FRANK FAREL:

A childhood love affair with motion pictures led Frank Farel to the creation of award-winning comedy shorts, an apprenticeship in indie features, stints in theatrical distribution for UNITED ARTISTS and RKO THEATERS, programming for major NYC movie repertory houses, and, inevitably, the making of his own feature films. He made his unexpected big-screen directorial debut at the age of 19 when scenes shot for an uncompleted project were used to create a title sequence for the US release of Italy's ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST (DOCTOR BUTCHER, MD), just rereleased in a new 4k Blu-Ray (featuring an interview with Frank).

SPOOKIES (aka TWISTED SOULS), the special-effects-laden theatrical debut of the Sony Company, on which Frank was the primary producer and co-author, was voted BEST FILM at the 15th Paris International Horror Festival. It won the Delerium Award at Spain's SITGES International Fantasy Film Festival, the number one fantasy film festival in the world. Following worldwide theatrical distribution (making Variety's Top 50 Films in its opening week), the movie cleaned up in global VHS sales, hitting virtually every video store in 1980s America.

Frank was next brought in as co-producer (also appearing in the film’s most controversial onscreen role) of infamous late-80s horror-comedy Street Trash, a multiple award-winner with cult status around the world and continued Special Edition Blu-ray releases. As of right now, Street Trash has inspired an all-new remake by acclaimed Fried Barry director Ryan Kruger.

As Head of Development for R.A. Film Marketing, Frank packaged and facilitated the production of THE JOHNSONS, a successful European thriller, as well as the Tom Berenger action film THE SUBSTITUTE, a home video hit that spawned several sequels. Among Frank's original screenplays -- the comedy Something for Nothing (optioned by veteran actor and SEINFELD regular Richard Herd) and the sci-fi thriller Dreamland, co-authored with Hollywood veteran George Gallo (80s classic Midnight Run). Frank can be seen as the "Seltzer Zombie" in George A. ROMERO's groundbreaking Dawn of the Dead.

Beginning in 2015, 35mm archive prints of Spookies played to sold-out crowds around the country at the prestigious Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas chain. Enthusiastic audiences were loving the movie—its atmosphere, engaging old-school practical special effects, and oddball anything-goes sense of fun. Very abruptly, Spookies was a "cult film."

Riding 1980s nostalgia, Spookies has recently enjoyed an overwhelming comeback. The movie got its first US video release in more than three decades, restored from its original negative by Vinegar Syndrome for an extra-packed 2-disc Blu-Ray edition. Rediscovered and reevaluated by film lovers ("arguably the quintessential 80s horror movie"), the response from fans (old and new) has been humbling. The film has been recognized worldwide for its low-budget ambitions and exceptional creature effects. It's been highlighted at Scotland's Glasgow Film Festival and returned to the Sitges Festival in Spain, where it received the Delerium Award in 1985. The contentious behind-the-scenes story of Spookies creation is the subject of RONDO AWARD-winning feature documentary Twisted Tale: The Making of Spookies. The film continues to gain popularity, now embraced by fans as an acknowledged part of the 80s horror pantheon. Original film copies and the 4k restoration of Spookies continue to play theaters and drive-ins, especially around Halloween.  

With both Street Trash and Spookies regarded as classics by genre enthusiasts, Frank Farel has become a familiar name and face in the worldwide horror community. He has appeared in recent retrospective cinema documentaries THE LEGEND OF KING KONG and STALE POPCORN AND STICKY FLOORS. He was the executive producer of zombie horror HELL OF THE SCREAMING UNDEAD. Upcoming films in which he appears on screen include KILLER COCKS (also featuring Troma's Loyd Kaufman) and ROBOT DRACULA, starring Malcolm McDowell.

Frank has seized the enthusiasm of the moment, completing the screenplay for and preparing to direct and produce the SPOOKIES sequel: TWISTED SOULS: SPOOKIES II.