Popcorn Frights’ Third Wave Unleashes Giallo Thrillers, Found Footage Creature Features, and So Much More

Popcorn Frights‘ third wave of programming is here, bringing even more delightful frights and curated programming for their most ambitious year yet. Prepare for a weeklong, face-melting celebration of genre cinema with 48 feature film presentations from 20 countries, industry sessions, beach parties, live performances, horror trivia, live comedy, and so much more.

The fest is back this year for its ninth edition, both in-person and virtually, from August 10-20 in Fort Lauderdale, South Beach and virtually nationwide.

Highlights from the third wave of Popcorn Frights 2023 programming include the Bloomquist Brothers’ political slasher FOUNDERS DAY, Marcel Walz’s giallo thriller THAT’S A WRAP, Anthony Cousins’ found footage creature feature FROGMAN, Devanny Pinn’s Florida-set serial killer thriller THE BLACK MASS, as well as the killer mannequin creepfest DON’T LOOK AWAY, the 30th anniversary of Fred Williamsons’ super-rare made-in-Miami murder mystery SOUTH BEACH starring Gary Busey, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster, and Vanity. This closing night screening comes with a rare and sure to be entertaining live commentary. The Festival will host the theatrical premiere of Severin Films’ 4K restoration of the complete version of the 1981 sun & scuzz horror thriller NIGHTMARE. Joining the special event is producer/actor Mik Cribben, who will participate in an extended conversation about the making of this controversial, gore-soaked gem.

The excitement doesn’t end with the films — prepare for Horror Movie Trivia hosted by Fangoria and actress Anne Bobby! And if that’s not enough, industry sessions moderated by Fangoria’s Editor-in- Chief Phil Nobile Jr. and a continental breakfast for filmmakers await you at the renowned The Betsy South Beach. When night falls, the party continues at The Betsy with an outdoor bash and complimentary drinks. The fest even offers a walking tour of South Beach’s prominent filming locations.

A finale wave of Popcorn Frights 2023 titles is still yet to come, including the fest’s short film selection.

In the meantime, here’s the official second wave of programming:


IN-THEATER LINEUP

The Black Mass

The Black Mass

World Premiere

United States | 2023 | 85 Min. | Dir. Devanny Pinn

*Director Devanny Pinn and cast expected to attend

 

Inspired by real events, this sinister tale is set over a 24-hour period in Florida during the winter of 1978 when college girls were being stalked by a serial killer.


Bloody Bridget

Bloody Bridget

US Premiere

United States | 2023 | 80 Min. | Dir. Richard Elfman

 

A Haitian voodoo deity transforms a burlesque dancer into a “Valentine vampire.” Blood only whets her appetite – she must eat her victims’ beating hearts!


Dark Windows

Dark Windows

North American Premiere

United States | 2023 | 80 Min. | Dir. Alex Herron

 

A peaceful getaway turns into a fight for survival when a masked killer terrorizes a group of teens at a remote farmhouse in the countryside.


Don’t Look Away

Don't Look Away

World Premiere

United States | 2023 | 81 Min. | Dir. Michael Bafaro

 

A chance encounter with this supernatural entity proves devastating for a young woman after she learns that once you see the mannequin, there may be no end in sight, except for your own.


Founders Day

Founders Day

World Premiere

United States | 2023 | 104 Min. | Dir. Erik Bloomquist

*Director Erik Bloomquist, writer Carson Bloomquist, and cast expected to attend

In this bold political slasher, a small town is shaken by a series of ominous killings in the days leading up to a heated mayoral election. As accusations fly and the threat of a masked killer darkens every street corner, the residents must race to uncover the truth before fear consumes the town.


Frogman

Frogman

World Premiere

United States | 2023 | 77 Min. | Dir. Anthony Cousins

*Director Anthony Cousins expected to attend

Three friends in search of the Loveland Frogman are about to find out he is more than just a local legend.


Hundreds of Beavers

Hundreds of Beavers

Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 108 Min. | Dir. Mike Cheslik

 

In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.


Somewhere Quiet

Somewhere Quiet

Southeast US Premiere

United States | 2023 | 98 Min. | Dir. Olivia West Lloyd

 

This unsettling thriller follows a woman as she readjusts to normalcy after a kidnapping. Her sense of reality begins to deteriorate when she travels to her husband’s family compound.


Sour Party

Sour Party

Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 84 Min. | Dir. The Drextons

*Directors The Drextons expected to attend

 

Two broke, flailing 30-somethings are on a quest to scrounge money from a collection of low lives and failed artists in an attempt to show up to one of their sister’s baby shower with a proper gift.


That’s A Wrap

That's a Wrap

World Premiere

United States | 2023 | 85 Min. | Dir. Marcel Walz

*Director Marcel Walz and cast expected to attend

 

In this giallo thriller, the cast of a film arrives at a wrap party, but someone has dressed up as the slasher in the movie and begins to stage their own kill scenes. One by one, the cast disappears until the true nature of the evening is revealed.


VIRTUAL FEATURE FILM LINEUP

Bibi

Bibi

Southeast US Premiere

United States | 2023 | 95 Min. | Dir. Christopher Beatty

 

In this gripping psychological thriller, a grieving woman consumed by her own demons must confront a relentless stalker who blurs the boundaries between nightmare and reality, forcing her to question her sanity.


Beaten to Death

Beaten to Death

Florida Premiere

Australia | 2022 | 90 Min. | Dirs. Sam Curtain

A desperate choice leads Jack down a path that leaves him beaten and bruised as he struggles against man, nature, and his own insanity.


RETRO FILM LINEUP

In Tribute to Kenneth Anger

Special Presentation

*Live Performance Event


Nightmare

Nightmare

Theatrical Restoration Premiere

United States-Italy | 1981 | 97 Min. | Dir. Romano Scavolini

*Producer/Actor Mik Cribben expected to attend

A mental patient embarks on a murder spree upon escaping from an institution.


South Beach

South Beach

30th Anniversary Presentation

United States | 1993 | 93 Min. | Dir. Fred Williamson

*Live Commentary

A tough former cop and football star finds himself in trouble, and gets his old teammates to jump in.


Head over to PopcornFrights.com for badges, and stay tuned for the next wave of killer programming.

Popcorn Frights Poster

 

The post Popcorn Frights’ Third Wave Unleashes Giallo Thrillers, Found Footage Creature Features, and So Much More appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.