A local horror film festival is back for its second year of scares. Killer Video, a museum and gallery in downtown Akron devoted to the horror film genre, will present almost three hours of horror shorts and then name the winners during the festival Saturday, Oct. 11, during the Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival.
“We’re really passionate about providing the platform for these filmmakers to have their works shown and their voices heard,” said Jonathon Carmichael, founder, owner and executive director of Killer Video, which recently became a nonprofit. “For it to be for Ohio-centric filmmakers is really meaningful for us.”
The festival was developed by Cleveland native Neil Sudhakaran in 2023. After relocating for a job offer, Sudhakaran entrusted Carmichael to continue the biennial festival. He took on the festival planning, including confirming the venue, choosing judges and sifting through 48 horror short submissions.
“At that point we didn’t have the nonprofit, but knowing that we were heading in the direction of the nonprofit, he felt that we were a good steward,” Carmichael said.
“I think that he had seen that myself and the team were truly passionate about everything,” he said of Sudhakaran, “and he had offered that to us, and I didn’t even think twice.”
First biennial horror short festival held in Akron in 2023
The inaugural horror short festival was held at the Akron Civic Theatre in 2023 and will double back for its second year.
Carmichael aims to host the film festival annually rather than every other year to feature more filmmakers and their films. He’s looking at similar local horror film festivals, like the International Horror Hotel Film Festival in Cleveland, for ideas to bring enhanced value to the horror short film fest in Akron.
“I definitely like The Civic because, in addition to the main stage, they also have the Knight Stage,” Carmichael said. “So, for us to be able to grow into having the official selections playing on the main stage, but then being able to do other films on the Knight Stage gives us some opportunity there, along with having the room to grow into a larger audience.”
Carmichael and six other judges reviewed and narrowed down submissions that met the entry criteria and fit into 12 categories. Each short film had to connect to Ohio, whether there was a cast or crew member from Ohio or it was filmed in Ohio. The judging categories ranged from originality to cinematography. Some films were even judged on best kill and gore scenes.
“We have a very broad variety of films,” Carmicheal said. “So, there’s going to be some really fun stuff in there. There’s some very unique concepts and some really creative participants. That was a pleasant surprise to see some of the different takes that they did on the movies.”
How to go:
What: Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 11
4 – 6 p.m.: Horror and film vendors open for merch purchases.
6 – 8:30 p.m.: Film screenings
Awards ceremony immediately following screenings.
Where: Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.
Tickets: $18.80 each plus applicable fees at Ticketmaster.
Recommended for ages 12 and up. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
