Chicago Horror Film Festival Marks 26 Years of Chills and Thrills

Ahead of spooky season, the Chicago Horror Film Festival returned for its 26th year! Co-directed by Ashland Thomas and CJ Vecchio, the festival continues its tradition of curating over 100 short films and bringing talented and passionate filmmakers together under one roof. More than just a chance for independent artists to see their work on the big screen, the festival continues to stand as a celebration of the endless creativity the horror genre inspires.

Once guests entered the theatre, we were welcomed with photo ops and a table of festival merch. There is something incredibly special about being in a room full of cinema lovers and creatives while sharing conversations about films that took days, months, even years, of dedication to bring to life.

Before Saturday’s screenings kicked off, PULP had the opportunity to connect with filmmakers Gasten and Hannah, whose short film Bumbo was featured in Block 1. The film's writer, Gasten Scott revealed that the infamous 2016 “killer clown” phenomenon was the inspiration behind their story. He recalled wondering: why were these clowns appearing, and what were they doing with the children they were set to lure? Their film leans into this through its unsettling antagonist, a killer clown named Bumbo. Director Hannah Walls-Scott described their project as “spooky and fun" and that the film "plays on some classic genres in a modern way." Check out Bumbo and other recent releases from Pieced Together Productions, here!

The first film PULP caught was What’s In My Bag. A fun, creative short that turned out to be the perfect kickoff. For the first half, we honestly thought we were watching an ad, which made the sudden thrills even more surprising. It set the tone for a weekend full of unexpected and unique storytelling.Other standouts from Block 1 included My Wife, directed by Aaron Garca. With surrealistic, Lynchian elements, its visuals left an impression.

The Scenic Route, directed by Kathlynn Sweitzer and produced by Niles McDonald, was a playful animated short that, according to the Q+A, took 40 weeks to complete despite its 3-minute runtime. That kind of time and dedication highlighted the determination and craftsmanship behind the project. Closing out the block was Lennon-Friedkin Tape #004, written and directed by Matt Benson. Dark, eerie, and deeply unsettling, it served as a strong finale to Block 1.

Some Saturday highlights included Pelacaras, The Empty Frame, Horror Spell, and Knifeman. Pelacaras, created by Ricardo Albarrán and filmed in Illinois, follows a young girl named Camila (played by Mia Cruz). The movie presents itself as a horror film but explores even deeper topics such as generational trauma.

The Empty Frame took a simple concept and delivered it powerfully. During the Q&A, director Jeph Porter explained that the short came from his desire to shoot a Super 8 film, and it succeeded in building a chilling atmosphere.

Horror Spell, directed by Daniel Ziegler, was a personal favorite for the way it blended multiple sub-genres. It was funny, spooky, and endlessly creative, making it a short I would gladly add to my annual watchlist.

Knifeman was directed by MP Hayes and produced by BD Cornwell , and together they both founded Missile Range Productions. BD shared that the project began as his senior thesis. With its vibrant visuals and unique choice to show the world through the eyes of a serial killer who sees himself as the hero, it stood out as one of the most memorable films of the festival.

Mia Willis, a Chicago-based film student, was in attendance and shared, "Community events in film are so important to me because it’s a room full of people who love the art of making films and viewing films that people have worked so hard on. It’s a strong art form and starts great conversations about multitudes of topics. Especially since this is an independent film festival there’s an opportunity to showcase more diverse voices and encourage empathy. I love connecting with other filmmakers and I think I’ve expanded my network even more since coming here and am happy to have met all the people I connected with. We’re all here to fall back, support, and uplift one another."

The highlight of day two was the award ceremony, where filmmakers were celebrated across categories like Best Horror Short, Best LGBTQ+ Horror, Best Horror Cartoon/Animation/Puppet, and more. The wide range of awards reflected the diversity and creativity of the films showcased throughout the festival. We were especially thrilled to see Bumbo take home both Best Monster/Villain and Best Young Performer.

PULP had the chance to speak with Kenneth King, who took home the festival’s top honor for Best Screenplay with his film Ambush. Reflecting on the win, the writer, filmmaker, and founder of Red Snow Films shared, “Winning this award means a great deal to me. I am a Chicago native, and the festival is held about a mile from my house, so it is an amazing feeling to win on my home turf. Beyond that, I feel like writers don’t always get the exposure and recognition that we deserve, so any festival that allows us to showcase our work and compete against one another is a step in the right direction for us. We are the architects.”

Co-directors Ashland and CJ have spent years devoted to film, with a special passion for the horror genre. Reflecting on the festival’s growth, CJ shared, “This is the 26th year, and we took it over three years ago. It’s been crazy, and it keeps growing every year. We are gaining sponsorships. For example, this weekend we are exclusively screening Shell from Paramount. The festival has really taken off like a rocket ship.”

Our conversation with Ashland captured the heart of why festivals like this one matter. Reflecting on the weekend, he shared, “Events like this matter, because number one there are not enough opportunities for true independent artists to have their work screened and viewed. We have a mix of high budget and low budget but it is important because a lot of these filmmakers are self-funding. People need to see these movies on a big screen. Films like this deserve to be seen, observed, experienced in a theatre just like a studio feature film.” His words summed up the spirit of the festival, reminding us that beyond the scares and thrills, it is ultimately about creating space for independent voices and giving their work the visibility it deserves.

CHFF is currently hosting virtual passes so that anyone can catch the short films from the weekend.

To support CHFF, follow @chicagohorrorfest on Instagram.