“Sin Eater” Claims Top Prize at 2025 Highlands Horrorfest
- Brian Disoso
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Produced by Corey Ray
Horror fans packed The Jackson Theater in Jonesborough Oct. 11 for the 2025 Highlands Horrorfest, where “Sin Eater,” directed by Corey Simpson, took home the festival’s top honor: Best of the Fest.
The annual celebration of independent horror cinema brought together filmmakers, students and audiences from across the region for an evening of scares, suspense and storytelling. The festival honored excellence across several categories, spotlighting both established creators and emerging talent.
Jalyn Weston earned Best Student Film for “O’ Black Water,” while Allen C. Lopez’s “Lily” thrilled audiences enough to capture Best Scare.
Paul Fine’s “Fragments” proved to be one of the night’s biggest winners, earning Best Director and Best Actress for Kasey Williams’s chilling performance. Best Actor went to Ivan Pavletic for his role in “Opposable,” praised for its intensity and emotional depth.
Technical and artistic achievements were also recognized, including:
· Best Cinematography: Jordon Clem for “Golem”
· Best Visual Effects: Tyler Payne for “SycoPsilico: Vice Sacrifice”
· Best Makeup & Practical Effects: Olivia Parchem for “Lily”
This year’s festival showcased the growing creativity and diversity of voices within the horror genre, with films that ranged from eerie psychological thrillers to visually stunning supernatural tales. The range of styles and stories reflected the strength of independent filmmaking in the region.
Adding to the night’s festivities was the annual costume contest, where attendees dressed as their favorite horror icons, creatures and characters. The theater lobby was a parade of monsters, zombies and movie-inspired costumes, adding a lively and spooky flair to the evening at the awards ceremony.
Now a highlight of the region’s fall arts calendar, Highlands Horrorfest continues to draw an enthusiastic following, transforming The Jackson Theater into a celebration of fright, artistry and cinematic imagination.
As the curtain closed, attendees left with goosebumps and high expectations for what dark delights next year’s festival might bring.
Photos courtesy of Jake VanHuss