Vampire Film Fest finally rests in N.O.

• By RACHEL JONES
• Special to 2theadvocate.com
• Published: Oct 22, 2009

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Vampire folklore has captured the imagination of fans of the supernatural for centuries. From the classic literature of Bram Stoker to HBO’s television series, “True Blood,” to the “Twilight” phenomenon, these tales of myth and mystery have intrigued the fantasy lover in all of us.

But for all the cultural significance and international fervor, there hasn’t been a tribute to the creatures of the dark in the very city that has become the backdrop for all things gothic, historic and unexplainable – until now.

For the first time, the Vampire Film Festival is making its home in New Orleans during which four days of film, art and entertainment will take over the city.

Festival director Asif Ahmed has been a part of the festival since its beginning six years ago and hasn’t let the dream of a Vampire Fest in New Orleans die.

“The goal was to launch a new film festival with the international appreciation of the vampire genre,” Ahmed said. “It started back in 2003 in Los Angeles, and it was in L.A. with the goal to always travel with it and bring it to New Orleans. Obviously we know what happened with the hurricane in 2005, so it actually fell apart in between those years and we’ve finally brought it back from the dead.”

Oct. 23–26 has been designated to bring to life all things vampire.

Ahmed describes his love for the Big Easy and why it is the perfect stage for the Vampire Film Festival this year.

“I love the city and spent many Halloweens there over the years. There is no other place to be during that time of year. New Orleans, partially due to Anne Rice, has a vampire quality and culture, as well as the whole gothic culture with the above ground cemeteries and gothic architecture. It just seems like it’s the perfect match.”

With more than 50 films from 11 countries, Vampire Fest will include screenings of several feature films and multiple shorts each day that were selected by panels of filmmakers, film critics and even a couple of vampire aficionados who made sure that each film gave an original spin to the well-known myths.

“What’s great about vampire films is there really is some classy, high-quality work that has A-list stars, and it’s not just what I call sloppy horror movies,” Ahmed said.

Not only are the films coming from around the world, but many of the filmmakers themselves will appear with their films at the festival.

“We have filmmakers coming from Spain and Austria and all around Canada to the festival. All the filmmakers are invited to speak and do a Q & A after their films and sort of discuss the filmmaking process,” Ahmed said.

Sunday, Oct. 25, will feature a panel of vampire novelists with authors such as Erin McCarthy, Sue Dent, Van Jenson and local debut novelist Nicole Peeler. A “Shoot Louisiana” panel will be held afterward in partnership with the film commission to discuss filming in Louisiana.