Special Guests

Pam Grier

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce actor Pam Grier is coming to our convention Sept 13-15, 2024, for her first-ever Colorado convention appearance! Pam will be meeting fans, signing autographs, participating in a Q&A, and doing photo ops!

Pam Grier was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Because of her father's military career, her family moved frequently during her childhood to various places including England, and eventually settled in Denver, Colorado, where she attended East High School. While in Denver, she appeared in a number of stage productions and participated in beauty contests to raise money for college tuition toward Metropolitan State College.

Pam moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1969, where she was initially hired as a receptionist at the American International Pictures (AIP) Company. She was discovered by director Jack Hill, who cast her in his women in prison films The Big Doll House (1971), and The Big Bird Cage (1972). While under contract at AIP, she became a staple of early 1970s Blaxploitation movies, playing big, bold, assertive women, beginning with Jack Hill’s Coffy (1973), in which she plays a nurse who seeks revenge on drug dealers. Her character was advertised in the trailer as the "baddest one-chick hit-squad that ever hit town!" The film was a box-office hit, and Pam was noted as the first African-American female to headline an action film, as protagonists of previous Blaxploitation films were males. In his review of Coffy, film critic Roger Ebert noted that Grier was an actress of “beautiful face and astonishing form" and that she possessed a kind of "physical life" missing from other actresses. Grier subsequently played similar characters in the AIP films Scream Blacula Scream (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), Friday Foster and Sheba, Baby (both 1975).

She acquired progressively larger character roles in the 1980s, including a prostitute in Fort Apache the Bronx (1981), a witch in Something Wicked this Way Comes (1983), and Steven Seagal’s detective partner in Above the Law (1988). She made guest appearances on Miami Vice, Martin, Night Court, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and had a recurring role in the TV series Crime Story between 1986 and 1988. She also appeared on Sinbad, Preston Chronicles, The Cosby Show, The Wayans Brother Show and Mad TV. In 1994, Grier appeared in Snoop Dogg's video for Doggy Dogg World.

In the late 1990s Pam Grier was a cast member of the Showtime series Linc's. She starred in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, a film that overtly paid homage to her '70s Blaxploitation movies. In 1997 Grier was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress and by the Screen Actors Guild for Best Actress in a Performance for Jackie Brown. Pam had notable roles in John Carpenter’s Escape from L.A. (1996) and Ghosts of Mars (2001) as well as Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! (1996) and starred with Snoop Dogg in the cult classic Bones (2001).

Between 2004-2009, Pam appeared in the Showtime series The L Word as Kit Porter and guest-starred as recurring characters in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and on the hit science fiction series Smallville as Amanda Waller. Recently, Pam played character Deja’s grandmother in the NBC hit drama This Is Us and she played Athena in the just-released Amazon Prime Season 2 of the anthology horror series Them: The Scare.

Recent films include Just Wright, Larry Crowne, Mafia with Ving Rhames, The Man with Iron Fists directed by RZA and Eli Roth and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023).

In 2010, she wrote her memoir, Foxy: My Life in Three Acts with Andrea Cagan, which became a New York Times Bestseller, won “Best Memoir of 2010” award from the African American Literary organization, and received the Golda Meir Center for Political Leadership Award. In 2011, Grier received her Doctorate Humane Letters from Maryland University Eastern Shore, an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Langston University, the Golda Meir Leadership Award and the Entertainment AIDS Alliance Visionary Award.

In collaboration with Subaru of America, Inc. and the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, she started the first Pam Grier Community Garden and Education Center in Dallas, Texas. In 2012, Pam received the Legend Award at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Pam also serves as the spokesperson for Dining Out for Life, an international fundraiser for HIV/AIDS service organizations. Times for Photo Ops to be announced closer to event.

Pam will be at COFOH - SAT and SUN ONLY!

Tiffany Shepis

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce actor, producer, and scream queen Tiffany Shepis is coming to our convention Sept 13-15, 2024! Tiffany will be meeting fans, signing autographs, and doing photo ops!

