(Blog Home)
by Michael Neel & Greg Ansin

Nov 3, 2009

We went to the Austin Film Festival from October 22 to 25 and had an amazing time. There were plenty of great films, but what really set this festival apart was the conference. Every day, we attended panels and discussions given by people from different parts of the film world: hollywood agents, screenwriters, managers, documentary filmmakers, and indie filmmakers.

Mike in front of the Driskill hotel where all the action happens.

We met Steven Arvanites from NYC Screenwriter - if you are a screenwriter in the NYC area, check out www.nycscreenwriter.org for free workshops, hollywood script downloads, or just good networking.

And of course, we saw many great films. Here are some of the ones that stood out to us:

Little Ripper - A short documentary about pigeon racing. Yes, pigeon racing. Very well shot and edited, this film sucks you in to a world you probably didn't know existed.

Left Field - A feature documentary about a start-up kickball league in Chicago. It begins as a captivating observation about not wanting to grow up, but this film does not end up where you think it will. Like many great documentaries, this film seems to capture life on video. Website.

Mr. Okra - A short documentary about a New Orleans man who sells produce from his car, this film is funny, well filmed, and engaging. Website.

Survivors - A well-done horror short. A clever twist on survival in a post-apocalyptic zombie wasteland with a great ending. Website.

Lambs - Beautifully shot in black and white, this short horror flick evokes a time gone by...and it packs a mean punch. Brutal and effective. Website.

A Little Mouth to Feed - Moody cinematography, great sound, solid acting. This films delivers on a simple, creepy concept.

Unawakening - From Jack Daniel Stanley (writer/director of A Little Mouth to Feed), Unawakening is a tense, well-made horror short that really gets in your head. Website.

Sugar Rush - A funny horror short with plenty over-the-top horror comedy (and a few nods to Evil Dead 2). Very silly and fun. Website.

French Roast - An incredible animated short, with stunning character design and clever, nonverbal storytelling. Website.

Live Music -An animated short. After a music shop has closed for the night, the instruments come to life in this charming film. Featuring guitar by Steve Vai. Website.

Last but certainly not least, we met Toby Venable, creator of moderngrumble. Described as " The Bride of Frankenstein meets Kerouac's On the Road", Moderngrumble will be available in spring 2010 as a graphic novel, and as a film as well.

We had a great time at AFF - good films, good people, and good BBQ. Austin is a great film city.

What they are saying about the Drive-In Horrorshow....

"10 out of 10"
- From Infernal Dreams

"Drive-In Horrorshow delivers a visual feast of blood splatter and clever storytelling."
- From Fangoria

"Drive-In Horrorshow takes the anthology and juices it fully with five unique stories that range from clever comedy to dark body horror."
- From Deadly Doll's House of Horror Nonsense

"A well made anthology of short films."
- Zombie Movie Database

"Highly recommended for those who want to confront the monsters under the bed of their childhood. And as always find them scary."
- From I 400 Calci (translated from Italian)

"The general tone of this film struck me, because I've seen real passion for the genre."
- From Ulteriorit Precedente (translated from Italian)

"This is a high recommend from me, very entertaining and obviously done by filmmakers who love the genre. Long live the horror anthology!"
- From McBastard's Mausoleum

"Drive in Horror Show is–WITHOUT A DOUBT–the greatest horror anthology since George Romero's Creepshow"
- From Planet Fury

"I can't stop singing its praises."
- From Rogue Cinema

"If you like horror anthologies pick this one up, there's something for everyone here."
- From Deadly Indie Drive-In

"Every now and then a movie will come out that knocks you socks off and with its originality, creativity and magnetic appeal- well Drive in HorrorShow is that flick."
- From Angry Princess

"With a solid lineup of 5 stories that range from the serious to seriously goofy, Drive-In Horrorshow is the perfect film for a Friday night. Or any night for that matter."
- From Planet of Terror

"A tasty little anthology in the vein of Creepshow or Trick 'r Treat, Drive-In Horrorshow is a nifty treat of a film, well worth checking out." 
- From Radiation-Scarred Reviews

"A cut above the rest and slice of incredible independent filmmaking." 
- From Horrornews.net

"One of the most entertaining horror anthologies I have seen in a while."
- From KillingBoxx

"The horror world is a fickle beast but Drive-In Horror Show manages to walk the lines of the subgenres without missing a beat. It's appeal reaches to horror fans of all types."
-Bill Fulkerson from Outside The Cinema

"Celebrates the long-lost beauty of the drive-in theater and all its bloody glory."
- From Basement Screams

"A slick five tale anthology film that was independently made and a reminder of cool shit we used to see on late night TV when we were kids."
- From Gross Movie Reviews

"A good throw back to the late night creature feature."
- From Cinema Fromage

"Top notch effects that invoke fear and comedy at the same time.  I really really like this movie."
- Podcast at Movie Fan House

"Fantastic." 
-Podcast at Horrorstuff

Other Press:

"The horror! But that's what he seeks."
- The Boston Globe talks with the filmmakers

"What motivated you and Michael Neel to make the transition from candid interviews and political documentaries to ghoulish gore horror?"
- Pamela Torres at Punk Globe interviews DIHS producer Greg Ansin

"Wowzers! That really sounds like some good shit!"
- Arrow In The Head is psyched for the release of DIHS