About us

America's largest and most recognized genre film festival focusing solely on Horror and Science Fiction. Each year the NYCHFF celebrates both the horror classics we grew up with and the new horror films & filmmakers who created them. the NYCHFF fills the city with special screenings, parties, celebrity guests and free giveaways. The New York City Horror Film Festival is the Halloween time event not to be missed. So, keep your eyes peeled right here for full festival information, submission info, lineup, tickets, details about the huge, open-to-the-public kickoff party, and info on all the cool events the NYCHFF does throughout the entire year to support genre films and filmmakers! *The New York City Horror Film Festival is presented by MooDude Films.

Michael J. Hein

Festival Director

Filmmaker Michael J. Hein, CEO of Moodude Films and founder of The New York City Horror Film Festival. Michael and his company Moodude Films are considered one of the leading proponents of independent film in New York City and highly respected in genre films. Michael has done it all, from Special Effects Make-up Artist to Screenwriter, and now Director & Producer.

Through his company Moodude Films, Michael has produced & directed various feature film projects including: The Word, Blood Rails, Red Hook, Dead Serious, Biohazardous, Cyclone, This is how my Brother Died and Killer Shorts parts 1 & 2 to name just a few.

As if Screenwriter, Director and Producer were not enough, Michael was the founder and sitting director of The New York City Horror Film Festival. The United States largest and most recognized genre film festival, which is held yearly at The Tribeca Film Center in Manhattan. Michael has had high profile speaking engagements, speaking at both Notre Dame University and giving the AE lecture in New York City. He was also featured in the documentary Even More Scarier Moments, broadcast nationally on Bravo and one of the subjects in the book "Splatter Flicks; How to make a low budget horror film."

Sean Marks

Head of Staff

Filmmaker Sean Marks is a lifelong fan of the horror and science fiction genres. Some of his favorites include Deep Red, The Thing, The Haunting (the original, of course), and Deathdream. He's currently a freelance writer/producer, and resides in Los Angeles, CA. returning each Oct. to run the crew. Sean has been with the NYC Horrorfest since 2004.

Joe Sullivan - Festival Copy Editor
Ross Byron - Festival Footage Editor
Frank Della Donne - Legal Services
Chris Rowan - Festival Security