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FEATURED GUESTS
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WES CRAVEN
GUEST OF HONOUR
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Scream
The Hills Have Eyes
Wes Craven has clearly established himself as an intellectual artist and pioneer of the modern horror film. He entered filmmaking as an editor on low-budget comedies with Sean Cunningham - creator of the Jason character for the FRIDAY THE 13TH movies. Wes then graduated to the position of writer-director with a grimly potent shocker in 1972 called LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. His infamy grew with the extraordinary thriller THE HILLS HAVE EYES, which has become a horror genre classic of the 70's, and spawned a Hollywood remake and subsequent sequel. By the end of the 70's, Craven was firmly branded as a serious horror filmmaker, and gained worldwide recognition in the 80's with A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and five popular and increasingly camp sequels followed the strikingly surreal original. His status and success was then re-enforced with the hugely popular SCREAM films in the '90s. Additional Wes Craven classics include THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW, THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS, DEADLY FRIEND, THE SWAMP THING, SHOCKER, RED EYE, and many more. Rue Morgue is proud to present Wes Craven as 'Guest of Honour' of the 2008 Festival of Fear.
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*new* TOBE HOOPER *new*
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Poltergeist
Salem's Lot
A giant of the horror genre, Tobe Hooper has helmed some of the most time-honoured films in a career spanning three and a half decades, beginning with the breakout success of his 1974 sophomore effort THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, which today is recognized worldwide as the Holy Grail of savage cinema. Hooper followed his timeless classic with offerings such as EATEN ALIVE, SALEM'S LOT and THE FUNHOUSE before mastering the big budget horror blockbuster with POLTERGEIST in 1982. His other contributions to the genre include the films LIFEFORCE, INVADERS FROM MARS, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, NIGHT TERRORS, THE MANGLER, CROCODILE and TOOLBOX MURDERS, among many others. Tobe's work has also been seen in two seasons of Showtime's hugely popular MASTERS OF HORROR series. Recently, he announced a big screen adaptation of Stephen King's FROM A BUICK 8.
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SID HAIG
House of 1000 Corpses
The Devil's Rejects
Spider Baby
Sid Haig has provided hulking menace to many low-budget and high-priced exploitationers. Haig has been in films since 1964, where he played a lobotomized miscreant in Jack Hill's cult horror classic SPIDER BABY. Then, Roger Corman noticed him and cast him in the cult classics, THE BIG DOLL HOUSE, and THE BIG BIRD CAGE. Sid has also graced the screen in many other genre classics such as the George Lucas sci-fi masterpiece THX 1138, and the 1970 James Bond opus DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. After decades of b-movie roles Haig received a career nod in 1997 with a part in Quentin Tarantino's film JACKIE BROWN. In the ensuing years, he would again work with Tarantino in KILL BILL VOL. 2. Sid's current rise to infamy and most popular roles to date, have been in Rob Zombie's HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES, and THE DEVIL'S REJECTS. Other notable Sid Haig films include, GALAXY OF TERROR, FOXY BROWN, ROB ZOMBIE'S HALLOWEEN, and most recently Rob Zombie's new animated opus, THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO.
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BRAD DOURIF
The Exorcist III
Lord of the Rings
Child's Play
Brad Dourif is acclaimed by his peers as an acting powerhouse who transcends the conventional acting approach. In 1975, Dourif's big-screen debut came with his portrayal as the vulnerable Billy Bibbitt in Milos Forman's timeless film, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, earning Brad a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Dourif frequently plays demented, deranged, or disturbed character's which include jaw-dropping performances in such classics as THE EYES OF LAURA MARS, John Huston's WISE BLOOD and RAGTIME. In the 80's, Dourif teamed up with Director David Lynch for DUNE, and BLUE VELVET. Dourif's unique intensity can be found in many other genre films such as the voice of chucky in the CHILD'S PLAY movies, THE EXORCIST III, Stephen King's GRAVEYARD SHIFT, ALIEN RESURRECTION, and last but not least, as the sinister character Grima Wormtongue in Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS movies.
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RUGGERO DEODATO
Cannibal Holocaust
Cut and Run
Phantom of Death
Ruggero Deodato grew up in Rome and learned how to direct films under Roberto Rossellini and Sergio Corbucci. In 1976 he directed the acclaimed ultra-violent police flick LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN. But in 1977, he made what many consider his ultimate film...CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. With this film, Deodato had instantly reinvented the cannibal film genre, and had caused massive controversy and censorship issues all over Europe. The film was wrongly claimed by press to be a genuine snuff film. Subsequently, Deodato was forced to reveal the secrets behind the film's special effects and parade the lead actor's before an Italian court in order to prove to the world they were still alive. By this time the film was banned in more than 30 countries. But untarnished by controversy, Deodatto hit the big-time in the 80's with the film PHANTOM OF DEATH, starring Michael York and the late Donald Pleasance. Deodato's amazing film oeuvre also includes, HOUSE BY THE EDGE OF THE PARK (an homage to Wes Craven's LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT), JUNGLE HOLOCAUST, BODY COUNT, and many more.
