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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Romantic Dramedy ‘I Really Love My Husband’ Sets Digital and VOD Release

i-really-love-my-husbandNight Breeze Productions and Entertainment Squad will release I Really Love My Husband, the feature debut from writer-director G.G. Hawkins, on digital and VOD platforms November 4, 2025.

Set against the lush backdrop of Bocas del Toro, Panamá, the film follows newlyweds Teresa (Madison Lanesey) and Drew (Travis Quentin Young) as cracks begin to show during their tropical honeymoon. When they meet Paz (Arta Gee), a charming expat who manages their rental, Teresa’s attraction to her upends the couple’s fragile balance, forcing her to confront the difference between the marriage she imagined and the reality unfolding before her.

Blending drama, comedy, and LGBTQ+ themes, I Really Love My Husband explores modern intimacy, self-discovery, and the quiet chaos of honesty in relationships. Produced by Elle Roth-Brunet, with co-producers Maria Ventura and Natalie LeVeck, the film also stars Lisa Jacqueline Starrett.

Described as both playful and piercing, Hawkins’ feature trusts ambiguity over easy resolutions, establishing her as a filmmaker to watch.

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“Junkie” from AFI Alum William Means to World Premiere at AFI Fest 2025

JunkieAFI alum William Means will debut his feature film Junkie at the 2025 AFI Fest on October 26, followed by a conversation with Means, executive producer Patty Jenkins, and members of the cast and crew.

Produced by Rachel Weise, Thayer Juergens, and Abra Salazarte, the gritty yet darkly funny Southern drama stars newcomer Rocky Shay in a breakout performance alongside Rett Keeter, Jessica Lea Risco, Kian Morr, and Christina Reynolds. Means, known for his short films Blue Square Heart and King of the Forest, wrote and directed the project.

Junkie follows Stevie, a meth-addicted mother who escapes rehab and embarks on a chaotic odyssey through the Southern underbelly, desperate to reconcile with her estranged son before fleeing town for good. Inspired by Shay’s real-life experiences and Means’ own family struggles, the film blends physical comedy with raw honesty in exploring addiction, identity, and redemption.

Shot by cinematographer Jay Swuen and edited by Noam Klement, Junkie marks Means’ feature debut and continues AFI’s tradition of spotlighting bold new voices in American independent cinema.

Watch the AFI Fest premiere listing here.

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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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Sundance Institute Partners With Rolex to Support Feature Film Program

sundance-instituteThe Sundance Institute has announced a new multi-year partnership with Rolex, naming the Swiss watchmaker as its Official Partner and Exclusive Timepiece. The collaboration will provide direct support and funding to the Institute’s Feature Film Program, one of the organization’s cornerstone initiatives.

For more than four decades, Sundance’s Feature Film Program has championed independent filmmakers through its Screenwriters and Directors Labs, Screenwriters Intensive, and year-round ELEVATE professional development track. The new partnership will expand those efforts, providing emerging storytellers with creative resources, mentorship, and access to Sundance Collab, the Institute’s global online learning platform.

Rolex’s support comes through its Perpetual Arts Initiative, which promotes artistic excellence and mentorship across disciplines. “We are incredibly grateful to Rolex for collaborating with us to uplift artists and their stories,” said Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs at Sundance Institute. “Together, we’re empowering a new generation of independent filmmakers to bring bold, original work to life.”

Since its founding by Robert Redford, the Institute has helped nurture leading filmmakers including Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, Taika Waititi, Lulu Wang, and The Daniels, continuing its legacy as a vital incubator for independent voices.

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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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Roberta Grossman’s “Extinguished Lives” to Premiere at DOC NYC

Extinguished-LivesAward-winning filmmaker Roberta Grossman will debut her new documentary short Extinguished Lives at DOC NYC on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the IFC Center in New York.

Presented by DOC NYC and The Lost Shtetl Museum, the film explores a little-known chapter of the Holocaust, focusing on the massacre of Lithuanian Jews by Nazis and local collaborators during World War II. Blending documentary and narrative elements, Extinguished Lives tells the story of a young bride who, after fleeing the Nazi invasion, discovers that the greatest danger lies not with the invaders but with her former neighbors.

Based on survivor testimony, the film reflects Grossman’s ongoing commitment to uncovering overlooked stories of resilience and tragedy. Following the screening, DOC NYC Executive Director Raphaela Neihausen will moderate a panel discussion featuring Grossman, Dr. Jolanta Mickute (The Lost Shtetl Museum), filmmaker Denis Dobrovna (The Consequences of Truth), and exhibit designer Büke Kumyol (RAA).

Tickets are available through DOC NYC and the IFC Center.

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Brandon Routh Comedy “Out of Order” to Open Chelsea Film Festival; Poster Revealed

Out-of-OrderOut of Order, a new legal comedy starring Superman Returns actor Brandon Routh, will open the 2025 Chelsea Film Festival on October 15 at New York’s Regal 14th Street Cinema. The red carpet begins at 6 p.m., followed by the screening at 7 p.m.

Directed by Guy Jacobson and co-written with Megan Freels Johnston, the film follows John Slater (Routh), a lawyer who tries to win back his ex by joining a top firm, only to end up representing both sides of the same lawsuit in disguise.

The ensemble cast includes Brooke Shields, Sam Huntington, Luis Guzmán, Michael Potts, Sandra Bernhard, Tao Okamoto, Krysta Rodriguez, and Asher Grodman. Routh also serves as a producer.

Jacobson described the project as “a return to physical, character-driven comedy,” citing My Cousin Vinny and Mrs. Doubtfire as influences.

Produced by Intrinsic Value Films, Island View Productions, Smokestack Films, and Business Lunch Productions, Out of Order will debut with Routh and cast in attendance.

Tickets are available at https://chelseafilm.org/out-of-order/

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BayView Entertainment to Release French New Wave-Inspired Film “Everyone Asked About You”

everyone-asked-about-youBayView Entertainment, Inc. has acquired global distribution rights to Everyone Asked About You, the new independent feature from writer-director John Lacy (Rosebud Lane), inspired by the spirit of the French New Wave. The film will debut across TVOD and digital platforms throughout North America on October 28, 2025, with a global rollout to follow.

Starring Rachel Bailit (Festival in Cannes), John Lacy, Michael Wiles, Khrystyne Haje, Brea Bee, Patrick Gallagher, Werner Daehn, Kelly Mullis, and indie icon Henry Jaglom, the film examines fame, power dynamics, and identity in Hollywood through the story of a former child star confronting the industry’s exploitative systems.

Shot by Denis Maloney, ASC, and edited by Giovanni Mocibob, the feature combines vivid color cinematography with black-and-white flashbacks. The project is produced by Bailit, Lacy, and Ursula Rudorfer, with executive producer Hana Wagner.

The film screens at the Chelsea Film Festival on October 19 ahead of its digital release. BayView President Peter Castro praised the film’s message, saying its “courageous approach to shining a light on this crucial matter deeply moved us.”

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“The Spirit of Halloweentown” Documentary to Debut October 24

The-Spirit-of-HalloweentownThe Spirit of Halloweentown, a new documentary from filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb (Jasper Mall, Butterfly in the Sky), will be released on October 24 via Amazon, Apple TV, and YouTube.

The film explores how St. Helens, Oregon, became synonymous with Halloween after serving as the filming location for the 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie Halloweentown. When the movie became a cult favorite, the town embraced its fame, turning itself into a year-round celebration of the holiday.

Thomason and Whitcomb’s documentary offers an intimate look at the locals who have built their identity around Halloween, blending humor and heart while revealing the community tensions that come with small-town fame.

Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOQLVH-nYQ

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