Haapsalu Horror Film Festival’s anniversary year full of surprises

Text Johanna Heinonen

Photos The Tomahawck Brothers, 
The Surfer, HÕFF

The Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) will be held from 1 to 3 May at the Haapsalu Cultural Centre. The event will be opened spectacularly by the brass band The Tomahawck Brothers. The 17-piece orchestra will perform the legendary song Kalkar, bringing the parody film of the same name to life on the big screen. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the film’s release.

This year’s HÕFF is dedicated to the band and underground film studio Päratrust, which operated from 1979 to 1983. The members of the group, led by Hardi Volmer, will receive this year’s HÕFF Honorary Award.

“We’ll play the trombones and hope Volmer doesn’t faint,” jokes the orchestra’s director, Riccardo RX Tomahawck.

Opening night packed with programmes

The opening ceremony will be held at the Haapsalu Cultural Centre starting at 18:00. Tickets for the event are available now. During the evening, there will be surprises, and an auction of items from Estonian films for the benefit of Ukraine. The event will be hosted by actor and artist Mart Sander.

The festival’s opening film is the psychological thriller “The Surfer”, starring Oscar winner Nicolas Cage. The film tells the story of a man who returns to the beach of his childhood to surf with his son. When he is humiliated by a local, aggressive mob, the situation escalates towards an inevitable turning point. The film is directed by Irishman Lorcan Finnegan, and will be screened for the first time in Estonia at the opening of HÕFF.

Red carpet and parade of fantasy characters

In Haapsalu, a blood-red carpet will be laid down on Posti Street on the opening day of the festival, and a free procession will be organised at 17:00 before the opening ceremony, in which all kinds of fantastic creatures can participate.

Tickets for the opening ceremony and the film are available through Piletilevi. Festival pass holders can enter the opening ceremony for free. More information and festival passes at hoff.ee.

To learn more about this and similar topics
events Events in Estonia Events In Haapsalu Festivals Film Festivals horror film festival HÕFF Tomahawk Brothers