Black Zombie Documentary Opens in U.S. Theaters

Maya Annik Bedward's debut feature documentary *Black Zombie* traces the zombie’s origins from Haitian spiritual traditions to its status as a Hollywood horror staple. The film debuted at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival and has since screened at Hot Docs, the Blackstar Film Festival, and the Fantasia Film Festival.

Distributed by Kino Lorber, the documentary will open in select U.S. theaters on September 11, 2026. It combines archival footage with interviews of cultural historians, artists and horror icons such as Slash (executive producer), Tom Savini and others, examining the zombie as a symbol of survival and resistance.

*Black Zombie* highlights how the figure evolved from a metaphor for slavery into a profitable pop‑culture monster, offering a cultural reckoning alongside a horror remix.