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 movie making, 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 yearly at The Tribeca Film Center 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” broadcasted on Bravo, and was one of the subjects in the book “Splatter Flicks: How to Make a Low Budget Horror Film”.