HORRORFEST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVEALS 2026 LINEUP: SHUDDER’S “GOODY GOODY” TO OPEN, MAGNOLIA PICTURES’ “NEVER AFTER DARK” SET TO CLOSE
Presented by Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU)
HorrorFest International Film Festival has revealed the full lineup for its 2026 edition, announcing Raymond Creamer’s “Goody Goody” as the Opening Night Film and Magnolia Pictures’ “Never After Dark”, from writer-director Dave Boyle, as the Closing Night Film. The 24th annual event, presented by the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU), runs September 16–19, 2026, with screenings and events centered at the historic Electric Theater in downtown St. George, Utah.
HorrorFest 2026 will showcase over 55 feature and short films from around the world – including multiple U.S. Premieres, with dozens of additional films making their Utah debuts. Beyond film screenings, HorrorFest will also host a range of special events and panels throughout the weekend. Among them, a conversation with horror screenwriter Chris Thomas Devlin (2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 2023’s Cobweb, and 2027’s Blair Witch), an insightful panel featuring the creative team behind Las Vegas’ year round haunt attraction Universal Horror Unleashed, an appearance by returning fan favorite writer/actor/animator/director Frank Dietz, a horror trivia competition, a Cereal Killer Breakfast Bar, and a Necro Radio listening party. Additionally the festival will offer after parties, provide networking opportunities, and close out with the annual HorrorFest Skreel Awards, honoring the best films of the festival.
“We couldn’t be any more thrilled about this year’s lineup,” says Adam Mast, HorrorFest’s Co-director and Senior Programmer. “Not only are several countries well-represented but our slate also offers many different shades of horror and that’s exciting to us in a big way. We greatly look forward to giving our visiting filmmakers and horror-loving attendees a festival they will never forget.”
The festival will open with “Goody Goody” the feature directorial debut of writer-director Raymond Creamer, which was acquired by Shudder just ahead of its world premiere at the 2026 Overlook Film Festival and international premiere at Calgary Underground Film Festival. Starring Samantha Robinson, Colleen Foy, Zoe Renee and Colby Hollman, the film follows an expectant couple and their midwife whose planned home birth takes an increasingly sinister turn when a raging blizzard leaves them isolated from the outside world.
The festival will close with “Never After Dark,” the latest from House of Ninjas writer-director Dave Boyle. Following its World Premiere at SXSW earlier this year, the Japanese supernatural thriller won the festival’s Midnighter Audience Award and was subsequently acquired by Magnolia Pictures. The film follows a medium who travels deep into the Japanese countryside for what should be a routine exorcism, only to encounter a threat that forces her to reconsider who she should truly fear.
“This year’s lineup represents exactly what we love about HorrorFest International,” says John Pugh, HorrorFest’s Co-director and Senior Programmer. “Creative and innovative films from around the world, including bold storytellers from right here in Utah, and of course the new voices we are lucky enough to discover along the way. Our lineup offers something different for everyone. There’s so many fun experiences this year and it will be one for the books.”
Additional feature highlights from the 2026 lineup include Spanish filmmaker Manu Herrera’s “Lily’s Ritual,” arriving in Utah following its world premiere at Grimmfest with international sales handled by Black Mandala; and South Korean filmmaker Lee Daehan’s “Debone,” following its raved about 2026 Panic Fest screening.
HorrorFest will also showcase a 30th anniversary screening of Michael Dougherty’s animated short Season’s Greetings, a 30th anniversary screening of Peter Jackson’s wildly creative ghost story The Frighteners, a Mystery 80s Throwback movie, and a screening of Poltergeist on September 15th as part of HorrorFest preview night.
HORRORFEST 2026 FEATURE FILMS OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:
“Goody Goody” directed by Raymond Creamer | USA | Utah Premiere
A planned home birth takes a terrifying turn when an expectant couple, their midwife and a family member become trapped inside an isolated home during a raging blizzard. As complications mount, it becomes increasingly clear that something far more sinister may be unfolding. The feature directorial debut of Raymond Creamer stars Samantha Robinson, Colleen Foy, Zoe Renee and Colby Hollman.
