Big Bear Lake to host Big Bear Horror Film Festival

Secluded forests, peaceful lakes and woodsy cabins are frequently used in horror flicks to create spine-tingling backdrops that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It only makes sense to have a horror film festival at a location where these natural surroundings exist. Big Bear Lake will host the inaugural Big Bear Horror Film Festival Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 at the Performing Arts Center (PAC).

“This festival is dedicated to showcasing films that will absolutely scare the heebie jeebies out of you!” said Big Bear Horror Film Festival Director Michael Coulombe. “The real thriller happens after the festival, when it’s time to go home at night. Folks will be wondering if something is lurking in the shadows of Big Bear’s pitch-black forest.”

The Big Bear Horror Film Festival (BBHFF) will celebrate the 30th anniversary cult classic “Phantasm” with a reunion of its cast and production crew including Don Coscarelli (producer/writer/director), Angus Scrimm (The Tall Man, antagonist) and Reggie Bannister (Reggie, protagonist). The festival will screen the entire Phantasm series opening with the legendary “Phantasm” (1979) on Saturday at 5 p.m. After the screening the star of the movie Reggie Bannister will head a special panel discussion about horror films. Immediately following the panel discussion is the screening of “Phantasm II: The Ball is Back” (1988). “Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead” (1993) will show on Sunday at 11 a.m., followed by “Phantasm IV: Oblivion” (1998) at 12:30 p.m.

BBHFF will showcase a variety of independent shorts and feature-length movies from bone-chilling suspense to the gory and grotesque. In addition to screenings are seminars and workshops for independent filmmakers on Saturday at the PAC from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; a macabre-style masquerade ball (dinner banquet and dance) at 9 p.m. on Saturday at Nottinghams Restaurant; and an awards presentation on Sunday at the PAC from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. A special VIP reception is held on Friday evening for VIP pass holders only from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

All screenings take place at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) located at 39707 Big Bear Blvd. A full day movie pass is $30. An unlimited weekend movie pass for all three days is $85. Passes give viewers admission to unlimited films, and includes panels and seminars. An all access VIP weekend pass, which includes admission to all films and all events including the VIP reception and masquerade ball, is $150. To purchase advance tickets, or for a complete event schedule visit www.bigbearhorrorfilmfest.com or call 323-604-9874.

To get all the details on planning a getaway to Big Bear Lake and to book reservations online, log onto www.bigbear.com or call 1.800.4.BIG.BEAR (1.800.424.4232).