Complete Howard French Course adds new horror festival screenings

The psychological horror feature starring Paul Parducci is adding screenings in Delaware, Indiana and New York City during its 2026 festival run. The new dates extend a cross-border circuit that has already included Philadelphia, Spain, Canada and the Netherlands.

Why it matters: - The new screenings widen the reach of an independent horror title that has already picked up momentum on the festival circuit. - The added dates put the film in front of audiences in three more U.S. markets, including a feature slot in New York City. - The film’s festival run can influence future distribution, licensing and sales interest.

What happened: - The Complete Howard French Course is adding 2026 festival screenings in Wilmington, Delaware; Shelbyville, Indiana; and New York City. - Paul Parducci stars as Howard French in the 83-minute psychological horror feature. - Gustavo Sampaio directed the film, and California Pictures is distributing it. - The story follows four young seekers who find a videotape from the 1980s and are drawn into Howard French’s lessons on enlightenment. - The film was written by Parducci and produced by Pardco Pictures and GS Productions.

The details: - The new screenings are set for September 25 at Horror Fest Film Festival in Wilmington, Delaware; September 26 at Cinema Scares Film Festival in Shelbyville, Indiana; and October 3 at New York Sci-Fi Film Festival in New York City at 9 p.m. - The New York screening is scheduled as the festival’s feature presentation. - The festival program describes a used-bookstore encounter as the event that leads the four seekers to Howard French and his course. - The film uses analog media, mystery and found-footage influences to build tension around what the four seekers see and whether they can trust Howard French. - Parducci’s character is positioned as both instructor and possible threat. - The film’s past festival stops include the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival, Fango Fest in Spain, the Toronto Indie Horror Film Festival and the BUT Film Festival in Breda, the Netherlands. - At the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival, the film was named a finalist for Best Feature. - Additional information about Parducci’s film and television work is available through his IMDb page. - Distribution, licensing, sales and release inquiries go to California Pictures at monique@californiapicturesinc.com.

Between the lines: - The festival route suggests the film is being positioned for genre audiences that respond to psychological horror, ambiguity and retro-media aesthetics. - The emphasis on suggestion over explanation points to a story built around unease rather than explicit exposition. - Parducci’s dual role as writer and star gives the production a built-in creative identity across marketing and festival outreach.

What's next: - Individual festivals may update screening schedules. - Attendees are being directed to the linked festival pages for current ticket and venue information. - The New York screening may be a key test of how the film plays with a larger genre audience.

The bottom line: - The Complete Howard French Course is turning a strong festival run into broader exposure with three new 2026 screenings and a New York feature presentation.