Housecore Horror Hands Out the Rot-Scars

Something hideous beyond the clapperboard: Canadian body horror Thanatomorphose takes the top prize at the Housecore Horror Film Festival Rot-Scars

There was gold amid the gore at last week's Housecore Horror Film Festival, as Canadian body horror Thanatomorphose took top honors at the first ever Rot-Scars award ceremony

The awards were handed out on the final night of last week's inaugural festival, just before the closing live soundtrack to Suspiria from Goblin (read our interview with the Italian prog-horror legends' keyboardist Maurizio Guarini here.)

The Canadian crew behind Thanatomorphose ended up with a bundle of extra hand luggage to take home with them. Festival director/co-creator Corey Mitchell had been a big advocate for the tale of physical corruption, and the audience and judges agreed. Not only did it win best feature, but stars Kayden Rose and director Eric Falardeau also have something extra for their mantelpieces.

With guest celebrity judges including Bill Moseley (The Devil's Rejects), Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, Eyehategod vocalist Mike IX Williams, composer Joseph Bishara (Insidious, The Conjuring) and local practical effects heroes Matt Valentine and Michael Faust, there were plenty of prizes to be handed out. That included another plaudit for the Austin-shot haunting "Black Metal": Director Kat Candler snagged the heavy metal hysteria award for her incisive, troubling short.

It was also a great black night for serial killer drama Found. (read our interview with director Scott Schirmer here.) The shocking and disturbing tale of two brothers bound by blood topped off the end of its festival circuit run with two plaudits: Scariest movie, and a profoundly well-deserved award to first time child actor Gavin Brown.

Worst Bad Guy: Kane Hodder, Exit To Hell

Heavy Metal Hysteria: "Black Metal" D: Kat Candler

Best Trailer: Alex D: Florian Frerichs

Best Score/Soundtrack: Jason Farmer Someday

Best Hero: Gavin Brown, Found.

Best Music Video: Mississippi Witch, "Bite Horse"

Scariest Movie: Found. D: Scott Schirmer

Best Animated Film: Abyssus Abyssum Invocat D: Wes Simpkins

Most Repulsive Flick: Thanatomorphose D: Eric Falardeau

Best Documentary: Art/Crime D: Frederick Maheux

Best Short Film: "Thoughts About Dying" D: Jani Ilomäki

Best screenwriter: Don Thacker for Motivational Growth

Best Director: Éric Falardeau, Thanatomorphose

Best Actress: Kayden Rose, Thanatomorphose

Best Actor: Adrian DiGiovanni, Motivational Growth

Best Makeup: Susan A. Benson et al, Zombex

Best SFX: Steve Tolin, Motivational Growth

Best Feature: Thanatomorphose