Ethereal Horror Fest

Ethereal Horror Fest returns to Violet Crown Cinema from October 16 to 18, marking its seventh year as a three-day celebration of independent horror. It's a non-profit festival that brings together filmmakers, actors, and horror fans through screenings, special guests, live competitions, and discussions about the art of making scary movies, with a particular focus on spotlighting emerging voices.

The opening-night presentation is Marrow, directed by Mitch McLeod and starring Jessica Dawn Willis, Danielle Harris, and Michael Ironside, with a special appearance by Harris and a live Q&A. Other screenings include Hollow Lake and the Pride of Terror showcase, which features LGBTQ+ filmmakers. The festival also runs a screenplay competition that culminates in a live table read, and the whole thing wraps up with an awards ceremony on Sunday, October 18.

Beyond the screenings, there's a live pitch competition called Pitch or Perish! on Friday, October 16, starting at 7 PM. The festival describes itself as more than just a film festival, positioning itself as a celebration of independent genre cinema that explores the darker side of storytelling beyond blood, gore, and jump scares. It leans into an otherworldly edge where the strange, the cinematic, and the unknown collide. For the filmmakers involved, official selection brings extensive media exposure, interviews with top outlets, and networking with agents, distributors, and producers. The organization also runs Ethereal Resurrection, which offers additional screening opportunities for standout films.

Day passes are $25 and weekend passes are $40. The festival runs at Violet Crown Cinema, 434 West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701, from Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18.