Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream are fun holiday events if you don't mind paying $50 or more to the area's major corporate theme parks so you can be chased from one long line to the next by bad actors with fake chainsaws. Personally, I'm drawn to the more unique (and affordable) happenings, like this Sunday's Halloween Horror Picture Show 2006, a festival that showcases the scream-inducing talents of local, national and international filmmakers. In addition to screenings of feature-length films like Death by Engagement (starring P.J. Soles and Christa Campbell, who introduce the film), HEADer, Nightmare Man and Dark Remains, attendees can see the locally-produced short horror flick, The Lost; meet distributors, scouts, filmmakers and special celebrity guests; take part in a costume contest; and much more. All admission proceeds benefit the Cuban Club Historical Foundation's Charitable Organization. Beginning at noon Sun., Oct. 15, The Cuban Club, 2010 Avenida República de Cuba, Ybor City, $10, 813-248-2954, www.halloweenhorrorpictureshow.com.