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TURA SATANA
Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Astro Zombies
The Doll Squad
Tura Satana is a Japanese-born, American actress, former exotic dancer, and cult film iconoclast. She began her carreer in movies appearring as a dancer in WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED? starring Dean Martin and Elizabeth Montgomery, and had a cameo as a Parisian protitute in the musical IRMA LA DOUCE, starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine. But it was Tura's role as Varla, the badass tough as nails vixen in the cult classic FASTER PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! which is forever cemented as one of the greatest bad-gril roles in film history. Just ask Quentin Tarantino, who cites Pussycat as a huge inspiration for his film Death Proof' Tura went on to star in Ted V. Mikels classic cult films ASTRO ZOMBIES and THE DOLL SQUAD and recently completed her new film called SUGAR BOXX, and has signed on to lend her voice in Rob Zombie's new animated movie THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO.
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*new* LINNEA QUIGLEY *new*
Return of the Living Dead
Night of the Demons
Linnea Quigley moved to Los Angeles in the late '70s to pursue her dreams of acting and quickly established herself in the arena of independent films as one of the most prolific scream queens of the 1990s. She has appeared in close to hundred genre films, but is perhaps most famous for her role in the cult zombie film classic RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. Linnea has appeared in dozens of other films including SAVAGE STREETS (with Linda Blair), SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT, CREEPOZOIDS, HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS, and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, just to name a few of her classics. Quigley is also the author of two books about her career as a B-movie actress, CHAINSAW and I'M SCREAMING AS FAST AS I CAN. Linnea is also an avid campaigner for PETA.
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KRISTY SWANSON
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Deadly Friend
The Phantom
Kristy Swanson began with several one-off TV appearances including an early role in ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS. Her first starring film role came in Wes Craven's horror film DEADLY FRIEND, and next she played Cathy in the TV adaptation of V.C. Andrews best-selling book FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. By 1992, Kristy had landed the starring role in the now cult classic film BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. In later years, the huge popularity of Buffy the film, spawned Buffy the television series. Kristy has also appeared in many other famous comedy films including HOT SHOTS, PRETTY IN PINK, and FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF. Outside of film, Kristy has posed nude on the cover and inside the pages of Playboy.
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SHAWNEE SMITH
Saw
Saw II
Saw III
The Blob
Shawnee's film achievements began in 1982 when she appeared in the John Huston's epic kid-classic ANNIE. Her foray into television saw her appear in Steven King's THE STAND, and THE SHINING. But Shawnee is best remembered for her roles in the gritty and terrifying SAW film franchise, which has won her international recognition and fame. Shawnee continues to push extremes in film and with her acclaimed punk/metal rock band 'Fydolla Ho'. Shawnee is currently working on a solo record with 'Queens of the Stone Age' music producer Chris Goss.
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SPECIAL GUESTS
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*new* JOHN SAXON *new*
Black Christmas
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Tenebre
Horror, science fiction, westerns, drama, cult, classics, blockbusters - John Saxon has appeared in them all. A legendary actor with over 50 years experience in the industry, Saxon has worked with such legendary directors as John Huston, Blake Edwards and Otto Preminger, but first received worldwide recognition with a top-billed role in the martial arts masterpiece ENTER THE DRAGON starring Bruce Lee. Saxon's work on mainstream television is also extensive, with appearances in shows the likes of Rod Serling's NIGHT GALLERY, RAY BRADBURY THEATRE, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. Horror fans will instantly recognize Saxon for standout roles in such classics as Bob Clark's BLACK CHRISTMAS, Dario Argento's TENEBRE, the cult horror CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE, and as Lt. Thompson in Wes Craven's A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. Saxon has recently appeared as a regular on the hit TV show CSI and on the Showtime hit series MASTERS OF HORROR.
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*new* ART HINDLE *new*
Black Christmas
The Brood
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Art Hindle started out as a stockbroker and became inspired by the Canadian theatre scene to go on to a successful 40 year acting career in film and television. Though his work on the big screen has spanned the genres of action, drama, and comedy, he is best known in horror circles for his roles in BLACK CHRISTMAS, THE BROOD, and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
(1978). Over the years Hindle has come to be known as a character actor and as a lead in some classic films and numerous television series such as FRIDAY THE 13th, POLTERGEIST, MILLENNIUM, MUTANT X, and PARADISE FALLS. Hindle is currently wrapping production on the shores of Lake Michigan of a film adaptation of Jack Ketchum's cannibal survival tale OFFSPRING,
directed by Andrew Van Houten (Director of HEADSPACE, Producer of THE GIRL NEXT DOOR).
