Screenland Presents A Downright Creepy Event: Panic Fest 2022 Review
Panic Fest 2022: April 28-May 8, 2022. Screenland/Virtual
It’s May 8th already, Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, and all the moms all around the galaxy. Panic Fest 2022 alone proves how time flies, I was just anticipating Panic Fest starting, and then I was on a zoom meeting with Lloyd Kaufman talking about TROMA NOW, my talented friend Jeff Donchez’s pumpkin art and his wife Jenn’s baking. I was talking to writer/director Daniel Slottje about his amazing short film, The Rotting of Casey Culpepper.
Daniel Slottje was awarded Best Short Film, Best Director, and Best Actress for his film. It’s quite amazing to see the before and after with Panic Fest. Panic Fest was at full capacity this year with guests attending. Directors, writers, and fans were excited to be out and about after so much had happened and it’s still happening with the pandemic.
Panic Fest 2022 released a feast of delicious Short Film Blocks and some memorable features. The Creeping had its world premiere. It was an emotionally heartbreaking and beautiful horror film. When The Screaming Starts is a hilarious dark-comedy. CRABS! was a wonderfully fun movie. The History of Metal and Horror takes a look at the similarities and how horror and music have impacted one another. Luke Boyce’s film, Revealer is this colorful, vibrant comic book come to life.
The Short films have become one of my favorite aspects of film festivals. Panic Fest has such a vast selection, it was difficult to decide which short film block to watch. When it came down to everything, I wound up watching The Rotting of Casey Culpepper first because I was able to do an interview with the director Daniel. (Interview for Horrornews.net). A few other highlights for short films: Guts, Sweet Mary, Where Did You Go?, My Friends the Plants, The Gift, Specter of Weeping Hill, Caregiver, Lethalogica, Neighbors, 7 Minutes in Hell, Patricia Sterling, Death in a Box, Woodland Cemetery, Break Any Spell, L.U.N.A, Creeper, Papa Voodoo, The Bottom, Fuzzies, and Every Time We Meet For Ice Cream Your Whole Fucking Face Explodes.
The Passenger was another great film I was able to watch. Panic Fest does a great job with everything. The filmmakers I spoke with had nothing but positive things to say about Panic Fest. There was an excitement for those who would be attending in-person. For those us attending virtually, you can hang out in Gather Town, the virtual world of Panic Fest. It was cool being part of the festival virtually. You may not be there but they make you feel as if you’re there. I spoke with director Jason-Christopher Mayer about his Short film, The Sound. What a fantastic film.
It felt like the time flew by. You are getting ready for everything and then it’s over, but it’s a blast.
If you get a chance to attend Panic Fest in-person or virtually, you should definitely do so. Until next time, it’s been a blast.
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