The Smiling Man Nominated for Two Awards at Fright Night Theatre Film Festival

The great news keeps rolling in as we are thrilled to announce that we are nominated for two awards at the 2016 Fright Night Theatre Film Festival: Best Horror Short Film and Most Shocking Short Film. We are in competition against some fantastic shorts, so we're just happy to be in the running and screening our film with another audience.

If you're in the Ontario area, don't miss out on this festival! They have an amazing lineup of genre features and shorts, and it's going to be a great time!

Tickets are available now! Click the link button below!

About the Fright Night Theatre Film Festival

The Fright Night Theatre Film Festival (FNTFF) is the only festival dedicated to horror, cult, and genre cinema in the greater Hamilton, ON area. Operating twice a year, this fan-favorite event screens a combined 20 feature films and shorts each bi-annual season over the course of two exciting nights of genre film mayhem at the Staircase Theatre (27 Dundurn St. N). Fright Night Theatre is not just a scary night at the movies; it’s a celebration of fringe film-making, controversial cinema, tongue-in-cheek B-movies, and the art of the macabre.

Find out more on their website at http://www.frightnighttheatre.com/

The Smiling Man Nominated for Best Horror Short Film at North Hollywood Cinefest 2016

Aww snap! It's an honor for us to announce that we are in competition for Best Horror Short Film at the North Hollywood Cinefest this year! We will be screening in Shorts Session 7 on Monday, March 21 at 9:30pm at the iconic Laemmle Noho 7 theaters in North Hollywood.

Check out the other nominees here: http://www.nohocinefest.com/#!2016-award-nominees/c1933

About the North Hollywood Cinefest

Located in the heart of the NoHo Arts District in Los Angeles, the North Hollywood CineFest has established itself as a premiere event for independent cinema from all over the world.

By combining a vibrant local social scene with a state-of-the-art cinema, every filmmaker and film lover is sure to be impressed and delighted with the location. The combination of great film screenings, press and red carpet events, parties, seminars, all offered in this seven-day event, is what makes this a dynamic and must-go film festival.

Find out more on their website at http://www.nohocinefest.com/

The Smiling Man Nominated for Two Awards at Asians On Film Festival 2016

Awww yeah! We are excited to announce that The Smiling Man is in competition for two awards at the 2016 Asians on Film Festival: Best Horror/Thriller and Best Original Score. We will be screening on Thursday, March 10 at 7pm at the Japanese American National Museum in West Hollywood. Tickets are available now! Click the button below to purchase tickets!

Click here to take a look at the complete list of nominees: http://asiansonfilm.com/10287-2/

About the Asians on Film Festival

Asians on Film started as something small in 2010 as a way to promote Asian American minorities in Hollywood and break down stereotypes and create more representation in film and TV.

Asians on Film is a 501 (C)3 non-profit devoted to arts & entertainment with a primary focus in providing recognition to the talent of Asian/Pacific Islanders who are minorities in the film industry either as talent, filmmakers and/or those who work in other aspects of filmmaking.

Find out more on their website at http://asiansonfilm.com/

The Smiling Man Nominated for Best Horror at Macabre Faire 2016

We are humbled and honored to announce that out of 130 films selected for the 2016 Macabre Faire Film Festival, The Smiling Man has been nominated for the Best Horror award.

The Smiling Man screens twice at the Macabre Faire Film Festival for our New York premiere on Saturday 1/16 at 5:35pm and again on Sunday 1/17 at 1:25pm.

Tickets are available now, click the button below for ticketing information!

To check out the complete lineup of films, the schedule and the other nominees at this massive genre festival, click the link on their website here: http://www.macabrefairefilmfest.com/screening-schedule.html

About the Macabre Faire Film Festival

A judged film festival that provides a venue for showcasing your films within a celebratory & respectful environment, where fans can enjoy the independent films entered by those who passionately craft your Strange-ifical, Weird-ifical, Horror-ifical, Sci-fi-tastical, Fantastical and Macabre-licious films. The opportunity to win awards, increase film visibility via press and possibly obtain distribution is always part of the equation with the Macabre Faire Film Festival.