“Never After Dark” directed by Dave Boyle | Japan | Utah Premiere
Fresh off winning the 2026 SXSW Midnighter Audience Award, Dave Boyle’s supernatural thriller follows a traveling psychic (with a gift for aiding lost souls) who, while on a job, encounters a powerful entity whose dark origins lead to an unexpected source.
“Lily’s Ritual” directed by Manu Herrera | Spain | Utah Premiere
Things aren’t necessarily what they seem as four women set out to perform a witchcraft initiation ritual at a remote house deep in the forest in this dark and brutal tale of power, evil, and sacrifice.
“Debone” directed by Lee Daehan | South Korea | Utah Premiere
After being released from prison due to a crime of self defense, a troubled man vows to do anything to provide for his sickly mother in this provocative, hard-hitting, and often disturbing South Korean import from director Lee Daehan.
“Friday the 69th” directed by Alex Montilla | USA | Utah Premiere
Porn filmmakers in 1981 seek to cash in on the slasher craze by making their own independent ripoff that follows a group of spring breaking college coeds as they are stalked by a mysterious killer beekeeper at a camp with a tragic past.
“Demonetize” directed by Alex Watson | USA | Utah Premiere
Out-of-work television ghost hunters discover the key to getting their jobs back – and proving ghosts are real – is by working with the last group of people anyone would expect: Social Media Stars.
HORRORFEST 2026 SHORT FILMS OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:
“The Sentry” directed by Jake Wachtel | Cambodia/Norway/USA | Utah Premiere
Following its World Premiere at SXSW, “The Sentry” comes to HorrorFest after winning Best International Film at Oscar-qualifying Show Me Shorts. In this subversive twist on the spy thriller, a suave western agent’s mission goes off the rails when a Cambodian security guard refuses to become just another casualty. What begins as a casual throwback to classic espionage fun soon unravels into an unexpectedly heartfelt road trip movie.
“What We Leave Behind” directed by Jean-Sébastien Hamel, Alexandra Myotte | Canada | Utah Premiere
From the Montreal filmmaking duo behind A Crab in the Pool, “What We Leave Behind” arrives after its World Premiere at the Locarno Film Festival and North American Premiere at TIFF. Dan has a gaping hole in his neck that won’t heal. Why? He can’t remember, nor talk about it. Back in the sinister arena of his childhood, he must find the part of himself he once left behind that prevents him, now an adult, from being whole.
“Open Mic” directed by Jano Pita | Spain | Utah Premiere
A stand-up comedian’s difficult night onstage takes a grotesque turn when her body begins reacting in increasingly horrifying ways. Director Jano Pita previously competed in SXSW’s Midnight Short Competition with Apotemnofilia, while his earlier short Teratoma collected awards at more than 40 genre festivals.
“Hell” directed by Parker Croft | USA | Utah Premiere
In this darkly realized animated short, we’re taken to a place where dreams are real, wishes come true, and everything is always awful for everyone. In “Hell,” we follow the patriarch of a dying farm as he is methodically ground down by the machinery of despair. Croft’s previous short As Easy As Closing Your Eyes amassed 144 awards across its festival run.
“Breeder” directed by Sapphire Sandalo | USA | Utah Premiere
In this slice of Filipino folklore, a woman on the fence about having children finds herself hunted by a demonic horse-man. The short arrives after selections at Overlook Film Festival, Panic Fest, Chattanooga Film Festival and Fantasia, with a producing team that includes executive producers Roman Coppola and Eduardo Sánchez.