Tiffany Shepis was born and raised in New York City. She got her start in Lloyd Kaufman and James Gunn’s Tromeo and Juliet when she was just 16 years old. Since then Tiffany has made over 150 independent films: most notably the SYFY hit Abominable, the late-night fan favorite The Hazing, After Dark Horrorfest’s Nightmare Man, Sundance Film Festival’s The Violent Kind, Adam Green’s Victor Crowley, and Debbie Rochon’s Model Hunger, as well as the multi-award-winning The Frankenstein Syndrome and the mega cult hit Sharknado 2: The Second One! Recently she starred in the final season of Star Trek: Picard as “Dr. Ohk”. Tiffany continues to work as an actress, host and producer and is constantly on fan favorite lists such as Playboy’s top sexiest scream queens.

Tiffany will have Professional Photo Ops available on Saturday and Sunday. Stay tombed for times with the programming accouncement. Your 8x10 will be printed and available onsite! Times for Photo Ops to be announced closer to event.

Thom Mathews

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce FRIDAY THE 13TH and RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD actor Thom Mathews is coming to our convention Sept 13-15! Thom will be meeting fans, introducing FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI, signing autographs, participating in a Q&A, and doing photo ops all weekend at COLORADO FESTIVAL OF HORROR: FRIDAY THE 13TH September 13th-15th, 2024! Thom played “Tommy Jarvis” in multiple Friday the 13th incarnations and joins Friday the 13th Part VI writer/director Tom McLoughlin as well as fan film writer/director Vincente DiSanti. It’s Ki, Ki, Ki, Ma, Ma, Ma, all weekend long.

Thom Mathews began his acting career in the early 1980s as a model and commercial actor, starring in national TV commercials for Le Tigre, Sprite, and Tostitos. From 1982 to 1984, Thom guest starred on a string of soap operas including FALCON CREST, DYNASTY, and PAPER DOLLS. In 1984, he portrayed Erik in the romantic comedy film THE WOMAN IN RED.

His first major role was Freddy in the 1985 cult classic THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD with Linnea Quigley. The following year, Thom starred in FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES, becoming the third actor to portray Tommy Jarvis. In 1987, he starred as Francis Kelly in the TV film THE DIRTY DOZEN: THE DEADLY MISSION and guest-starred on the sitcom MR. PRESIDENT with George C. Scott. In 1988, he starred as Joey in RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD PART II and Charmin' in ALIEN FROM L.A.

In 1990s, he portrayed Tim Murphy in the TV film ROCK HUDSON and David in the horror film MIDNIGHT CABARET. Thom starred in the action films BLOODMATCH and BORN TO RIDE, the sci-fi thriller NEMESIS, portrayed Bill in KICKBOXER 4, and Dan Donahue in IN THE LIVING YEARS. In 1995, Thom starred in the sci-fi film HEATSEEKER and guest-starred on an episode of ER. In 1996, Thom starred in the TV drama films IF LOOKS COULD KILL and RAVEN HAWK.

He reprised the role of Tommy Jarvis twice in 2017, providing his voice and likeness to the video game Friday the 13th: The Game and making a cameo appearance in the unofficial fan film Vincente DiSanti’s NEVER HIKE ALONE. Thom starred in the horror thriller KILLER THERAPY with Daeg Faerch and in the horror mystery FINAL SUMMER in 2023. He repeated the role of Tommy Jarvis in 2022 in another unofficial fan film FRIDAY THE 13TH VENGEANCE 2: BLOODLINES as well as starring in Vincente’s sequels NEVER HIKE IN THE SNOW in 2020 and NEVER HIKE ALONE 2 last year.

Tom McLoughlin

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce writer, director, and actor Tom McLoughlin is coming to our convention Sept 13-15, 2024! Tom will be meeting fans, introducing a very special FRIDAY THE 13TH film on Friday the 13th, signing autographs, participating in a Q&A, and doing photo ops!

Tom McLoughlin's reel life began in 1957 at the age of seven, making 8mm movies in the back lots of MGM studios. He was a magician during the 1950s, a Rock musician in the 1960s (opening for groups such as The Doors), a mime in the 1970s (studying in Paris with Marcel Marceau), and an Emmy Award-nominated writer for his work with Dick Van Dyke & Company. In the 1980s, Tom fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a filmmaker. He has directed more than forty feature film and television projects, including FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES and the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated miniseries IN A CHILD’S NAME.