Find out more on their Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/MacabreFaireFilmFestival

The Smiling Man Wins 4 of 5 Award Nominations at the LA Shorts Awards

We are excited to announce that The Smiling Man was Nominated for 5 awards and gets the win for 4 of them at the LA Shorts Awards! The Smiling Man was nominated in the following categories: Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. We took home Gold wins for Best Original Score and Best Editing and received second place Silver awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography!

Thanks go out to our amazing cast and crew, including our Composer Vivien Villani and his 18-piece orchestra for creating our fantastic score, and to our DP David Holechek and his team for the amazing visuals.

This is such a great way to close out the year, and we've got some exciting Festival news coming up soon as we hope to continue this run well into 2016.

The Smiling Man takes home 3 Awards at Fright Night Film Fest 2015

The Smiling Man has taken home three awards at the 2015 Fright Night Film Fest in Louisville, Kentucky! Amid a fantastic selection of horror shorts which made for very stiff competition, The Smiling Man won Best Paranormal Short, Best Actor (Strange Dave) and Best Director (A.J. Briones). This is the first Best Actor award for our very own Strange Dave, and we are so excited for him, as he's been scaring audiences all over the world during our fantastic festival run.

About Fright Night Film Fest

One of the oldest and most respected film festivals. For over a decade we have worked to put independent horror films in front of as many fans as possible. Like all children we have grown and experience growth pains as a result. Never wavering from the initial mission of giving the fans the best and truest in independent cinema. Our scope of films has reached the slasher to the thriller from supernatural to the sublime. Cult to pop culture we challenge the discriminating film lover with our selection every year. Held in conjunction with our Fright Night Horror Weekend every year.

Find out more on their website at http://www.frightnighthorrorweekend.com/

The Smiling Man Nominated Best Dramatic Short at PDXtreme Fest

We are humbled and excited by the news that The Smiling Man has been nominated for Best Dramatic Short at the 2015 PDXtreme Fest - The Portland Underground Film Fest! It's a great honor, considering the quality of films we are screening with and up against. The other nominees are: I am Monster (dir: Shannon Lark, Lori Bowen), Lapsus (dir: Karim Ourat), Night of the Slasher (dir: Shant Hammasian) and TERRAIN: blood, hatefuck, death (dir: Nora Fabi).

PDXtreme happens in Portland at the historic Academy Theater from December 4-6! As soon as our screening date and time has been announced, we will let you know! Meanwhile, you can get a full festival pass for only $30! Click the button below to purchase one!

About PDXtreme

What is PDXtreme? It's a celebration of genre film. We want to show horror, crime, dark comedy and even applicable documentaries. Tales of the grotesque, the limits of the psychological, and bumps in the night whatever the cause! Does it take place in space? That's cool too.  
When it comes to blood or nudity and you're worried other fests can't handle it, you're in the right place. The only limits are the law. Originality and diversity are not only encouraged, but celebrated. 

Find out more on their website at http://www.pdxtremefest.com/

The Smiling Man Wins Best Director award at Midwest Horror Shorts

Well this is an awesome surprise! The Smiling Man took home the award for Best Director at the Midwest Horror Shorts Film Festival! It's our second award of the weekend from Oklahoma City, and we can't be any happier! Now, as much as I'd like to horde the glory for myself, we all know that making a film does not happen alone, and The Smiling Man is no exception! I would like to thank the entire cast and crew for making this film happen!

We would also like to thank the festival organizers and the audience at the Midwest Horror Shorts Film Festival for giving us the opportunity to screen our film there, as well as the other filmmakers whose work we are grateful to screen alongside. It was such an honor!

About the Midwest Horror Shorts Film Festival

The Premier of the 2015 Midwest Horror Shorts Film Festival is set to bring together filmmakers, fans and fanatics of all things HORROR for an evening packed full of scary short films from all over the world. The setting is Halloween Eve, in beautiful, downtown Oklahoma City, home to a thriving night life.

