Fangoria Weekend of Horrors April 17-19 in L.A.

The “FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors” returns to the Los Angeles area for its 24th year, Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, with the gory best of terror talent from both film and TV. This fright-filled three-day event will be held at the LA Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa St., West Hall B.

Celebrity scream greats set for Fango’s annual blast include: Sam Raimi, director of EVIL DEAD and SPIDER-MAN trilogies, will preview DRAG ME TO HELL; Clive Barker, creator of HELLRAISER, CANDYMAN, NIGHTBREED and ABARAT, will preview new movies DREAD and BOOK OF BLOOD, plus novel THE SCARLET GOSPELS; Tobe Hooper, director of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and POLTERGEIST; Herschell Gordon Lewis, Godfather of Gore and director of BLOOD FEAST, TWO THOUSAND MANIACS!, WIZARD OF GORE and many others; Tom Savini, makeup FX legend from DAWN OF THE DEAD, FRIDAY THE 13TH, MANIAC and many more; and Lloyd Kaufman, Troma president and director of the TOXIC AVENGER films.

Also, scary favorites not to be missed include: Ron Perlman, HELLBOY and BEAUTY & THE BEAST star who’s featured in the new MUTANT CHRONICLES; Jeffrey Combs, star of RE-ANIMATOR films, FROM BEYOND, THE FRIGHTENERS and STAR TREK; Doug Bradley, HELLRAISER’s Pinhead; Thomas Jane, star of THE MIST, MUTANT CHRONICLES and THE PUNISHER; and Bill Moseley, star of HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES, THE DEVIL’S REJECTS and TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2.

Several star-packed presentations scheduled for the Weekend include:

* Masters of Italian Horror panel: with Ruggero Deodato (CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST), Lamberto Bava (DEMONS) and FX artist/director Sergio Stivaletti (CEMETERY MAN, MOTHER OF TEARS)

* LAID TO REST panel: with writer/director Robert Hall and cast members Bobbi Sue Luther, Thomas Dekker (SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES), Sean Whalen (PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS) and Johnathon Schaech (QUARANTINE)

* BABYSITTER WANTED panel: with KYLE XY’s Matt Dallas and actress Sarah Thompson (ANGEL, 7TH HEAVEN)

*HISSS panel: with cult director Jennifer Lynch and Indian superstar Mallika Sherawat

*THE LAIR panel: with director Fred Olen Ray and stars Peter Stickles and Dylan Vox

A steady stream of top horror directors will join in on the fun including Darren Lynn Bousman (REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA and SAW II-IV), Patrick Lussier (MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D), John Harrison (of Clive Barker’s BOOK OF BLOOD, TALES FROM THE CRYPT, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and DUNE), Simon Hunter (writer/director of MUTANT CHRONICLES), Adam Green, (HATCHET and upcoming FROZEN) and Toby Wilkins (THE GRUDGE III and SPLINTER).

Three special horror reunions to be highlighted are:

* TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE movies reunion: the cast & crew of the first two films reunite, including Marilyn Burns (“Sally”), Caroline Williams (“Stretch”) and Bill Johnson (“Leatherface”)

* CHRISTMAS EVIL reunion with writer/director Lewis Jackson and star Brandon Maggart

*STANLEY reunion with exploitation director William Grefé (MAKO: THE JAWS OF DEATH and IMPULSE) and screenwriter/actor Gary Crutcher

Other fright stars appearing include: Brad Dourif, star of CHILD’S PLAY movies, HALLOWEEN, LORD OF THE RINGS and many more; Ashley Laurence, actress from HELLRAISER films; Adrienne King, star of original FRIDAY THE 13TH; Jordan Ladd, actress from CABIN FEVER, HOSTEL II, DEATH PROOF and GRACE; Sybil Danning, legendary femme fatale from HOWLING II, REFORM SCHOOL GIRLS, CHAINED HEAT and Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN; and Tiffany Shepis, scream queen from NIGHTMARE MAN, THE HAZING and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS remake.

For the ghoul in all of us, you’ll want to take a stab at breaking the world’s record for Zombie Walkers! On Saturday, April 18 at 9 AM, attendees will gather at the Los Angeles Convention Center (Petree Hall) to practice their moaning and groaning and apply makeup, unless already done. At 9:30 AM the Fangoria Zombie Walk will start the official blood red route. Participants are encouraged to take part in the charitable blood and food drives planned.

Contests are back! Fangoria Weekend will host a Spooks Model Competition, a Creepy Make-Up Artist Magazine Costume Contest and a Terrifying Savage Tattoo Contest, that will offer cash and prizes to the winners.

New this year will be an Art Ghoullery presented by Hyaena Boutique & Gallery featuring top genre artists Clive Barker, Gris Grimly, Ragnar, Albrecht BÜRER and many more.

A dealers’ room filled with vendors selling horror film merchandise and collectibles is sure to entice attendees along with photo opps. and autographs.

In addition, a variety of independent horror premieres will take place all three days. Special guest appearances, clips and panels will be devoted to THE GRAVES, NEW TERMINAL HOTEL, FADING OF THE CRIES, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, PENANCE, WALKING DISTANCE, DARK HOUSE and many more. A separate screening room will unveil a number of world premieres of upcoming indie fright flicks.

On Friday evening at 9 PM, FANGORIA brings back the “Shock-N-Roll Spooktacular,” and Xtreme Fashion Show. Separate ticket price is required.

“FANGORIA’s Weekend of Horrors” is sponsored by HBO’s TRUE BLOOD, Tattoo Savage, Coffin Case, Baby Tattoo, Makeup Artist Magazine, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Suicide Girls and co-produced by FANGORIA Magazine (www.fangoria.com), the world's most popular publication for readers who enjoy horror in film, television and other media, and Creation Entertainment, the leading entertainment marketing and merchandising company.

General admission tickets are available in advance for $20 on Friday, and $22 on Saturday and Sunday through www.creationent.com. At the door: $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for children 7-12 are $10 at the door only, and children six and under are free with parent or guardian. Show hours are Friday, 2 PM – 8 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM – 7 PM. For further information, call Creation Entertainment, 818/409-0960 or visit our website at www.fangocon.com.