SHOCK STOCK FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS MORE GUESTS, MORE FILMS, MORE LIVE MUSIC FOR 2026 EDITION
Festival adds iconic film’s stars to it’s international roster of celebrity guests.

LONDON, Canada – The Shock Stock Film Festival and Pop Culture Celebration Weekend has announced major additions to the festival, including the first seven feature films for its 2026 edition taking place in-person from April 29th to May 3rd 2026 in London, Ontario.

The first round of films announced include theatrical screenings of Southwestern Ontario produced features BEHIND THE CASTLE DOORS and JUNKIE RUN, both bringing a unique energy and independent spirit to the big screen. Another Canadian film to look out for, The Burkosky Brothers’ HEAT SCORE, scratches the fest’s action-drama itch with the Burkosky’s trademark “Edmontonsploitation” style that won them a Crystal Shocker Award for their 2021 film PRIVATE BLUE.

For the die-hard horror fans, American genre director Todd Sheets brings his newest werewolf feature, the video store throwback WOLF MOON RISING to the festival. Also playing the fest is cannibal tale EVIL FOR DINNER, the first feature length film from writer / director Travis Youngquist.

Additionally, Shock Stock announced a pair of out-of-competition feature screenings with directors in attendance. A special midnight screening of 2024’s cult breakout film JIMMY AND STIGGS will take place with director / star JOE BEGOS in attendance. Canada’s genre favorites BLACK FAWN DISTRIBUTION present the film with Begos, and who will be in attendance at the festival with all weekend. Additionally, American cult film distributors SEVERIN FILMS have partnered with Shock Stock to present a special screening of the “lost” Lamberto Bava film THE PRINCE OF TERROR, which was produced in the late 80’s for Italian television and subsequently banned for its extreme themes and graphic violence. The film will play with director LAMBERTO BAVA and effects artist SERGIO STIVALETTI in attendance.

Additional guests are also being added to the weekends Shock Stock event, with a reunion of the iconic THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE stars ED NEAL, WILLIAM VAIL, and TERI McMINN, as well as filmmaker and author EUGENIO ERCOLANI, who’s latest book Cannibal Worlds launched officially this past weekend. Prominent poster and cover artist MATTHEW THERRIEN and underground comic book and visual artist PATRICK SPARROW will also be attending as guests and contributing exclusive art to the festival.

Along with the feature films and guests announced, Shock Stock is bringing more live music to the festival, with two additional nights of live music at London’s PALASAD SOCIALBOWL, following the theatrical gala screenings at Imagine Cinemas on April 30th and May 3rd. The full lineup of bands and dates are listed below.

As always, the weekend of Shock Stock will be packed with programs of short films, workshops, and Q&As. Films in consideration for 2026 come from countries around the world including Saudi Arabia, Japan, Norway, Spain, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany and Iran; and are all vying for the Festival’s coveted Crystal Shocker awards. The extended, final deadline to submit films to the festival is March 15th. A limited edition film guide will be printed and distributed at the end of March featuring all films and filmmakers.

Single Day and Festival Passes are on sale now to the general public. Tickets and passes can be purchased at https://shock-stock.com/tickets/

Official Selection – Features In Competition 2026

BEHIND THE CASTLE DOORS ( CANADA )
Dir. Morgan Baker, Tammy Heisel

EVIL FOR DINNER ( U.S.A. )
Dir. Travis Youngquist

HEAT SCORE ( CANADA )
Dir. The Burkosky Brothers

JUNKIE RUN ( CANADA )
Dir. Kire Paputts

WOLF MOON RISING ( U.S.A.)
Dir. Todd Sheets

Feature Films Out of Competition 2026

JIMMY AND STIGGS ( U.S.A. )
Dir. Joe Begos

THE PRINCE OF HORROR ( Italy )
Dir. Lamberto Bava

2026 Celebrity & Artist Guests:

CATRIONA MACCOLL (City of the Living Dead, The Beyond )

LAMBERTO BAVA ( Demons, Demons 2, A Blade in the Dark )

SERGIO STIVALETTI ( Wax Mask, Demons, Demons 2, Phenomena )

JUNKO BAILEY ( The Grudge )

DEBBIE ROCHON ( Terror Firmer, Tromeo & Juliet, Model Hunger)

JOE BEGOS ( Jimmy and Stiggs, VFW, The Mind’s Eye )

ED NEAL ( The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Future-Kill )

WILLIAM VAIL ( The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Mausoleum, Poltergeist )

TERRI MCMINN ( The Texas Chain Saw Massacre )

EUGENIO ERCOLANI (Cannibal Worlds, Masters of Mayhem)

MATTHEW THERRIEN ( Poster & Cover Artist )

PATRICK SPARROW ( Underground Comic & Visual Artist )

2026 Musical Performances Include:

Festival Information

Founded in 2011, Shock Stock was Canada’s first independently operated pop culture convention focused primarily on the Horror genre, and still continues its ‘By the Fans, For the Fans’ attitude when it comes to it’s annual programming of celebrity guests, vendors, and a blend of live and on-screen entertainment.

