Phoenix FearCON Independent Horror Film Festival is a community-driven event focused on independent horror film makers, and the obstacles they face trying to get their film projects noticed. In addition, we aim to make our events interactive, so that there are not just film screenings. We invite local performers and local celebrities for performances and meet/greets with their fans. Our volunteer staff works tirelessly and without compensation to make sure the FearCON is the best event visited by our guests and filmmakers.
FearCON originally started out in 2006 as the Phoenix Fear Film Festival, showcasing local and international independent horror films at the now-defunct Paper Heart, a small art gallery. We have since grown to a large venue and have been a vanguard event, dedicated to strengthening the general understanding of horror genre film culture by providing audiences with independent, cutting‐edge, original films – and authentic representations of horror from around the world.
Through time the festival has evolved to include a wider variety of genres for audiences to enjoy, all of which portray a different aspect of terror along with an atmosphere dedicated to the horror movie fan, including special musical presentations, special effects demonstrations, panel discussions, Q&A with cast and crew, fashion shows and more.
To reflect these changes and highlight the festival’s evolution, the name of the festival has been changed to “Phoenix FearCON”
Phoenix FearCON provides a significant opportunity for audiences to come and see what independent Horror is all about from different perspectives and reflect.
Cinema is a bridge that connects us all. The committee members and our volunteers have a passion and energy dedicated to this event. Although the festival is still young, it is supported by its members with unlimited potential, and we hope to continue this event into the future.
Our aim is to uncover new talent in the Horror film industry through this festival, and to develop and grow together.
Check out the stories below, to read what others have written about FearCon over the years!
2021
Phoenix FearCON X 2021 – 10 years of Fantastic Films – ComicCrusaders.com
Phoenix FearCON – a celebrated go-to event in Arizona and – as of last year – a major player in the virtual film festival arena around the world – is celebrating a decade with a powerhouse celebration. The festival will be premiering over three-dozen independent horror/sci-fi/fantasy films from around the world and will feature over 25 guests, live, at the event. FearCon sets itself apart from most other fests as it celebrates the genre through film, TV, live theatre, and even academia. Read more….
A Decade of Phoenix FearCON – Shane the Gamer Phoenix FearCON, a celebrated go-to event in Arizona and, as of last year, a major player in the virtual film festival arena, is celebrating a decade with a major celebration. Phoenix FearCon Independent Horror Film Festival is a community-driven event focusing on the independent genre filmmaker and the obstacles they face trying to get their film projects noticed. In addition, PFC aims to make its events interactive, so that there are not just film screenings. Read more…
[Phoenix New Times] Phoenix’s Geek Scene is gearing up for the return of the Cons!
Bill Oberst Jr. Is Coming to Phoenix Fearcon X. Mad Monster won’t be the only horror fest happening in the Valley in the near future as Phoenix Fearcon X will haunt Sun Studios of Arizona in Tempe on Friday, October 15, and Saturday, October 16. Promoters recently announced that renowned character actor Bill Oberst Jr. – a star of such cult horror films as 3 From Hell, Werewolf Rising, Devil’s Junction, and Scary or Die – will make an appearance at the event and might perform his off-Broadway solo piece “Ray Bradbury’s Pillar of Fire.”
Oberst joins a special guest list that already includes such names as Fred Williamson of From Dusk Till Dawn, Reggie Bannister from the Phantasm series, and Troma Entertainment co-founder and director Lloyd Kaufman. Tickets for Phoenix Fearcon X are $35 each day, $55 for the weekend, or $80 for VIP admission. More details about the event can be found here.
2016
[Phoenix New Times] The Scream Queens and Horror Fiends of Fangoria Fearcon 2016 in Tempe –
[College Times] Scary Good: Fangoria FearCon haunts Sun Studios – Think Comic Con, but for horror enthusiasts — less Wonder Woman costumes and more fake blood. Lots more. That’s FearCon, extolled as Arizona’s largest independent gathering to scare the wits out of you.