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LLOYD KAUFMAN
The Toxic Avenger
Tromeo & Juliet
Poultrygeist
Lloyd Kaufman is the certifiable granddaddy of low-budget, lowbrow horror comedies stretching back to the early '80s. He is a director, producer, actor as well as the president of Troma, which has done much to influence many an independent filmmaker, including Peter Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and the creators of South Park. Kaufman then achieved new levels of success with his 1984 breakthrough movie THE TOXIC AVENGER, which spawned three sequels and an animated series for kids. He has also directed the Troma faves TROMEO & JULIET, TERROR FIRMER, POULTRYGEIST and more.
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SEAN ASTIN
Lord of the Rings
The Goonies
Sean Astin was born in California to famous actress Patty Duke. In 1985, Sean starred in a film called THE GOONIES that would forever change the way we look at modern genre films for children, and also because Goonies appealed to adults. A steady stream of roles complimented Sean's career, and in 2001 he landed the role of a lifetime as Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Sean can also be seen in many fun films like ENCINO MAN, THE WAR OF THE ROSES, TOY SOLDIERS and BULWORTH. Look for Sean in the new film SPIRIT OF THE FOREST, also starring Ron Perlman and Anjelica Huston.
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SPECIAL APPEARANCES
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*new* ROBERT HALL *new*
Laid to Rest
Lightning Bug
Robert Hall is one of the most popular and acclaimed special makeup effects artists working in the Hollywood system today. With his studio Almost Human, Robert has brought an exciting new dimension to the effects world in such films as VACANCY, QUARANTINE, THE BURROWERS and many more. Robert's work can also be seen on the successful hit TV shows BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and FIREFLY. As director, Robert's new horror film LAID TO REST includes actor Thomas Dekker from the hit TV series TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and actor Bobbi Sue Luther from the new Robert Englund movie KILLER PAD. Dekker and Luther both star in LAID TO REST and will be joining Robert at the 2008 Festival of Fear for a special on-site panel discussion about the film.
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*new* BRUCE MCDONALD *new*
Pontypool
Hard Core Logo
Bruce McDonald graduated from the film program at Toronto's prestigious Ryerson University. Associated with his first feature film ROADKILL, Bruce won the award for Most Outstanding Canadian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival, and subsequently earned notoriety by announcing he would spend the $25,000 prize money on “a big chunk of hash”. More success hit home with his acclaimed films HIGHWAY 61, DANCE ME OUTSIDE, and the unforgettable Canadian cult classic film HARD CORE LOGO which was admired by Hollywood heavyweight Quentin Tarantino, who used his industry power to bring worldwide attention to the film, and McDonald, by releasing it under his company Rolling Thunder Pictures. Bruce also went on to make the films PICTURE CLAIRE, starring Juliet Lewis, Gina Gershon, and Mickey Rourke, and most recently directed the acclaimed film THE TRACY FRAGMENTS, starring budding Hollywood superstar Ellen Page. McDonald's notable TV project's include TWITCH CITY, LEXX and REGENESIS. Look for Bruce's new horror movie PONTYPOOL, now in post-production.
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*new* HUGH DILLON *new*
Durham County
Ginger Snaps Back
Combining acting with a career as a singer songwriter, Dillon first earned notoriety as the lead singer in the multi-platinum rock and roll band, THE HEADSTONES. His breakout feature film role as the critically acclaimed lead performance as Joe Dick in Bruce McDonald's 1996 feature film HARD CORE LOGO. The film and in particular Dillon's performance caught the eye of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and his company Rolling Thunder Pictures, who distributed the movie and brought international attention to the indie classic. Dillon also hit the screen as Mike Sweeney in the Movie Network's highly anticipated new series, DURHAM COUNTY. Other notable Dillon appearances can be found in the television shows TRAILER PARK BOYS, TWITCH CITY, REGENESIS and FLASHPOINT.
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THE CREEPSHOW
Canada's Horrorbilly Musical Sensation
Welcome to the world of southern Ontario's horrorbilly sensation The Creepshow! A music group whose fiendish mix of 50's influenced rockabilly and energetic punk rock sensibilities will have you shaking your thang and howling at the moon. 2008 marks The Creepshow's second live appearance at Rue Morgue's Official Festival of Fear Expo party. Look for The Creepshow band members to be signing autographs in person at the Rue Morgue Booth and don't miss them performing from their forthcoming album at the Saturday night party.