In 2016, with the addition of the coveted “Crystal Shocker Awards”, the focus increased on growing as an International Film Festival, featuring a showcase of short, feature, and experimental films that exemplify “uninhibited filmmaking”.

The Shock Stock Film Festival presents a diverse slate of film offerings with programs such as Animation, Midnight Thrills, #CanadianCreasy, International Shorts, and the always popular Short Shocks. Though the primary focus of the festival is Horror, all genres have been and will continue to be shown to audiences who crave the vanguard of alternative cinema.

The programming schedule also includes workshops aimed to provide education and mentoring to new filmmakers and to create an environment where experienced industry professionals ca network and connect without barriers.

Alternative entertainment throughout the weekend includes the award ceremony hosted by sideshow legends THE MONSTERS OF SCHLOCK, drag performances, and much more.

2026 Sponsors and Partners

The Shock Stock Film Festival is presented through partnerships with Coffin Creek Coffee, Severin Films, Social Bowl London, Film London, and Vagrancy Films; whose continued support allows us to develop and enhance the city’s film and television industry, and grow the culture of art and filmmaking in the region.

About Grimbrothers Entertainment

Grimbrothers Entertainment Inc, the presenting organization of the Shock Stock Film Festival, has been producing cultural and lifestyle events in London Ontario since 2011. The company is known to create larger than life experiences in the region with a focus on connecting diverse cultures in worlds of art, music, and film.

For more information, please visit www.grimbrothers.com or follow us on social media.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SHOCK STOCK FILM FESTIVAL EXPANSION, FIRST SLATE OF FILMS

The popular underground festival partners with Film London, expands to five days with World and Canadian Premieres, focus on Uninhibited Filmmaking

LONDON, Canada – The Shock Stock Film Festival and Pop Culture Celebration Weekend has announced the feature film lineup for its 2023 edition taking place in-person from May 3rd, to May 7 2023 in London, Ontario. This year’s film slate includes ten features that celebrate uninhibited filmmaking, including the world premiere of HELL NURSE from writer/ director Bobby Blood, and the Canadian premiere of Scott Goldbergs THE FOREST HILLS, which marks the return to film for the legendary Shelley Duvall after a 20 year hiatus. Along with the feature films, the weekend will be packed with programs of short films, workshops, and Q&As. Selected films for 2023 come from countries around the world including Italy, Japan, Norway, France, Spain, Mexico, United Kingdom, Portugal and Slovenia, and are all vying for the Festival’s coveted Crystal Shocker awards.

The complete weekend schedule including all selected shorts, panels, and workshops for Shock Stock will be finalized on April 7, 2023. Single Day and Festival Passes are on sale now to the general public. Tickets and passes can be purchased at https://shock-stock.com/tickets/

Feature Film Selections In Competition

HELL NURSE ( U.S.A.)

Dir. Bobby Blood

World Premiere

SNOW BLINDED ( Canada )

Dir. Brian Lockyer

Canadian Premiere

THE LAST PORNO SHOW ( Canada )

Dir. Kire Paputts

London Premiere

TERROR TOONS 4 ( U.S.A. )

Dir. Joe Castro, Brinke Stevens, Matthew Vinaja

London Premiere

BEYOND THE SPEED OF LIFE ( United Kingdom )

Dir. Grant McPhee

World Premiere

THE FOREST HILLS ( U.S.A. )

Dir. Scott Goldberg

Canadian Premiere

MIND LEECH ( Canada )

Dir.Chris Cheeseman, Paul Krysinski

London Premiere

HELL VAN ( U.S.A. )

Dir. Jorge Delarosa

Canadian Premiere

ENTER THE DRAG DRAGON ( Canada )

Dir. Lee Gordon Demarbre

London Premiere

Plus a special 40th Anniversary screening of the infamous cult slasher film SLEEPAWAY CAMP will be presented as part of the Festival, with the film’s star FELISSA ROSE in attendance.

For more information, visit the Festival’s website at https://shock-stock.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/vhstapeswap

Twitter: @SHOCK_STOCK

Instagram: @shockstockcanada

Hashtag: #ShockStock

Festival Information

Founded in 2011, Shock Stock was Canada’s first independently operated pop culture convention focused primarily on the Horror genre, and still continues its ‘By the Fans, For the Fans’ attitude when it comes to it’s annual programming of celebrity guests, vendors, and a blend of live and on-screen entertainment. In 2016, with the addition of the coveted “Crystal Shocker Awards”, the focus increased on growing as an International Film Festival, featuring a showcase of short, feature, and experimental films that exemplify “uninhibited filmmaking”. 

The Shock Stock Film Festival presents a diverse slate of film offerings with programs such as Animation, Student Showcase, Made in the USA, #CanadianCreasy, International Shorts, and the always popular Short Shocks. Though the primary focus of the festival is Horror, all genres have been and will continue to be shown to audiences who crave the vanguard of alternative cinema.

