Michael J. Hein
Festival Director and Founder 1970 – 2011

​The New York City Horror Film Festival is presented in memory of its Founder – filmmaker Michael J. Hein and his production company Moodude Films. Michael and Moodude Films will always be highly respected as leading proponents of independent genre films.

When it came to moviemaking, Michael did it all, from Special Effects Make-up Artist to Screenwriter, from Producer to Director. Through his company Moodude Films, Michael produced and directed various movies including: The Word, Blood Rails, Red Hook, Dead Serious, Biohazardous, Cyclone, and This is How My Brother Died. He also produced and packaged the popular DVDs, Killer Shorts parts 1 & 2.

In addition to screenwriting, producing and directing, Michael was the Founder and Director of The New York City Horror Film Festival – America’s largest and most recognized genre film festival, held annually in downtown Manhattan. Amongst Michael’s other accomplishments, he spoke about filmmaking at Notre Dame University and gave the prestigious AE lecture in New York City. Michael was also featured in the documentary “Even More Scarier Moments” broadcastd on Bravo, and was one of the subjects in the book “Splatter Flicks: How to Make a Low Budget Horror Film.”

Hein Family

The Hein family has been involved with the horror genre for the past 30 years. Raising and growing up with Michael, blood gore, and evil creatures were quite the norm in our home. Someone once asked ”What do you guys do with all that karo syrup and red food coloring in the cupboard?’

We were all involved in one way or another in the making of his first zombie film “Biohazardous,” in pre-production, on set, or post. Even the kids in the family are now running around chasing zombies and carrying fake fingers and at 6 years old Hunter Hein made his horror film debut.
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When the New York City Horror Film Festival became a reality there was no stopping us. Michael’s passion became ours and 15 years later we continue to raise the bar for our beloved MJH.

Sean Marks

Sean has been with NYCHFF since 2004, after working with Michael Hein on Dead Serious. Starting in 2008, he has been the Festival Head of Staff. A longtime fan of surrealist and Italian horror, he cites Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, and David Cronenberg among his favorites. Beginning in 2012, he joined our screening panel for both shorts and features. When not knee-deep in festival activities, he makes a living in post-production.

Chris Rowan

Chris began working with the NYCHFF in 2004. Chris is usually found helping to manage and organize the festival staffers, running the trivia before screenings, distributing swag, and making sure the festival runs smoothly. Chris has had a passion for horror since he was 6 years old, and sites the Slasher sub-genre amongst his favorites. Chris makes his living working on films, commercials, and TV shows as an Art Director, Prop Master, and Set Decorator. He is happy to have worked on a number of horror films in his career, and hopes to do even more in the future.

Kimberly Magness

Kimberly Magness has been an actress and model in the entertainment industry since childhood. She has made appearances on shows such as Rachael Ray, Nate Berkus, The Daily Show, and E! News. Kimberly is very proud of her lead role in the brutal horror film Devil’s Grove where she worked alongside Michael J. Hein. She also had the privilege of working with Michael on the film, Generation UM. Recently Kimberly can be seen as the victim on the hit shows Scorned, Stalked, and Mysteries at the Museum. She has been honored with the Scream Queen award and listed on IMBd as one of the hottest actresses in horror movies. Over the past several years, Kimberly represented the renowned New York City Horror Film Festival as a judge and filmmaker liaison.

Alan Rowe Kelly

Alan Rowe Kelly is a multi-award-winning actor and filmmaker since 1999 and considered a staple within the East Coast independent horror community. Leaving the fashion and commercial industry as a make up stylist to follow his true passion, Alan Rowe has directed and produced four features, appeared in over 30 films and received multiple awards for directing, acting, and editing. Alan met Michael J. Hein in 2003 when given a supporting role in Hein’s Dead Serious. He served on the judging panel for the 2004 and 2005 NYC Horror Film Festivals and has returned as guest host, interviewer, and filmmaker liaison for 2012 and 2013.