The fourth annual Highlands Horrorfest will be held at the Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough at 7p.m. on October 11, 2025, with host Big Daddy Voodoo, a local entertainer and emcee. The competitive festival features films submitted from across the Appalachian Highlands and is sponsored by a grant from the ETSU College of Business & Technology. There will be a costume contest and awards presentation at the conclusion of the screenings where the Best of the Fest winner will receive a grand prize of $1,000. Doors will open at 6pm and the show will begin at 7pm. The event is free of charge, but seating is limited.
The Highlands Horrorfest film festival has grown exponentially over the past 4 years from a small showcase of local filmmakers to a region-wide, competitive festival seeking to promote horror cinema, independent film and the region for its rich cultural history, folklore and natural beauty.
“Some of the most successful independent films of all time are horror films and, through promoting these filmmakers, we seek to provide a platform to showcase and help introduce emerging artists from our region,” said Jake VanHuss, Assistant Professor at ETSU and event organizer.
The Jackson Theatre is a fully restored theatre in the heart of historic downtown Jonesborough. Serving as a vibrant hub for the arts, it now operates as a music venue, theater, and film house, bringing entertainment and culture to the community again. The Jackson Theatre is located at 121 W Main St.
VanHuss is an award-winning writer and filmmaker and Assistant Professor in ETSU’s Department of Media and Communication.