Tom’s five feature films have all dealt in the thriller/horror/fantasy genre. ONE DARK NIGHT starred Meg Tilly and centered around the world of paranormal activity. His FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES is considered the critical and fan favorite of the series for blending dark humor with horror. Steven King’s SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK was so successful it spawned two sequels. And his feature THE UNSAID starring Andy Garcia was nominated for a Golden Star and won the Audience Award at the Marrakech Film Festival. He also co-wrote and co-produced the film FAIRYTALE: A TRUE STORY for Paramount.

In television, Tom wrote episodes for Steven Spielberg’s AMAZING STORIES, was a story editor, writer, and director on FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES, was a director for FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES, and for Universal, created the series THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE and SHE-WOLF OF LONDON. His films for the USA Network were both controversial subjects MURDER IN GREENWICH and D.C. SNIPER which won Best Television Movie for the NAACP Awards and Best Male Star for Charles Dutton.

Before moving behind the camera, Tom acted in films and TV series including portraying the robot S.T.A.R. (Special Troops/Arms Regiment) in the Disney film THE BLACK HOLE and the mutated bear in the 1979 horror film PROPHECY. Most recently a book on his life and films was released A STRANGE IDEA OF ENTERTAINMENT: CONVERSATIONS WITH TOM MCLOUGHLIN. Today he continues to pursue his eclectic passions, touring worldwide as the lead singer of the Rock band The Sloths while preparing for postmortem appearances at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery!

Vincente DiSanti

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce actor, director, writer & producer Vincente DiSanti is coming to our convention Sept 13-15! Vincente will be meeting fans, signing autographs, screening his terrifying Friday the 13th NEVER HIKE ALONE films and doing photo ops as "JASON" all weekend at Colorado Festival of Horror: Friday the 13th September 13th-15th, 2024!

Vincente DiSanti is an award-winning director and founder of the independent film company, Womp Stomp Films. Since 2016, Vincente and his team have utilized crowdfunding to raise over $800,000 and produce award-winning films such as the "Never Hike Alone" Series, "Pathosis," "Imagine," and "Dylan's New Nightmare." As a 16-year veteran of the film and television industry Vicente's production experience includes feature animated films "Free Birds," "Rock Dog," and "Duck, Duck, Goose" as well as live action projects such as "American Horror Story," "The Rookie," and "Finest Kind."

Vincente will have Professional Photo Ops available on Saturday and Sunday. Stay tombed for times with the programming accouncement. Your 8x10 will be printed and available onsite! Times for Photo Ops to be announced closer to event. Proceeds from Vincente's photo ops will go to a local wildlife preserves/restoration project to keep trails clean & safe.

Jerry G. Angelo and Aubrey Trujillo

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce filmmakers Jerry G. Angelo and Aubrey Trujillo are coming to our convention Sept 13-15! They will be hosting the COLORADO PREMIERE of their new sci-fi & horror thriller OBSCURA in Monster Main Events and their horror film ARTIK in the Voorhees Victims Video Room as well as participating on filmmaker panels all weekend at COLORADO FESTIVAL OF HORROR: FRIDAY THE 13TH September 13th-15th, 2024!

Jerry G. Angelo is the CEO of RokitPig Entertainment. He is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America, having produced seventeen feature films and written over forty original screenplays. His heartfelt directorial debut AMERICAN WARFIGHTER was picked up by Netflix. Some horror favorites produced by Jerry are GNOME ALONE with Vern Troyer and the internationally acclaimed ARTIK, which is about a comic book-obsessed serial killer. Jerry is the director, writer, producer of the Sci-Fi Horror OBSCURA and a member of the ensemble cast led by and starring Aubrey Trujillo. He can be seen in Netflix’s current TRIGGER WARNING where he faces off against Jessica Alba, in the comedy CORA BORA with Megan Stalter, and Showtime’s Television series THE CURSE.

Aubrey Trujillo is a multi-talented film and stage actress and singer. Her journey began at UCLA, where she earned her Masters of Music, setting the stage for a career that has taken her to the forefront of both stage and film. Aubrey can be seen on Apple TV and Amazon Prime as a leading lady in COYOTE CAGE, THE HARD HIT, and OBSCURA. As an indie film producer, writer, and aspiring director, she wears many hats. Aubrey’s portfolio includes writing seven original feature film screenplays, producing RokitPig's film slate, and currently recording her first music album. Aubrey will soon be making her directorial debut in an action-romance film!

Adam Dougherty

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce Creature Designer, SPFX, Makeup, and Concept Artist Adam Dougherty is coming to our convention Sept 13-15! Adam will be meeting fans, signing autographs, and participating on a panel/workshop all weekend at our convention September 13th-15th, 2024!

