The Overlook Film Festival, scheduled from April 4 to April 7 in New Orleans, La. at the Prytania Theatres, has unveiled its initial 2024 lineup. The horror festival will commence with Neon's 'Cuckoo' and conclude with the world premiere of Universal Pictures' 'Abigail.' The lineup boasts 43 films, comprising 20 features and 23 shorts, along with four live presentations and five immersive experiences.
According to Michael Lerman, co-founder and director of film programming of Overlook Film Festival, this year's lineup showcases the results of post-pandemic productions, featuring bigger, scarier, more personal, and bombastic fever dreams that are bound to leave a lasting impact on attendees.
'Cuckoo,' directed by Tilman Singer and starring Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, and Jessica Henwick, will kick off the festival as the opening night film. The story follows a 17-year-old who encounters terrifying visions and aggressive stalking at a German Alps Resort.
Other notable films in the lineup include 'Blackout' by Larry Fessenden with Barbara Crampton, 'Azrael' by E.L. Katz featuring Samara Weaving, Jane Schoenbrun's 'I Saw the TV Glow,' and Chris Nash's 'In a Violent Nature.'
The festival will culminate with the world premiere screening of 'Abigail,' directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, starring Dan Stevens and Melissa Barrera.
Additionally, the event will showcase an expanded selection of retrospective screenings, starting with a 10th-anniversary presentation of 'Oculus' by director Mike Flanagan, who will receive the master of horror award alongside Kate Siegel. A special 50th-anniversary screening of 'Phantom of the Paradise,' featuring guest of honor Paul Williams, will also be part of the lineup.
Landon Zakheim, co-founder and executive director of Overlook Film Festival, emphasized the festival's focus on both horror's history and future, with the retrospective screenings celebrating the genre's legacy and the live shows and interactive experiences exploring new horizons.
The festival's programming team includes co-founders Landon Zakheim and Michael Lerman, program manager Keith Garcia, short film programmer Katie Rife, and associate director of programming Sheryl Santacruz. For more details, interested individuals can visit the festival's official website.
