Poconos Horror Fest

04/27/2025

It's hard to believe this magical night was a week ago.

Almost 200 films submitted from 30 different countries and a theater filled to capacity (for those we had to turn away, so sorry!!), to say this was a success would be an understatement.

Not too shabby for the inaugural Poconos Horror Fest 💅

To the filmmakers that submitted their films to this fest, thank you. You are absolute rock stars, and it was an absolute pleasure to watch all of, and showcase these films. For all those who attended this event, a HUGE thank you! Your reactions to watching the films and interactions with the directors in attendance were really special to see.

We can not thank everyone enough who helped make this night happen, we are eternally grateful.

And now it's not a matter of if we come back, but when. Until then, keep it scary 🖤👻🔪

04/19/2025

Tonight's the night!

Come on out tomorrow night Saturday April 19th!

Calling all horror fans! 🚨
We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever **Poconos Horror Fest**, a celebration of indie horror in the heart of the beautiful Pocono Mountains!
📅 Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 6pm-9pm
📍 Location: Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center (The Movie Theater on S Courtland in East Stroudsburg)
🎟️ **FREE to attend!** No ticket required, just come on over. Screenings start at 6:00 pm.
For nearly 20 years, we’ve been making independent films right here in the hauntingly beautiful Pocono Mountains, and now we’re bringing a festival to showcase the best in horror cinema. If you are a filmmaker who wants to make local connections, a fan of horror movies who wants to support local films, or you just want something to do that day, come on over! We’d love for the community to help make this a grassroots success.
🎬 **Filmmakers:** Submissions are open on **FilmFreeway**, so if you have a horror short or feature, send it our way!
Who’s ready for a night of thrills, chills, and indie horror magic? Let us know if you’re coming! 🖤👻

04/17/2025

Meet our finalists, day 3! Horror Shorts Edition.

Rear Road (Fin de Tramo) - Directed by Roberto Montalbo from Madrid, Spain, "Rear Road" finds a couple trapped in a big traffic jam in the middle of nowhere, when the young woman is convinced she sees a horrendous crime in a nearby autovan.
..And Then the Darkness - Directed by Andrew Huggins from Harrisburg, North Carolina, "...And Then the Darkness" is about a pharmacist who seeks revenge as he searches for the man who took everything from him.

Saint-Sacrifice - Directed by Jean-Claude Leblanc from Canada, "Saint-Sacrifice" is about a man willing to lose his soul in order to be reunited with his wife on the other side.

Lebmig's Department Store - Directed by Marc Anthony Morales, "Lebmig's Department Store" finds a young woman on her way to a party, only to be trapped at the local department store facing a nightmare that she can not return, exchange, or get store credit for.

Agnes Wakes Up - Directed by Andrew Blazensky and Neil Chestnutt from Los Angeles, California, "Agnes Wakes Up" is about a woman named Agnes, bound to a chair, who awakens immediately following an exorcism.... only to realize she is not alone.

We hope you've enjoyed learning about these films as much as we have introducing them to you this week!

View these films and more starting at 6pm this Saturday, April 19 at the Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center 📽

04/16/2025

Meet our finalists, day 2! Local Artists Edition.

Behind The Signal: The Making of Blood Signal 4G - Directed by Jason Taylor featuring the talents of Pennsylvania People, "Behind The Signal: The Making of Blood Signal 4G" is a mockumentary behind the scenes look at the making of the fourth film in the groundbreaking Blood Signal franchise, in which the filmmakers attempt to once again break new ground in the horror genre.

Missing Pieces - Directed by Dawn Daignault, "Missing Pieces" is the shortest film in the entire Horror Fest at 72 seconds long. It may be short, but it still packs one heck of a twist!

Collectors - Directed by Brian Po***ck, "Collectors" features two bounty hunters preparing to bring back an escaped prisoner - until they encounter the unknown.

Demons Against Death Club - Directed by Sarah Scarborough, "Demons Against Death Club" is about a team of demons who meet up to discuss ways they can rebel against the demon world to disrupt the balance of good and evil.

Piquing your interest yet? We sure hope so! You can watch these films and more this Saturday, April 19 at the Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center 📽

04/15/2025

Meet our finalists, day 1! Student Films Edition.

a Conversation with E - Directed by Esabella Anna Karen and submitted from Vancouver, Canada, "a Conversation with E" is about a girl who playfully responds to a mysterious post-it note... and finds herself unable to escape the conversation she began.

The Portal (Il Portale) - Directed by Angelica Meneghello from Verona, Italy "Il Portale" is about a student who discovers that his professor has found the codes to open a portal to access a parallel world.

Manicured - Directed by Tracy Rohach from Philadelphia, PA, "Manicured" is a short film about a young woman who must use an unconventional weapon against an intruder on Halloween night.

Necessity - Directed by Alec C. Cohen of Pasadena, CA, "Necessity" is the story of an obese corner-cutter who gets more than he bargains for on black market Ozempic during the semaglutide epidemic.

Umbra - Directed by Pablo Otero from Spain, "Umbra" is about a twelve-year-old girl who waits while her mother recovers after giving birth, but the long night at the hospital reveals many scary secrets.

Like what you see? We sure did. You can catch these films and more on Saturday, April 19 at the Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center 📽

04/14/2025

We are now just 6 days away......