[Phoenix New Times] Dying to strut your spooky or undead self in front of an audience? Get your chance at the Fangoria FearCON. Twisted Airbrushing’s workshop will help you get all done up like a favorite zombie or horror character for a beauty pageant. Too interactive for you? There’s plenty of other fear-filled fun, including movie screenings, panel discussions, and scary celebrities.
2014
[Examiner.com] The Walking Dead cast is a hit at Phoenix FearCon 2014 – “Once again Phoenix FearCon shined as the finale of the Halloween weekend… There were booths spotlighting crafts, authors, artwork, jewelry and much more! Guests could indulge themselves on great food or stop to quench their thirst in the beer garden. And for some, zombie paintball was quite the rage.”
[Aud News] Behind Phoenix Fearcon – “Phoenix’s horror film festival, Phoenix Fearcon to showcase local and international independent horror films the weekend of Halloween.”
[East Valley Tribune] Get your fright-freak on at Phoenix FearCon – “Halloweens come and Halloweens go, but there are fright enthusiasts who love the spooky side of life all year round, and for those fans there is a creepy convention lovingly called Phoenix FearCon, a spine-chilling soiree that serves up scary celebrities, shocking cinema and other pop culture peculiarities.”
[College Times] Keep the Halloween horror going at Phoenix FearCon – “Halloween might be over by the time Phoenix FearCon comes around on November 1 and 2, but the scares and screams are far from over. Get ready for the largest independent horror convention and film festival ever! Phoenix FearCon has been a Phoenix mainstay since 2006 and is once again bringing some frightening and paranormal entertainment to the Valley on the grounds of Phoenix’s famed Fear Farm haunted attraction.”
[AudNews.com] 13 Horror Film Festivals for Halloween – “#9: Phoenix FearCon. This year at Phoenix Fearcon, a long lineup of actors in AMC’s The Walking Dead will attend. Amongst them include Theodus Crane, also a world heavyweight in the Chinese form of kickboxing, child actor Kyla Kenedy along with other professional actors and zombie doubles.”
[AZ Central] ‘Walking Dead’ stars coming to Phoenix Fearcon – “It’s being billed as Arizona’s largest independent horror event. And Phoenix Fearcon has lined up an impressive list of talent and other attractions to lure fans to Fear Farm at 99th Avenue and McDowell Road on Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2. It will be a blood-spattered weekend of murder and mayhem, some of which will naturally be carried out by clowns.”
[Horror Movies.ca] FearCON Features Walking Dead and American Horror Story Cast – “FearCON is so much more than just special guests. It also gives local artists a chance to showcase their horror movie shorts and independent features. Winners get a bloody butcher knife statue commemorating their achievement and they look pretty bloody good too. There’s even a panel titled “The Horror of Dr. Who” for all those Dr. Who fanatics out there. There seems to be one in every family nowadays…”
[Phoenix New Times] FearCON Brings Walking Dead and American Horror Story Actors to Phoenix – “Halloweekend is going to be jam-packed with great spooky events here in Phoenix. From haunted houses to slasher screenings, there’s plenty to fill up your schedule, but true horror enthusiasts need look no further than this year’s FearCON.”
2011
[ScaryScaryScary] Phoenix Fear Con 4 – “Phoenix Fear Con IV is providing the people of Phoenix with a rare opportunity to celebrate all the best points of Halloween five months early.”
2010
[AZ Central] Phoenix Fear Film Festival moves to Tempe – “Fans of the niche-market films attend festivals like this because they love horror movies and jump at the chance to see the “little gems.””
2008
[Dead Harvey] Interview With Jim And Chris of The Phoenix Fear Film Fest – “When you’re accepting films, what are you looking for? Chris: I look for originality, I look for good story lines. I look at the feel of the film, the atmosphere, the cinematography, the film as a whole as well as any interesting tidbits inside the making of it that would make this film original, edgy and smart.”