About “Vampira: The Movie”

Vampira: The Movie is an award-winning documentary about the world’s first horror host, Maila “Vampira” Nurmi, released in 2007. It contains exclusive interviews with her, some of the last before her death in 2008 at the age of 85. Always daring, creative and eccentric, Nurmi tells the story of her life before, during, and after filming her best-known role, that of the “Vampire Girl” from the 1959 “so bad it’s good” cult classic film Plan 9 from Outer Space.

Vampira: The Movie also includes exclusive interviews with actors Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Debbie Rochon, and Julie Strain; filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman; horror historians Forrest J Ackerman and David J. Skal, artist Kevin Eastman, musicians Jerry Only (The Misfits) and Svengoolie, and horror hosts Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), The Double D’s, Jami Deadly, Penny Dreadful, and Zacherley.

The score was composed and performed by Ari Lehman (Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th).

Vampira: The Movie was directed by Kevin Sean Michaels (The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels, Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest) and won the 2008 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Independent Film.

What critics are saying

“Director Kevin Sean Michaels has fashioned the ultimate cult film about one of the cult film world’s most fascinating figures. I give this documentary a big thumbs up.” —Heavy Metal magazine

“this film is a rare treasure . . . two claws up” —Scary Monsters magazine

“I loved it so much.” —Terra King, Examiner.com

“a wealth of captivating interview footage” —Paul Corupe, Rue Morgue magazine

“fascinating and insightful . . . The fact that Michaels was able to get such a well rounded portrait of this magical idol just before her passing is a wonderful gift not only to the horror community but to history and society as a whole.” —Brian Kirst, Horror Society

“Vampira the Movie is guaranteed to thrill and enthrall not only hardcore ‘monster kids’ but anyone interested in the bizarre vagaries of show biz and celebrity.” —Videoscope magazine

“the folks behind Vampira: The Movie are extremely talented” —Art Ettinger, Ultra Violent magazine

“This is a great documentary that I highly recommend” —Cultcuts magazine

“Campy fun.” —Chris Hicks, Deseret Morning News

“a welcome and long overdue tribute to an influential figure . . . hearing and seeing Maila Nurmi, even after all this time, is to die for.” —Zombos’ Closet

“go see this film” —HorrorHound magazine

Past screenings at festivals and conventions

Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (California)

Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival (Georgia)

ScareFest convention (Kentucky)

Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors convention (Illinois)

MonsterMania convention (New Jersey)

I-CON 26 convention (New York)

Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival (Rhode Island)

Freak Show Film Festival (part of the Screamfest horror convention) (Florida)

TromaDance New Mexico (New Mexico)

TromaDance Film Festival (Utah)

SBIG FilmFest (California)

Homegrown Film Festival (New York)

Darkside in Riverside (California)