The locally produced horror film and accompanying behind-the-scenes documentary will screen Oct. 27 in support of the CMU Foundation and CMU Tech
Colorado Mesa University will host a special screening of American Vampires at Asteria Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 pm as part of CMUertos Week.
The event will feature three screenings, beginning with the 10-minute short Beyond the Classroom: The Students Behind American Vampires, which highlights the CMU Tech Digital Filmmaking students, alumni and faculty who worked on the production. The short documentary will be followed by the locally produced horror film American Vampires. The night will close with a 1-hour feature documentary following the behind-the-scenes chaos and fun moments of making the film American Vampires.
The film previously premiered to a sold-out crowd of 1,096 at the Avalon Theatre on Aug. 14, 2026, becoming the first independent film to sell out the historic venue.
American Vampires was written and directed by local filmmaker and Lecturer of Film Hank Braxtan, who also produced the film alongside Technical Instructor of Digital Filmmaking Josh Meuwly.
For Braxtan and Meuwly, one of the motivations behind the production was to give CMU Tech students the opportunity to gain experience working on a feature-length film.
"The film school kids have a lot of talent, and they just need experience," Braxtan said.
Students and alumni took on a variety of roles throughout the production, gaining hands-on experience in cinematography, camera operation, lighting, sound and other aspects of filmmaking. They worked alongside industry professionals, applying skills learned in the classroom while navigating the responsibilities and demands of a feature-length production.
"A majority of the learning comes from just being there and doing it," said CMU Tech student Eric Sigler, who worked as a first assistant camera operator on the film.
The experience also gave students an opportunity to earn professional film credits before graduation, build connections within the industry and learn from experienced crew members. The production created opportunities for mentorship, with students and alumni sharing their knowledge and taking on greater responsibilities as filming progressed.
The opportunities created by American Vampires are part of a growing effort to connect CMU Tech students and alumni with professional film productions in western Colorado. According to Meuwly, the three most recent feature films shot in the region generated approximately $90,000 in direct compensation for 40 unique participating students, alumni and local crew members. Together, the productions accounted for 83 crew positions and more than 8,400 hours of work.
The upcoming documentary offers audiences a closer look at the crew’s experiences, highlighting the students and alumni who helped bring American Vampires to life and the role CMU Tech plays in preparing aspiring filmmakers for careers in the industry.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm (Doors 5 pm)
Location: Asteria Theatre
Beyond the Classroom: The Students Behind American Vampires
Runtime: 10 minutes
This short documentary highlights the CMU Tech Digital Filmmaking students, alumni and faculty who helped bring American Vampires to the big screen. This story features the journey of Wylee Mitchell, who recently graduated from CMU with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and a Technical Certificate in Digital Filmmaking as she joined this crew in her first semester of film school.
American Vampires
Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Two amateur bounty hunters chasing a fugitive discover something far worse buried beneath the soil of a quiet Colorado town. What begins as a simple job quickly turns into a fight for survival. Set against the rugged landscapes of Western Colorado, American Vampires blends horror, action and suspense.
American Vampires is rated R and contains strong language, horror violence and gore. Viewer discretion is advised.
Making of American Vampires
Runtime: 1 hour
Making of American Vampires is a behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the making of the independent horror feature American Vampires.
From the chaos of production and the challenges of independent filmmaking to elaborate practical effects, unexpected setbacks, and hilarious moments on set, this documentary pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to bring a feature film to life.
Featuring candid interviews, never-before-seen footage and an inside look at the cast and crew. The film highlights an extraordinary collaboration between industry professionals and emerging filmmakers from CMU Tech’s Digital Filmmaking program.
Making of American Vampires is not-rated (NR) and contains strong language, horror violence and behind-the-scenes practical effects gore. Viewer discretion is advised.
Tickets are available at americanvampiresfilm.com/screenings.
Watch Beyond the Classroom: The Students Behind American Vampires