The 26th Screamfest Horror Film Festival will open Tuesday evening with the world premiere of “The Night Driver,” a thriller starring Josh Lucas, David Arquette and Alyssa Milano.
The screening is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, 6925 Hollywood Blvd. An opening-night red carpet is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:20 p.m.
Jeremy Weiss makes his directorial debut with the film, written by John Cork.
Lucas plays traveling pharmaceutical salesman Hurdis Jones, who is trying to return home to his wife, Cheryl, after surviving an encounter with a violent stranger, according to festival organizers. The stranger follows him across the country as Jones is framed in a series of killings.
Milano plays Cheryl Jones, while Arquette portrays Detective Hank Granger, who is asked to help find Jones and prove his innocence.
Milano, Arquette, Jacob Lynn, Danielle Vasinova and Charlotte Kirk are expected at the red carpet.
The festival will run through Oct. 15, with feature and short films, filmmaker question-and-answer sessions, special events and industry programming.
Organizers said the 10-day event’s lineup includes 13 world premieres, eight North American premieres, an international premiere, a U.S. premiere and five West Coast premieres.
The festival will honor cinematographer Peter Deming with a Career Achievement Award. Deming’s credits include “Mulholland Drive,” “Twin Peaks,” “Evil Dead II,” “Scream 2,” “Scream 3,” “Scream 4,” “Drag Me to Hell,” “The Cabin in the Woods” and “The Menu.”
Filmmaker Michael Dougherty is scheduled to attend a special screening of his 2007 horror anthology “Trick ‘r Treat,” following a 4K restoration of his 2003 animated short “Season’s Greetings.” Dougherty will participate in a question-and-answer session after the screening.
Screamfest’s Industry Days are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, with panels, mentorship opportunities and networking events for filmmakers, executives, producers and distributors.
The festival will also partner with Ovation Hollywood for a free outdoor screening of the 1984 film “Ghostbusters.”
The closing-night film will be “Christmas at the Kringles,” directed by Kevin Lewis and starring Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Rob Riggle, Thomas Lennon, Arden Myrin, Donald Faison, Beverly D’Angelo and David Wain.
Screamfest was founded in 2001 by producer Rachel Belofsky. The nonprofit festival showcases horror and science-fiction filmmakers and screenwriters.