This year’s Chattanooga Film Festival (CFF 2024) was a week of chills, thrills, and pure cinematic joy. The Creepy Bonfire team attended virtually, and boy, was it an experience to remember. The festival ran from June 21 to 28, combining in-person, virtual and hybrid formats for every taste.
Headline Acts and Major Highlights
Let’s dive into the highlights. For the lucky ones on the ground, The Read House was the place to be. This historic, haunted hotel added a spooky charm to the physical events. Screenings, premieres, lively parties, and vendor stalls made it a horror haven.
Several films were extremely popular, both virtually and on the ground. “Somnium” took the Audience Award. “The Fix” won the Dangerous Visions Prize. “Off Ramp” bagged the Best Feature award. “Blind Cop 2” received the Spirit of CFF Award. “NoClip” secured the Jeff Burr Prize. Lastly, the showing of the cult classic “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” was a treat. The film hadn’t been shown in a theater in over 20 years, making it a rare gem.
Other notable films included “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person,” “Sleep,” “Red Rooms,” and the Red Eye Secret Screenings. These screenings spawned the Double Secret Cinema Society (DSCS). Members of DSCS enjoy secret screenings on the 13th of every month and get a hyperlinked newsletter full of cool movie synopses and streaming links.
Clay McLeod Chapman’s appearance was a standout moment of the festival. Known for his critically acclaimed work and electrifying live storytelling, his annual Pumpkin Pie Show is a CFF tradition. This year, Chapman captivated the audience with readings from his novel What Kind of Mother and other chilling tales.
The Twilight Zone tribute also stole the show. Fans loved it, and it was a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
A Virtual Playground for Horror Lovers
We took part in the virtual experience, and it was a blast! The virtual lineup was stellar, with films that kept us on the edge of our seats. There was also a well-organized Discord server. This space became our hangout, where we discussed films, shared opinions, and even met filmmakers. Watch parties with fellow attendees added to the fun, creating a real sense of community.
Premieres and Exclusive Screenings
The festival had some fantastic world premieres. “VIDEO VISION” by Michael Turney opened the festival. This RetroTech romance mixed horror and analog technology in a unique way. A woman unlocks a dark dimension through an old VCR, and chaos ensues.
“The Fix“ closed the festival with a bang. Set in a dystopian future, the air is toxic, and a young model undergoes a shocking transformation after taking a new drug. Clancy Brown’s presence and a jaw-dropping third act made it a favorite.
“SOMNIUM,” directed by Racheal Cain, was another world premiere. Set at an experimental sleep clinic, it explored the dark side of dreams. The beautifully shot mind-bender starred Chloe Levine and was a centerpiece of the opening weekend.
Also, “Sleep, Wake, Forget” by Ariel Vida was another worth mentioning premiere. In a fallen world, a young man will stop at nothing to save his brother from becoming one of the creatures they have spent their lives running from.
“Carnage For Christmas” had a Southeast Premiere by Alice Maio Mackay. A True-crime podcaster and sleuth Lola returns to her hometown for Christmas for the first time since her transition. Her homecoming takes a terrifying turn when the vengeful ghost of a notorious murderer and local legend seemingly comes back to life, intent on killing again.
Creepy Bonfire’s Additional Favorites
At Creepy Bonfire, we enjoyed most of the films we watched at CFF 2024. Some notable mentions include Canva, a visually stunning and emotionally gripping story, and Blind Cop 2, a thrilling and action-packed sequel that kept us on the edge of our seats. Off Ramp was another standout, with its quirky and endearing characters. Cannibal Mukbang provided a unique and darkly humorous take on modern internet culture, while Ganymede deeply impressed us with its intricate storytelling and emotional depth. Also, we enjoyed most of the short films, as shorts enthusiasts! These films, along with the amazing world premieres and lineup of the festivals, are some more to keep on your radar. Each film brought something unique to the table, and we loved every minute.
CFF 2024 Awards
Chattanooga Film Festival 2024 had some well-deserved awards:
- Best Feature Award: Off Ramp
- Best Short Award: Make me a Pizza
- Dangerous Visions Prize: The Fix
- Spirit of CFF Award: Blind Cop 2
- Pride Award: Ganymede
- Jeff Burr Prize: NoClip
- Audience Award: SOMNIUM
Also, CFF made it into the Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals by FilmFreeway, a testament to its success.
What’s next??
Attending CFF 2024 was a fascinating experience. We enjoyed amazing movies, met incredible filmmakers, and connected with fellow horror fans. The DSCS is a fantastic initiative, and we’re excited to be part of it. You can join through the CFF Patreon Page and get access to exclusive screenings and more.
Stay tuned to Creepy Bonfire, as we’ll soon have a chat with the festival heads for more behind-the-scenes insights. Until then, keep the horror flame alive and mark your watchlist with the best horror movies coming in July.
