Note: While the author intentionally waited until after Dragon Con had concluded to write a comprehensive retrospective of the event, unforeseen circumstances delayed this piece from running before now. I've been fortunate enough in my time with 52 Weeks of Horror to cover some cool events. From movie screenings and film festivals to conventions and more, I've had a chance to experience and share with you some amazing stories. While all of it is fun, nothing can quite compare

A world class independent short film festival... in Nashville? They're not exactly two concepts that immediately seem to fit together. The country music capitol of the world and the cinematic arts might surprise anyone who has never visited Middle Tennessee but, as a native Nashvillian it's no surprise to see the Defy Film Festival opening today at Studio 615. Defy Film Festival, now in its 4th year, is the brainchild of Dycee Wildman and Billy Senese and aims to bring "bold

Film festivals are phenomenal events with terrible reputations. The average moviegoer hears the words “film festival" and thinks of the stodgy, industry mainstays with their high concept, low appeal films and A list celebrity vanity projects. Events like Sundance which, in recent years has become increasingly hostile to independent filmmakers (i.e., the ongoing Sundance/Troma feud) have left a bad taste in fans’ mouths. So what the cure for the film festival problem? How do y

I was drowning, in way over my head with no clue what to do. Potential sponsors wouldn't talk to me because I was nobody to them and my crowd funding campaign was more a pipe dream than an actual plan. I was running down the options from creating some disorganized flash mob to taking out a personal loan just to make sure the zombie walk happened. Posting online from the Facebook page (the only media outlet I had access to for the event) things were floundering fast. And all I