You will not want to miss this special event with Oklahoma horror film legend, Count Gregore hosting the awards ceremony, fittingly taking place Halloween weekend, October 30th, 2015 in beautiful downtown Oklahoma City. Count Gregore draws a crowd and your short film, as an official selection, will be seen by true lovers of all things horror.

Find out more on their website at http://midwesthorrorshorts.com/

The Smiling Man Wins Best U.S. Short Film at the Twisted Horror Picture Show

We're so proud to announce that The Smiling Man has taken home the award for Best U.S. Short Film at Twister Alley International Film Festival's Twister Horror Picture Show! This is a great win for our team, as we were against some very strong competition, the likes of film festival favorites Invaders, Bad Guy #2, Night of the Slasher and others. We were also nominated in 3 other categories (Best Director, Best Actor, Best Poster) and we are very happy for the winners in those categories and congratulate them on a great win.

Huge thanks to the festival directors and staff, as well as the great crowd who saw our film. We've already received some messages from festival goers, and beyond the awards, it's always an honor to hear from the audience!

About the Twisted Horror Picture Show

The Twister Alley International Film Festival presents the Twisted Horror Picture Show. One night of screening Weird, Dark and/or Twisted indie shorts and features along with 1 classic horror film. All films will play on the big screen of the beautiful and haunted Woodward Theater in Woodward, OK. Winning films will have automatic invitation to screen at 2016 Twister Alley International Film Festival.

Find out more on their website at http://www.twisteralleyfilmfestival.com/

The Smiling Man wins Best Monster Micro Short Film at Fear Fete 2015

We just got word that we took home the Best Monster Micro Short Film award at the Fear Fete Film Festival! We were also nominated for Best Director, Best Actor. Congratulations to The Smiling Man team and the other winning and nominated filmmakers! We would also like to thank the festival organizers, judges and attendees for making our Biloxi premiere a memorable one! We would also like to thank the filmmakers, vendors and staff that made this all possible.

For a complete list of award winners, check the Fear Fete website at http://www.fearfete.com/awards.html

About Fear Fete Horror Film Festival & Convention

Fear Fete Horror Film Festival and Convention brings together the greatest horror fans, filmmakers, and professionals in the genre for a weekend of spine tingling entertainment at the MS Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, MS. Fear Fete features chilling horror films, horror attractions that will leave you breathless, entertaining fan panels, hands-on workshops, killer cosplay, and even more insane events. If you're looking for the ultimate horror experience, then you've found it!

Fear Fete has been recognized as one of the best horror film festivals in the country, earning numerous awards from respected industry organizations and the media. Fear Fete works closely with several media and distribution partners to bring horror film fans the best independent films from around the world.  

Find out more on their website at http://www.fearfete.com/

The Smiling Man Wins Best Post Production Award at Connect Festival USA 2015

The Smiling Man just took home the award for Best Post Production against very strong competition across all genres at the Connect Festival USA. We are very proud to bring this award home with us and congratulate the nominees: A Peaceful Man, Detectives of Noir Town, Frog, Little Red Riding Hood (starring Christina Ricci), Swiped, Krisha (SXSW Grand Jury and Audience Award winner and our personal favorite film of the fest), and Day One (a Project Greenlight finalist).

Our visual effects team consists of veterans in the industry spanning decades of experience,  and we are grateful to them for all their efforts in helping make The Smiling Man a creepy-ass experience for audiences all over the world!

The screening was very special for me, as I am always excited to screen in a non-genre festival with an audience has no idea what they are about to experience. The Downtown Independent is also one of my favorite single-screen theatres: great seats, excellent BARCO DP4K-32B projector, 7.1 DATASAT surround, a huge 34 foot screen, and the projectionist with the propensity to keep the volume nice and loud. 

It was a blast to sit in a full house and watch them squirm, scream, and laugh nervously through the tension and anxiety. I also got to enjoy some very engaging conversations with audience members and other filmmakers. We got so much love from the audience at this screening, it was such an honor. Seriously, no award beats the feeling of experiencing that.

