With Halloween quickly approaching, the New York City Horror Film Festival took over the Cinepolis Chelsea in Manhattan this past weekend. When all’s said and done, over 40-feature length and short genre films will be screened. Filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, and more showed up to support their films and take part in Q&As with the audience. Friday night, the cast and crew from The Night Watchmen showed to support their indie-horror comedy and it made another great night of horror.

More below.

Thursday night, October 26th, this year’s New York City Horror Film Festival (NYCHFF) took over the Cinepolis Chelsea in Manhattan. It’s year 15 for the festival, which was started by the late Michael J. Hein. The festival, which ends Sunday night, will feature over 40 feature length and short genre films. The highlight will be the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chucky himself, Brad Dourif on Saturday. Thursday night kicked off with two film programs, Q&As with directors and actors, and trivia giveaways by the hosts.

With Halloween quickly approaching, most people are in full horror movie mode. Cable channels are pumping out the classics and seriously, who am I to tell you NOT to watch John Carpenter’s Halloween on Halloween?! But if you’re craving something new to fill your yearly quota for guts and gore, check out the awesome selection of new and indie genre films at this year’s New York City Horror Film Festival (NYCHFF). The Festival celebrates its 15th year in 2017 and runs Thursday night, October 26th through Sunday, October 29th at the Cinepolis Chelsea Theater in the heart of Manhattan.

Immure
Written & Directed by Conscian Morgan
Starring Michael Hanratty, Natalie Oliver
Not Rated | 20 Minutes
NY Premiere: November 10, 2016 (NYC Horror Film Festival)

Immure does in 20 minutes what most horror films wish they can do in 90 minutes. Written and directed by Conscian Morgan, Immure screened at the NYC Horror Film Festival (NYCHFF) on Thursday night and received loud applause from the audience.

“Immure” means to confine or enclose someone against their will. By the film’s end, you will question who truly is the one being confined. Morgan manages to evoke empathy for multiple characters, and bring real fear and tension, all in a shortened run time. It’s not just a great short film, it’s a great film overall.

The NYC Horror Film Festival keeps rocking throughout the weekend, now on its final day, completing its 14th year. This year emanating from the Cinepolis Chelsea in Manhattan, the festival is the city’s longest-running horror fest and was created by the late Michael J. Hein. Over 50 feature and short films are being screened, and on Saturday night I took in 6 more total (2 features, 4 shorts). The highlight of the evening was the honoring of scream queen Adrienne Barbeau with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Barbeau was on hand with her family in a packed house ceremony. The festival continues today at noon culminating with the Awards Ceremony in the evening.