New Orleans, Louisiana – The Overlook Film Festival has announced the winners of its 2024 audience and jury awards for horror films. Among the top honorees are Damian Mc Carthy’s “Oddity” and Cricket Arrison’s “Some Day All This Will Be Yours.”
The eighth annual Overlook Film Festival took place from April 4-7, welcoming 90 filmmakers and attracting approximately six thousand audience members, the highest attendance in the festival’s history. The event featured 36 sold-out screenings, showcasing a diverse range of horror films.
The Audience Award for Feature Film went to “Oddity,” directed by Damian Mc Carthy. The film follows the gripping story of a blind medium who takes extreme measures to uncover the truth behind her sister’s mysterious disappearance. The Audience Award is voted on by festival attendees, reflecting their appreciation for the film’s compelling narrative.
Cricket Arrison’s “Some Day All This Will Be Yours” took home the Grand Jury Prize for Short Film. The jury described the film as an original and fearless exploration of the relationship between gender and horror, using playful and profound storytelling techniques.
The festival also honored horror auteur Mike Flanagan, known for his work on “The Haunting of Hill House” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Flanagan presented a special 10th anniversary screening of his breakout film “Oculus” and received the festival’s prestigious Master of Horror Award. Previous recipients of this award include Roger Corman, Mick Garris, Stuart Gordon, and Joe Dante.
Director Masha Ko won the Short Film Audience Award for “The Looming,” a powerful film that delves into the challenges of aging and mental illness. The runner-up in this category was Brea Grant’s “MLM,” a film that explores the horrifying consequences of a multi-level marketing company. Carlos A.F. Lopez’s “Dream Creep” received the award for Scariest Short, with the jury praising its unexpected and shocking premise.
The jury for the 2024 Overlook Film Festival’s short film category consisted of Carlos Aguilar, a renowned film journalist, Sara Cushman from NEON, and Laura Moss, director of “birth/rebirth.”
In addition to the award-winning films, the festival featured the world premiere of “Abigail” by filmmaking collective Radio Silence as the closing night film. The opening night screening showcased Tilman Singer’s “Cuckoo,” adding to the excitement and diversity of the festival’s lineup.
The Overlook Film Festival continues to highlight outstanding horror films and celebrate the genre’s filmmakers. With its record-breaking attendance and exceptional selection of films, the festival has solidified itself as a premier event for horror enthusiasts.