The New York City Horror Festival – one of America’s largest and most recognized genre film festivals focused on horror and science fiction – returns to The Big Apple from November 19th through the 22nd. Each year the NYCHFF – which was established by director/producer Michael J. Hein in 2001 – celebrates horror classics and new horror films, along with the filmmakers who create them.

 

What’s sure to be one of the many gems the fest will screen this year is the indie short The Familiar, which has already successfully screened at Screamfest LA. The Familiar – which was produced on an out of pocket budget of $15,000 and shot in 5 days – was directed by Kody Zimmermann and produced by Riley Walsh, who gave me the heads up on the upcoming screening. And based on the trailer, I’m seriously considering going to give it a gander.

 

The film stars Torrance Coombs, Paul Hubbard and Rachel Sehl, and centers on the character Sam, who holds a life-long obsession with vampires, and is immediately intrigued when offered a career as a “Familiar” – one of their personal assistants. Unfortunately, Sam’s boss is Simon Bolivar, who’s a 400-year old bloodsucker with needs as ludicrous as they are psychotic. It’s billed as being for anyone who has pursued a dream only to watch it slowly twist into a nightmare.

 

Date: NYC Horror Festival, Saturday, November 21st at 2pm (Program 4)
Location: Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, New York City, New York 10013

 

Find out more about The Familiar at www.thefamiliarmovie.com.

 

Find out more about the New York City Horror Festival at www.nychorrorfest.com.