Bram Stoker International Film Festival

Bram Stoker International Film Festival - Whitby, England from Bram Stoker Film Fest on Vimeo.

If you're wondering whether it's worth the trip to Whitby (England) this October for what has been described as the "best genre festival in the world" then this video might help.

More info on the festival here.

Clip: Iwai Shunji's Vampire

Courtesy of Sundance (where it was screened), a short clip of Iwai Shunji's Vampire, a movie about a "new" kind of vampire, as well as an interview with Shunji about his movie. I've read some negative comments about Vampire, but I think it's probably still worth checking out. It can't be worse than some of the other movies I've seen (I hope).

Flashback Weekend, Festival of the Dead, and the Second Annual Vampire Ball

With infinite time and money vampire fans could attend every event taking place this October. As it is, most of us have to pick and choose, so here are three more options to choose from:

Although it's a general horror convention, there are still a few vampire-specific diversions at Flashback Weekend; including a screening of Near Dark (introduced by Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, and Tim Thomerson), a screening of Live Evil (introduced by Tim Thomerson), and Near Dark Reunion Q & A. Special guests include Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson, Mercedes McNab ("Harmony" on Buffy and Angel), and artist Chad Savage (Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat Fan Club, Poppy Z. Brite...)

Ticket, pass and package info here. Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention, 23-25 October 2009, at the Wyndham O'Hare (6810 N. Mannheim Rd), Rosemont, IL.


The Festival of the Dead in Salem is more about witches and ghosts than vampires, but it does also include the Vampires' Masquerade Ball. Presided over by Empress Akima, attendees are invited to "Indulge in an evening of immortal sin and morbid lusts." The evening's entertainment includes "gothic" music by dj addambombb, a seductive harem of succubi, The Black Cat Burlesque, "Magician of the Macabre" Vlad, the Empress Akima's Dance of Blood, and a gothic fashion show. There will also be contests, gifts, and a chance to kneel before the Empress and receive her unholy communion. Needless to say this isn't a family friendly event. More info here. The Vampires' Masquerade Ball, 23 October 2009, at The Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, MA.

For something a little different, you might want to check out the 2nd Annual Vampire Ball, to benefit the Flint Farmers' Market. There will be live music (Voltaire with special guest Hellblinki, and Bellamorte with special guests Ego Likeness and Versailles), dancing, The Gothic Belly Dancers, psychic readings, photo ops, and a cash bar serving vamp-appropriate beverages. More info here (scroll down). The Second Annual Vampire Ball, 24 October 2009, at the Masonic Temple (755 S. Saginaw), Flint, MI.

Bram Stoker Film Festival

October continues to favour vampire devotees, this time with the Bram Stoker International Film Festival, featuring independent international horror/suspense/sci fi films, documentaries, and shorts. Most of the movies aren't about vampires, but there's still plenty of bloody good entertainment, should you happen to be fortunate enough to be within easy reach of Whitby, England this weekend. Besides films, there's a free all-ages Vampire Walk on the 18th (to be led by "The Countess Dracula herself" Ingrid Pitt); opening night festivities, including burlesque/cabaret performances and The Mocky Horror Show; and guest speakers including the aforementioned Ms. Pitt (Countess Dracula, The House that Dripped Blood), New York Times best selling author G.P. Taylor (Shadowmancer), filmmaker Devi Snively (Death in Charge), author/journalist Gavin Baddeley (The Gospel of Filth), and writer/producer Rod Morris (Dying Breed).

The fourty-four films at the festival are unrated and, therefore, open only to the 18+ crowd. Vampire fans might want to check out:

Blood on the Highway: Dimwitted teenagers mistakenly wander into a Texas town populated by even dimmer-witted vampires. The remaining humans band together and prepare for battle. Directed by Barak Epstein and Blair Rowan.








Dracula, the Vampire and the Voivode: "The first documentary ever to reveal the TRUE story of Bram Stoker and his legendary novel..." Directed by Michael Bayley Hughes.




