Rising Sun Media Brings Yakutian Cinema to Amazon Prime Video with Four Landmark Films

Rising-Sun-MediaFour acclaimed films by Yakutian filmmaker Stepan Burnashev (Black Snow, Our Winter, Cursed Land-Fate, and Aita) are now streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video through Rising Sun Media, marking a milestone for Sakhawood, the independent film movement from Russia’s Sakha Republic in Siberia.

Known for their emotional depth, poetic realism, and Indigenous storytelling, Burnashev’s works are often created on small budgets with local non-professional actors. His films explore survival, identity, and spiritual resilience set against the stark Siberian landscape.

Among the four titles, Aita stands out for its political resonance. It was banned in Russia in 2023 for being “contrary to the principles of the unity of the peoples of Russia,” which Burnashev described as proof of the film’s power to “disturb systems of silence.”

“This is what independent filmmaking is about,” said Nadav Streett of Rising Sun Media. “Creating despite the odds and finding new audiences who are ready to listen to voices from the periphery.”

Founded in 2007 in Los Angeles, Rising Sun Media is known for bringing bold international and independent films to major digital platforms.

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Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys Star in Babak Anvari’s Psychological Thriller “Hallow Road”

Hallow-RoadGolden Globe and Emmy winner Rosamund Pike (Saltburn, Gone Girl) and Emmy and Critics Choice Award winner Matthew Rhys (The Americans) lead the cast of “Hallow Road,” the latest feature from writer-director Babak Anvari (Under the Shadow, I Came By). The film opens exclusively in AMC theaters on October 31 as part of a Halloween Double Feature presentation alongside Vincent Must Die.

Premiering at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival in March, Hallow Road has since screened at major international festivals including Brussels, Melbourne, Munich, Leiden, New Horizons, and Neuchâtel, earning early acclaim for its unnerving atmosphere and emotional precision.

The psychological thriller follows parents (Pike and Rhys) who receive a late-night call from their daughter after she accidentally strikes another young woman while driving her father’s car. As they race to protect their family and contain the fallout, the night unravels into a series of chilling revelations that expose deeper secrets—and the fear that they may not be the only ones on Hallow Road.

Produced by Ian Henry, Lucan Toh, Aram Tertzakian, Nate Bolotin, and Richard Bolger, the film marks another step in Anvari’s exploration of guilt, dread, and human fragility through genre storytelling. The filmmaker, also attached to Paramount’s upcoming Cloverfield project, continues his distinctive blend of grounded realism and supernatural unease.

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Horror Short ‘Terroir’ Screens at Festivals Across October

terroirThe new short horror film Terroir, written, directed, produced, and edited by Casey Rogerson, is screening at multiple film festivals this October. A directing fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory, Rogerson brings a sharp genre sensibility to the 13-minute thriller.

The film follows a young wine critic (Madison Hu) who returns to a French vineyard one year after giving it a bad review, only to find herself and her friends stalked by a masked killer. Terroir stars Madison Hu (The Brothers Sun, The Boogeyman, Bizaardvark), along with Leenya Rideout, Naomi Rubin, João Santos, and John R. Howle (Bleeding).

Terroir recently screened at the New York Shorts International Film Festival and Screamfest, and continues its festival run this month with the following showings:

San Diego International Film Festival – October 16 at 6:15 p.m. and October 19 at 11:00 a.m. (AMC UTC 14)
Vancouver Horror Show – October 17 at 2:00 p.m. (Vancouver Film School)

The film will also be shown throughout October at Amalthea Cellars, pairing screenings with wine tastings.
For tickets and screening information, visit: https://linktr.ee/terroirfilm

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Horror Comedy ‘Dead Giveaway’ to World Premiere at Philadelphia Film Festival 2025

Dead-GiveawayWriter-director Ian Kimble’s horror comedy Dead Giveaway will make its world premiere at the Philadelphia Film Festival 2025 on Friday, October 17, with an encore screening on Sunday, October 26.

Starring Ruby Modine (Shameless), Mikaela Hoover (Superman [2025]), and Scout Taylor-Compton (Rob Zombie’s Halloween), the film follows Jill (Modine), who wakes up hungover beside a murdered stranger and quickly finds herself juggling a tied-up man, an unconscious roommate, and a bloody mess, all before brunch.

A sharp, chaotic blend of humor and horror, Dead Giveaway features what festival programmers describe as “endlessly creative and uproarious” writing from Kimble, with standout chemistry between Modine and Hoover that keeps the laughs and screams coming.

Produced by Suzann Toni Petrongolo, Andrew Vogel, and Kimble, with Hallee Adelman as executive producer and Amanda Frederick as co-producer, the 87-minute feature marks Kimble’s debut as writer, director, and producer. The film expands on one of his original short works.

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Supernatural Thriller ‘Damned If You Do’ to Premiere at Screamfest 2025

Damned-If-You-DoThe supernatural thriller Damned If You Do will make its world premiere at Screamfest 2025 on Wednesday, October 15, at 9:45 p.m. at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.

Directed by Jake Rubin and Evan Metzold, the film follows a group of high school friends who once sold their souls to the devil in exchange for fame and success. Decades later, as their 25th reunion approaches, they must confront the consequences of their pact and rely on an old classmate to escape Hell’s grasp before time runs out.

