Caged heat: Renfield will premier at the festival this week
The Overlook Film Festival is a four-day celebration of all things horror. Each May, genre fans and cinephiles from all over the world convene for some superior film programming, with an expanded focus on experiential events. Past guests include Roger Corman, Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Taika Waititi, Ari Aster, and Ana Lily Amirpour. This year’s festival includes the premier of the long-awaited movie Renfield, starring Nicolas Cage.
Here are some of the festival’s highlights:
The festival will open with the World Premiere of Chris McKay’s Renfield, with Nicolas Cage in attendance at the Prytania Theatre (Uptown), and close with Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise. The Centerpiece film is a SECRET SCREENING. Jim Jarmusch will join the festival for a 10th Anniversary screening of Only Lovers Left Alive and Master of Horror Joe Dante will appear in person to present a 30th Anniversary screening of Matinee alongside star John Goodman.
OPENING NIGHT VAMPIRE BALL
Prepare to be dazzled by the deceased. Dress to impress the possessed! Awaken the undead with live music, sanguine cocktails and more spooky surprises to celebrate the opening of the 2023 Overlook Film Fest and an evening full of vampire-themed programming. Hold onto all your blood, if you can. Thu, Mar 30th, 9:00 PM, Toulouse Theatre
FRIDAY NIGHT DARK ART MARKET
A New Orleans market dedicated to all things dark, creepy and esoteric materializes on festival Friday for all your ghastly needs. With ghoulish local vendors, performances and secrets, this dark carnival will be your one stop shop for the entire evening until it vanishes into the night with your soul. Fri, Mar 31st | 6:00 PM | The Courtyard Brewery
HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE IN A CHALLENGING MARKET
New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix presents another of his one-of-a kind, one-man shows, tap-dancing through the haunted hallways of houses from Downton Abbey-sized country homes to split-level suburban ranchers as we try to figure out why we’re so obsessed with the world’s worst roommates — ghosts. This is the seminar that will change your life…guaranteed! Sat, Apr 1st | 3:30 PM | Canal Place Theater
IN ANOTHER ROOM
E3W Productions invites you to step inside a child’s bedroom and come face to face with a young girl’s worst nightmares in this standalone scene from their acclaimed 2018 show In Another Room Part 2. Runtime: Approx. 15 minutes. Participants: up to 4 at a time. Cost: $20. Masks and Proof of Vaccination required. Fri, Mar 31st – Sun, Apr 2nd | Times Vary
THE LAST MAGIC SHOW
Like film director David Lynch, Zabrecky sets the stage for everyday life, then sets it on fire. With The Last Magic Show, Zabrecky brings to Overlook highlights from his world-famous and globally renowned magic shows as well as new work, bundling them into one highly entertaining performance featuring his particularly distinct point of view. Fri, Mar 31st | 5:00 PM | Canal Place Theater; Fri, Mar 31st | 6:45 PM | Canal Place Theater; Sat, Apr 1st | 4:45 PM | Canal Place Theater; Sat, Apr 1st | 6:00 PM | Canal Place Theater
LINGERING ECHOES: THE 2023 OVERLOOK IMMERSIVE GAME
Overlook’s famed immersive game has been completely reconceived for 2023 as a multi-day alternate reality experience that wraps the entire festival in one overarching, interactive story. Participants can expect in-person interactions, light puzzle-solving, and a story that runs from Opening Night to our Closing Night Party. While all festival passholders can participate in the game, immersive show ticket holders can expect additional interactions that take their experience into unexpected new directions.
CLOSING NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY
Trick or Treat! Spring into Fall with our annual Overlook Halloween Party held on April Fool’s Day! Paranormal performances, devilish disco, frights, lights, horror delights, and even the famous Haunted Hearse! Immerse yourself in America’s Most Haunted City and conjure the spirit to dance all night long. Live performances and more to be announced. Costumes are a must. Don’t be afraid to bring your loudest looks! Sat, Apr 1st | 9:00 PM | The Howlin’ Wolf
For tickets and info, go to www.overlookfilmfest.com
Here are some of the festival’s highlights:
The festival will open with the World Premiere of Chris McKay’s Renfield, with Nicolas Cage in attendance at the Prytania Theatre (Uptown), and close with Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise. The Centerpiece film is a SECRET SCREENING. Jim Jarmusch will join the festival for a 10th Anniversary screening of Only Lovers Left Alive and Master of Horror Joe Dante will appear in person to present a 30th Anniversary screening of Matinee alongside star John Goodman.
OPENING NIGHT VAMPIRE BALL
Prepare to be dazzled by the deceased. Dress to impress the possessed! Awaken the undead with live music, sanguine cocktails and more spooky surprises to celebrate the opening of the 2023 Overlook Film Fest and an evening full of vampire-themed programming. Hold onto all your blood, if you can. Thu, Mar 30th, 9:00 PM, Toulouse Theatre
FRIDAY NIGHT DARK ART MARKET
A New Orleans market dedicated to all things dark, creepy and esoteric materializes on festival Friday for all your ghastly needs. With ghoulish local vendors, performances and secrets, this dark carnival will be your one stop shop for the entire evening until it vanishes into the night with your soul. Fri, Mar 31st | 6:00 PM | The Courtyard Brewery
HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE IN A CHALLENGING MARKET
New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix presents another of his one-of-a kind, one-man shows, tap-dancing through the haunted hallways of houses from Downton Abbey-sized country homes to split-level suburban ranchers as we try to figure out why we’re so obsessed with the world’s worst roommates — ghosts. This is the seminar that will change your life…guaranteed! Sat, Apr 1st | 3:30 PM | Canal Place Theater
IN ANOTHER ROOM
E3W Productions invites you to step inside a child’s bedroom and come face to face with a young girl’s worst nightmares in this standalone scene from their acclaimed 2018 show In Another Room Part 2. Runtime: Approx. 15 minutes. Participants: up to 4 at a time. Cost: $20. Masks and Proof of Vaccination required. Fri, Mar 31st – Sun, Apr 2nd | Times Vary
THE LAST MAGIC SHOW
Like film director David Lynch, Zabrecky sets the stage for everyday life, then sets it on fire. With The Last Magic Show, Zabrecky brings to Overlook highlights from his world-famous and globally renowned magic shows as well as new work, bundling them into one highly entertaining performance featuring his particularly distinct point of view. Fri, Mar 31st | 5:00 PM | Canal Place Theater; Fri, Mar 31st | 6:45 PM | Canal Place Theater; Sat, Apr 1st | 4:45 PM | Canal Place Theater; Sat, Apr 1st | 6:00 PM | Canal Place Theater
LINGERING ECHOES: THE 2023 OVERLOOK IMMERSIVE GAME
Overlook’s famed immersive game has been completely reconceived for 2023 as a multi-day alternate reality experience that wraps the entire festival in one overarching, interactive story. Participants can expect in-person interactions, light puzzle-solving, and a story that runs from Opening Night to our Closing Night Party. While all festival passholders can participate in the game, immersive show ticket holders can expect additional interactions that take their experience into unexpected new directions.
CLOSING NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY
Trick or Treat! Spring into Fall with our annual Overlook Halloween Party held on April Fool’s Day! Paranormal performances, devilish disco, frights, lights, horror delights, and even the famous Haunted Hearse! Immerse yourself in America’s Most Haunted City and conjure the spirit to dance all night long. Live performances and more to be announced. Costumes are a must. Don’t be afraid to bring your loudest looks! Sat, Apr 1st | 9:00 PM | The Howlin’ Wolf
For tickets and info, go to www.overlookfilmfest.com
