Flashback Weekend 2025: Horror, Heart, and One Hell of a Good Time
- Nick Digilio
- Aug 7, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 21
Every year, without fail, the first weekend in August becomes the highlight of my calendar, and not just because it's a celebration of horror. It’s The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, and if you know, you know.
If you don’t? Well, buckle up, because this year’s convention, held August 1st through 3rd, was one of the best ever. I say that every year… but it’s always true.
I’ve been a part of Flashback since the very beginning, back in 2002, when Mike and Mia Kerz launched the convention not only out of love for the genre, but as a way to help keep their beautiful, vintage Midway Drive-In in Dixon, Illinois alive and thriving.
And let me tell you: Mike and Mia are two of the kindest, most genuine, most passionate film lovers on the planet. They love horror. They love the communal movie experience. And they work tirelessly all year to put together a weekend that’s become the gold standard of horror conventions in this country.
And for over 23 years, I’ve been honored to be a host, a moderator, a helper, and above all: a fan. It's three days of nonstop panels, Q&As, celebrity interviews, screenings, concerts, costume contests, and joy. Real joy.
From the volunteers who pick up the celebs at the airport (which I help with every year), to the folks making sure photo ops go smoothly, to the amazing staff who keep the lines in order and the guests smiling, every single person involved is there out of love for this event. They don’t get paid. They’re family. And they make Flashback happen.
Friday: A Legendary Start
The energy was electric from the moment I walked into the hotel Thursday morning, getting ready for the weekend ahead.
On Friday, I had the pleasure, no, the honor, of co-hosting Friday Night Frights with none other than Chicago television legend Svengoolie (the one and only Rich Koz). I was his Ed McMahon for the evening, you know, announcer, co-host, comedic sidekick... and we had a blast.
The show featured interviews with horror icons like Robert Englund (yep, Freddy Krueger himself), Joe Dante (director of Gremlins, The 'Burbs, Piranha, and more), and Barbara Crampton. We even had a cool musical performance from Tuesday Knight of Nightmare on Elm Street 4, who brought the house down.
The chemistry on stage was incredible. Svengoolie was in top form. I got to crack some jokes, play off his gags, and it felt like we were doing old-school late-night TV. Absolute blast.
And of course, Julie (my wonderful girlfriend) was there with me, taking it all in. We got to roam the vendor room with her sister and friends, tried on some ridiculous masks, and bought some seriously cool horror swag.
Saturday: Live Podcasts, Iconic Guests, and Unbelievable Costumes
I hosted a live version of The Nick D Podcast with my brilliant co-host Esmeralda Leon. We welcomed Svengoolie back up to the stage (because one night with him isn’t enough), and then brought out the legendary Dee Wallace, a queen of scream, a great actress, and the sweetest, most hilarious human being you can imagine. You know her from Cujo, The Howling, Critters, The Hills Have Eyes, and of course, she’s Elliott’s mom in E.T.
Dee was a riot. She dropped f-bombs, got very bawdy, told outrageous behind-the-scenes stories, and had the whole crowd laughing.
Later, after the podcast/interview, she signed an 8x10 for me and wrote: "To Nick: Jerk Off". Which, if you were there, you know the context, and you know it was hysterical.
During the live podcast recording, Esma and I also talked with the very lively crowd about their favorite "Jump Scares" in horror movie history, and the choices were awesome and hilarious. We rewarded the participants with cool Nick D Podcast T-Shirts.
It was one of the best, funniest live podcast episodes we’ve ever done. (You can hear it now at RadioMisfits.com.)
And then there was the 19th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest hosted by Svengoolie, where I had the honor of introducing the legend himself.
As always, the kids were adorable, the adults were amazing, and the creativity was off the charts. One woman came dressed as a smoky zombie creation of her own design, complete with actual fog rolling off her back. Incredible. Easily one of the best costumes I’ve ever seen in Flashback history.
Sunday: My Turn in the Hot Seat
Sunday morning at 11 a.m., I wasn’t moderating. I wasn’t hosting. I wasn’t interviewing. I was the one being interviewed.
That’s right, I got to do a panel all about my upcoming book, “40 Years, 40 Films,” which drops in October and is available for pre-order now on Amazon.
I was interviewed by my great friend and Flashback partner-in-crime Steve Prokopy, and we had a beautiful conversation about the book, about the movies I chose from each year (from 1985 to 2024), and the deeply personal stories that go along with them.
There’s a lot of horror in the book, so it was the perfect setting for the discussion. A nice crowd showed up, asked great questions, and the support I felt that morning was overwhelming. Julie was there too, beaming. That panel meant the world to me.
And then, as one of my final acts of the weekend, I hosted a Q&A panel with Joe Dante, one of my all-time favorite directors. He could not have been more gracious, funny, and generous with his time.
We talked about his early days editing trailers for Roger Corman, his iconic run of horror and genre-defining films, and his career as a storyteller and filmmaker. It was a deep, thorough, smart discussion, easily one of the best interviews I’ve ever done.
Joe was kind enough to compliment my questions, and our back-and-forth was just magic. I was proud of it. Like, really proud.
On Sunday there was also the Terrifier Reunion, with nine cast members and director Damien Leone. And there were also Q&A panels with genre stars like Kane Hodder, Danielle Harris, Adam Green, Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Bruce Abbott, Joel Murray, and more. Every panel was packed with laughs, surprises, great stories, and a genuine love for horror.
The Vendors, The Fans, The Flashback Family
Let’s not forget the vendor room, which is an event all its own. Artists from all over the country selling T-shirts, DVDs, rare posters, homemade horror jewelry, masks, candles, perfumes, Ozzy statues, you name it.
Julie and I spent a lot of money in there. Like... too much. But it’s impossible not to. You see that perfect Friday the 13th lobby card or that lovingly crafted Michael Myers enamel pin and you just have to have it.
And of course, I met so many amazing fans. People came up after panels to say hi, snap pics, talk movies, and even tell me they pre-ordered the book.
I’m grateful for every handshake, every conversation, every laugh. That’s the magic of Flashback...it's not just about horror. It’s about community.
See You in 2026
By the time Sunday night rolled around and I finally got home... I was done. My feet were dead. My voice was shot. My brain was fried. But my heart? Full.
Flashback Weekend is my favorite three days of the year. Always has been. Always will be. It’s about horror, yes, but also about celebration, connection, fun, family, and honoring the movies and artists we love. And the fact that I got to share it all with Julie this year made it even more special.
So thank you to Mike and Mia Kerz, to all the volunteers, to every guest and every fan. Thank you to Svengoolie, to Dee Wallace, to Joe Dante, and everyone who helped make Flashback 2025 another unforgettable weekend.
If you’ve never been... what are you waiting for?
Head over to FlashbackWeekend.com, check out the pics and videos from this year, and mark your calendar for next August. We'll be back.
I’ll be on stage with a mic. Julie will be in the front row. And who knows? Maybe by then, I’ll have another book to talk about.
Until then... stay scary.
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