Airheads Brings on the Fun Scare This Halloween with its First AI Film Festival, A.I.RHEADS SCAREFEST

Candy maker taps AI filmmakers to showcase a series of short films and Airheads fans have the ability to create spooky AI films of their own and win a year's worth of free Airheads and $2,000

ERLANGER, Ky., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scary movies and candy go hand in hand, especially on Halloween. This All-Hallows Eve, Airheads tapped some talented filmmakers and this year's hottest director–Artificial Intelligence–for its very first film festival, A.I.RHEADS SCAREFEST.

"AI is such a hot topic and everyone loves a good scary flick on Halloween, so we thought why not try our luck in Hollywood this year," said Craig Cuchra, VP of Marketing at Perfetti Van Melle, maker of Airheads candy. "We're excited to see what our fans think of the films we're screening and it will be fun to see how Airheads fans play with AI and create their own spooky film with a little candy inspiration."

The film festival challenge was simple. Filmmakers were tasked to create an AI-generated Halloween-themed film that incorporated the famous Airheads balloon in some way, shape or form. They were also instructed to include a balance of appropriate horror film scariness and humor––because let's be real, we're talking about candy. All films are under 3 minutes long.

Anyone can watch and share their favorite A.I.RHEADS SCAREFEST film on the film festival website today (10/24) through 11/30 at midnight ET. Additionally, Airheads fans can try their hand at AI scary filmmaking and submit their short film for a chance to win a year's supply of Airheads candy and a $2,000 cash prize. All films must follow the same brief that the filmmakers used and the fan film with the most votes will win.

"I usually can't watch horror films because they scare me too much and keep me up at night," said Ronnie Allman, the filmmaker behind While You Sleep. "Now, after making this short film for A.I.RHEADS SCAREFEST, I'm still up at night, spooked about how quickly I can use AI to bring my creative vision to life."

To learn more about the A.I.RHEADS SCAREFEST and to get instructions on how to vote for your favorite film, visit www.airheadsscarefest.com.

About Airheads
Airheads is a brand long loved by people of all ages for its chewy texture, tangy fruit flavors and bright colors. Invented in Erlanger, KY, Airheads are available in original bar form as well as chewy and intense bite-sized pieces called Airheads Bites. For a sweetly sour candy that packs a punch, Airheads Xtremes belts and bites are available. And, for those who want the tangy, chewy goodness in gum form, there's Airheads Gum, with micro-candies offering a playful burst of fruit sensation in each chew. Airheads are perfect for a quick treat, social gatherings and for sharing with others. 

About Perfetti Van Melle
Perfetti Van Melle Benelux B.V. is a privately-owned global company established in March 2001 through the merger of Perfetti SpA and Van Melle B.V. Perfetti Van Melle manufactures and markets confectionery and chewing gum products in more than 150 countries. Today Perfetti Van Melle is one of the world's largest confectionery groups, marketing highly renowned brands such as Mentos, Frisk, Chupa Chups, Smint, Fruit-tella, Alpenliebe, Golia, Vivident, Airheads, Happydent & Big Babol. The Group has corporate headquarters in Italy and The Netherlands. U.S. operations are solely out of Erlanger, KY.

Media Contact:
Abby Hagstrom
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SOURCE Perfetti Van Melle