KreatureKid is Adam Dougherty, a creature creator, special effects expert, and filmmaker. Adam spent 10 years working at various FX companies in Los Angeles, helping to create some of the world’s favorite monsters, including working on “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”, “Annabelle: Creation”, “The Nun”, The Predator”, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”, and “Creepshow” to name a few. Now, Adam has started his own, multifaceted company KreatureKid in Colorado that has handcrafted creatures, gags, and so much more for features, shorts, and commercials alike. Additionally, KreatureKid has forged many fine art pieces that are on public and private display. Adam has also ventured into the filmmaking space, creating beautiful videos and shorts featuring his own creations as well as on the 2023 film “Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls” and launching the crowdfunded short film project “Jungle of Darkness” in 2022. With a flare for the macabre and a keen eye for detail, Adam continues to create wildly intricate and fascinating works today.

Kevon Ward

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce is a local Denver artist who specializes in FX makeup, creature design/fabrication, fine art, and graphic design Kevon Ward is coming to our convention Sept 13-15! Kevon will be meeting fans, signing autographs, and participating on a panel/workshop all weekend at our convention September 13th-15th, 2024!

Kevon Ward is a two-time competitor on the hit SYFY reality, competition show Face Off. Kevon's work has been featured in film, television, theatrical productions, theme parks, VR games, body paint competitions, retail stores, and children's books. Kevon loves to create horror fan art, as well as original concepts. He works as a full-time artist, fulfilling client needs that range from horror makeup/gags to puppetry, scale models, mural work, scenic sculpture/installation, body paint/illusion makeup, digital illustration, concept art, and personalized family/pet portrait paintings. Kevon has also been working on the development of multiple film studios here in Denver, under LFX FilmWorks, in order to expand Colorado's film scene. Kevon Ward is the creator of the dark horror comedy web series Bored as Hell, starring local talent Heath Heine, out now on YouTube. Follow Kevon on Instagram and Facebook.

Matt Haslam

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce is a local Denver visual effects artist specializing in miniature design and construction, as well as prop creation, with a little bit of pyro effect work built in, Matt Haslam is coming to our convention Sept 13-15! Matt will be meeting fans, signing autographs, and participating on a panel/workshop all weekend at our convention September 13th-15th, 2024!

Early work saw Matt working on two episodes of Reading Rainbow with Levar Burton. His movie credits run the gamut: Matrix: Reloaded, Spiderman, Crow 2: City of Angels, Blade 2, Virus, Atomic Train, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and even Godzilla. A Hollywood career spanning over 27 years and still going. Matt has worked for several effects companies, most noteably Fantasy II Film Effects and 4-Ward Productions for films produced through most of the major production studios. He has also recently moved toward producing some work through a recent association with Far Away Creations with Cal Pierce. Sadly, Matt's mentor and dear friend Gene Warren, Jr., passed in 2019, and Fantasy II had closed its doors. Recently though, Matt has become involved in preparing to resurrect Fantasy II Film Effects with Gene's sons Chris and Gene III under a new name ... Blind Beagle VFX. He will be helping to run their model and prop shop.

Stephen Graham Jones

Colorado Festival of Horror is thrilled to announce is a local Denver the New York Times bestselling author of nearly thirty novels and collections, and there’s some novellas and comic books in there as well, Stephen Graham Jones is coming to our convention Sept 13-15! Stephen will be meeting fans, signing autographs, and participating on a panel/workshop all weekend at our convention September 13th-15th, 2024!

Stephen’s been an NEA recipient, has won the Texas Institute of Letters Award for Fiction, the LA Times Ray Bradbury Prize, the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award, the Independent Publishers Award for Multicultural Fiction, WLA’s Distinguished Achievement Award, ALA’s RUSA Award and Alex Award, the 2023 American Indian Festival of Words Writers Award, four Bram Stoker Awards®, two Shirley Jackson Awards, five This is Horror Awards, and he’s been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award and the British Fantasy Award. He’s also made Bloody Disgusting’s Top Ten Horror Novels, and is the guy who wrote Mongrels, The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw, Don’t Fear the Reaper, The Angel of Indian Lake, and I Was A Teenage Slasher. Stephen’s comic books include IDW’s Earthdivers and Metal X Entertainment’s True Believers which feature the cosplay slasher Killr™ creating havoc at the Colorado Festival of Horror convention! Stephen lives and teaches in Boulder, Colorado.

