the genre.”
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the website at OverlookFilmFest.com.
