Embarras Valley Film Festival, October 25-28, 2017

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 

All on the Campus of Eastern Illinois University

Wednesday, October 25 in Coleman Auditorium
7:00 The Brain Eaters (Dir. Bruno Vesota, 1958) with costume contest*

In The Brain Eaters, strange things are happening in Riverdale, Illinois. A huge, seemingly alien structure has been found jutting out of the earth. Sent to investigate the origin of the mysterious object, Senator Walter Powers discovers that parasites from the center of the earth have infiltrated the town, taking control of the authorities and workers, making communication with the outside world impossible, and leaving the responsibility of stopping the invasion up to Powers and a small group of free individuals. 

*The costume contest will be held prior to the viewing of The Brain Eaters. Audience members are encouraged to participate to win prizes. We ask all contestants to arrive 15 minutes early to the auditorium stage to register. The contest will begin at 7:00 and prizes awarded to our top three contestants. Costumes will be judged on their creativity, quality, and crowd appeal. 

Thursday, October 26 in Coleman Auditorium
3:30 Sita Sings the Blues (Dir. Nina Paley, 2008)

Sita Sings the Blues is an animated version of the epic Indian tale of Ramayana set to the 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. Sita, the Hindu Goddess from the epic Ramayana accompanies Lord Rama on a fourteen-year exile, but is abducted by a revenge-seeking Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. The film intertwines thrilling tales of torment with memoir sketches that connect the past with the present day.

Friday, October 27 in the English Conference Room
4:30 Horror and the Thriller Roundtable

With Kevin Anderson, Political Science; Robin L. Murray, English; Carrie Wilson Brown, Communication Studies

In Coleman Auditorium
7:00 The Exorcist (Dir. William Friedkin, 1973)

In The Exorcist something beyond evil is happening in teen Regan’s (Linda Blair) bedroom. Regan has brutally changed both in the way she looks and the way she acts, with violent outbursts on everyone who comes in contact with her. Her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) gets in contact with a priest who comes to the conclusion that Regan is possessed with a demon that must be exorcised. 

Saturday, October 28 in Coleman Auditorium

2:00 Student Film Festival Winners
4:00 Film Festival Horror and Thriller in Illinois Selections