A graduate of Bard College and Columbia University, I have always been interested in Film, particularly the horror genre.  For several years I taught Creative Writing upstate New York with the emphasis on Screenwriting. I have worked as a script reader analyst for many film festivals and screenwriting competitions, and help with the rewriting of scripts before they are sent to agents or producers.

Josh Turi is a 3 time Emmy Winning Prosthetic Makeup Artist, with over 25 years in the Entertainment field. His Company, Designs to Deceive, has supplied Prosthetic Makeup, Special Makeup Effects, and Custom Props to an Eclectic collection of Film, Television, and Multi-Media Productions. These Productions Include; Saturday Night Live, Orange is the New Black, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, and Sneaky Pete, John Wick, Men In Black 3 & The Amazing Spider-Man 3. Most recently, Joshua and Designs to Deceive, are heading up the creation of all Prosthetics, and Makeup effects for Marvel Television, and their Productions of; Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders. 

Howard is extremely instrumental behind the scenes. Always checking to make sure any and all ideas are most beneficial to our festival. He lets nothing pass him by, and his suggestions are always on point. Michael would most likely say this is definitely not serendipitous, as who but his brother should take on this task?

Vincent Viñas was partially raised by late night HBO and the local video store, which started a lifelong love affair with all things horror.  As a screenwriter and occasional film director, his regular collaborations with Brian W. Smith have infiltrated eyeballs at such events as Fantasia Film Festival, GenreBlast, Nightmares Film Festival, Horrorhound Film Festival, Spooky Empire and AtomaCon Film Festival. He has also authored three books and never fully recovered from the hallway jump scare in The Exorcist III.

Initially starting out as a script reader, Vincent joined the programming team in 2023. He loves many of the classic horror films like Psycho, Dawn of the Dead, The Shining, Candyman, Fright Night, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and HalloweeN but is also obsessed with Universal Monsters in just about every form.

As part of the Hein family, Jen has always been extremely visible. Taking on many different hats over the years, there is not much she has not been involved in one way or another, and has garnered much admiration from tons of filmmakers due to her overwhelming personality. Being Michael’s younger sister there was little chance she would not love horror.

Tony Timpone served as Fangoria magazine editor-in-chief from 1987-2010 before moving on to manage the company’s Video on Demand and DVD divisions. As a co-host/producer, Timpone worked on Fangoria Radio for Sirius XM Satellite Radio for four years. In 2004 Timpone served as associate producer to Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments. Since 1998, he has been the Co-director of International Programming for Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival. Twitter: @tonytimpone1

Nathan Faudree is an award-winning writer/director and the Head of Development at BARBHOUSE PRODUCTIONS. He is the creator and co-writer of A WOUNDED FAWN, which premiered at TRIBECA 2022 and is distributed by AMC+ on SHUDDER. It made numerous top ten lists for the year including ROTTEN TOMATOES, SLASH FILM and the AV CLUB. It was also nominated for a FANGORIA Chainsaw Award. His feature film directorial debut, SITE 13, premiered at the NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL, winning BEST SOUND DESIGN. After winning several more awards including BEST HORROR FILM at the MONTREAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL and BEST AMERICAN DIRECTOR at the 8 ½ FILM FEST in Italy, you can find it on most platforms distributed by TERROR FILMS, it is currently available. 

Robert Hansford…Once a fan sitting in the legendary seats of the Tribeca theater to joining as a programmer and becoming part of the The New York City Horror Film Festival in 2016, the journey has been wildly fun and heartfelt.

I represent the pulse of the everyday film fan with aspirations to be a writer and maybe have a film of my own represented one day. Proud to be a part of the family and a festival full of love. Come find me in-between films at the fest and let’s grab a drink at the Trailer Park!!

Alan Rowe Kelly is an award-winning director and actor, appearing in over 40 genre films. Alan Rowe has produced 15 films, keyed makeup and special effects on over 30 productions, and has edited numerous movies and shorts.  Alan will be celebrating 15 years as host at the New York City Horror Film Festival.

Astrudge Mclean has been involved with the NYCHFF for over 10 years, and is the Coordinator of the NYCHFF Virtual Festival and virtual events (2020-Present). She is a Bric community producer and documentary filmmaker. She worked in Foster Care for 11 years and was the Producer for the Adopting Teen and Tweens show on Bric for which she won recognitions and awards as the Producer from Bric Media Arts.  She freelances in Talent Logistics for the past 10 years in various award shows, which are televised on the major networks.

Brian Smith is an avid horror movie buff and award-winning screenwriter. A graduate of LIU Post with a BFA in Film, Brian has professional experience at the William Morris Agency, Fangoria Magazine and as a Production Associate for Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show hosted by actor/musician Steven Van Zandt. Festival experience includes screening films for the Big Apple Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and the Hoboken International Film Festival.

His screenplays and concepts have been official selections and prize-winners at the Famous Monsters Silver Scream Fest, Zed Fest Screenplay Competition, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (LAIFFA), Haunted Horror Film Festival, the Action on Film Festival (AOF), Writer’s Digest, Final Draft/Big Break, StoryPros International, Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition, Tracking Board, Fade In Awards, PAGE International and Creative World Awards. More scripts in the works.

Favorite films: Suspiria, HalloweeN, The Thing, The Fog, Poltergeist, An American Werewolf In London, Young Frankenstein, Candyman, Aliens, Fright Night (the real one!), The Lost Boys, Exorcist III, The Descent, Scream 1&2 (and more…many more).

Sean has been with NYC Horror since 2004, starting off as a volunteer before moving on to head the programming team. Sean brings his love for the macabre and years working in the industry to the festival.

My mission to continue my son Michael J. Hein’s festival is unwavering. His passion, love, and devotion to the horror genre, and all the hard, working filmmakers is what I am about. We are so proud that we were the very first horror film festival on the East Coast, so my team, who by the way are the heart of this festival, and I will continue to raise the bar in his memory.

One more thing…I promise..you will love us before you leave us!