MASCARA & POPCORN ROLLS OUT THE BLACK CARPET IN AUGUST: A 4-DAY INT'L CELEBRATION OF INDIE CINEMA'S WEIRD & WONDERFUL
July 24, 2013 at 12:42am
THE MASCARA & POPCORN FILM FESTIVAL ROLLS OUT THE BLACK CARPET IN AUGUST: A FOUR-DAY INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA'S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL AND ORIGINAL DARK ART SHOWCASE.
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
Montreal, July 24th 2013 –The fourth edition of the Mascara & Popcorn Film Festival takes place from August 15th to the 18th 2013 and continues to stir up a steady mix of edgy, independent film, original dark art and a bevy of activities between Théâtre Sainte-Catherine and Cabaret Underworld.
 
The media is invited to a press conference on July 31st at l’Ile Noire at 4:30pm. Press passes, calendars and flyers will be available and there will be a sneak peek into films(s) presented during the competition. Our featured local filmmakers will be attending this preview event for interviews and questions. Please confirm attendance to our press conference before July 29th at mascara.popcorn@gmail.com or 514-969-7879 
 
The festival takes off on Thursday August 15th at Théâtre Sainte-Catherine with Mascara & Popcorn’s “Black Carpet” event, anevening of photos with the stars, networking, film discussion, fun and play, hostedby alternative scene icon/actor/performer Richard Cardinal and hostess/fashion designer Bianca Black, capturing today’s alt scene and indie film industry, a crazy vendor faire of cosplaying, comic book signing, a live demonstration of gore movie effects, the macabre artworks of F.n.Vegas and Patricia Klimov, rockabilly pin-ups, zombies, monsters and many live acts including cutting-edge VJ graphics, medieval elves for a creative twist on a fundraising campaign (The Sapphire Prophecies, a new fantasy short webseries), steampunk circus acts, a Rue Morgue-themed burlesque horror show, an ugly food contest and improvised zombie march. 
 
The evening will feature a legendary reunion of two heavyweights: our spokesperson Patricia Chica is assigned to moderate a discussion between award-winning director and President of Mascara & Popcorn’s Jury this year,George Mihalka and critically-acclaimed director, founder of Rue Morgue Magazine, juror and guest of honor Rodrigo Gudiño. This “Master Class” brings together two generations of filmmaking for an insightful exchange on the world of cinema, genre film and the future of film: expert advice for emerging filmmakers, answers to “what is considered a genre film today?”,“what makes a great genre movie?”, thoughts and concerns regarding cinema in the digital era, as well as questions from the audience should all liven up the panel. This showcase will in fact serve as a intergenerational debate that should bring up interesting points as to where the cinema industry is headed, with George Mihalka, a veteran filmmaker whose work stems from the 80’s, Rodrigo Gudiño, a 90’s alumni, Patricia Chica, a child of the new millenium and in the audience, emerging filmmakers and tomorrow’s torch bearers.  Both George and Rodrigo will have the privilege to discuss their careers and achievements in a colourful exchange film buffs and horror fiends won’t want to miss.  Added to this landmark event, a short film retrospective by Rodrigo Gudiño along with an autograph session, Q&A session and poster giveaway.  Montreal alternative rock band The Scroll finishes off the night with a performance at Cabaret Undeworld, right across from the Theatre.  
 
The two-day competition, hosted by San Francisco native photographer and filmmaker Cassandra Sechler, takes place at the Theatre, featuring 70 short films from around the globe –  among them, 20 are world premieres and 30 having snagged awards world-wide. Mascara & Popcorn’s International Short Film Competition showcases projects from the horror, experimental, neo noir, dark comedy,animation, science fiction and drama genres. Prizes vary from “Best Director” to “Best Animation”, “Best Actor/Actress” and in-house categories like“Weird and Wonderful”, “Audience Choice” and “Best DIY”.  Awards will be given, including a $1000.00 Grand Jury prize for Mascara & Popcorn’s “Best Short Film for 2013”.  
 
