Anatomy of a Killer Horror Film: An Evening with Peter Kuplowsky, TIFF Midnight Madness Programmer

About this event

Anatomy of a Killer Horror Film: An Evening with Peter Kuplowsky, TIFF Midnight Madness Programmer

What makes a horror film impossible to forget — and impossible for a festival programmer to ignore?

Join FilmGate Miami for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes conversation with Peter Kuplowsky, the visionary programmer behind the Toronto International Film Festival's legendary Midnight Madness section and producer of acclaimed genre films including In a Violent Nature and The Void. From discovering fearless new voices to bringing unconventional films to international audiences, Peter has helped shape the landscape of contemporary genre cinema.

What You'll Explore

• 🎬 In this intimate moderated conversation, we'll explore what makes a truly original horror film, the art of building suspense on an independent budget, the evolving appetite for genre storytelling, and what programmers look for when selecting films for major festivals.

• 👻 We'll also dive into the creative and practical realities of developing, producing, positioning, and launching a successful horror feature.

• 🗣️ The evening includes an audience Q&A, offering emerging filmmakers a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the industry's most influential champions of genre cinema.

Who It's For

Designed for filmmakers, writers, producers, cinephiles, and anyone who loves cinema that dares to disturb, surprise, and challenge expectations.

📅 Thursday, November 19th, 2026

⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 PM

📍 Downtown Media Center / FilmGate Miami 168 SE 1st St, 4th Floor, Miami, FL 33131

About the Presenter:

Peter Kuplowsky is a Canadian film programmer, curator, and producer best known for programming the Toronto International Film Festival's acclaimed Midnight Madness section since 2017. A passionate advocate for boundary-pushing genre cinema and emerging filmmakers, Kuplowsky has built a career discovering and championing innovative voices in horror, action, science fiction, and unconventional independent filmmaking. His programming experience includes TIFF, Toronto After Dark, and Fantastic Fest, where he has helped introduce adventurous and unconventional cinema to international audiences. Alongside his curatorial work, Kuplowsky is an accomplished producer whose credits include In a Violent Nature (2024), PG: Psycho Goreman (2020), The Void (2016), and Manborg (2011). Working at the intersection of film production and festival programming, he brings a unique perspective on how daring independent films are developed, discovered, and positioned for international recognition.

Parking Info:

Guests may park at the Courtyard Marriott/Metropolis Parking Garage located at 200 SE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33131.

Validation will be available on-site with two options:

Up to 4 hours for $5 - any more than 4 hours, you will be charged $35

Up to 8 hours for $10 - any more than 8 hours, you will be charged $35

FAQ

Q: If I pay for 8 hour parking but only park for 4 hours, do I still get charged $10?

A: Yes, if you paid for 8 hours of parking, that will be the price regardless if you park for less than 8 hours.

Q: I already scanned the QR code at the parking garage. Is my parking automatically validated?

A: No, you must scan one of the two QR codes provided in house at the Downtown Media Center to receive the above prices.

Disclaimer:

Pictures will be taken for our social media + website!