Indie
Ellen Page Battles ‘The Third Wave’ of Zombies
I’m growing tired of filmmakers attempting zombie movies because “The Walking Dead” is a monster success. As a horror fan it’s exciting how popular the subgenre is, but it’s also resulting in directors and production companies who don’t care about horror to dabble in our genre. We’ve seen more than a handful of terrible zombie movies, but thankfully the following seems to approach is from a different perspective.
ScreenDaily is reporting out of Cannes that Hard Candy, An American Crime and Inception‘s Ellen Page has signed to star in psychological horror film The Third Wave, set in a post-Zombie epidemic era Europe.
David Freyne will direct from his own screenplay.
“Set in the aftermath of a devastating virus that has gripped the continent for six years, transforming humans into zombie-like monsters.
A cure has been found but society is divided into those who were once infected, and committed terrible violent acts, and those who never contracted the virus.
In the backdrop, the rise of a terrorist movement, fuelled by the deep divisions, threatens to plunge the region into chaos again.”
”The Third Wave brings an entire new perspective to the zombie genre, which I love,” said Page.
“David Freyne truly shifts his lens on society’s role in the apocalyptic world. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to share his thoughtful approach to horror with audiences.”
“Ellen Page is simply one of the best actors of her generation and we cannot wait to collaborate with her in bringing this truly original and exciting genre film to life,” said Tilted Pictures’Rory Dungan.
Oscar-nominated Page, whose recent credits include Freeheld and Into The Forest, will co-star opposite rising Irish star Sam Keeley, who recently appeared in Burnt and In The Heart Of The Sea.
Rachael O’Kane and Rory Dungan at Dublin-based Tilted Pictures produce alongside Page. The UK’s Bounder & Cad’s Mark Huffam and Aidan Elliot and French Bac Films are co-producing. Financiers include Irish Film Board (IFB), Northern Ireland Screen and Bac Films.
PREQUEL
This project marks the Irish director’s feature debut, following a series of successful genre short films, notably The Tree, Passing and a proof of concept prequel short The First Wave, which set the scene for The Third Wave.
Filming will commence on location in Ireland later this year.
“We are thrilled to be working on David’s first film,” said Bac Films general manager Mathieu Robinet. “The script is such a fresh and compelling take on the genre.
“We know that the production team will craft an exceptional elevated horror movie in the vein of Let The Right One In or It Follows that will resonate with a broad audience.”
Her House of Horrors, the horror division of Independent Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY, has launched its Bite Size Short Grant Program, ahead of its film festival Dollhouse of Horror, which will take place in March 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Bite Size Short Grant Program awards $2,000 film grants to female-identifying and queer horror filmmakers. Shorts must be able to be made for $2,000, with a minimum runtime of 8 minutes. Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway, and are being judged by a panel of horror lovers and content creators.
The 2024 Bite Size Short Grant Program judge lineup is as follows:
“James H. Carter II- A documentary director, film producer, podcaster, marketing specialist, and writer. James is the founder and co-owner of Creepy Kingdom. Creepy Kingdom was founded in 2011 and is a multimedia website, and production studio specializing in creepy content. Their primary focus lies at the intersection of childlike fantasy and the macabre, covering horror films, theme parks, haunts, and much more. Beyond their extensive media coverage, Creepy Kingdom hosts events, offers original merchandise, and engages in film production under the Creepy Kingdom Studios brand producing original films like “Foolish Mortals”, exploring Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” fan culture, and “Georgie”, featuring Tony Dakota from the original “It” miniseries.
“In addition to founding Creepy Kingdom, James has won awards for his documentary work, including the award-winning “Foolish Mortals,” which has earned him recognition. He has been featured on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween special.
“Ashleeta Beauchamp is the editor-in-chief of Peek-A-Boo! Magazine, a cheeky horror magazine created to uplift marginalized writers, artists, models and other creators within the horror community. She also runs The Halloween Coalition, a community group to provide support and marketing for horror and Halloween events around the Southern California area.
“Titeanya Rodríguez is a multi-hyphenate creative, and the founder and owner of HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, home of DOLLHOUSE OF HORROR and the horror division of WOMXNOGRAPHY. As a fellow storyteller and a self-proclaimed artivist, Titeanya’s mission is to create opportunities for women of color and queer women, across film, tv, sports, music, and beyond. She is also the creator of the BITE SIZE SHORT grant program.”
Winners will have a one-night theatrical screening at Regal Cinemas. Submissions Close April 8 at Midnight. Winners will be announced on May 27, 2024. Shorts must be shot and through post-production by June 30, 2024. The screening will take place on July 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA.
WOMXNOGRAPHY, HER HOUSE OF HORRORS, and Rodriguez are represented by Azhar PR, Granderson Des Rochers, and Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir.
To submit your short to the Bite Size Short Grant Program, go to the FilmFreeway link here.
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