Added to the Festival programming schedule will be film workshops aimed to provide education and mentoring to new filmmakers and to create an environment where experienced industry professionals can network and connect without barriers.

2023 Sponsors and Partners

The Shock Stock Film Festival is presented by Film London, who continues to develop and enhance the city’s film and television industry. 

Additional Event support is provided by Soda Pop Bros, and Railway City Brewery. 

The Event’s 2023 show exhibitors include: Odyssey Records & Cinema, The Hyland Cinema, Synapse Films Inc., Troma Entertainment, Twisted T’s, Raven Banner Releasing, Black Fawn Distribution, Vinegar Syndrome, Twisted T’s Horror Merch, Suspect Video, Rotten Rags, Monsters Market, Spider and Fly Store, RoadKillJill Creations, Dead Glamour Girlz. The Odd Doll Bakeshop, Altered Arte & Handicrafts, Oracle Stitches, Saint Asylum Productions, Ultra Violent Magazine, Vinyl Hell Sticker Co., EM~AL~LU Designs, FoxFlair Goods, Barkenstein Designs, Hollywood Canteen, Pastel Nightmares, 3D Prints & Props, Eerie River Publishing, Book Box Canada, Video Carnage Video, Se Trade Inc., MyMovieNow.ca, Fosters Inc., BryonScaryHouse Productions, Zelpha Comics, Demon Tattoos and the Schlockbuster Coffee Co. 

About Grimbrothers Entertainment 

Grimbrothers Entertainment Inc, the presenting organization of the Shock Stock Film Festival, has been producing cultural and lifestyle events in London Ontario since 2011.

The company is known to create larger than life experiences in the region with a focus on connecting diverse cultures in worlds of art, music, and film. 

For more information, please visit www.grimbrothers.com or follow us on social media. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SHOCK STOCK 2020 AND THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

As a precautionary measure in response to the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure the health and safety of our patrons, artists, vendors, guests, staff, and volunteers, the Shock Stock 2020 event is moving to the Aug 14-16 weekend of 2020, with all changes effective immediately.

At this time, ticket holders and room bookings for the May event have the following options:

1. Your booking/ticket is automatically moved to the Aug 2020 weekend. Ticket and / or booking remains valid, and no changes on your part are required.
2. A credit can be issued to be used towards mail-in autograph services, or convention goods, if you wish to receive autographs from the attending guests and / or some of the wares available at the show and cannot attend the new dates. This is something we are currently working on in detail, and more information will be available to you upon request.
3. You can request a partial, or full refund for your ticket / room booking if you are unable to attend the August event combined with the credit if you wish for a partial refund.

As a small, independently run event, we ask for your support during this time of crisis and that you consider taking the full or partial credit option if you can’t make the event rather than cancel outright. I understand our economic status isn’t the best right now, but many of our vendors are also seeing this hit and we want to work on making this event as successful for them as well. Our team has been working hard over the past few weeks on a resolution that will keep the show alive, as well as create a successful and safe environment for the vendors, guests, and fans as well.

We apologize to those who wanted this announcement to come sooner, and though we feel a responsibility to do our part to protect the health and safety of our community; we wanted to ensure that all the pieces were in place to guarantee to everyone that we were NOT cancelling, or postponing indefinitely. We did not want to leave questions unanswered.

As for guests, we are currently working with agents to retain as many of our previously announced guests as possible, and will be working to add additional guests and attractions to make the August 2020 Anniversary show even better.

Thank you everyone for your understanding, and please stay safe during these troubled times.

 – The Shock Stock Family

Sadie Katz was ‘crowned’ Miss Shock Stock 2015 – the first of only 2 times we did the competitive pageant so far – and it was a rollercoaster to say the least. Jake ended up in a heap on the ground, Rocco was told to fuck right off, and Sadie was on the receiving end of a massive hot soaker.

In the years since, Shock Stock has gone through some significant changes ( the addition of the Crystal Shocker Awards and the relocation to our favourite venue of all time the wonderful Ramada Inn, to name a few) and Sadie has kept on her own path of destruction through Hollywood and beyond with starring roles in a slew of horror flicks, as well as plenty of work behind the scenes, writing and directing as well. It’s time we come back together and remind ourselves of that blissful 2015 suckfest that was Shock Stock with an anniversary shindig we all won’t want to forget! Tickets on sale now and limited hotel rooms still available through our WEEKEND WARLORD package – reserve your room today!

PACK YOUR BAGS ! YOU’RE IN FOR ONE WILD RIDE!!!

Be sure to get your swag in advance, as we only have so much fun supplies for the weekend.

Check out our updated pages for the schedule app, new guest images, and a whole lot more!

This past week fans were celebrating the anniversary of the release of Jim Wynorski’s classic Chopping Mall, so we found it fitting to announce that our new pal Kelli Maroney is coming down to Shock Stock for three days of thrills and chills!