Hysteria 2025: Paul Hibbard Talks Growth, Gore, and a Blood-Free Prom Night

Hysteria Film Fest 2025: Paul Hibbard on Canadian Carnage, Expanded Venues, and a Bloodless Prom

Paul Hibbard shares what’s new for Hysteria Film Fest 2025 over lunch with HMU.

By Travis Brown | Horror Movies Uncut

Over lunch outside La Catrina, I caught up with Paul Hibbard—filmmaker, programmer, and the driving force behind Hysteria Film Festival—for a candid talk about what to expect at the 2025 edition of St. Louis’s sharpest indie horror event. There were no fans around us this time. No crowds. Just tacos, soda, and an exciting breakdown of what’s to come when the fest returns July 10–13.

Arkadin and Beyond: Hysteria Grows Up

As Hibbard explains, the festival is back at its home base, Arkadin Cinema, but now with a second venue: The Heavy Anchor. “We’re trying to bring in more events that are horror-related besides just films,” he said. The expansion will include filmmaker panels, FX tutorials, horror trivia, and a live podcast from St. Louis mainstay Destroy the Brain.

And yes—I’ll be hosting the madness at The Heavy Anchor all weekend long.

Focus on Canada, From Cronenberg to Prom Night 2

Every year, Hysteria spotlights a country or region, and for 2025, the honor goes to Canada. Opening night brings us David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers—a cold, clinical, body-horror staple that feels right at home. For closing night, Hibbard digs deep with a cult slasher pick: Curtains (1983). “I wanted to show something lesser known,” he says, tapping into the festival’s reputation for balancing icons with buried gems.

 Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II

The centerpiece of this year’s programming, though, is Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II. “You don’t need to see Prom Night to get into this,” Hibbard assures. “It was originally a different film—Haunting at Hamilton High—and just rebranded.”

Naturally, that screening comes with its own pre-party: an ’80s horror-themed prom night on Saturday, July 12. Think: retro looks, killer vibes, costume contests, horror king and queen, and even a tarot reader from local sponsor Lady Lair. While no one’s getting Carrie’d—“no blood,” Hibbard laughed—you’re still encouraged to show up decked out. The prom is free to attend, but if you want to stay for the film, grab a ticket or badge.

Global Horror, Local Roots

This year’s fest boasts 70 films, including 10+ features, with entries from Japan, St. Louis, and of course, a hefty dose of Canadian carnage. “We’re finally getting access to more festival-level films,” Hibbard said, noting new additions like Dead Lover and Haze—titles that were once out of reach. “Studios want to know your fest has a name. I think we’re there now.”

It’s a major leap for an event that started with mostly repertory picks and open submissions. Now, it’s attracting serious distributors and carving out space on the festival circuit.

Sponsorships That Scream St. Louis

As the festival grows, so does its local support. New sponsors include:

• Terror Tacos – a vegan horror-themed taco joint

• Vintage Vinyl – the legendary record store staple

• Lady Lair – tarot and spiritual arts venue

• Vegan Deli Butcher – plant-based cuts and killer taste

Badgeholders can snag discounts at all these spots. And thanks to Lady Lair, your prom night may come with a prophecy: “She’ll let you know if you’re gonna win—or die,” Hibbard joked.

What was once a hard sell for support has flipped. “The first year, I reached out to everyone. Now they come to me.”

Hysteria 2025 Is the One You Don’t Miss

With its roots firmly planted in St. Louis, Hysteria Fest continues to evolve into one of the most distinctive genre showcases in the Midwest. Whether you’re there for the Cronenberg vibes, the DIY FX panels, or just want to dance in a vintage suit before watching someone get torched on screen, you’ll find your kind of strange here.

🗓 DATES: July 10–13, 2025

📍 VENUES: Arkadin Cinema & The Heavy Anchor

🎟 TICKETS: hysteriafilmfest.com

📲 FOLLOW: @hysteriafilmfestival

👑 Prom Night is July 12 at 8 PM (free entry)

🎬 Screening of Hello Mary Lou to follow (ticket or badge required)

For more festival previews and indie horror coverage, follow @HMUNCUT and @TravisNyquill.

“Keep the lights on.”