Oxford Film Festival to present Halloween double feature fundraiser

The Oxford Film Festival is putting the final spooky touches on its Halloween night double feature fundraiser. The remastered version of 1978’s original slasher “Halloween” will show at 7 p.m. followed by 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 9 p.m.

Oxford Film Festival executive director Melanie Addington, who was on a local “Rocky Horror” cast when she lived in Atlanta during her high school years, said the film provides a place for people to be themselves and celebrate their weirdness.

Seating is limited to 200 guests, and tickets can be purchased from the Oxford Film Festival website. Different ticket levels are available, including $30 general admission tickets, $10 to add a prop bag and $50 VIP tickets, which include access to prime seating and a private lounge. The event will have a cash bar.

This is the second year “Rocky Horror” has been screened at the Powerhouse as a fundraiser for February’s film festival and “a fun place for grown-ups to trick or treat,” according to Addington.

“We saw how many nonprofits ask for donations around the December holidays, and we thought that Halloween makes a much better fit for us because there was not a lot for adults to do on the holiday in Oxford in the past,” she said.

She said the joy of “Rocky Horror” is that watching the movie as a group is an interactive experience during which the audience plays along with the film.

The film festival staff has been preparing for the event for almost four months now by creating 200 prop bags and putting together spooky decorations for the event, according to assistant festival director Kayleigh Graham, who is also a “Rocky Horror” veteran.

“I have a theater background, so it naturally suits me on my level — that and the community that’s involved around it,” Graham said. “It’s such a great energy, and it’s OK to be weird, and it’s OK to be out there. All people love this movie, not just the weird movie people.”

According to Graham, there are several surprises in store for attendees, and they should expect a group experience, chanting, cheering and throwing props along with the film.

Margaret Smith, a senior from Jackson, attended the show last year and said she is considering it again for her Halloween plans.

“I normally go once a month to see ‘Rocky’ in Memphis, but I love the Halloween show here,” Smith said. “It’s always filled with friends and people I know, a lot of whom have never seen ‘Rocky Horror’ before.”

She said the Oxford screening provides a high-energy environment for anyone wishing to experience the show for the first time.

Addington added that festival staff had to turn away some moviegoers at the door last year, and those interested should purchase their tickets in advance to secure a spot. Proceeds from Tuesday night’s event will benefit the general budget toward festival expenses such as venue and car rentals, insurance, gas and other event needs.