The Indie Gathering International Film Festival Finds a New Home in Columbus, Ohio!

For more than three decades, The Indie Gathering International Film Festival has celebrated independent filmmakers from around the world, and this year marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

For the first time ever, The Indie Gathering will be hosted in Columbus, Ohio, bringing its long-standing tradition of supporting independent cinema to a brand-new audience. Even more exciting, this year’s festival will also be the first to take place inside a working movie theater, giving filmmakers and audiences the opportunity to experience these incredible independent films the way they were meant to be seen, on the big screen.

Hosted at the Lennox Theater in Columbus (Phoenix Theatres Lennox Town Center 24 + IMAX with Laser 777 Kinnear Road Columbus, Ohio 43212), this year’s event promises an unforgettable weekend filled with feature films, short films, documentaries, animation, music videos, networking opportunities, filmmaker Q&A sessions, educational panels, and much more. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a seasoned industry professional, or simply someone who enjoys discovering unique stories that you won’t find in your local multiplex, The Indie Gathering offers something for everyone.

One of the things that has always made The Indie Gathering special is its welcoming community. It’s more than just a film festival, it’s a place where filmmakers connect, collaborate, and build lasting friendships. Many creative partnerships have begun in the hallways between screenings, making this event as much about the people as it is about the films.

With its move to Columbus and its new theatrical venue, the festival continues to evolve while remaining true to its mission of championing independent artists from across the globe.

If you’ve never attended The Indie Gathering before, this may be the perfect year to experience everything it has to offer. Spend a weekend celebrating creativity, supporting independent filmmakers, and discovering your next favorite film before the rest of the world does.

Stay tuned to Saturday Fright Theater | Indie Films Backstage for additional coverage and festival updates as the event draws closer. We look forward to celebrating another fantastic year of independent filmmaking!

Four Days of Films, Frights, and Filmmakers: Horror Hotel Returns June 18-21

Every year, there are a handful of events that remind me why I fell in love with independent filmmaking in the first place.

The International Horror Hotel Film Festival is one of them.

From June 18-21, filmmakers, writers, actors, artists, and horror fans from around the world will descend upon Cleveland for four days packed with screenings, networking, panels, vendors, competitions, and enough creative energy to fuel an entire year of projects. The festival is celebrating its 15th year in 2026, and if you’ve never experienced Horror Hotel before, this might be the perfect time to check in.

What makes Horror Hotel special is that it isn’t just about watching movies. It’s about meeting the people behind them.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will have opportunities to connect with filmmakers from across the globe, sit in on educational panels and lectures, browse the vendor area, and discover new voices in horror, science fiction, fantasy, suspense, and genre filmmaking. Whether you’re an aspiring creator looking to learn from others or a fan searching for your next favorite indie film, there is always something happening around every corner.

And when the screenings end, the networking doesn’t stop.

Friday and Saturday nights, we’ll be keeping the conversations going with the annual networking parties. If you’ve attended before, you already know these gatherings have become one of the festival’s most memorable traditions. New collaborations are born, future projects are discussed, and friendships are formed long after the final credits roll. Sometimes the best thing you take home from a film festival isn’t an award. It’s a connection.

I’ll also be filming throughout the weekend for Saturday Fright Theater, conducting interviews and capturing the sights, sounds, and stories that make Horror Hotel such a unique event. If you’re attending with a film, a project, or simply a story worth sharing, there’s a good chance we’ll cross paths.

What I love most about Horror Hotel is that it feels like a festival built by filmmakers for filmmakers. The atmosphere is welcoming, the community is supportive, and everyone is there because they genuinely love genre storytelling. You can spend the day discovering incredible independent films and end the night talking shop with the people who made them.

So if you’re looking for a weekend filled with horror, creativity, networking, and a whole lot of fun, make plans to join us June 18-21 at the International Horror Hotel Film Festival.

Bring your business cards.

Bring your passion.

And most importantly, bring your love of independent horror.

We’ll see you at the hotel.

Home

presents

An Interview with Rakefet Abergel

Show Notes:

Filmed on location at GenreBlast Film Festival 9 in Winchester, Virginia (2025), Erik William sits down with filmmaker, actor, and comedian Rakefet Abergel for a lively conversation about life in the independent film world.
During the interview, Rakefet discusses her powerful short film Still, sharing insight into the inspiration behind the project and the emotional themes explored in the film. The conversation also touches on her experience performing stand-up comedy during the festival, balancing multiple creative disciplines, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of indie filmmaking.
From storytelling to survival in the independent film scene, this candid discussion offers a great look into the passion and persistence required to create meaningful genre cinema.
Follow Rakefet Abergel & Cyclamen Films Instagram:   / cyclamenfilms  
Official Website: https://www.cyclamenfilms.com/

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