Midwest Film Journal is pleased to announce coverage of the first-ever Nightstream Film Festival.
Specializing in horror and other genre cinema, the festival runs Oct. 8-11 and features the world premiere of Run, director Aneesh Chaganty’s follow-up to Searching, which stars Sarah Paulson and will later screen on Hulu.
Other top picks include the closing-night North American premiere of Mandibles from Quentin Dupieux (the filmmaker of Rubber and Deerskin); Ryuhei Kitamura’s The Doorman, starring Ruby Rose (who will appear for a post-screening Q&A); and Pablo Larraín’s Ema.
All told, the four-day festival includes a lineup of seven world premieres, nine North American premieres and seven U.S. premieres, alongside 164 short films and a spotlight on Indonesian horror with a companion panel hosted by Sam Zimmerman, director of programming for the horror streaming service Shudder. Other events, panels and masterclasses are also scheduled — including conversations with filmmakers like Nia DaCosta (director of the upcoming Candyman remake), Mary Harron (discussing the 20th anniversary of American Psycho) and Beck / Woods (the screenwriting team behind A Quiet Place).
Celebrated horror filmmaker Mick Garris will be recognized as a festival honoree and host a very special Dinner with the Masters of Horror event — with guests that include Joe Dante, Mike Flanagan, John Landis, Ernest Dickerson and more.
Additional events include:
- Directing duo Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson (creators of The Endless and Spring) sharing an intimate look at their never-before-seen early work, joined by special guest filmmaker Issa Lopez (Tigers Are Not Afraid).
- Iconic drag performer and horror expert Peaches Christ taking a deep dive into camp-horror history and hosting a glamorously blood-drenched festival party.
- Unique, nightly happy-hour socials in the Evening Rituals rooms — with a parade of hosts that include Elijah Wood beaming in virtually from their homes with delicious new cocktails to share.
Access to film screenings will be geo-locked to the U.S., with ticket bundles now available — $65 for five features or short-film programs and $99 for 10 features or short-film programs. Both bundles come with unlimited access to events and panels, while event-only badges ($25) will be available worldwide and a virtual festival social hub freely accessible to all.
Badges are available to purchase at the official Nightstream page, and all films will stream virtually on the Eventive platform. Stay tuned this weekend for exclusive reviews and coverage from Midwest Film Journal.