ADDITIONAL SHORT SELECTIONS
“3:03 AM” – Kolya Denton (United Kingdom) – Utah Premiere
“99 Ghosts” – Gonzalo Torrens (Uruguay)
“A Breach Within” – Jean-François Leblanc (Canada) – Utah Premiere
“A Hand to Hold” – Philip Clyde-Smith (United Kingdom) – Utah Premiere
“Arcana” – Lester Platt (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Artichoke” – Amir Moini (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Camp Evergreen” – Connor England (USA)
“Come Sunrise” – Ben Vasion (USA)
“CreAtIon” – Sav Vivanco, Angela Grace Aguas (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Do Not Watch” – Andy Matthews, Aaron Tharp (USA)
“Dopamine-Box” – Karson Knudsen (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Ethel” – Micah Schultz (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Fiesta No Mas” – Amy Pope (USA) – World Premiere
“Happening…” – Gn-Ju (South Korea) – Utah Premiere
“Happy” – Victor Basallote (Spain) – Utah Premiere
“Hillcrest” – Cary Leavy (USA)
“In My Skin” – Erica Amato (Canada) – U.S. Premiere
“It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead” – John Bell, Dan Bell (USA) – Utah Premiere
“It’s Not Haunted” – Porter Justus (USA)
“My Name is John” – Jordan A. Roman (USA) – Utah Premiere
“My Severed Arm” – Casey de Fremery (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Night Feeds” – Rana Roy (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Night Ticket Seller” – Peter Chan (Cambodia) – Utah Premiere
“No Volveré” – Jan Bross (Mexico) – Utah Premiere
“Obey!” – Jordan Wippell (USA)
“Orson Welles in Salt Lake City” – Max Bennion (USA)
“Parasomnia” – Charlton Lansley (Australia) – Utah Premiere
“She Felt Like Murder!” – Ryan Clausen (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Slow” – Rebecca Berrih (USA)
“The Candle” – Ren Ariel Sano (USA) – Utah Premiere
“The Deep Vessel” – Sean Cruser (USA) – Utah Premiere
“The Gates of Irkalla” – Alexi Tsitlakidis (USA)
“The Last Snow” – Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus (France) – Utah Premiere
“The Me in the TV” – Gordon Phillips (Indonesia/USA) – Utah Premiere
“The Smother” – Ben Kadie (USA) – Utah Premiere
“The Stolen Future” – Vedd V. Rawtaani (India) – Utah Premiere
“The Sweater” – Jeff Call (USA)
“The Taste of Your Scales” – Rafaël Beauchamp (Canada) – Utah Premiere
“The Witchening” – MK Kopp (USA) – Utah Premiere
“The Worms” – William Cowser (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Theater of Mystery” – Matthew Rosvally (USA) – Utah Premiere
“There is Always a Monster” – Gaston Haag (Spain) – Utah Premiere
“Trial 670” – Hailey Jackson Boucher (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Untainted Sky” – Madeline Bradley (USA)
“Voicemail” – Benjamin L. Brown (USA) – World Premiere
“Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done” – PJ Germain (USA) – Utah Premiere
“Xarax” – Salil Jason Fernandez (India) – Utah Premiere
**The HorrorFest 2026 schedule and titles are subject to change. Awards in multiple categories will be handed out on the final night of the festival.
All-Access Fright Badges are currently available for $99, providing admission to festival screenings, panels, and after partiers, along with an exclusive swag bag and VIP room access. Day passes and single film block tickets will go on sale in early September.
Additional lineup, schedule and ticket information can be found through FMASU.
https://www.fmasu.com/horrorfest
HORRORFEST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Born in 2002 as a two-day celebration of classic horror cinema and local Utah filmmaking, HorrorFest evolved into the HorrorFest International Film Festival in 2020, expanding its programming to showcase independent genre filmmaking from around the world. Southern Utah’s longest-running horror film festival (voted one of the world’s best at Dread Central), HorrorFest brings together filmmakers and audiences for four days of screenings, special events, filmmaker conversations and a shared celebration of horror cinema.