This year is a big milestone for the Telluride Horror Show film festival, as it marks its ten-year anniversary, and it looks likely to be the best one yet. A packed lineup of 23 feature films and nearly 40 short films are poised to give horror fans an unforgettable weekend. In addition to that loaded slate, Joe Bob Briggs is bringing his acclaimed road show “How Rednecks Saved Hollywood” to THS on Friday night at the Sheridan Opera House.

The festivities kick off a day early this year, as the Nugget Theatre will be host to a pair of special screenings. Though not an official part of the 3-day fest, these are instead being held as a fundraiser for Scares That Care, a charitable organization that helps families of ill children, burn victims, and those with breast cancer. The first screening at 6pm will be of Spider Baby, a 1967 horror-comedy starring Lon Chaney, Jr and in memory of co-star and recently passed Sid Haig, while the second will feature a “Gore Cut” version of Tammy and the T-Rex, a campy horror-comedy starring Denise Richards and Paul Walker. Tickets for each screening are a $15 donation at the door. You can also donate at scaresthatcare.org.
In addition to Joe Bob’s show and meet and greet (I’ve been told his The Last Drive-In co-host Darcy the Mail Girl will be there as well), Friday night is highlighted by Travis Stevens’ Girl on the Third Floor starring Phil “CM Punk” Brooks. Other screenings that day include Hulu’s Wounds, starring Armie Hammer and Dakota Johnson and directed by Babak Anvari, Making Monsters, with director Justin Harding and Alana Elmer in attendance, Z, with director Brandon Christensen in attendance, Sator, with director Jordan Graham in person, Troma’s Mutant Blast from director Fernando Alle, and Jeremy Gardner and Christian Stella’s After Midnight. There will also be a pair of shorts blocks throughout the day. There will be an ice cream social, karaoke, and campfire tales at various points in the day.

The scares continue on Saturday with a wide variety of horror films and shorts. Director Adam Egypt’s critically acclaimed psychological thriller Daniel Isn’t Real, starring Miles Robbins and Patrick Schwarzenegger, highlights the day. In addition to Daniel, Saturday will also see screenings of the anthology Scare Package, with cast and crew in attendance, the Netflix Ciaran Foy-directed haunted house film Eli, The Deeper You Dig, with directors John and Zelda Adams in person, 1BR, with director David Marmor in house, Extra Ordinary, starring Will Forte, the German serial killer film The Golden Glove, directed by Faith Akin, Keola Racela’s Porno, VFW, with directors Joe Begos and Josh Ethier in attendance, and Audrey Cummings’ She Never Died, the follow-up to the 2015 Henry Rollins vehicle He Never Died. The biggest draw, however, will undoubtedly be a special screening of 2010’s Tucker and Dale vs Evil, with director Eli Craig and host Joe Bob Briggs. Saturday will also see a meet and greet with artist Joshua Hoffine, a book signing with authors Kelly Link and Jeremy Robert Johnson, and a not-to-be-missed Pig Roast (I highly recommend this one!).
Sunday exclusives include Can Evrenol’s Girl with No Mouth, the Blumhouse Productions island survival tale Sweetheart, from director J.D. Dillard, and the witch-next-door flick The Wretched, from directors Brett and Drew Pierce. And just added, closing out the Palm Theatre on Sunday, directors Severin Fiala and Veronkia Franz’ (Goodnight Mommy) isolation horror film The Lodge, which tells the story of a soon-to-be stepmom (Riley Keough) and her soon-to-be stepchildren (Jaeden Martell, It, and Lia McHue, Marvel’s Eternals) snowed in a mountain cabin. The trio begins to bond during their time together only to learn that they may not be alone on the mountain. The Sundance Film Festival hit also stars Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) and Richard Armitage (The Hobbit trilogy). There will also be four short film blocks to choose from on Sunday. Finally, one of Telluride Horror Show’s most popular attractions helps to close out the festival, Horror Trivia!
I attended my first Telluride Horror Show last year and my only regret is that I didn’t make it sooner. The weekend is full of great screenings, opportunities to chat with filmmakers and fans, and fun-filled events (some of which are exclusive to 3-day pass holders). On top of all that, the town of Telluride and the surrounding areas are absolutely beautiful this time of year. If you love horror and can make it out this weekend, you will most definitely not be disappointed.
You can find out more about Telluride Horror Show at the official website.
All Photos Courtesy Mary Pacheco Photography
Related Article: Telluride Horror Show Announces First Wave of 2019 Films