Our panel of 10 judges, all notable industry professionals, will undoubtedly face a fun challenge as most movies are strong entries this year, complying with many of our category standards. For more information on our category details as well as our jury composition, please consult our Competition Category Listing on our website at www.mascaraandpopcorn.com/rules-and-guidelines
 
Among the filmmakers in attendance and names to look-out for: Montreal native and prolific filmmaker Danny MAlin (BEAT, FREEDOM, STARRING THE TWO OF US AND THE EGG), brilliant Toronto filmmaker Alfredo Arcilesi (FOR CLEARER SKIES, GOD’S ACRE, REVERIE THREE), Boston native and indie film newcomer Izzy Lee (LEGITIMATE) and award-winning filmmaker Steven Cerritos (ROACHFAR). Other notable entries: DRAGONFLY MASSACRE by Jean-François Bourbeau, DYSMORPHIA by Andy Stewart, EXTREME TRAVELING by Evalina Turpin, FONDUE by Torin Langen, HELLVETICA by Kalen Artinian, ILLUMINATION by Michael Williams, L'INVITÉ by Colin Racicot, MONSTER SLAYER by Valorie Caskey Ebeling, PLEASE BREATHE…LUCY by Kays Mejri, REFLEXIONS by Martin Thibaudeau, SPOLIATION by Dominic Hardy, SUCCUBUS by Sylvio Arriola, TO HELL, WITH LOVE by Gavin Michael Booth and TORTUROUS by Angus Swantee.
 
One of the many hightlights will be the world premiere of DEAD ALL NIGHT with director Christopher Giroux in attendance, along with Chad Archibald (producer/director of photography, NEVERLOST, ANTISOCIAL, EJECTA), Brad McMillan (producer/editor, THE POST-LIFERS), Bethany McLeod (production designer/art director ANTISOCIAL, UNCOMMON ENNEMIES), Ry Barrett (actor, DEAD ALL NIGHT, NEVERLOST, IF A TREE FALLS, KINGDOM COME), Kyle William (actor, DEAD ALL NIGHT, THE ESCAPE). Following the screening, there will be an exclusive Q&A with the cast and crew of DEAD ALL NIGHT who will also be signing limited edition posters in the lobby at the Black Fawn Distribution Booth.
 
Winners will be honored during the Awards Gala on Sunday August 18th, 2013, our Closing Ceremony at Cabaret Underworld.  As part of the evening, guests from the cinema, arts and entertainment world as well as our sponsors in attendance to assign prizes to the winners. Patricia Chica will be the Master of Ceremony forthe evening and Montreal rock band Yardlets will cover the evening’s musical part. RUE MORGUE, ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT CANADA, FORGE FILMS and BADASS FILMS are among our biggestsponsors for this event. 
 
Our list of special guests and contributors keeps growing, with more being added to our vendor roster and competition endorsers on a daily basis, all the way to festival dates. Tickets go on sale as of July25th, including a festival pass for full access to all activities. For more information, visit www.mascaraandpopcorn.com

PRESS CONFERENCE: LAUNCH OF MASCARA & POPCORN’S 4TH EDITION 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31st FROM 4:30PM  TO 8PM
BAR L'ILE NOIRE 
1649 SAINT-DENIS STREET, MONTREALQC H2X 3K4
 
THE 4TH EDITION OF MASCARA & POPCORN FILM FESTIVAL
FROM THURSDAY AUGUST 15th  TO SUNDAY AUGUST 18th, 2013
 
THÉÂTRE SAINTE-CATHERINE 264 Sainte-Catherine Street East, Montreal, QC H2X 1L4 (514) 284-3939
 
CABARET UNDERWORLD 1403 Sainte-Elisabeth Street, Montreal QC, H2X 3C5 (514) 284-6473
 
 
ABOUT MASCARA & POPCORN:
 
Horror, experimental, weird and wonderful, MASCARA & POPCORN® is a genre film festival. MASCARA & POPCORN also showcases many exciting projects that go beyond film such as theatre, art, music, fundraisers and live shows within the underground and alternative arena, helping entrepreneurs and artists connect and kick start opportunities for themselves. A burgeoning tapestry of ideas, concepts, talent and passion. We strive to support cinema and art in all its dark form and promote independent short film that’s thought provoking and boundless. Our goals each year are: to build a strong cultural happening where enterprising and creative minds meet and greet, to strengthen our socio-economic role, to encourage fruitful exchanges between industry professionals, filmmakers and artistic participants, to present quality works which for the most part remain unknown commercially, to broaden our cultural influence and to continue to build our international notoriety.