The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival has unveiled its full lineup of parties, panels, and podcasts for its massive 10th anniversary celebration. Running for 10 days, October 16-25, 2025, the festival will center its screenings and many events at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg. While most events are open to the public, festival badgeholders receive VIP access.
The festival kicks off with the Opening Night Zombie Bash on Thursday, October 16, presented by IFC/Shudder, featuring DJ Sara Jabarri. The party starts at 10:30 p.m. at Nitehawk and runs late. The weekend continues Friday night at Lo-Res (Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg’s bar) with DJ Nuclear Volcano—expect drinks, dancing, and mayhem throughout the festival run. The celebration concludes on Saturday, October 25, with the Closing Night Halloween Party, presented by Dark Sky Films.
Other notable event highlights during this year’s festival include:
NYBC Busmobile Blood Drive – Saturday, October 18, 1–7 p.m.
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival is again partnering with the New York Blood Center and their Busmobile to create an easy opportunity for the community to donate blood (in a safe and clean way) and help save lives. The Busmobile will be parked right in front of the Nitehawk, allowing attendees to donate blood and save lives before and after the films. Appointments Preferred
BHFF Artists and Artisans Market – Saturday, October 18, Sunday, October 19, 12–5 p.m.
Since 2015, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival has championed artists and brands in the horror genre. As part of the 10th anniversary, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival is showcasing artists and artisans they love—come discover and support your next favorite spooky artist.
Certified Forgotten Podcast w/ Special Guest Tina Romero – Saturday, October 18, 2–3 p.m.
Certified Forgotten is a 60-minute bi-weekly horror movie podcast with a focus on underseen films. Hosts Matt Donato and Matt Monagle speak with creators, filmmakers, and critics about their lifelong relationships with the horror genre. For this live recording, they’ll be joined by special guest Tina Romero, whose Brooklyn-set horror-comedy “Queens of the Dead” will kick off this year’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
Blerdy Massacre Podcast w/ Special Guest Ernest Dickerson – Sunday, October 19, 2–3 p.m.
Join Xero Gravity and Sharai The Slayer as they Blerd-out with special guest Ernest Dickerson, whose film “Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight” will have a special screening at this year’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
Live Zombie SFX Makeup Tutorial – Sunday, October 19, 4–5 p.m.
Witness the dead come to life as makeup and special effects expert Jackie Hughes (“Terrifier 2,” “Terrifier 3,” “Cannibal Mukbang”) performs a live zombie makeup tutorial. Fill your braaaains with insider knowledge on materials needed and application tricks to eat your competition alive!
The Rocky Horror Personality Test – Sunday, October 19, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Presented and performed by Alison Foreman, “The Rocky Horror Personality Test” is an interactive floor show that teaches audiences the history of the midnight movie. Volunteers will answer a series of personality test questions to determine their Rocky Horror character and act out scenes from the infamous 1975 film that spawned an entire queer movement — no musical talent or rehearsals required. As much a meditation on individuality in art as it is a reflection on flawed history and personal growth, “The Rocky Horror Personality Test” is a thought-provoking and funny lecture that reminds you why some movies feel like church.
Final Exam Horror Trivia (Presented by Dark Sky Films) – Monday, October 20, 7–9 p.m.
Do you think you know more about horror films than the rest of Gotham? Then it’s time to prove it via five blistering rounds of expert-level horror trivia with hosts Ted Geoghegan (director of “We Are Still Here”) and journalist Michael Gingold of Fangoria and Rue Morgue fame! Meet new friends, win amazing prizes, and learn more about horror cinema exclusively at Final Exam!
Panel: Raising and Praising the Dead – Wednesday, October 22, 5–5:45 p.m. (panel), 5:45–6:45 p.m. (signing)
This panel, moderated by Avery Coffey (The Unbound & Rewound Podcast) will feature authors Lowell Greenblatt (“Nightmare Autopsis: A Return to Elm Street”), Mary Beth McAndrews (“Paranormal Activity”), Michael Gingold (“Armies of the Night: The Warriors and its Legacy”), and Payton McCarty-Simas (“That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism and the American Witch Film”) as they celebrate the releases of their new books and discuss how new life and meaning can be conjured for underappreciated films through the power of recontextualization.
Motion Picture Pop Quiz: Brooklyn Horror Edition – Wednesday, October 22, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The only game where you can come in knowing NOTHING and leave a big winner! A hybrid screening party and anti-trivia competition, hosted by creator Charles Kilbourne.
A full schedule of screenings and events can be found at BrooklynHorrorFest.com.
