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THE 4th ANNUAL WASHINGTON, D.C.INTERNATIONAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL is proud to announce that the Opening Night event this year will be the Aniversary Screening of one of the most influential and controversial films of the last half-century, Herschell Gordon Lewis’ TWO THOUSAND MANIACS!

Filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis will help introduce the film as well as provide a lively Q&A session following the screening (perhaps even leading a sing-along of his infamous opening titles song), at the American Film Institute’s AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD, on Wednesday, October 21 at 9:00 p.m.
“We are looking forward to our upcoming collaboration with the Spooky Movie festival,” said Todd Hitchcock, programmer for the AFI Silver Theatre. “And very excited about hosting the Opening Night screening of the cult classic TWO THOUSAND MANIACS! with Herschell Gordon Lewis attending!”
Former literature professor, Herschell Gordon Lewis, took inspiration from the 1947 Lerner and Loewe musical BRIGADOON when he set out to shoot (in less than 15 days on Florida locations that are now part of Disney World) the second installment of what would be known as “The Blood Trilogy.” Mayhem is just below the surface at all times, as the twisted realities of violent and grisly revenge play out in what many consider to be one of the most significant independent horror films of the modern era, and one that still manages to shock and disturb audiences today.
“The reason I am delighted to appear at Spooky Movie,” said filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis “is that the event is a gathering of sophisticated moviegoers who don't hesitate to provide candid opinions!”
Preceding TWO THOUSAND MANIACS! will be a preview for the 2009 festival, as well as the outstanding short film PSYCHO HILLBILLY CABIN MASSACRE!, which shows Mr. Lewis’ influence 45 years later with a new generation of independent filmmakers. Admission for Opening Night is $12.00 for the general public, or $9.00 for AFI members; tickets are now available at the AFI Silver box office, or through the website – www.afi.com/silver.
SPOOKY MOVIE: 2009 OPENING NIGHT begins a total of five days and nights showcasing some of the very best in the exciting and diverse culture of new independent horror cinema.
BEYOND OPENING NIGHT!
In all a total of 42 new shorts and features will screen, including films from 9 different countries (including Spain, Canada, the Czech Republic, England and Italy) and 12 states (including Virginia, New York, Utah, both Carolinas, Texas and California). These movies represent 10 months of programming and reviewing films, culled from more than 300 submissions from talented indie filmmakers from around the globe.
All of these new works at Spooky Movie 2009 are premieres, including the 9 features screening at Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax, Virginia – the exquisite EVIL ANGEL starring Ving Rhames, the zombie double feature of GEORGE’S INTERVENTION and DR. S. BATTLES THE SEX CRAZED REEFER ZOMBIES: THE MOVIE, the ‘reverse’ werewolf flick AUDIE AND THE WOLF, the demonic award winner FINALE, the neo-noir vampire masterpiece THE DEATH OF ALICE BLUE, the German production MUST LOVE DEATH, the wonderful Brazilian thriller MORGUE STORY and our exciting closing night throwback MURDER LOVES KILLERS TOO.
Documentaries, avant-garde, experimental and animated films are once again part of the program, as are our ever familiar (and popular) slate of vampires, ghouls, ghosts and psychotic maniacs. On Sunday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. there will be a one hour block of short films, suitable for anyone 10 and over (free of charge); the ubiquitous zombie genre is also well represented, as the living dead once again invade the screen at Cinema Arts, Friday, October 23, for our annual Zombie Grind house Double Feature tradition (as always, hosted by television and film personality, “Count Gore De Vol”).
This will be the Count’s second of three public appearances in association with the festival this year – fans will also get a chance to be bitten by him Opening Night at the AFI Silver (October 21) when he will be on hand to introduce Herschell Gordon Lewis, and then again after the festival (Monday, November 2) at the AFI for the encore screening of the documentary on his career EVERY OTHER DAY IS HALLOWEEN, where he will help announce the winners of the inaugural Spooky Movie “DarkHart Screenplay Award,” a competition launched this year where two lucky screenwriters (out of almost 100 entrants) will have their works published by DarkHart Press, one of the leading independent horror publishers in America.
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SPOOKY MOVIE: 2009 – THE 4th ANNUAL WASHINGTON, D.C. INTERNATIONAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL is presented by Spooky Fests, LLC. The festival will be held at the AFI Silver Theatre (www.afi.com/silver) on opening night (October 21) and once again at Cinema Arts Theatre at Fair City Mall in Fairfax, Virginia (www.cinemaartstheatre.com) Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25, 2009. Admission for opening night and our Friday and Saturday evening double-feature are $12.00; admission for each film block Thursday and Sunday is $8.00. A $20.00 Fest Pass, good for all screenings at Cinema Arts Theatres, is available at the Cinema Arts box office or on-line. All films are un-rated, and unless specifically noted no one under 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian’s accompaniment or permission. For more information on THE 2009 SPOOKY MOVIE FILM FESTIVAL, as well as news about other related events, please visit our website: www.thespookymovie.com.
About the American Film Institute: AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. Additional information about AFI is available at AFI.com.