Thanks so much to festival founder Lindsey Loon and her team for an unforgettable event! Also, thanks to Connect Festival for all but one of the photos! Man, I'm terrible at taking photos.

About Connect Festival

Share great films. Connect with great filmmakers. Make better films together.

Why Connect?

Connect Film Festival combines a short film festival and creative hub.

Founded in Australia, Connect Film Festival expands to Los Angeles in 2015.

Connect is an IMDB-listed festival granting 8 recognised awards for short film achievement. 2014 Connect films screened at Cannes and won awards in festivals in Toronto, Melbourne, Los Angeles, Houston, and Berlin.

More than anything, Connect is a filmmaker’s hub and a creative movement. An idea born in a pub and raised in an art space, Connect celebrates superb short films and encourages a vibrant filmmaker community.

Find out more on their website at http://connectfilmfestival.com/

The Smiling Man Wins Best of the Fest at Idaho Horror Film Festival 2015

The Smiling Man just took home a fantastic trophy, winning Best of the Fest the 2015 Idaho Horror Film Festival. Screening in front of the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with Leatherface actor Andrew Bryniarski, we had a great showing with an overwhelmingly positive audience response.

It was my first time in Boise, Idaho and I was floored by the city's beauty and the warmth of the people of Idaho Horror Film Festival. This is also a pretty significant win for us, as The Smiling Man was in very tough competition against a strong lineup of shorts from around the world.

About the Idaho Horror Film Festival

The Idaho Horror Film Festival is a non-profit international film exhibition whose mission is to shine a spotlight on Idaho’s emerging filmmakers. The genre of horror is the common thread that has stitched itself into the fabric of the filmmaking community.  Through the mediums of independent film, food, music, literature and art, we strive to expand the cultural experience within Boise’s vibrant community.   We aim to develop a supportive framework for Idaho’s emerging filmmakers with the mission of providing more access to resources and education for individuals wanting to explore the medium of film. By strengthening the film making community in Idaho, we will fan the flames of creativity and set Idaho’s film industry ablaze.

Find out more on their website at http://www.idahohorrorfilmfestival.org/

Where to see The Smiling Man this weekend - Week of 10/18

Looking to check out The Smiling Man this weekend? We'll be screening in 3 festivals over 3 states in the U.S. this weekend!

Saturday, 10/17 @ 3:30pm - Fear Fete Horror Film Festival & Convention / Biloxi, Mississippi

The Smiling Man comes to Biloxi, Mississippi as a part of a fantastic gathering of the greatest horror fans, filmmakers and professionals in the genre at the MS Coast Convention Center. The Smiling Man is nominated for 3 awards: Best Micro Short Film, Best Micro Short Director (AJ Briones and Best Micro Short Actor (Strange Dave).

Online Ticket Sales end after 10/15, but will also be available at the door!

Saturday, 10/17 @ 7pm - Idaho Horror Film Festival / Boise, Idaho

The Smiling Man screens at the Idaho Horror Film Festival in Screening Block 7, in front of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), with Leatherface actor Andrew Bryniarski in attendance for this special celebrity screening. The Smiling Man Writer/Director AJ Briones will be in attendance as well! And as an added bonus, on Sunday, A.J. stops by Mark Stolaroff's  "No Budget Film School" class to talk about the making of The Smiling Man, among other things.

Sunday, 10/18 @ 3:20pm - Fright Night Film Fest / Louisville, Kentucky

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! The Smiling Man caps the weekend off in Louisville, Kentucky at the Ramada Hotel & Convention Center for Fright Night Horror Weekend! With celebrity guests, vendors, events and fantastic films! We screen in the Goldenrod Screening Room at approximately 3:20pm. If you're in town, be sure to check it out!

