Northern Michigan University alumnus Matthew Zyble spent his “COVID winter” editing the feature film, “Blood Pageant.” (Photo courtesy of Matthew Zyble)

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University alumnus Matthew Zyble, who graduated from Harbor Springs High School in 1987, kept busy during the pandemic.

“Over the COVID winter, I edited the feature film ‘Blood Pageant’ which debuts in selected theaters on June 18 and distributed on Amazon June 29,” Zyble said in a press release.

The press release states: “Blood Pageant, LLC and Red Velvet Entertainment, Inc are proud to share ‘Blood Pageant’s’ upcoming June 18th and 29th release! This has been designed to appeal to as many movie fans out there as possible while still in the time of the pandemic — for those who are still comfortable being avid theatergoers, as well as those who feel better streaming the film from home.”

The theatrical trailer has been “leaked” on HorrorNews.net and many other outlets.

The release continues: “Set in the ubiquitous world of reality television, where it’s easy to question whether or not a life and death situation has been fabricated for television or if it’s dangerously genuine, the American Dream Pageant quickly devolves into an American Nightmare. The contestants are quickly locked in a battle for their very lives. With a wink and a nod, this good vs. evil story pokes fun at the pop culture stereotypes of reality competition shows, vision boards, chakras, and life coaches.”

Synopsis: What began as a million-dollar reality show competition between seven beautiful women turns into a battle for life itself when one contestant uses black magic to gain an edge over the competition. An ancient curse dating back to the Salem Witch Trials is unleashed and the competition becomes a Blood Pageant of death, destruction, and evil forces. Forget about who will win… who will survive?

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQkmvPjj98o

The film stars Stephen Baldwin (“The Usual Suspects”), David Chokachi (“Baywatch”), Ted Lange (“The Love Boat”), Beverley Mitchell (“7th Heaven”), and Ellia English as Madame Destiny (“The Jamie Foxx Show”).

The film also features Snoop Dogg, Matthew Marsden (“Transformers,” “Resident Evil: Extinction”) and Danielle C. Ryan (“Criminal Minds,” “Lost & Found,” “The Cat in the Hat”) playing themselves as the pageant’s celebrity judges.

For more information, Facebook: @BloodPageantTheMovie Instagram: @BloodPageantMovie Twitter: @BloodPageant Official Website: www.bloodpageant.comIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7184122