M is for Masticate wins spot in ABCs of Death 2

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

“Maticate” – transitive verb – “to grind or crush (food) with or as if with the teeth.”

Just preparing you for the announcement that Robert Boocheck’s “M is for Masticate” has won ABCs OF DEATH 2’s “Search for the 26th Director”. With a whopping 541 final entries from over 40 countries submitted to the competition, the sequel’s terrifying tournament ranked as one of the industry’s all-time most popular film-creation contests.

In addition to winning a $5000 cash prize, Boocheck’s M IS FOR MASTICATE will officially become ABCs OF DEATH 2’s “M” segment.

“Robert’s film was a clear favorite amongst the anthology’s other directors,” says associate producer and competition organizer Ted Geoghegan. “Its clever mix of comedy and splatter, capped off with a hilarious punchline, embodies everything THE ABCS OF DEATH is about, and will make a wonderful addition to our anthology.”

ABCs OF DEATH 2’s other attached directors are an eclectic, acclaimed group, consisting of Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh; Israel’s Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (BIG BAD WOLVES, RABIES); Japan’s arthouse provocateur Sion Sono (COLD FISH, SUICIDE CLUB); Academy Award-nominated animator Bill Plympton; ROOM 237 mastermind Rodney Ascher; Filipino icon – and Director’s Fortnight inductee – Erik Matti (ON THE JOB, MAGIC TEMPLE); Lithuania’s Kristina Buozyte and Bruno Samper (VANISHING WAVES); SPLICE and CUBE’s Vincenzo Natali; indie horror icon Larry Fessenden (THE LAST WINTER, HABIT); THE STATION’s Marvin Kren; Todd Rohal (THE CATECHISM CATALYSM); Canada’s king of lo-fi, Steven Kostanski (MANBORG); Cuba’s Alejandro Brugués (JUAN OF THE DEAD); acclaimed UK commercial director Jim Hosking; Japanese monster-maker Hajime Ohata (HENGE); Canadian short film wizard Chris Nash (SKINFECTIONS); France’s Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (INSIDE, LIVID); E.L. Katz (director of the SXSW breakout hit CHEAP THRILLS); twin auteurs Jen and Sylvia Soska (AMERICAN MARY, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK); A LONELY PLACE TO DIE’s Julian Gilbey; Brazil’s most controversial filmmaker Dennison Ramalho (NINJAS and LOVE FOR MOTHER ONLY); the founder of Nigerian “Nollywood” cinema Lancelot Imasuen; THE LEGEND OF BEAVER DAM and the upcoming STAGEFRIGHT’s Jerome Sable; and animator Robert Morgan – creator of the BAFTA Award nominated short BOBBY YEAH.

Magnet is planning a 2014 release of the film. ABCs OF DEATH 2 is produced by Ant Timpson and Tim League, in conjunction with associate producers Todd Brown, Marc Walkow, Mitch Davis, and Ted Geoghegan.