The Smiling Man Wins Best Editing Award at Diabolique International Film Festival

The Smiling Man was nominated for a total of 4 awards at the Diabolique International Film Festival (Best Cinematography, Best Short, Best Sound/Score), taking home the prize for Best Editing. While The Smiling Man walked away with the award, we have to acknowledge the fantastic shorts we were in competition with! We also would like to congratulate the other award winners.

I've always asserted that awards are not as important as the messages and emails we receive from people who have seen The Smiling Man, but I must confess that this award does bring me a lot of personal joy, as I spent quite a lot of time agonizing over the edit of The Smiling Man over many, many weeks in the early mornings and late evenings.

For a complete list of all the DIFF 2015 award winners, look on their website here: http://diaboliquefilmfestival.com/awards/

About the Diabolique International Film Festival

The Diabolique International Film Festival is presented by Diabolique Magazine, the fastest growing publication in the world dedicated to genre cinema. In addition, we are pleased to welcome Sony as an official Festival partner for 2014.

Join us September 25-27, 2015 in Bloomington, Indiana for the premiere showcase of independent genre cinema, featuring horror, sci-fi, fantasy and animation.

The Diabolique International Film Festival began life more than 9 years ago as the Dark Carnival Film Festival. Since 2007 we have screened over 250 films from more than a dozen countries, and we’ve had the honor of hosting visiting filmmakers from around the world, including Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Spain, and the UK.

Over the years, we have gained a reputation as a festival that truly values independent genre films and the people who make them. Many of the movies from past fests have been picked up by major distributors, and our event has provided numerous networking opportunities. The publishers of Diabolique Magazine bring their industry connections and marketing reach to the table in a way that offers our filmmakers exceptional exposure for their films.

Find out more on their website at http://diaboliquefilmfestival.com/

The Smiling Man Nominated for 4 Awards at the Twisted Horror Picture Show

We are excited to announce that The Smiling Man has been nominated for 4 awards at the upcoming Twisted Horror Picture Show: Best U.S. Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Strange Dave) and Best Poster!

If you are in Oklahoma, don't miss out on our screening on the "Bloody Twisted" shorts block at 7:30pm on Friday, October 30th!

About the Twisted Horror Picture Show

The Twister Alley International Film Festival presents the Twisted Horror Picture Show. One night of screening Weird, Dark and/or Twisted indie shorts and features along with 1 classic horror film. All films will play on the big screen of the beautiful and haunted Woodward Theater in Woodward, OK. Winning films will have automatic invitation to screen at 2016 Twister Alley International Film Festival.

Find out more on their website at http://www.twisteralleyfilmfestival.com/

The Smiling Man - 3 Festivals and 3 States in One Weekend!

Arizona, Indiana and Louisiana: The Smiling Man hits 3 different Film Festivals with 3 State Premieres all in one wonderful weekend! Here's a round-up of where you can catch us:

Saturday, 9/26 @ 5:20pm - Arizona Underground Film Festival

The Smiling Man hits AZUFF, screening with short film "Killer Tape" and feature film "<<RWD" at The Screening Room in Tucson, Arizona

Saturday, 9/26 @ 6:00pm - Diabolique International Horror Film Festival

Presented by Diabolique Magazine, The Smiling Man screens in Bloomington Indiana at a premiere festival that MovieMaker Magazine ranked one of the "Top 25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" and one of the "13 Horror Film Festivals to Die For!" Screening in a block called "The Ominous" with short films "Shi," "Basilisk," and many more.

The Smiling Man is nominated for 4 awards at Diabolique: Best Horror Short, Best Director, Best Sound/Score and Best Cinematography. We are screening in gorgeous 2k Scope, 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound DCP!

Sunday, 9/27 @ 12:00pm - New Orleans Horror Film Festival

The Smiling Man screens at NOLA Horror Film Fest in an amazing shorts block featuring crowd favorites "El Gigante," "Mr. Dentonn" and others at Rare Form!

Hope to see you at one of these festival screenings! If you've had a chance to check out the film, drop us a line and let us know what you think!

The Smiling Man Nominated for Best Horror Short Film at Shriekfest 2015!

