Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero has been selected to receive the 2016 Ted M. Larson Award from the Fargo Film Festival. Mr. Romero regrets that he is unable to travel to Fargo to be with us in person, but he will share some thoughts and reflections via video.
An undisputed master of horror, Romero changed the landscape of American cinema forever with his signature combination of social satire, dark humor, and of course, flesh-eating zombies.
With 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead,” Romero introduced himself as an exciting new filmmaker with a gift for tapping into an audience’s darkest fears and deep-seated anxieties. His undisputed place as the “Grandfather of Zombies” was secured with 1978’s “Dawn of the Dead.” This comical and utterly terrifying examination of consumer culture run amok is considered by many critics to be among the greatest horror films of all time.
Committed to the role of independent filmmaker, Romero found great success outside the Hollywood machine. His films, including “The Crazies,” “Martin,” “Knightriders,” “Creepshow,” “Day of the Dead,” “Monkey Shines,” “The Dark Half,” “Land of the Dead,” and many others bear his trademark style and wit. Romero infused zombies into mainstream American pop culture and his work has spawned countless imitations and homages throughout the last five decades.
A pioneer, an artist, an auteur, and icon — the Fargo Film Festival celebrates the remarkable career of George A. Romero with our highest honor, the Ted. M Larson Award.