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.