8th Maverick Movie Awards - Don't Call It A Film Festival

The words 'film festival' conjure up a public event with red carpets, applause, and glamour - at least for some filmmakers. For others, a film festival is a nerve wracking ordeal where the popcorn is topped with flop sweat.

So why submit your film to a festival? Mostly to gain exposure to create a buzz with which to tempt distributors into making a deal. But if you're looking for an alternate route for your film - without the need for tuxedo dry cleaning - there's the Maverick Movie Awards.

But don't call it a 'film festival' because there are no screenings.

I'll let the Maverick Movie Awards' Mission Statement explain:

The Maverick Movie Awards was founded by moviemakers who have been through the glorious highs and crushing lows of the international film festival circuit; from these shared experiences came the calling to create a real alternative to the nepotism, politics, and commercialism that defines far too many festivals and competitions.

Our goal is to help talented moviemakers achieve the recognition they deserve by awarding movies with unique style, exceptional craft, and the power to communicate.

By championing great movies, regardless of origin, genre, or budget, our hope is to re-ignite the spirit of the major film festivals and distribution pioneers by celebrating what they once valued above glitz and glamour...simply put: GREAT CINEMA.

So, if you've made some GREAT CINEMA in the form of a feature film, short film, or documentary you can submit it to MMA through Withoutabox.
Regular Deadline: May 31, 2011
Late Deadline: June 30, 2011
Extended Deadline: July 31, 2011

Fees & submission details are at the Maverick Movie Awards site.

And save your black tie attire for a wedding or a nice funeral...

LINKS:
Maverick Movie Awards
Withoutabox

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Cannibal Cam's Review & Exposé

At last summer's FanExpo we had the distinct displeasure of having our booth in too-near proximity to a loudmouthed schnook with a mini-bullhorn. Prolonged exposure can drive you to coldblooded, broad daylight, I-don't-care-if-the-security-camera-is-recording-in-high-def murder.

Fortunately, on the other side of the aisle was another fellow with a mini-bullhorn. He was quite personable and entertaining as he lured, cajoled, and threatened people to come meet George Romero's Zombie Nurse. His name is Cannibal Cam. We liked CC. We liked him even more when CC agreed to hold down the loudmouthed schnook while I introduced the mini-bullhorn into a conspicuously inconspicuous orifice on the schnook's person.

Between the waves of crazed and glazed conventioneers we got to talking. CC & I had been Facebook friends for a while, but had never met face to face.

Long story short: CC invited me to do a three-way interview with the friendly Zombie Nurse, and then I slipped him some DVDs to review. CC didn't flinch.

And here's his refreshingly honest posted review. CC begins talking about "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits" at the 1:15 mark.

Enjoy. Then catch his other reviews. CC knows his stuff and ain't afraid to tell you about it.



LINKS: Stupid New Reviews Video
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Texas Blood Bath Film Festival Returns For A Second Helping

They say that if you love something you should set it free. If it comes back to you then it's yours. If it doesn't come back to you: a) it never was yours; or, b) hunt it down and drag it back kicking and screaming. The choice is yours.

Well, speaking of things that we love that come back, it's time for The Texas Blood Bath 2: Film Festival this Saturday and Sunday, November 13 and 14 at The Texas Theatre
231 W. Jefferson Blvd, in lovely Dallas, Texas. The screenings begin at noon on Saturday and wrap up with Sunday's 8:00 pm show.

There's lots of cinematic gore in store, brought to you by my blood buddy Andrew Rose and DOA Entertainment.

Featured guests include Debbie Rochon, Reggie Bannister, April Burril, and many, many others.

Now, I hear you asking, "Is there an Opening Night Party?" You bet your sweet entrails! DOA wouldn't leave you hanging. The Opening Night Party is Friday November 12, starting at 9:00 PM at Muddy Waters Bar, 4314 Live Oak Street, also in lovely Dallas, Texas. Remember: you must fortify yourself for the onslaught of films ahead of you this weekend.

And, yes, there's also a Closing Night Party on Sunday after the last show - because you must fortify yourself for the onslaught of Monday ahead of you. AAAAAH!!

Details about The Texas Blood Bath 2: Film Festival are available at their website (below).

Tell 'em Mighoul sent ya. It won't get you anything, but the puzzled look on Andrew Rose's face will be priceless.

LINKS:
Texas Blood Bath 2: Film Festival

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Hanging at the BAZAAR of the BIZARRE

I'm a sucker for cool handmade items.

Mass-production is all right for heavy duty stuff, like refrigerators. But for other things - those that add beauty, curiosity, and fulfillment to your life - there's nothing like the care and attention to detail of an artisan's touch.

And then there's the weird & wonderful. I like when artisans and the weird & wonderful round the same corner and smack into each other. The result is often far more satisfying than a mere chocolate/nut-paste confection.

And that leads me to the Bazaar of the Bizarre.

I discovered the Bazaar of the Bizarre last spring on the recommendation of artist David Irvine. It's a Toronto showcase for artisans, created by Plastik Wrap boutique's Adriana Fulop.

Here's how she describes the now twice-annual one-day event:

If you have not attended the last bazaar and do not know what to expect, you are in for a real treat! It is a marketplace filled with amazing vendors. Artists, designers, craft-folk, publishers, and other independent makers of all things exotic, whimsical, and macabre are assembled to attack all of your senses.

Sounds like my kind of market place.

Last spring we picked up several very cool items, including a pair of skull cuff-links to add some macabre pizazz to a business suit.

Then it hit me: I'm an independent maker of macabre stuff.

So, we have a booth at the next Bazaar of the Bizarre on Sunday October 10th to add some "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits", Cryptwear, and Black Widow Hearse Club swag to the Bazaar's mix.

Scare you there...

LINKS:
Bazaar of the Bizarre
Bazaar of the Bizarre Facebook event page
Plastik Wrap
David Irvine's MySpace page

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NOW AVAILABLE: "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Vol. 2" DVD

October!

My favourite month of the year is here!

And to celebrate October we're announcing the DVD release of "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits - Volume #2".

It's available right now at our web site: http://www.aaaaah-films.com.

And, as an added bonus, our checkout is now also PayPal friendly!

Why am I so excited?

There are nine-plus reasons.

We're calling volume 2, "More Killer - No Filler". That's right, 'more' because... well, there's more on this disc.

We're featuring 9 - count 'em 9 - great short indie horror films on this DVD, for a total running time of 122 minutes - over 2 hours of terror-inducing cinema - plus Extras!

So, you'll pardon my high adrenaline level.

In alphabetical order, the great short horror films on volume 2 are:

"GNAW" by Frank Merle
"HELL'S HABIT" by Mike Jackaon (also "The Veil" from vol. 1)
"HUMAN NO MORE" by Christopher Alan Broadstone (also "My Skin!" from vol. 1)
"THE KOOKY KASTLE" by Paul Carty
"LEGEND OF THE SEVEN BLOODY TORTURERS" by Conall Pendergast
"OUT OF THE DARKNESS" by Nicholas Rucka
"THE ROOM" by Diego Meza-Valdes
"THE STRAIN" by Mike Doyle
"TRICK OR TREAT" by Oliver Pearce

We premiered advance copies of the DVD at Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear during FanExpo in August. And the response was huge! Folks who bought volume 1 the first time around now snapped up volume 2 sight unseen. Thank you!  Your feedback is invaluable!!

It's going to be a full month with promo events. Hope you enjoy all of October as it twists and turns toward a Happy Halloween.

Dim the lights and enjoy!

LINKS:
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits

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