As you look over the schedule for Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival - and later, when you look through through the spiffy Buffalo Screams program book designed by Emil Novak - you'll notice several films designated as "showcase" presentations.  A Showcase film is one that is ineligible for competition, either because it's an established, or it wasn't produced during the window of eligibility, or it was made by one of the members of our board of directors.  This year we have several Showcase films:

First up is Inbred and Undead, directed by our special guest, actress Melantha Blackthorne.  Melantha will be appearing at Buffalo Screams Wed, Oct. 26th - Friday, Oct. 28th.  On our opening day, at approximately 9:45 pm, as part of Block 3, Melantha will introduce the film (as part of the film), and when it's over she will do a Q & A.  We encourage our guests t watch movies during their time with us, and to interact with our filmmakers and attendees, but they're all welcome to sell DVDs in the small dealer area off to the side of the Screening Room (all of the filmmakers whose work we're showing are welcome to do the same).

Also on Wednesday, as part of Block 3, we're showing the 30th Anniversary Screening of The Burning, which was filmed in this area and released back in 1981.  This classic slasher film helped ignite the careers of Jason Alexander, Holly Hunter, and Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Buffalo's own Miramax movie moguls.  But most importantly, it features some of the best special make-up effects of Tom Savini's career,  The Burning holds a special place in the hearts of Buffalo horror fans, because it was the first horror film made in our neck of the woods.

On Thursday, Oct. 27th, our Showcase Film is Trippin', the feature length stoner/horror comedy directed by Dively Snively, who's built her reputation on the film festival circuit.  The film is part of Block 6, which begins at 9:40 and includes the outrageous Mexican horror film Cosas Feas ("Nasty Stuff"), which will be presented by writer-direcor Isaac Ezban; then our guest Paige Davis, from DVD distributor Alternative Cinema, will answer questions about indie horror film distribution (AC is distributing Trippin' next year); and then Trippin' will bend your minds (imagine Cabin Fever recast with Cheech and Chong).

On Friday, Oct. 28th, we have two Showcase films.  First up is the world premiere of Decayed, directed by Emil Novak.  Decayed is part of Block 8, which begins at 7:10 with the hilarious short Monster Bed.  Decayed is a four-part zombie anthology featuring the work of many locals, and is sure to be one of the highlights of the fest.

Roy Frumkes will be our Guest of Honor Friday, Oct. 28th - Sunday, October 30th, and he produced the remaining 3 Showcase Films:

On Fridy, Oct. 28th, as part of Block 9, Roy will present Swirlee, a short film written, directed, and starring James Lorinz (Street Trash, Frankenhooker) and co-starring David Caruso.  Lorinz stars as Swirlee, a man with an ice cream cone for a head, in this dark comedy which was intended to be a feature. 

On Saturday, Oct. 29th, as part of Block 12, beginning at 5:30, Roy presents the 1987 cult slassic Street Trash, which he wrote and produced, directed by Jimmy Muro.  You can never go wrong with "melting winos with  twist."

Finally, on Sunday, Oct. 30th, for Block 15, Roy closes out Buffalo Screams with The Definitive Document of the Dead, the final incarnation of his decades in the making examination of the career of George Romero.

Come check them all out!  Buffalo Screams runs at the Screening Room in the Northtown Plaza on Sheridan Drive, facing Bailey Avenue.  Admission is only $8.00 per block, $12.00 for 2 blocks, $15 per for 3 blocks (4 blocks on Sat), or just $45.00 for the 5-day festival pass - 48 films for only $45.00!

www.buffaloscreams.com