Hollywood Horrorfest is an annual celebration of everything that makes horror special, bringing together both the up‐and‐coming voices in indie horror and the legends who helped shape the genre. For more than ten years the festival has provided a platform for films, short works, scripts, and special effects artistry that push boundaries in scare, style, and storytelling. It is held in Los Angeles, and includes screenings, panels, workshops, and special awards to honor contributions to horror culture.
The Vincent Price Award is one of those special honors given out at Hollywood Horrorfest. It recognises outstanding work in the horror, fantasy, and special effects fields, celebrating individuals whose creativity, technique, and influence have left an indelible mark. Named for Vincent Price, the iconic actor beloved by horror fans, the award is presented to professionals whose body of work reflects the kind of imagination, dedication, and enduring impact that Price embodied.
Rick Baker is one of the giants in the world of special effects makeup and creature design. Over a career spanning decades, he has carved out a reputation for transforming actors and scenes with prosthetics, animatronics, and effects that elevate horror, fantasy, and sci-fi alike. He was born in 1950, and got his start very young, assisting on projects while honing his skill in practical effects. Baker has won the Academy Award for Best Makeup seven times from eleven nominations—records in that category. His creations are widely recognised: from werewolves to aliens, from monsters to more subtle transformations, his artistry has set benchmarks in cinema.
Rick Baker’s collaboration with Michael Jackson is especially celebrated in pop culture. In the music video Thriller (1983) Baker designed and created the “werecat” transformation of Michael, helping bring to life one of the most iconic visuals in music video history. The makeup team under Baker’s supervision helped Jackson embody a creature both terrifying and glamorous, balancing horror with dance and style. Some years later, Baker also worked on Captain EO (1986), the science-fantasy short film starring Michael, combining special effects makeup with spectacle under the larger theme of otherworldly fantasy and theatrical performance. These works with Michael showcase Baker’s ability to fuse horror-based creature design with mainstream entertainment, making something that is both frightening and awe-inspiring, influencing generations of makeup artists and fans alike.
The 2025 Hollywood Horrorfest will take place September 20-21 at the Eastwood Performing Arts Center, 1089 N. Oxford Avenue, Los Angeles, California. The Vincent Price Award will be presented to Rick Baker during the festival, with a schedule of events including film premieres, panels, and special appearances. Doors open to attendees over those two days, and full details, including ticket information, times and full program, are available through the festival’s official channels.