We are thrilled to share the news that The Smiling Man is nominated for the Best Horror Short Film award at Shriekfest 2015! The Smiling Man screens at 2pm on Saturday October 3 at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, California! We will be screening with a great selection of horror shorts in what MovieMaker Magazine calls one of the "13 Horror Film Festivals To Die for" and also one of the "Top 5 Coolest Horror/Sci-Fi Film Festivals!"

You can purchase tickets online now by clicking on the button below!

About Shriekfest

Shriekfest is an international film and screenwriting contest celebrating the work of independent artists in the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy film genres. Los Angeles’ longest-running horror festival, Shriekfest is now celebrating it’s 15th year. Superior screening facilities, parties, and panels make this a wonderful networking experience for all. Awards will be given in most categories and prizes include cash, product awards, trophies, etc. The festival will be taking place in early October. More information about Shriekfest can be found on www.shriekfest.com, www.twitter.com/shriekfest, and www.facebook.com/shriekfest.

The Smiling Man wins Best Monster Show Short Film at Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2015!

We're excited to announce that The Smiling Man took home the award for Best Monster Show Short Film at the 6th Annual Horrible Imaginings Film Festival in San Diego. The Smiling Man was in competition for 4 awards: Best Director, Best SFX, Best Cinematography and Best Monster Show Short.

It is a true honor,  as we were up against an amazing lineup of truly imaginative and creative films.

The festival, which was held in the historic Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park was one of the best we've been to. Our screening was just fantastic, with some truly great short films and some of the most intelligent and thoughtful questions I had ever been asked at a Q&A. The audience I.Q. was definitely top notch at this fest, I could probably talk with them about films for hours!

I also had the wonderful experience of meeting and making friends with some of the great filmmakers whose films I admired. I sincerely wish I could attend every festival we could get our little film into, so I really cherish the moments when the stars align and I'm able to take part of it.

It was such a blast to attend, and I hope to be back next year!

You can check out the complete list of nominees on the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival website here: http://www.hifilmfest.com/awards-nominees/

The Smiling Man Nominated for 4 Awards at the Diabolique International Film Festival

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What can we say other than "holy crap!" The Smiling Man is nominated for 4 awards at the upcoming Diabolique International Film Festival in the categories of: Best Short Film, Best Sound/Score, Best Cinematography and Best Editing!

About the Diabolique International Film Festival

The Diabolique International Film Festival is presented by Diabolique Magazine, the fastest growing publication in the world dedicated to genre cinema. In addition, we are pleased to welcome Sony as an official Festival partner for 2014.

Join us September 25-27, 2015 in Bloomington, Indiana for the premiere showcase of independent genre cinema, featuring horror, sci-fi, fantasy and animation.

The Diabolique International Film Festival began life more than 9 years ago as the Dark Carnival Film Festival. Since 2007 we have screened over 250 films from more than a dozen countries, and we’ve had the honor of hosting visiting filmmakers from around the world, including Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Spain, and the UK.

Over the years, we have gained a reputation as a festival that truly values independent genre films and the people who make them. Many of the movies from past fests have been picked up by major distributors, and our event has provided numerous networking opportunities. The publishers of Diabolique Magazine bring their industry connections and marketing reach to the table in a way that offers our filmmakers exceptional exposure for their films.

Find out more on their website at http://diaboliquefilmfestival.com/

The Smiling Man Nominated for 4 Awards at the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2015

We are very humbled to announce that The Smiling Man has been nominated for 4 awards at the upcoming Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2015, held in San Diego, CA.

The Smiling Man is nominated for the following awards: Best "Monster Show" Short, Best Shor Film SFX, Best Short Film Cinematography and Best Short Film Director.

Horrible Imaginings runs on the weekend of September 11-13 at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), in Balboa Park, San Diego. The Smiling Man screens on Friday, September 11 at 5pm on the "Child's Nightmares" block. Tickets are available online now!

For a complete list of award nominations at Horrible Imaginings 2015, click the link here: http://www.hifilmfest.com/awards-nominees/