How My Dad Killed Dracula (short): When two young teens don't believe their cousin's dad killed Dracula, he picks up a shovel and starts digging. Directed by Sky Soleil.





Nightlife: A mockumentary about six vampires and the amateur hunters who stalk them (think reality TV meets The Lost Boys). Directed by Timothy Sanderson.









Orlok the Vampire: From the bottomless pit he came... and was re-imaged in 3D! World premiere. Directed by Keith Carter/F.W. Murnau.







Temptation: A murder victim is turned by a sympathetic vampire, and then has 48 hours to decide whether to kill herself or embrace an eternity of being undead. Directed by Catherine Taylor.









Thicker than Water- The Vampire Diaries Part 1: No relation to the TV series or the books by L.J. Smith. "The family that prays together... slays together." Directed by Phil Messerer.









Day passes for films are £25 and tickets for opening night are £18 (a 4-day pass, including access to the opening night events, is £88). To buy tickets or for more info click here. The Bram Stoker International Film Festival runs from 16 October to 19 October 2009, in Whitby, England. For more info click here.

Vampire Film Festival

New Orleans is host to numerous vampire-related events this month, including the Vampire Film Festival. Besides the films (reason enough to pay a visit), there's going to be parties, a scavenger hunt in the French Quarter, a jazz funeral procession, and discussion panels.

As for the movies, you're spoiled for choice with a selection of 50+ from 11 countries (including shorts). Some of the features include:

Shadowland Strange things are afoot as Laura is stalked by a mysterious young man who may or may not want to kill her. Directed by Wyatt Weed.

The Kiss High school outcast falls for vampire queen and finds out that love bites. Directed by Scott Madden.

The Revenant What do you do when you return from the dead and discover you need to consume human blood, or else face existence as a putrefying animated corpse? Directed by Kerry Prior.

The Death of Alice Blue New advertising intern Alice Blue discovers that sometimes the boss really is an evil bloodsucker. Directed by Park Bench.

Mangal Sutra Some traditions never die! Directed by Manjit Singh.

Strigoi Ancient myth meets post-communist Romania. Directed by Faye Jackson.

Let Me Die Quietly Alcoholic psychic Mario can relive a victim's last living moments. Too bad no one believes him, making him the ideal candidate to play pawn in a murder plot.

There will also be costume contests, special guests, and "surprises" at all screenings. Select screening will include filmmakers in attendance, followed by Q&A.

For more information and to watch vampire shorts, click here.

To buy tickets (cheaper in advance) or all-access passes, click here.

The Vampire Film Festival goes from 23 October to 26 October 2009, in New Orleans.

Endless Night Festival 2009/True Blood & Gold Ball

October is fast approaching, and along with it everyone's favourite dark and twisted holiday (no, not Canadian Thanksgiving). Besides all the usual opportunities for indulging our monstrous proclivities, vampire fans have a few more options this year. Choices, choices...

The Endless Night Festival extends Hallowe'en into a three-day, adults-only* orgy (probably not literally) of all manner of vampiric and paranormal diversions. Confirmed events already include the Carnaval de Macabre (Paranormal Investigation, Ghost Speakers Session, Day of the Dead Ritual), Haunted History tours, Devil's Night Fetish Party, Dark Bazaar, as well as a meet and greet, panel discussion, and a Day of the Dead Art auction. Prices, times, and locations vary, so for more information, click here. There's also a dress code and it will be enforced.

"A Night in Versailles," aka The Vampire Ball of New Orleans is Endless Night's main event. This one is tempting indeed, and well worth the $30 ticket cost ($40 at the door) with performances by Libertina Dance Company, Jeniviva's Mystical Hips Belly Dance, SimpleComplexity, DJ Fangz, and DJ Aengel. This year also sees the introduction of the 1st Annual Endless Night Costume Contest, with categories including "Period," "Fetish," "Horror," and "Crowd Pleaser" (surprisingly not the same as 'Fetish'). VIP tickets ($65 each or $99 after October 15) get you early admission (10 pm vs midnight) to the ball, access to the Anne Rice After-Party and the Vampire Ball After-Party, access to the Devil's Night Fetish Party, access to the VIP Balcony Lounge, a t-shirt, discounts, and extra raffle tickets. The Vampire Ball takes place on Saturday, 31 October 2009 at the House of Blues (225 Decatur St., New Orleans). For more info and to buy tickets, click here.

