The 2015 Mile High Horror Film Festival Is Underway

Written by John Edward Betancourt

You have to admit that horror films are the stuff of magic. I say that because this is a genre that elicits so much emotion and debate from the people that enjoy the films that it happens to produce. A great example of this, you either love them or hate them and you are always willing to explain why you cannot get enough of them or why you despise them. 

Yet we are all united by horror by one single emotion, fear. These are motion pictures that scare the living hell out of us. If you're a big fan of horror it may not terrify you like it used to, but the fact that they were able to reach that primal fear within you...is why you love them. On the flip side, if you despise horror films...it's because of the fact they make your skin crawl and leave you heading to bed with the lights on. 

That kind of unity is rare and the fact we have all shared some kind of experience with horror is the sole reason that we in Denver celebrate the genre as a whole once a year at the Mile High Horror Film Festival. This annual tradition, now being hosted by the amazing Alamo Drafthouse is a wonderland for horror fans and fans of conventions alike. Every year, legendary stars from the genre come to town to say hello to the fans that have enjoyed their films for years and initiate a new generation of horror lovers to the amazing work they helped bring to life. 

Horror is a genre that I have had around me for most of my life, one that I celebrate every chance that I get and I'm getting chills just writing this because this festival is now underway and I cannot wait to head down to the Alamo for a reunion of people that love the genre as much as I do. Some of the folks appearing this weekend are now friends and that's what makes this convention so magical...it goes beyond our bond in the genre, these are simply great people that you want to spend time with as often as possible. 

I'm so looking forward to seeing horror legends Jonathan Tiersten and Jeffrey Reddick. I'm looking forward to meeting scream queen Linnea Quigley and I cannot wait to see what incredible art Robert Elrod and Kevin Gentilcore have set up at their tables for our eyes to feast upon.  But most importantly, I'm looking forward to simply enjoying a wonderful weekend with fans that understand the magic of horror. I can't wait to see all of you there this weekend and if you haven't been to this one before, I invite you to come down to the Drafthouse and check it out. 

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