Owensboro is soon hitting the silver screen in Chicago with the locally produced film “New Fear’s Eve.” But before it does, filmmakers PJ Starks and Eric Husskisson invite Owensboro residents to the premiere screening at the RiverPark Center this June.
The showing starts at 7 p.m. on June 15, and tickets can be purchased here. The trailer can be seen here.
“New Fears Eve” was shot entirely in Owensboro with several sets throughout the city, including The Pub on Second, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro Community and Technical College, the Owensboro Bridge, and more. Starks said it was intentional to put Owensboro at the center of his fictional universe.
“I think everyone is going to be surprised at how Owensboro-centric this movie is, and that’s one of the things that I like about coming and making films here,” Starks said. “Owensboro is very heavily featured in this movie, so I think that’ll be something that’ll be really cool for people here to see.”
He noted that the indie film genre is often written off as low-budget and reflected in the production quality. Starks said that is one of the lines they try to toe when producing these films.
Additionally, he said the film got some help in funding and production from industry great Jeffrey Reddick, best known for writing the first “Final Destination” film and executive producing the second.
And it has paid off, Starks said, as the film’s recognition has grown beyond Owensboro. It will be shown and nominated at the Chicago Horror Film Festival. The film is nominated for Best Feature, Best Horror Comedy, Best Director, Best Blood/Gore, and Best Villain.
“The nominations are a testament to everybody involved, and hopefully, that will continue as we do more. We always strive to do better each time, and this project is the best one that we’ve done to date,” Starks said.
Starks said the film was made for watching with a group of people, so he was excited to see how a lively crowd would react to the premiere.
“I think hearing the laughter, the groans, or potentially if people jump, the energy in the room is going to be very palpable and infectious for everybody at the premiere,” he said.
Following the showing, Starks and Husskisson will host a Q&A panel followed by a reception in the lobby until 11 p.m.
Starks said they are currently trying to work out the details of a theatrical release, with more information to come.
