The Stanley Film Festival, a burgeoning genre celebration in Estes Park, Colorado, famously takes place at the Stanley Hotel, that which inspired Stephen King to pen his seminal The Shining. More than a neat note or ultimate bragging right however, The Stanley Film Festival is growing into an essential horror retreat. Programming the best horror and genre films on the festival circuit, incorporating retro titles and live entertainment like Glass Eye Pixs Tales From Beyond the Pale, and staging a weekend-long interactive horror myserty, the event is one authentically by and for genre cinephiles, with the added benefit of a beautiful backdrop and camp-like atmosphere. I really think you should go.
Taking place this April 30- May 3, 2015, The Stanley Film Festival has opened up hotel and ticket packages, as well as set a February 9th deadline for film submissions. If youve ever thought of some sort of horror-centric vacation, this is the one. You might even see some elk.
Find all the on sale details for Stanleys upcoming third edition, below. I hope to see you out there. For more on the fest, read my report from last years event at Fango, and visit the Stanley Film Festival online.
Set at the notoriously haunted and historic Stanley Hotel, inspiration for Stephen King’s THE SHINING, the Stanley Film Festival (SFF) showcases the best in classic and contemporary horror cinema in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. Presented by NBC Universal’s Chiller, the SFF will take place April 30-May 3, 2015. Produced by the Denver Film Society, the festival is dedicated to crafting a more interactive experience for genre filmmakers and fans.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with the Stanley Hotel to produce this festival,” said Tom Botelho, Executive Director, Denver Film Society. “We invite fans of horror to delve deep into the paranormal mysteries of the hotel and come play with us this spring at the Stanley Film Festival.”
Last year’s festival screened over 20 feature films, 7 retro titles, 19 shorts, and 8 student shorts with 23 countries represented. Special guests from 2013 and 2014 include: SpectreVision co-founders and Visionary Award Winners, Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah and Josh Waller, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Director Ana Lily Amirpour, 2014 Stanley Film Festival Master of Horror Award Winner, Joe Dante, director of What We Do In The Shadows (Winner of the Audience Award for Feature Film), Taika Waititi, Eli Roth (2013 Visionary Award Winner) and more. In addition, the Festival provided a fully interactive experience thanks to panels, live shows, special secret events and a unique horror immersion game that invited the player to solve a series of mysteries spanning the weekend.
“The Stanley Hotel offers a perfect retreat for fans of the genre, filmmakers, and experts to recharge and get inspired by becoming fully immersed in our dark playground,” says Landon Zakheim, Program Director for the Stanley Film Festival.
Screenings and special events at the Stanley Film Festival will take place at The Stanley Hotel and throughout Estes Park. All access packages to attend the Stanley Film Festival and stay at the historic hotel for all 3 nights of the festival are on sale now, starting at $666/person. Festival patron and ticket passes range from $45.00 (day pass) to $295.00 for an all access patron pass. Space is limited on all packages, so guests are encouraged to book early.
