If you're a horror fan who lives within striking distance of the Big Apple, you may want to make a pilgrimage there this week.  That's because over the last five years the New York City Horror Film Festival has developed a reputation for spotlighting genre talent at all levels.  This is largely the result of its interesting programming mix, which features shorts and indy premieres as well as one-of-a-kind events.

For example, not only will there be screenings of films from the U.K., Thailand, Indonesia, Germany, and elsewhere, but also Eli Roth will unveil an alternate-ending version of Hostel (2005) that has never been seen before.
  On another evening, low-buidget splatter pioneer H. G. Lewis will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a screening of his Two Thosand Maniacs (1964).

I'm hoping to catch at least some of this action, so be sure to check back here for updates.  Tickets, the schedule, and synopses of the films are all available at the fest's Website, linked below.  Also, for Firefox readers in the NY/NJ area, please know that yours truly will appear on two horror panels, at the Fair Lawn library (10/24, 7:15) and the Wayne Library (10/29, 7:30).  The topic is ostensibly horror lit, but you can be sure that I'll try to steer things toward movies.