‘It’s Only A Movie’ Local Horror Film Fest

I am thrilled to announce the return of the ‘It’s Only A Movie – Short Horror Film Festival’, a celebration of home-brewed Utah horror showcasing independent films 10 minutes or less. Currently powered by Archelaus B. Crisanto and his team of horror lovers, this festival pays tribute to the local filmmakers who have passionately delved into the realms of horror and horror adjacent genres.

Originally conceived by Joseph and Vanessa Winter as a student film festival at BYU, ‘It’s Only A Movie’ has been resurrected by Crisanto, who felt a strong need to champion the efforts of filmmakers who have toiled in the wee hours to bring their cinematic visions to life. This year’s event will take place at Utah’s premiere production house and rental spot, Enigma 3 Studio and Rentals, located at 197 E 1600 N St Suite 101, Vineyard, UT 84059.

Crisanto, the festival organizer, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We celebrate home-brewed Utah horror. If it’s horror or horror adjacent, it is at our festival, and it’s all independent films made right here in Utah. From horror comedies to horror romances, our festival caters to all horror enthusiasts. We even have special screenings of movies created by local talents with larger budgets, offering a diverse and thrilling experience for our audience.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy standout projects like ‘The Lantern Man’ by Caleb Hatton, a beautifully crafted thriller that defies expectations within the horror genre. The festival promises a night of spine-tingling excitement and showcases the talent and creativity of Utah’s local filmmakers.

“The Lantern Man is based on a local legend from Central Utah” says filmmaker Caleb Hatton, “the legend is that a man many years ago was out checking on his horses in the middle of a blizzard with only a lantern, soon he became lost and he was never seen again.  Now, there are sightings of the Lantern Man, if you’re out late at night they say that you’ll see him.  We took that legend and added a little backstory to it.”

Hatton participates in several festivals throughout the year. When asked why Hatton is attracted to film festivals he stated “I love the atmosphere of film festivals, and more than anything with short projects like this one it gives an opportunity to show off these projects that otherwise might not get a very large audience.”

In addition to ‘The Lantern Man’ audiences will be able to see other local award winners such as ‘The Ghost Phone’, ‘Undone’ and ‘After Hours’ as well as dozens more with filmmakers in attendance.

The festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 27-28, from 7 pm till midnight. Tickets are priced at $13 and can be purchased at the venue or online through the festival’s official website:https://www.itsonlyamoviefest.com/.

However, organizers advise that this event is not suitable for young children. The festival aims to maintain a PG-13 rating, but attendees can expect strong language and some violence typical of the horror genre.