ZOMBIE, the film based on Joyce Carol Oates' award-winning novella, continues on a roll. After winning "Best Short Film (Horror)" at the Washington DC International Film Festival, the psychological horror film has won "Best Short Dramatic Screenplay" for Bill Connington, and "Best Supporting Actor" for Kelley Van Dilla. The psychological thriller was also nominated for "Best Actor," "Best Director," and "Best Short Dramatic Film" at the Terror Film Festival, which was held on prestigious Rittenhouse Square in central Philadelphia.
Connington first accepted his own award for screenwriting, and then the acting award on behalf of Van Dilla, who was working on a theatrical project in Upstate New York. There was also a gala reception where the filmmakers and award-winners gathered with film festival staff, and audience members.
The ZOMBIE trailer can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg3LBpC8dU4.
Bill Connington is the star of ZOMBIE (www.zombiethefilm.com), and plays the lead character, "Quentin P." At first Quentin seems just socially awkward, but turns out to be a "normal-seeming" serial killer, who abducts innocent victims, and attempts to turn them into his "zombie" slaves. Connington has been compared to Anthony Perkins in Hitchcock's PSYCHO, in the intensity and commitment he brings to the role. The critics have lauded Connington (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1316434233) for his startlingly realistic acting, and he has won numerous awards for his portrayal, and for his writing of ZOMBIE. Connington is currently penning the feature of ZOMBIE, scheduled to begin principal photography in 2012.
Noted for his versatility, Connington can also be seen in the comic film THE THORNHILLS OF PARK AVENUE playing an upscale Society investment banker, searching for the meaning of life. THE THORNHILLS is also traveling the film festival circuit, appearing at 5 festivals so far. His co-stars in the film are the multiple award-winner Juliette Bennett (www.juliettebennett.com) and Anthony Haden-Guest.
ZOMBIE has been an official selection at 15 film festivals so far. It has screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival, the Boston International Film Festival, the Williamsburg International Film Festival, the Washington DC International Film Festival, the Atlanta Horror Film Festival, the NYC Downtown Shorts Festival, the Shocker Film Festival, the New York City International Film Festival, the Shudder Film Festival, and at a private industry screening at the famed Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan. Most recently it screened at the prestigious Shriekfest International Film Festival (Denise Gossett, Festival Director) in Hollywood, at the famous Raleigh Studios Chapin Theaters. (www.shriekfest.com). ZOMBIE is scheduled to screen at 4 more festivals in 2012.
Thomas Caruso directed Connington in ZOMBIE, as well as in THE THORNHILLS OF PARK AVENUE. The producer of the film was Michael L. Cooper. The Director of Photography was Trisha Solyn. The composer of ZOMBIE and THE THORNHILLS was Deirdre Broderick.
The Terror Film Festival is an international genre film festival (horror, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, dark drama). It seeks to promote screenwriters and filmmakers that make quality films, and help them connect with the genre audience. Through its awards, it seeks to bring attention to talented filmmakers. (www.terrorfilmfestival.net)
