Screamfest Horror Film Festival has just unveiled its eagerly awaited lineup for its 23rd edition, and horror enthusiasts are in for a treat. The festival is set to run from October 10 to 19 at the iconic TCL Chinese Theater, offering a spine-tingling array of competitive features and shorts that will send shivers down your spine. Tickets will be available for purchase soon through the festival’s website.

But before we delve into the chilling lineup, there’s a special treat for fans of ’80s-inspired horror comedy. Screamfest is thrilled to host an exclusive advance screening of “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls,”. Directed by and starring Andrew Bowser, this film promises a hilarious and hair-raising ride that’s not to be missed.

Screamfest, often dubbed the “Sundance of Horror,” takes pride in showcasing new work from independent filmmakers worldwide. Last year’s festival featured several films that went on to secure distribution deals, including “KillHer,” “Shaky Shivers” by Sung Kang, “8 Found Dead,” and “Goldsmith.”

The festival kicks off on October 10th with the screening of “DIVINITY,” a highly anticipated film that made waves at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Directed by Eddie Alcazar and executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, “DIVINITY” boasts a star-studded cast, including Stephen Dorff, Moises Arias, Jason Genao, Michael O’Hearn, Karrueche Tran, and Emily Willis, with Scott Bakula and Bella Thorne. The movie unfolds in an otherworldly realm and revolves around the quest for immortality, as scientist Sterling Pierce (Scott Bakula) creates a groundbreaking serum named “Divinity.” However, his son, Jaxxon Pierce (Stephen Dorff), now controls and manufactures this serum. When mysterious brothers (Moises Arias and Jason Genao) and a seductive woman named Nikita (Karrueche Tran) enter the picture, a journey toward true immortality takes an unexpected and perilous turn.

Rachel Belofsky, the festival founder, expressed her excitement, saying, “For over 20 years, Screamfest has brought the best independent horror and genre films to our thriving Los Angeles film community. This October, we are excited to continue our legacy of presenting our audiences with high-caliber festival frights kicking off with the thrilling DIVINITY by visionary Eddie Alcazar.”

Another standout feature of the festival is “Howdy, Neighbor!” Directed by Allisyn Snyder, this LGBTQ+ horror film features former Disney Channel stars Debby Ryan, Matthew Scott Montgomery, and Alyson Stoner. The story follows former child actor Benjamin Caldwell (Matthew Scott Montgomery), who becomes the focus of attention from his new neighbor, blurring the lines between friend and fan and turning into a nightmare.

The festival will also feature a range of world premieres, including “Alone Together,” “Lord of Misrule,” and “The Piper,” each promising unique and unsettling experiences for horror fans. Additionally, “Empire V,” a dark satire on contemporary Russian culture and global capitalism, is set to make its North American debut, despite being banned in its home country.

West Coast premieres include “The Wait,” a sinister folk horror tragedy, and “The Puppetman,” a blood-curdling horror tale. Meanwhile, the shorts program features intriguing titles like “Rezar,” “Robbie Ain’t Right No More,” and “The Green Ribbon.”

Screamfest is set to captivate audiences with a diverse and spine-tingling lineup that promises to deliver thrills and chills. Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the world of horror cinema this October at the TCL Chinese Theater.