This past weekend saw nearly 600 people attended 10 different screenings and an awards ceremony for the 2nd Annual HorrorBuzz Screaming Room Film Festival. The film festival 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 68 short films from around the world.
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 ten audience award winner 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. This year’s jury consisted of: Peaches Christ – Drag Performer and Filmmaker; Logan Crow – Founder and Executive Director of The Frida Cinema; Claire Dunlap – Actor and Producer; Chris Gore – Founder of Film Threat; and Shannon McGrew – Founder of Nightmarish Conjurings.
AWARD WINNERS
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: 
She Came from the Woods is a classic summer camp/bloody mary-esque tribute from writers/directors and brothers, Carson and Eric Bloomquist.
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: 
A Tale of a Sassy Little Girl is writer/director Francesca Nobili‘s film a little girl on Halloween who disappoints the monsters trying to scare her by not being afraid. Told through stop motion puppet animation, Nobili’s film is entertain for all ages and shows the fun of Halloween time. We were honored to have Nobili in attendance with her cast in tow. HorrorBuzz editor Norm Gidney even got a picture with the “sassy little girl” and one of her co-stars.
Mary Shelley
The final 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: 
The Devil’s Fire is spot on tribute silent horror movies of the past. Written and directed by John Santo, the film not only has the grainy look of an old silent film but the sound of an old projector as well.
Audience Awards
Audience members in the Screaming Room were very excited to be able help selected the following winners. Listed below are the winning films for each screening block along with the titles of the other films in the block.
QUACK
Other films in WTF???:
PAW
Crave Daze
WHILE YOU’RE ASLEEP (my weird dreams happen) – 1
THE SCOURGE
WHILE YOU’RE ASLEEP (my weird dreams happen) – 2
SHOWTIME
Off Kid
Arthropod
Silly Piece of Wood
I HATE HALLOWEEN
Other films in HAPPY HALLOWEEN:
SHE CAME FROM THE WOODS
Other films in SUPERNATURAL SCARES:
Closet Monster
CAT BOX
HELLTHCLASS
Other films in FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN:
Black Cat Witch
MR. BOWLING BALL
Other films in CRIMES & PASSIONS:
Care Free
COUNT YOUR CURSES
Other films in DIE LAUGHING:
THE BIRTHDAY BOY
Other films in STALKERS & SLASHERS:
GOODNIGHT, GRACIE
Other films in STALKERS & SLASHERS:
The Rapture Disaster
Devil is on his way
THE QUIET ROOM
Other films in SICKENING SINNERS & SCREAMING QUEENS:
THE DEVIL’S FIRE
Other films in THE OCCULT:
Congratulations to all of award winners and thank you to all the filmmakers who submitted their films to our festival. A very special thank you goes out to everyone who attended any of our screenings over the weekend and we look forward to seeing all of you again next year at Midsummer Scream, Aug 3-4, 2019.
