WEIRD ENOUGH FOR YA? MidWest WeirdFest – happening March 8-10 in Eau Claire – will be the home of the premiere of two cool films called Let’s Scare Julie to Death (below) and The Invisible Mother (above)

Now in its third year, the MidWest WeirdFest is ready to hit the big screen again March 8-10 at Micon Downtown Cinema, 315 S. Barstow St, Eau Claire. With a dozen full-length films, more than 30 shorts, and a handful of music videos, it’s a weekend no fan of the spooky, scary, or mystical will want to miss.

“MidWest WeirdFest is co-hosting two free events this year that I’m thrilled about,” Festival Director Dean Bertram said. In partnership with Eau Claire Games and Arcade, the fest will feature a dance-off with one of the filmmakers Saturday, March 8. Any challenger can take on Jason Trost and get pumped ahead of the double-feature screening of his movies THE FP and FP 2: BEATS OF RAGE.

On Sunday, March 10, festgoers can take a jaunt across the street to Ivy Creatives (312 S Barstow St, Suite #3) for a Filmmaking Masterclass. Festival featured filmmakers will lend their knowledge and experience to the class.

This year will include the world premiere of two films on the final night of the festival. Let’s Scare Julie to Death, directed by Jud Cremata, shows at 6:30 Sunday night. Shot in one 85-minute take, the footage follows a group of girls execute a plan to scare the girl who lives across the street – in a house rumoured to be haunted.

Jacob Gillman and Matt Diebler’s The Invisible Mother follows at 8:30. When Marcy, a stoner fed up with her own life, returns home to take care of her grandmother, who suffers from dementia, she finds herself on an eerie rescue mission to save her grandfather from an ill-meaning entity. Gillman and Diebler will lead a Q&A session following the final screening.

MidWest WeirdFest features films that fall into the categories of horror, sci-fi, underground, fantasy, thriller, experimental, or “any film one might consider weird,” the entry rules read. With categories for long and short films, animations, documentaries, and – this year for the first time – screenplays, there’s a huge variety of media to enjoy.

“I dream of MidWest WeirdFest evoking the awe and chills of the sideshow alley of a dark carnival, a place filled with terrors, wonders, and forbidden surprises,” Bertram said.

The festival will close Sunday night with a private party at Ivy Creatives. The event is open to ticket holders of The Invisible Mother; attendees should RSVP at the screening. This will be an opportunity to discuss festival favorites, chat with the directors in attendance, and enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks.

More information about MidWest WeirdFest is available online at www.midwestweirdfest.com. Tickets can be purchased there or at www.miconcinemas.com. Full festival passes are $55, with daily passes and individual showing tickets available.