This past weekend saw nearly 1000 people attended 10 different screenings and an awards ceremony for the HorrorBuzz Screaming Room Film Festival 2019. The film festival, having just completed its 3rd year is part of the annual Halloween and horror convention, Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, CA. Throughout the two day event, audiences were entertained and horrified by 60 short films from around the world.

SCREAMING ROOM FILM FESTIVAL 2019 Trailer

For each screening, audience members were given a ballot that listed the films and they were instructed to make a tear through the title they liked the best. The votes were tallied and the eight audience award winners were announced at Sunday night’s Award Ceremony.

In addition to the Audience Awards, we were very excited to have assembled a jury to review a select group of films chosen by the programming team. The jury voted in three categories recognizing creativity, Halloween spirit, and best overall.

Audience Awards

Below is the full listing of audience awards as voted on by the attendees at the festival. To assist in explaining how to vote, a special educational film was shown.

DON'T BE A NED HEAD!

 

Splattertown

WTF???

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Art House Horror

Stalkers and Slashers

A Captive Audience

The Occult

Die Laughing

 

 

JURY AWARD WINNERS

Mary Shelley

The first prize awarded by the jury is named after the woman who crafted one of the greatest stories of creativity and ingenuity. This year winner is:

Animated short, CEMETARY SONG pushed the envelope in music and animation style with a creepy figure visiting the ghosts of a graveyard.

Jack-O-Lantern

As Midsummer Scream is a convention that celebrates Halloween, the Jack-O-Lantern Award celebrates the film that best shows the spirit of our favorite holiday. This year the jury selected as the winner:

 

We Got A Monkey’s Paw won the jury over with its comical story of two besties that can’t leave well enough alone when playing with the occult.

Palme d’Gore

The highest honor we bestow is the Palme d’Gore. This award is voted on and presented by the jury for the film they deem to be the best of the best. This year’s winner is:

 

How to Be Alone followsLucy (Maika Monroe), as she struggles to survive an increasingly bizarre and horrifying night while home alone for the night. Played by Hermost secret fears begin to manifest and attack her, she must fight for control of her mind, and ultimately her life.

CONGRATULATIONS to all who were selected to screen. We love presenting the best of new horror and we can’t for 2020 when Midsummer Scream returns on August 1 & 2!