It's the middle of summer and time to air out your best Halloween costumes, as the Trash Film Orgy is back in town.

The debauchery begins this Saturday at the Crest Theatre with the screening of "Flash Gordon," a science-fiction classic.

The Trash Film Orgy (TFO) is in its ninth year running, produced by Christy Savage, Darin Wood and Amy Slockbower.

"It is much more than a regular movie film. We do indeed try to find the best in cult and exploitation cinema," said Savage.

Exploitation cinema? Savage defined this as, "pushing the envelope a bit. A little extra boobs, blood, more explosions, action and monsters."

When researching and booking films to showcase at the festival, Savage said there are numerous factors to take into account, but "the primary thing we look for is FUN!"

There is no shortage of fun to be had with interactive games, contests, prizes to be won, and a vampire prom taking place on August 1 along with the screening of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

The lobby will be transformed into "Trashville," where people can play games to win anything from candy to quirky retro toys.

Watching the feature films will be no ordinary experience either. Savage said that heckling and drinking are encouraged, and it is normal for people to yell at the screen during a film. "The people that come to midnight movies are a little more adventurous than your general 'I'm gonna go to a movie at noon' crowd," she said.

The scheduled host for this year was El Tigre Diablo, a luchador, or wrestler, from Mexico, but Savage speculates, "We think he may have gotten in a Mexican jail."

Francois the Fly is said to take his place. "He's had some issues over the years with bug-spray addiction, but he's back this year, which is just in time because we can't seem to find El Tigre," Savage said.

At least this is what the audience will hear from the host, fabricating rumors about characters is another element of TFO theatrics and mythology.

In the past, the TFO has done live monster wrestling three times, has performed numerous musical parodies like "Dead Side Story," and has thrown a zombie prom.

This year, Savage said, "I've been telling people to expect the unexpected."

TFO productions also makes "low budget, high quality exploitation films," according to Savage. They expect the release of their current project, "Planet of the Vampire Women," early next year at the Crest Theatre.

Those wanting to view films must be at least 18 years of age due to adult content, and for Trash fans over 21, the Retro-Trash Lounge will be serving alcohol.

"I think the majority of our people have a good time. Unless they're drinking too much," said Savage.

The TFO runs every Saturday at midnight from July 11 until August 15.

For more information, click the following link:
Trash Film Orgy