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JOHNNY HOLLOW
Sonic Alchemists
Johnny Hollow is a Canadian band whose dark blend of electronic and orchestral sounds has been described as 'Gothic Chamber Music for the 21st Century' by Rue Morgue's Liisa Ladouceur. Their sound is a lush mix of electronica, exocotica, gothic and classical compositions with an emphasis on keyboards, cellos, and haunting voices. Johnny Hollow founder and composer Vincent Marcone's talents can also be seen in the incredible new short film THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF MISTER HOLLOW co-directed with Rue Morgue founder and president Rodrigo Gudino.
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MELANTHA BLACKTHORNE
Death Race
Sinners and Saints
Melantha Blackthorne was recently named "Scream Queen Of The 21st Century" by David L Tamarin. In 1999 she created the web character Countess Bathoria, and quickly gained popularity and legions of fans. Melantha has starred in such films as SHE DEMONS OF THE BLACK SUN, PRISON OF THE PSYCHOTIC DAMNED, COUNTESS BATHORIA'S GRAVEYARD PICTURE SHOW and many more. She co-owns Robomonkey Productions, which released her directorial debut SINNERS AND SAINTS and most recently INBRED AND UNDEAD, both of which received much critical acclaim from numerous horror magazines and websites. Melantha also appears in Paul (Event Horizon, Resident Evil) Anderson's DEATH RACE remake of the Roger Corman's classic Death Race 2000.
For more information visit melanthablackthorne.com
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GASLIGHT STUDIO
Special Effects Team
300
Diary of the Dead
Gaslight Studio Inc. was established in 2006, and has offered years of combined international experience in high-end animatronics, special make-up effects, creature design, and human replicas, for the cutting edge genre film and television industry. Meet them in person, and check out their amazing work in such films as LAND OF THE DEAD, DIARY OF THE DEAD, 300, SILENT HILL and many more.
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SUICIDE GIRLS
Wizard of Gore
Suicide Girls are part alternative cult community, and part pin-up girl showcase for close to one thousand fantastic tattooed and pierced bad girls, from Finland to Columbia and beyond. They are a throwback to the glamorous days of retro poster vixens when models were beautifully imperfect but stunningly hypnotic. Suicide Girls are artistically bent emo, goth, and punk rocker women, and an international sensation. A selection of the SG damsels can also be seen in Jeremy Kasten's remake of the H. G. Lewis horror classic THE WIZARD OF GORE.
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GORD ROLLO
The Jigsaw Man
Gord Rollo's was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, but has lived in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada since 1971. His short stories and novella length work have appeared in many pro and semi-pro publications throughout the genre but THE JIGSAW MAN is his first novel published in the mass market. His follow up, CRIMSON, will also be published by Leisure Books in the spring of 2009. Besides novels, Gord edited the acclaimed evolutionary horror anthology, UNNATURAL SELECTION: A Collection of Darwinian Nightmares. He also co-edited DREAMING OF ANGELS, a horror/fantasy anthology to raise money and awareness for Downs Syndrome. He's hard at work on his next novel and can be reached through his website at gordqrollo.com
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JACY & NICK NOVA
The Vampress Girls Graphic Novel
Protectors of The Vampress Code, Passion, Raven, Sweet, and Page, ordinary college students by day, members of a rock'n roll band called The Vampress Girls by night, must stop their arch-enemies from allowing demons to freely roam the earth. Original. www.vampressgirls.net
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*new* RICHARD PACE *new*
Artist, Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham
Richard Pace is an artist from Canada who has worked for several major American comic companies as either an artist or a writer. Among his credits are Terror Inc., Night Thrasher, Midnight Sons Unlimited, Clive Barker's Saint Sinner, X-Men and The New Warriors at Marvel, and Starman at DC. As a writer, he has worked on Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham in cooperation with Mike Mignola.
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DISCLAIMER:
GUESTS SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION OR SCHEDULE CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, DUE TO PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENTS.
SOME GUESTS MAY CHARGE ADDITIONAL FEES FOR AUTOGRAPHS.
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The RUE MORGUE FESTIVAL OF FEAR is the country's largest horror expo, attracting an average of 40,000+ fans to the heart of downtown Toronto over three days in August. This powerhouse event is an extravaganza of celebrity guests, autograph signings, parties, Q&A sessions, seminars and workshops, and a colossal selection of movies and movie memorabilia, including books, comic books, toys, video games, trading cards, posters, anime, manga, and tons more.
Visit the Official Site
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