The ensemble cast includes Kate Siegel (The Fall of the House of Usher), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Molly Bernard (Younger), Ginger Gonzaga (She-Hulk), Paulo Costanzo (Upload), Beth Dover (Orange Is the New Black), Ed Weeks (Drop), and Michael Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House).

Produced by Lior Haas, Matthew R. Cooper, and Uwakokunre (Kokie) Imasogie, the film was written by Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde.

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Allen Danziger Returns to Horror in Satirical Slasher “The Weedhacker Massacre”

The-Weedhacker-MassacreBuffalo 8 will release The Weedhacker Massacre on digital platforms October 17. The meta-horror comedy, directed by Jody Stelzig, follows a film crew shooting a remake of a notorious slasher movie at the site of the original murders, only to find the masked killer has returned.

The film stars David Treviño (Rent Free), Molly Sakonchick (Storage Locker), Bobbie Grace (Fear the Walking Dead), Sean Reyna, Parrish Randall (Circus of the Dead), and Allen Danziger of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame, who also co-created and executive produced the project. The script was written and produced by Ray Spivey.

Following its world premiere at the Golden State Film Festival, The Weedhacker Massacre earned multiple awards at international festivals, including Best Comedy at the New York International Film Awards. The 95-minute feature is unrated.

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“She Loved Blossoms More”: Yannis Veslemes Blends Sci-Fi, Horror and Dark Comedy in Surreal Tale of Grief

She-Loved-Blossoms-MoreDark Sky Films and Yellow Veil Pictures will release Yannis Veslemes’ She Loved Blossoms More on VOD and digital platforms October 3.

The film, which premiered at Tribeca, follows three brothers who construct a time machine to bring their late mother back to life. Their efforts spiral out of control when their unstable father reappears, sending them into a surreal blend of past and present.

Described as a mix of science fiction, body horror, and dark comedy, the film stars Panos Papadopoulos, Julio Giorgos Katsis, Aris Balis, and Dominique Pinon.

Veslemes co-wrote the script with Dimitris Emmanouilidis and directed.

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Allen Danziger’s The Weedhacker Massacre Brings Meta-Horror to Digital

weedhackerBuffalo 8 will release The Weedhacker Massacre on digital platforms October 17.

The horror-comedy, co-created by Texas Chainsaw Massacre actor Allen Danziger and Ray Spivey, follows a cast and crew making a low-budget horror film at the site of past murders, only to encounter the masked killer once more.

Danziger appears in the film as Sheriff Danzinshoos, with a cast that includes David Treviño (Rent Free), Molly Sakonchick (Storage Locker), Bobbie Grace (Fear the Walking Dead), Sean Reyna, and Parrish Randall (Circus of the Dead). Jody Stelzig directs from a script by Spivey, who also produced.

The film premiered at the Golden State Film Festival and has earned recognition on the indie circuit, winning Best Comedy at the New York International Film Awards and multiple acting and screenplay honors.

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Marc Silvestri Relaunches The Darkness With New Ongoing Series at Image/Top Cow

the-darknessMarc Silvestri is bringing back one of his most iconic creations. The Image Comics co-founder and Top Cow Productions CEO will relaunch The Darkness this December with a new ongoing series, nearly 30 years after its debut.

Silvestri, who co-created the supernatural anti-hero Jackie Estacado in 1996, teams with artist Ed Benes (Birds of Prey) for the first issue, with Raymond Gay (Gunslinger Spawn) taking over interiors from issue #2. The book will also feature inks by Matt “Batt!” Banning, Sal Regla and John Livesay, colors by Arif Prianto, and lettering by Troy Peteri.

Variant covers from Silvestri, Benes, and David Mack will launch alongside collector editions, including sketch variants and signed art editions.

Originally a breakout hit in the ’90s, The Darkness spawned spin-offs, crossovers, and two video game adaptations, cementing its status as a Top Cow flagship. The new series returns to Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman cursed with dominion over creatures from another realm, as supernatural forces clash in a morally gray war.

“This isn’t just nostalgia,” Silvestri said. “It’s a reinvention. We’re going back to what made The Darkness a hit, but turning everything up to eleven.”

The Darkness #1 will release in December in comic shops and across digital platforms.

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EC Comics’ Shiver SuspensStories Returns with Holiday Horror Anthology at Oni Press

shiver-suspenstoriesOni Press and William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. are bringing back EC Comics’ Shiver SuspensStories this winter with a new 56-page issue set for release on December 10.

Shiver SuspensStories 2 #1 continues the holiday-themed revival of the classic anthology, featuring new tales from writers David M. Booher (Canto), Melissa Flores (Biker Mice from Mars), George Northy (Yuletide), and Ben H. Winters (Benjamin). Artists contributing include Lukas Ketner (Count Crowley), Sami Kivelä (Abbott), Leomacs (Benjamin), and Dan McDaid (Shazam!).

The oversized issue also includes a newly restored EC classic alongside a mix of horror shorts blending seasonal satire with the publisher’s signature dark humor.

Variant covers for the release will come from Dustin Weaver, Adam Hughes, Shawn McManus, and Rian Hughes.

Shiver SuspensStories 2 #1 arrives in comic shops December 10.

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