Prepare to descend into madness. The Imp of the Perverse, a chilling new short film adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting psychological tale, is officially entering production this July, with final shoots scheduled through October. Filming will take place in Northern Illinois and North Carolina, bringing Poe’s dark vision to life with eerie visuals, practical effects, and sweeping drone cinematography.
Leading the project is Emmy Award-winning actor Bill Oberst Jr., whose performance as the Narrator promises to be unforgettable. Oberst, known for his intense and transformative roles in the horror and thriller genres, also co-wrote the screenplay with director Domenic Migliore. The film is being produced by Willy Adkins of Breaking Fate Entertainment, who will also serve as 1st Assistant Director, Casting Director, Gaffer, and Sound Recordist.
Joining the cast is acclaimed actress Anita Nicole Brown as The Woman, and David Bates as The Imp, with special effects makeup by Justina Radzeviciute. Drone cinematography by Aaron Brooks and Troy Walsh, is being planned to elevate the film’s surreal atmosphere, matching the unsettling tone of Poe’s original work.
The short film will be released on YouTube after its festival run, with a world premiere planned for the 2025 Dark Art and Oddities Con inside the gothic Altgeld Hall castle at Northern Illinois University on November 15th, 2025. The Imp of the Perverse will also become a part of the upcoming anthology feature Evermore – Tales from the Mind of Poe, which will include several Poe adaptations from the creative team.
An IndieGoGo campaign will launch soon, giving fans of Poe, horror, and independent cinema the opportunity to contribute, collect unique perks, and become part of the film’s legacy. Supporters will not only back this production, but will also help unlock a second Poe adaptation included in the same campaign, if the campaign is successful.
Follow Breaking Fate Entertainment and Migliore Films on social media for behind-the-scenes updates, casting announcements, and the official IndieGoGo launch date.
Mr. Willy Adkins is an American director, actor, producer, photographer, and author. As President of Breaking Fate Entertainment, he’s a multi-talented force in the indie film world. Willy is also the founder of The Illinois Ghost Hunters and a lifelong enthusiast of the paranormal and dark arts. Through his internationally recognized Deviant Desires Photography, he’s known for alternative model portfolios and horror-themed art.
Willy actively supports fellow indie artists, producing and directing numerous film festivals across the U.S. When not immersed in film, he enjoys family time, hiking the Smokies, and crafting his signature spooky dolls, Mr. Willy’s Killer Creatures.
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