*Sorry kids, your tickets are only valid if you're over 18, but you can still always go to a Twilight Convention near you, although apparently not for Hallowe'en.

On Friday, 30 October, you can also attend Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club's True Blood & Gold Ball. This one's listed under the weekend agenda of Endless Night, but it doesn't seem to actually be part of the Festival (note: it overlaps with the Devil's Night Fetish Party, so those of you hoping to attend both might be out of luck).

Another 18+ only event, there will be performances by the Kinky Tuscaderos, Saints of Ruin, and Marc Gunn. The main draw, however, will likely be the special appearance (and chance to meet) Charlaine Harris (of Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood fame) and Gabrielle Faust (author of the Eternal Vigilance saga). Tickets are $20 for Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club members, and $30 for non-members (for more info and to purchase tickets, click here). True Blood & Gold Ball, 30 October 2009 at Republic New Orleans (828 South Peters St., New Orleans).

The Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club is also hosting a wine and absinthe tasting and True Blood & Gold meet and greet on Thursday, 29 October 2009. Ticket prices range from $35 to $70 dollars, depending on whether you're a member, what you want to taste, and whether you purchase your tickets in advance or at the door. All proceeds are going to Habitat for Humanity. Your True Blood & Gold Ball ticket will not get you in to the tasting. Also, and hopefully needless to say, you need to be of legal drinking age for this one. For more info and to buy tickets, click here.

Festival of Fear and The Official Twilight Convention

August seems to be the month for conventions and festivals, particularly for creatures of the night (you'd think they'd prefer a less-sunny time of year).








The Official Twilight Convention kicks off its multi-city tour this month and continues until next September. Attendees can look forward to special guests, parties, Q&A sessions, photos and autograph signings, as well as ample opportunity to spend their college funds on Twilight merchandise.

The tour starts this weekend (August 28-30) in New Jersey, and from there heads to Chicago, Miami, Seattle, Nashville, San Francisco, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Arlington (VA), Charlotte (NC), Vancouver (BC), Minneapolis, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto, and Portland. As the official site points out, locations (and dates) are subject to change.



If Twilight's (really) not your thing, you might want to stop by Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear should you be in Toronto this weekend. It's three days of screenings, panel discussions, signings, Q&A sessions, and lots of nifty things to buy. Special guests of interest to vampire fans include: Udo Kier (Blood for Dracula, Blade), Barbara Steele (Dark Shadows), Tom Savini (From Dusk Till Dawn, Lost Boys: The Tribe), Kelley Armstrong (author of the Otherworld series, Angel: Aftermath), and Dr. Elizabeth Miller ("Canada's Vampire Expert"). Just be prepared for long, long lines to get in.

Festival of Fear, August 28-30, 2009; The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd, South Building.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

The fourth annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival features 17 horror, sci-fi, action and cult feature films, including three for the vampire lover. Starting tonight (the 14th) and running through the 21st, your bloodsucking options are:


Grace: A distraught mother wills her dead fetus back to life and then goes to disturbing lengths to get it the blood it craves and needs to live. Q&A session with filmmakers and audience after the screening. August 21, 7:00 pm, Bloor Cinema.








Strigoi: Horror comedy about Romanian peasants being stalked by the supposedly dead wealthy local landowner. Q&A session with filmmakers and audience after the screening. August 17, 9:29 pm, Bloor Cinema.









Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl: From Yoshihiro Nishimura, a no-holds-barred fight to the death between teenage girls in the name of true love. Bizarre, blood-spattered, and politically incorrect! August 17th, 7:00 pm, Bloor Cinema.








Clicky clicky, for more info and to find out about some of the other must-see movies at the festival.