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Students team up with Mayor’s Office to Celebrate the life of George A. Romero, Father of Zombie Films

October 1, 2018 marked the 50^th anniversary of the “Night of the Living Dead” world premiere, a film directed and produced by George A. Romero in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The film originally premiered on October 1, 1968 at the Fulton Theater (now the Byham Theater) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With a meager budget, just north of $100,000, the film grossed $30 million, globally. Mr. Romero has been given the title of Father of Zombie Films, and “Night of the Living Dead” is considered the genesis of the modern horror genre. Romero’s classic zombie films continue to inspire creative minds around the world as seen in the popular comic book series, The Walking Dead, and in the AMC adapted-for-television series under the same title.

In honor of the film’s 50^th anniversary and the life and legacy of George Romero (1940 – 2017), the City of Pittsburgh has teamed up with the George A. Romero Foundation to form of coalition, named Romero Lives, which is made up of over 30 local supporting organizations, including The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Media Arts & Animation faculty member Angela Love. Under Ms. Love’s direction, Bachelor of Science in Media Arts & Animation students Adam Silva, Brandi Meadows, Molly Wright and Destiny Slater (the first three of which are now graduates, 2018) created the Romero Lives logo seen on the coalition’s website, social media pages, and even on stage during the Romero Lives Press Conference where local horror film experts, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and George’s widow, Suzanne Desrocher, honored the filmmaker’s legacy.

The goal of the coalition is to honor the life and legacy of George A. Romero through a series of events currently being held June 2018 – October 2018. The majority of events are happening in October, including a screening of the remastered version of “Night of the Living Dead” at the original world premiere location, the Byham Theater. In addition to viewing the film, guests will also hear from some of the original cast and the film’s producers. The black-tie event is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2018.