From the Press Release
Lazarus: Day of the Living Dead will have its North American premiere at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) on May 31 where writer/director Thomas J. Churchill's (SyFy's Monster Man, Emerging Past) 1957 styled zombie film will receive the red-carpet treatment. Cast and crew will be on hand for the VIP gala. Their 8pm screening will be followed by a Q&A and after party. A variety of VIP ticketed experiences are available through the fest’s website including lunch with the director and cast members, invitations to the red carpet cocktail reception, after party and more. A second screening at 10pm will be offered to handle the expected overflow.
Churchill is excited about his return to NYCIFF. "We are thrilled to once again be a part of this prestigious and entertaining film festival. When Emerging Past took home Best Horror Feature in 2010 and was the only film to date to force three sold out showings, I thought that was amazing BUT, coming back to this festival in my home town with another project is such an honor!" Lazarus will also screen at Weekend of Fear on May 31, marking the second time a Churchill film has been featured at this German film festival.
Lazarus tells the story of the beginning of the zombie apocalypse in the late 1950s. The film revolves around George Lazarus (Ray Capuana), an insurance investigator looking into suspicious employee insurance claims against the Deadly Sin Cigarette Company.
During the investigation, he learns that all twelve claimants had recently been fired for being sick at the job, and subsequently disappeared without a trace. While his heart-sick fiancée (Natalie Victoria) retraces his steps, she learns that what was initially regarded as a simple fraud investigation case may actually be the beginning of the end of the human race.
Set in Hollywood in 1957, the film also stars Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night), Brooke Lewis (iMurders), Josh Hammond (Jeepers Creepers 2), James Duval (Sushi Girl), Brian Andrews (Halloween), Janet Tracy Keijser (House on Haunted Hill), Kenneth J. Hall (The Puppet Master), Krista Grotte and Taylor Morgan Lewis. Roy Knyrim’s SOTA FX provided special effects.
Lazarus is scheduled for a July 2014 summer release through Origin Releasing. According to Churchill, “the film will be available everywhere, including but not limited to Redbox and all wholesale stores such as WalMart and BestBuy. It will also be available through all major cable and satellite providers for VOD, including Netflix, iTunes and more."
Churchill hopes audiences come away from their viewing experience saying, 'If Hitchcock told a zombie film, this would be it.' “I think it's a very intense, graphic and fresh entry to the zombie genre, and we want them to want more as this is the first in a proposed Lazarus trilogy."
To learn more, visit the official Lazarus Movie website.