The Highlands Horrorfest returns this October, bringing thrills and chills through regional short films. This year’s festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at Jonesborough’s Jackson Theatre at 7 P.M.
Back in the fall of 2022, the Highlands Horror Fest was brought to life by Jake VanHuss, an ETSU Assistant Professor. The festival began as a showcase for his former students’ films.
VanHuss shares, “Being a lifelong fan of the genre and a filmmaker myself, I know the time and effort it takes to produce independent films while holding down a day job, going to school or both, and there really wasn’t a place for any of them to reach a wider audience outside of posting on YouTube or social media.”
When the general lack of respect for the genre in East Tennessee is taken into account, it’s no wonder that it can be challenging to gain an audience. VanHuss continues, “All these reasons played into my dream of creating a forum for local horror filmmakers to connect with local horror fans.”
Over the past several years, VanHuss has worked diligently to promote the festival and ensure its success. Thanks to grants through the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts and the ETSU College of Business & Technology, the Highlands Horrorfest is a competitive regional film festival.
The competition features custom trophies, a Costume Contest, and a $1,000 grand prize. VanHuss shares, “The Costume Contest features awards designed by local artist and ETSU RTVF alumni Dylan Rutherford.” This year’s Costume Contest will take place during intermission and the awards presentation after the screenings.
Films can be entered into the festival at https://filmfreeway.com/HighlandsHorrorfest by Wednesday, Oct. 1. ETSU Students can enter for free with a waiver that can be requested by contacting VanHuss at vanhussj@etsu.edu. More information can be found on the website and their socials (@highlandshorrorfest).
VanHuss reflects, “From its founding in the Spring of 2022, the objective of Highlands Horrorfest was to promote horror cinema not only as an artistic genre but as a window into our society as well as the region itself, for its rich cultural history, folklore and natural beauty. The festival continues to celebrate new voices from our region and beyond to continue the long-term goal of building a multi-day event that celebrates the genre and the region through film, art and music.”
From its roots as a student showcase to a regional competition, Highlands Horrorfest promises to celebrate horror cinema, creativity and community. Admission to the festival is free, but seating is limited. Doors will open at 6 P.M. and the show begins at 7 P.M.
