Road Kill, starring Xavier Samuel (Eclipse), to be released via Fangoria Frightfest

Road Kill (formerly Road Train) was actor Xavier Samuel's final motion picture prior to becoming a household name after being cast in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Shot in the spring of 2009 on his home turf in Adelaide, South Australia, the film is a supernatural thriller about a group of teenagers menaced by a driver-less triple-trailer truck in the Australian outback. It was back in early November 2009 when I posted the official sales trailer for the movie as it was about to be exhibited by worldwide sales representative Lightning Entertainment at AFM in Los Angeles, the industry film market that runs concurrently with the public AFI Film Festival.

Now comes word that Road Kill has secured a distribution deal unlike any other, via Fangoria Frightfest. This unique new partnership between Fangoria, the genre magazine/website, and distributor Lightning Media would be fascinating even if not for the fact that this highly anticipated thriller is one of the eight titles included in the package. Road Kill will be released on DVD, Video On Demand (VOD), and available as a digital download on a date to be announced. In addition, if fans go online and vote for it, the film will be slated for theatrical distribution in late July. 

"Xavier had 'movie star' written all over him the minute he walked into my casting room," said director Dean Francis. "When he told me after wrap that he was trying out for Twilight, we all had no doubt he'd get the role -- he was extremely thorough on Road Kill, a real perfectionist, great in rehearsal and as a result gives a great performance. Xavier is the real deal, and no doubt he'll be on our screens for many years to come. He's also the perfect sexy vampire!"

The other titles in the competition include Pig Hunt, Fragile, Grimm Love, Dark House, Hunger, The Haunting, and The Tomb. The public is invited to visit FangoriaFrightFest.com to view trailers and special features for the eight films, then vote for the one they want to see on the big screen. Polls will be open from June 22 to July 19.

"Fangoria, both the magazine and on the web, is the leading resource for fans looking for a range of horror film styles," said Thomas DeFeo, president of Fangoria Entertainment . "We are excited to be able to team with Lightning Media to bring to the marketplace more of what we hear an array of fans -- people from diverse demographics with divergent tastes -- are asking to see. And that's top-quality production values, outstanding star power and variety of choice."

"The Fangoria FrightFest lineup represents a diversified lineup of quality genre entertainment, ranging from supernatural chillers to psychological horror and slasher flicks," added Lightning Entertainment Group co-president Rich Goldberg. "We want to embrace horror fans of every demographic. And Lightning Media wants to offer producers an alternative, multi-platform delivery system that provides greater awareness and accessibility to reach their audiences."

In addition, starting June 21, television viewers will be able to view 8 Fangoria Frights, a half hour special available for free via On Demand on most cable systems. Hosted by Cabin Fever star Vincent Cerina, the show will include clips, featurettes, and interviews with directors of the films. 

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xoxo
Carrie