reno 911 alumni place in sundance festival with N.O. based horror/comedy

A couple moves into a haunted house needing salvation from a demonic baby.

By Mike Scott, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on December 03, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Precious few Louisiana films might have made the cut for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival's recently announced in-competition lineup, but that doesn't mean they're being ignored entirely. The January festival's reliably edgy Midnight Movies lineup was announced late last week, and lo and behold there's a New Orleans-shot film front and center.

The horror-comedy "Hell Baby," which shot in town earlier this year -- and which marks the directoral debut of "Reno 911" actor Thomas Lennon

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The film stars Rob Corddry and Leslie Bibb as a couple that moves into a New Orleans fixer-upper that also happens to be very, very haunted.

To help save them from a demonic baby, they call in a team of elite Vatican exorcism experts.Lennon co-directed "Hell Baby" with longtime writing partner Ben Garant, based on a screenplay they co-wrote. It co-stars Keegan Michael Key, Michael Ian Black, as well as Lennon and Garant.

It is one of eight films announced as the festival's midnight slate, which Sundance chief programmer Trevor Groth said includes traditionally off-center selections. "We always hope for a balance of stuff in the Midnight section -- from horror, to comedy, to even a little sex in there.

Screenwriters Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon

This year we have everything," Groth was quoted as saying on EW.com. "It's kind of a fun, crazy midnight lineup."
Find the full midnight lineup arranged alphabetically below, compliments of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival:

Ass Backwards
Loveable losers Kate and Chloe take a road trip back to their hometown to claim the beauty pageant crown that eluded them as children, only to discover what really counts: friendship. (Director: Chris Nelson, Screenwriters: June Diane Raphael, Casey Wilson) Cast: June Diane Raphael, Casey Wilson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Alicia Silverstone, Jon Cryer, Brian Geraghty.

Hell Baby
An expectant couple moves into the most haunted fixer-upper in New Orleans -- a house with a demonic curse. Things spiral out of control and soon only the Vatican's elite exorcism team can save the pair -- or can it? (Directors and screenwriters: Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon.) Cast: Rob Corddry, Leslie Bibb, Keegan Michael Key, Riki Lindhome, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel.

In Fear
Trapped in a maze of country roads with only their vehicle for protection, Tom and Lucy are terrorized by an unseen tormentor exploiting their worst fears. Eventually they realize they've let the evil in -- it's sitting in their car. (Directed and story by: Jeremy Lovering) Cast: Alice Englert, Iain De Caestecker, Allen Leech.

kink
A documentary about sex, submission and big business is told through the eyes of the unlikely pornographers whose 9:00-to-5:00 work days are spent within the confines of the San Francisco Armory building, home to the sprawling porn production facilities of Kink.com. (Director: Christina Voros)

The Rambler
After being released from prison, a man known as "The Rambler" stumbles upon a strange mystery as he attempts the treacherous journey through back roads and small towns en route to reconnecting with his long-lost brother. (Director and screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder) Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Lindsay Pulsipher, Natasha Lyonne, James Cady, Scott Sharot.

S-VHS
Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student's disappearance. (Directors: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, Jason Eisener, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, Jamie Nash, Timo Tjahjanto & Gareth Huw Evans, John Davies) Cast: Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L.C Holt, Kelsy Abbott, Hannah Hughes.

Virtually Heroes
Two self-aware characters in a Call of Duty-style video game struggle with their screwy, frustrating existence. To find answers, one abandons his partner and mission, seeking to unravel the cheat codes of life. (Director: GJ Echternkamp, Screenwriter: Matt Yamashita) Cast: Robert Baker, Brent Chase, Katie Savoy, Mark Hamill, Ben Messmer.

We Are What We Are
A devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer and closer to the cannibalistic Parker family. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle) Cast: Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell, Kelly McGillis.