Local Premiere Brings Indie Horror to Life: Frank Palangi Debuts American Psychopath

By Penny Piper on June 17, 2025

Words and Photography by Penny Piper.

On Thursday, June 12, the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls opened its doors to a different kind of crowd—fans of indie horror, local film buffs, and familiar 518 faces all gathered for the premiere of “American Psychopath,” the newest creation from musician-turned-filmmaker Frank Palangi.

The film, produced by Palangi Films and Cinema Epoch, is the latest in a growing list of indie projects by Palangi, who has quietly built an impressive catalog of full-length films and series since 2023—all while maintaining his roots in upstate New York. “American Psychopath” taps into the gritty energy of grassroots horror with a cast packed with local actors, musicians, DJs, and creatives from across the Capital Region.

As the credits rolled, the cast took to the stage for a Q&A panel, offering the audience a look behind the scenes and sharing stories from the shoot. For me, covering the event, it felt like a celebration—not just of the film, but of what’s possible when local creatives rally around a shared vision.

I got a chance to sit down with Frank Palangi before the premiere to learn more about how the project came together and what’s coming next.

Frank Palangi – photo by Penny Piper

RadioRadioX: What inspired you to create American Psychopath, and how long had the idea been brewing before it became real?

Frank Palangi: I’ve always had film as part of my journey. Since I was 9, I was making small VHS films, and later I was one of the first 15 or so to post fan films on YouTube. I’ve done original shorts, had one screen at NYC Film Fest, and over the years filmed countless weddings, music videos, and promos. About three years ago, Cinema Epoch discovered my work online, and I started bringing my originals to life for streaming platforms.

RRX: You’re known for your music—what was it like shifting into filmmaking and leading Palangi Films?

FP: Honestly, it’s always been there in the background. Even while building my music career, I kept working on visual projects. It was just a matter of timing and opportunity aligning.

RRX: Why shoot and premiere this in the 518?

FP: This is home. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I love working close by—local actors, local locations, familiar faces. And realistically, you need bigger budgets to travel. Keeping it local just made sense—and it made it personal.

RRX: The cast really brought the energy. How did you put it together?

FP: Most were friends, local actors, podcasters, DJs I’ve known through the years. Jewel’s dad and my dad grew up together. Keith, his best friend, played the father. Jason Irwin, who’s a radio DJ and musician, jumped in. Erica James—who played Kathy—I met on a short film set in 2018. She’s a commercial actress with an agent, and I knew she was perfect for the role. She couldn’t be at the premiere because she got accepted into a super selective NYC summer film program—only 13 people worldwide were accepted. That tells you something.

RRX: What’s next for the film and for Palangi Films?

FP: I’ve written a mock-up for a sequel already. Also, on October 16, I’m screening my newest film, “At Death’s Door,” at the Strand at 6:30 PM—it’s a Halloween-time scary thriller. I haven’t submitted “American Psychopath” to festivals yet due to budget, but I’ve got other films in the circuit and six completed features in total, plus two series since 2023. You can stream them on Tubi, Troma TV, Fawesome, YouTube, and more. I’m just getting started.

It’s been an amazing mix of growth, hustle, and creativity—and I’m excited to keep pushing forward. You can stream American Psychopath and more of my films on these platforms: