Overlook Film Festival

What Overlook Film Festival does

Overlook Film Festival is an independent, volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces an annual four-day horror and genre film festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 2026 dates set for April 9-12 plus an extended Lagniappe block April 13-16. Founded in 2017 at Timberline Lodge in Oregon — the hotel featured in The Shining — the festival relocated to New Orleans in 2018 to anchor its identity around "America's most haunted city." The core offering combines curated film premieres, shorts programs, filmmaker Q&As, podcast recordings, live performances, and signature immersive experiences including an alternate-reality horror game and VR content, all sold via the Eventive digital ticketing platform with a hybrid RSVP system that grants passholders a 72-hour exclusive reservation window before public sales.

The product surface spans two pass tiers — the $275-$350 Camper Pass and the limited $666 Final Girl VIP — alongside $18 individual screening tickets and separately ticketed immersive theater add-ons. Revenue is diversified across consumer pass and ticket sales, multi-tiered sponsorship (Official, Premiere, Signature, Patron, Event, Venue, Media, Hotel), immersive experience upsells, and tax-deductible donations channeled through fiscal sponsor Brooklyn Film Center. The technology stack is intentionally lean — Eventive for ticketing, Google Forms for volunteer management, PayPal for donations, Google Drive for press distribution — with no proprietary platform.

The organization serves three constituencies: horror film enthusiasts seeking curated premieres and community immersion, independent genre filmmakers seeking a premiere platform and distributor exposure, and horror-aligned entertainment brands (Shudder, IFC Films, Mubi, Magnolia Pictures, Vinegar Syndrome, Fangoria, Dark Sky Films) plus New Orleans hospitality partners seeking audience reach. Leadership comprises Co-Founders Landon Zakheim (Executive Director) and Michael Lerman (Director of Film Programming), Festival Director Sheryl Santacruz, and Managing Director Justin Timms, with Prytania Theatres as the producing partner venue.

Name

Overlook Film Festival

Legal name

Overlook Film Festival

Website

https://overlookfilmfest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Overlook Film Festival is a volunteer-run nonprofit producing an annual four-day horror film festival in New Orleans, serving horror enthusiasts, independent genre filmmakers, and horror-aligned entertainment brand sponsors through curated premieres, immersive theater experiences, and ticketed passes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival / Entertainment Event

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Community Festivals & Cultural Events (Online Celebrations) (MPAGAOAK), Consumer & Public Shows (B2C) Organizers (THAHABAC)

Keywords

• Horror film festival
• Genre film screenings
• Immersive theater experiences
• Festival passes
• Film event programming

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Festival Passes: Premium festival passes providing access to all screenings, events, panels, and advance registration for immersive programming. Final Girl Pass at $666 (VIP, unlimited RSVPs, skip-the-line); Camper Pass at $275-$350 (standard, two reservations per day).
2. Individual Tickets: Individual screening tickets sold for $18 per ticket when schedule is released, with limited availability after pass holder reservations.
3. Immersive Experiences: Additional ticketed immersive theater experiences requiring separate purchase beyond passes. Prices vary by length and scope. Pass holders get early access to time slots.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted through fiscal sponsor Brooklyn Film Center to support festival operations and programming.
5. Sponsorship: Multi-tiered sponsorship program including Official Sponsors, Premiere Sponsors, Signature Sponsors, Patron Sponsors, Event Sponsors, Venue Sponsors, Media Sponsors, and Hotel Sponsors across the festival.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Overlook Film Festival produces a four-day annual horror film festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, featuring film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, podcasts, live performances, and immersive theater experiences. Customers primarily purchase festival passes (Final Girl Pass at $666, Camper Pass at $275-$350) or individual tickets ($18) to access screenings, with immersive experiences sold separately. The festival also generates revenue through multi-tiered sponsorships and tax-deductible donations via fiscal sponsor Brooklyn Film Center.

Product overview

The Overlook Film Festival is a four-day celebration of horror and genre cinema held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival operates as a single unified event offering film screenings (opening night, closing night, centerpiece presentations, and regular programming), immersive theater experiences, VR content, panels, live performances, and podcast recordings. The core products are festival passes (Camper Pass and Final Girl Pass) granting access to screenings and events, with individual tickets sold separately. Immersive experiences including the signature alternate reality game, VR shows, and theater performances are add-on offerings requiring additional purchase or exclusive pass access. The festival utilizes Eventive as its ticketing and reservation platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Festival Passes (Camper Pass and Final Girl Pass) All-access festival passes granting entry to screenings, events, panels, podcasts, parties, and live shows, with advance registration for immersive programming. The Final Girl Pass (VIP) is priced at $666 with unlimited RSVPs, skip-the-line admission, and a complimentary merchandise item. The Camper Pass (standard) is priced at $275-$350 with two reservations per day for guaranteed entry.
• Individual Tickets Single admission tickets to films and events sold to the general public for $18 per ticket when the schedule is released in March. Limited availability after pass holder reservations are fulfilled.
• Immersive Theater Experiences Separately ticketed immersive and live theater performances requiring purchase beyond festival passes, including the signature alternate reality horror game with live actors, hidden clues, and tactile puzzles; VR experiences (Campfire Creepers, Night Night, Wolves in the Walls); extreme horror experiences (Blackout); one-on-one performances (The Chalet); and other interactive installations. Pass holders receive early access to time slots.
• Film Screenings Program Curated horror and genre film programming across opening night, closing night, centerpiece screenings, and regular programming, including shorts programs organized into thematic collections. Select titles are presented with filmmaker Q&As and screening at New Orleans venues (Prytania Theatres, Toulouse Theatre).

Quantifiable outcome

• Festival runs annually with passholder-exclusive 72-hour advance reservation windows before public ticket sales
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Brooklyn Film CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Fiscal sponsor for the Overlook Film Festival, enabling tax-deductible donations to support the festival's operations and programming through their nonprofit status.
• Prytania TheatrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as Producing Partner and primary screening venue host in New Orleans. Named in festival staff listings as integral to festival operations.
• ShudderflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial sponsor and streaming partner. Horror-focused streaming platform with significant content investment and horror community reach.
• IFC FilmsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial sponsor and film distribution partner. Independent film distribution company with theatrical and streaming releases.
• MubimajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremiere sponsor for 2026 festival. Curated streaming platform with global subscriber base for independent and classic films.
• Magnolia PicturesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignature sponsor and film distribution partner for genre films. Distributor of films including MANDIBLES closing night 2020.
• Vinegar SyndromemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignature sponsor and film preservation/distribution partner specializing in restoring and distributing cult, exploitation, and genre films.
• Dark Sky FilmsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignature sponsor and film distribution partner for horror genre content.
• SAG IndiewireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature sponsor supporting independent filmmakers and festival programming.
• American Immersion TheatermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial sponsor providing immersive theater expertise and production capabilities.
• Daily DeadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor and horror news outlet partner providing media coverage and promotion.
• FangoriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor and iconic horror media outlet partner providing coverage and credibility in horror community.
• Bourbon Orleans HotelmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue sponsor host for immersive experiences including In Another Room and other festival events. Located in French Quarter.
• French Quarter PhantomsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal ghost tour operator partnering for Ghost Stories Haunted Walking Tour at festival.
• Charming StrangerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremiere sponsor for 2026 festival.
• Bywater WonderlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature sponsor for 2026 festival.
• Erin Rose BarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature sponsor - local New Orleans hospitality partner.
• Wyndham Garden Baronne PlazaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremiere Hotel Sponsor for 2026 festival accommodations.
• Drury Plaza Hotel New OrleansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPatron Hotel Sponsor for 2026 festival accommodations.
• International House HotelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignature Hotel Sponsor for 2026 festival.
• Super Yaki CineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend of the Festival sponsor - horror cinema partner.
• The Celestine New OrleansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend of the Festival sponsor - local hospitality partner.
• NovacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend of the Festival sponsor - New Orleans film organization.
• LetterboxdminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend of the Festival - film tracking social platform partner.
• Nightstream PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Boston Underground Film Festival, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, North Bend Film Festival, and Popcorn Frights for online genre film festival during 2020-2021 pandemic years.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Sitges Film Festival: Internationally renowned Spanish genre festival specializing in fantasy and horror. Most prestigious comparable in horror-first genre-festival positioning, but serves a global/European audience rather than competing head-to-head in the US market.
• FrightFest: UK-based premiere horror and genre film festival held annually in London. Comparable in horror-only focus, immersive programming, and international genre-film premiere positioning, but serves a UK/European audience.

Direct peers

• Beyond Fest: Los Angeles genre festival presented by Shudder (an Overlook sponsor). Comparable in horror-heavy curation, immersive audience events, and strong distributor partnerships.
• North Bend Film Festival: Pacific Northwest-based genre and horror film festival. Partnered with Overlook during Nightstream and shares audience-overlap and small-festival operating profile.
• Fantastic Fest: Premier US genre festival held annually in Austin, TX covering horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and action. Comparable in audience profile, sponsor roster, world-premiere positioning, and immersive programming ambition.
• Popcorn Frights Film Festival: Florida-based horror and genre film festival running alongside Overlook's southern horror niche. Partnered during Nightstream; highly comparable in programming, target audience, and operational scale.
• Brooklyn Horror Film Festival: Annual horror and genre film festival based in Brooklyn, NY. Most direct peer in audience, programming approach, and horror-community positioning; partnered with Overlook during 2020-2021 Nightstream virtual editions.
• Screamfest Horror Film Festival: Long-running Los Angeles-based horror film festival focused on discovering new genre filmmakers. Direct peer in mission (horror-first programming), filmmaker development focus, and audience profile.
• Boston Underground Film Festival: Long-running genre/horror festival in Cambridge, MA focused on transgressive and cult cinema. Partnered with Overlook during Nightstream; comparable in alt-horror programming and small-scale volunteer-run operations.

Others

• Stanley Film Festival: Predecessor horror festival held at the Stanley Hotel (Stephen King's inspiration for The Shining), which Overlook explicitly succeeded after Stanley ceased operations. Relevant as the spiritual predecessor and namesake peer, though no longer operating.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheOverlookFest
• Facebookfacebook.com/OverlookFilmFestival
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/overlook-film-festival

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Overlook Film Festival