Pittsburgh City Paper's "Best Filmmaker" of 2023, Steve Rudzinski, will screen his indie horror sensation, CarousHELL Trilogy, at The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center's next Emerging Filmmakers Showcase, Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.
Rudzinski, of Coraopolis, has garnered numerous awards from the indie horror community, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for directing from Grossfest, a horror convention; Best Feature Film of 2021 at the LA Indie Horror Fest, and the 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Award. His work is also a hit in Prague, where a theater licensed the first CarousHELL film for six months of theatrical screening, and found fan reaction so positive that it has also licensed parts 2 and 3.
Emerging Filmmakers Showcase events, a staple at The Lindsay, were developed to accelerate filmmakers' exposure and encourage exchanges between local artists and the public.
Described as "equal parts hilarious, heartwarming and bloody," the CarousHELL Trilogy"the story of a sentient carousel unicorn trying to raise his half-human son"will be screening in its entirety for the first time in the U.S.
Rudzinski, a horror fan since seeing Nightmare on Elm Street at age 3, says he hopes to inspire younger creatives who are considering a career in filmmaking. "It really is possible to make movies yourself and get them into the public eye!"
Rudzinski serves as writer, director and co-producer of the trilogy. Other regional cast and crew members include co-writer and co-producer Aleen Isley, also of Coraopolis; director of photography and editor Scott Lewis of Mount Oliver; SFX designer Cody Ruch of Emsworth; and South Fayette Township native Rob Steinbock, producer/co-producer of the first film.
Total running time is 220 minutes and includes brief intermissions between films. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Rudzinski and others involved in the project.
Big Spring Spirits, a community-centric craft distillery based in Bellefonte, Pa., will also be on hand with "CarousHELL-inspired" signature cocktails available for purchase.
While the event is free, RSVPs are requested to ensure seating for all.
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The Lindsay Theater, an independent, film-driven arts nonprofit, is located at 418 Walnut St. in Sewickley.
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