Telling terrifying stories has been a long-standing form of entertainment, dating back to folklore, particularly tales of the supernatural. The popularity of such stories can be explained by an innate fear of death, so it is not surprising that horror films emerged and gained popularity soon after the advent of cinema.
Every June, Calgary hosts the annual two-day horror festival, Calgary Horror Con, bringing together star guests and their fans. It is the first and largest event of its kind in Canada (as of 2023). The festival features panel discussions, exhibitions, workshops, and more. Find out more below on calgaryski.net.
When Did Horror Movies Appear?
The first attempt to depict fantastic images on screen was Georges Méliès’ 1898 short film The Haunted Castle. This film is considered the first horror movie. The three-minute silent film is filled with animated skeletons, ghosts, bat-transformers, and an incarnation of the Devil.
After The Haunted Castle, a wave of supernatural films followed. The 1920s and 1930s are considered the golden age of horror. When the silent era gave way to technological processes, the world was introduced to an abundance of incredible films. Just think of monster movies like Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), or the first color adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931).
In the 1930s, the term “horror” was first used to describe the genre. This era also saw the rise of the first horror film stars, such as Bela Lugosi, a Hungarian-American actor famous for playing Dracula.
Who Founded the Festival?
The festival was founded by Dan Doherty in 2010. He grew up in Miramichi (New Brunswick) and developed an interest in horror films during his childhood. Limited video tape selections in small stores often led him to choose horror films, testing his courage and exploring his limits. With years of experience in business (IT contracting and consulting for 10 years, computer repair workshop for 5 years, comic book and collectibles store for 5 years), Dan founded Calgary Horror Con due to his passionate interest in horror films.
Soon, Lee Brown from Cornwall, Ontario, joined Dan. Like Dan, Lee developed an interest in horror films as a child, watching the cult series Evil Dead on VHS. After moving to Calgary in 2005, he collected a vast array of creepy films and worked as an extra in films (playing non-speaking roles in crowd scenes).
Another member of the Calgary Horror Con team is Katrina Krizalka. Katrina grew up in Whitecourt, Alberta. She discovered the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, which sparked her love for 1980s horror films. In 2012, she moved to Calgary to earn a degree in broadcasting. Along the way, she found opportunities to get involved in horror film creation, taking on minor roles and applying makeup to actors. In her free time, she attended rock ‘n’ roll shows.
Mission
Calgary Horror Con is dedicated to promoting all horror-related film communities, filmmakers in Calgary, and on the global stage. The mission of the festival is to foster the success of local artists, professionals, and companies in the development of horror films.
Through networking and collaboration among all the artistic forms associated with horror, Calgary Horror Con helps promote Calgary as a diverse and fertile source of horror art, culture, performances, and business.
2000 Horror Fans
The event draws approximately 2,000 horror fans from around the world over the weekend, featuring film screenings, circus performances, exhibitions, panel discussions, and autograph sessions with star guests. There is even a VIP party with a white hat ceremony, a tradition where visitors are welcomed with a white cowboy hat.
Although Calgary Horror Con primarily attracts international artists, it is also a great opportunity for local talent to make a name for themselves. Alberta is known for its cowboy films, but it is also home to many independent and interesting horror films.
10 Horror Films and TV Series Shot in Alberta
- “Black Summer” – A U.S. TV series about the beginning of a zombie apocalypse. Black Summer keeps you on edge from start to finish, with well-thought-out characters, interesting dialogues, and unexpected plot twists. Many scenes were filmed in Calgary and its surroundings.
- “Wrong Turn 2” – A 2003 American horror film completely shot in Calgary and Drumheller. It tells the story of a young couple who mistakenly pick up a crazy hitchhiker in the desert. The sadistic serial killer terrorizes the couple along a rural Texas road, killing many people.
- “The Last of Us” – An American post-apocalyptic drama TV series based on the 2013 video game The Last of Us. The series was filmed in Alberta. It takes place 20 years after a parasitic Cordyceps fungus infected humanity, turning those who inhaled its toxic spores into zombies.
- Red Letter Day – A Canadian horror film about events in an isolated suburban community when the entire neighborhood receives red letters with instructions to kill one of their neighbors before the neighbor kills them. The film was completely shot in Calgary.
- “Prom Night 2: Hello Mary Lou” – A Canadian horror film from the 1980s about a high school prom. Some scenes were filmed in Edmonton. Although it didn’t win an Oscar, it’s worth watching, especially if you enjoy revenge and ghost stories or just hate high school.
- Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed – A Canadian cult classic about Bridget, who is bitten by a werewolf. She has to fight the changes and instincts. The film was shot in Calgary and Edmonton.
- “Killer Vacation” – A Canadian-American black comedy about two well-meaning country folks who are mistaken for murderers by a group of students. Filmed in Cochrane and Calgary.
- Wynonna Earp – A Canadian-American supernatural western horror series based on the Wynonna Earp comic book series. The series showcases a strong, complicated heroine and allows viewers to see the inner workings of the supernatural world and stories about family curses and romantic relationships. Filmed in Calgary.
- “The Twins” – A Canadian psychological horror film completely shot in Calgary. It tells the story of a mother who loses one of her twins at birth. Strange things start happening after she returns home with the surviving child.
- “Children of the Corn 7: Revelation” – A Canadian horror film partially filmed in Calgary. Based on the iconic short story by Stephen King.