Matthew Therrien

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce artist Matthew Therrien is coming to our convention Sept 13-15, 2024, for his first-ever Colorado convention appearance! Matthew will be meeting fans, signing his illustrations and comic book covers, participating on a TRUE BELIEVERS comic book panel, and doing a live painting of the Killr™ cosplay slasher!

Matthew Therrien is a Canadian illustrator who has spent the majority of his career within the horror genre. He has worked with companies such as WARNER BROS., LIONSGATE and MARVEL to create key art seen across the world. His paintings have been featured on the covers of HORRORHOUND, RUE MORGUE, MOVIEMAKER and DELIRIUM magazines, and he has provided numerous illustrations for distributors such as SEVERIN FILMS, SYNAPSE and CAULDRON FILMS. In 2013 he created an anthology comic called THE GATES OF MISERY in which he collaborated with writer/directors Brandon Cronenberg, Steven Kostanski and Jon Knautz. Most recently, he was the cover artist for the upcoming comic TRUE BELIEVERS, in which he created illustrations of creatives such as Jamie Lee Curtis, R.L. Stine, Devon Sawa, and musician Matthew Heafy. TRUE BELIEVERS #1-2 will be available for purchase at sponsor Hex Publishers booth while supplies last.

KillerCutie Cosplay

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce new cosplay judge KillerCutie Cosplay will be at Colorado Festival of Horror: Friday the 13th September 13th-15th, 2024, for the 4th annual COFOH Gore Galore Costume Extravaganza Saturday night at 6pm! Don’t miss this terrifying display of creativity that will make your blood run cold! Friday the 13th-themed trophies will be provided from our sponsor Unstable Culture.

With over a decade of cosplay experience, KillerCutie Cosplay brings boundless creativity and enthusiasm to every character she embodies. From her enchanting mermaid persona, Pearl, to her love for horror and intricate prop-making, KillerCutie's cosplays captivate audiences with their attention to detail and whimsical charm. As a seasoned panelist and advocate for the cosplay community, KillerCutie shares her expertise on topics ranging from mermaiding to SFX work, enriching the community with her knowledge and passion. Alongside her husband and photographer, intentsimages, she brings her cosplays to life through stunning visuals and captivating storytelling. With a collection of awards and a leadership role at SoCo Comic Con, KillerCutie continues to inspire and uplift cosplayers of all backgrounds, embodying the transformative power of creativity and imagination.

Kristin Killtastic

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce new cosplay judge Kristin Killtastic will be at COLORADO FESTIVAL OF HORROR: FRIDAY THE 13TH September 13th-15th, 2024 for the big event Saturday night at 6pm! Don’t miss this terrifying display of creativity that will make your blood run cold! Friday the 13th-themed trophies are provided from our sponsor Unstable Culture!

Kristin Killtastic, an acclaimed cosplayer from Colorado Springs, CO, has crafted and worn over 80 characters in her nearly decade-long career. Her expertise extends to foam-smithing, unique character choices, and makeup transformations. Accomplishments include fashion shows, costume contest award winner, published in several articles throughout the USA, and recently published in a photo gallery in Barcelona, Spain. In addition, she is the Cosplay Host of Natso Mini Con, she had the opportunity to participate in a commercial jingle with Mark Britten and is currently booking gigs for other talents with her newly created business, Happy Cat Talent Management.

Kalzef

Colorado Festival of Horror is excited to announce cosplay judge Kalzef is returning to COLORADO FESTIVAL OF HORROR: FRIDAY THE 13TH September 13th-15th, 2024 for the big Gore Galore Extravaganza Costume Contest Saturday night at 6pm! Don’t miss this terrifying display of creativity that will make your blood run cold! Friday the 13th-themed trophies are provided from our sponsor Unstable.

Kalzef is a Colorado native cosplayer who identifies as Nonbinary. Kalzef first started cosplaying in June 2013 as Mizore from Rosario+Vampire and caught the cosplay bug! Since then, Kalzef has placed in multiple masquerades and has a collection of award-winning handmade cosplays! They love to spread positivity in the community with an outlook of kindness and acceptance using photography to help make new cosplayers feel welcome to the community!