Filmmaker Jeremiah Kipp, known for his work in independent horror cinema and for directing Slapface and the film adaptation of The Mortuary Assistant, has died, according to a report published by Dread Central on October 15, 2026.
News of his death was shared through an announcement from the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE), which remembered Kipp as a talented filmmaker, a generous source of advice, and someone who made a lasting contribution to cinema. The announcement attributed the information to Lindsay Katt, his life partner of seven years, and stated that he died at approximately 3 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
His death marks a loss for the independent film community, particularly those who followed his work in horror, a genre in which he developed a reputation for exploring unsettling stories and psychologically charged characters.
As of October 16, the report did not disclose Kipp’s age or cause of death. No further details should be assumed without confirmation from his loved ones or an authoritative announcement.
What We Know About Jeremiah Kipp’s Death
According to Dread Central, the Long Island International Film Expo announced Kipp’s passing and paid tribute to his contributions to filmmaking. The announcement said he had been an alumnus of the festival and recalled that the organization honored him with a Creative Achievement Award during its virtual awards ceremony in 2020.
The reported time of death was approximately 3 a.m. on October 13. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been made public in the report reviewed.
The news was published two days later, on October 15, prompting renewed attention to Kipp’s career and the films through which audiences came to know his work.
Key Facts About Jeremiah Kipp
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Jeremiah Kipp |
| Profession | Filmmaker, writer, producer, and director |
| Known for | Slapface, The Mortuary Assistant, Faceless, and The Sadist |
| Industry | Independent film and horror cinema |
| Connection to New York | Worked in New York’s film community |
| Date of death | October 13, 2026, according to the reported announcement |
| Reported time of death | Approximately 3 a.m. |
| Age | Not disclosed in the source reviewed |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed in the source reviewed |
| Life partner | Lindsay Katt, identified in the report as his partner of seven years |
| Festival recognition | LIIFE Creative Achievement Award in 2020 |
| Funeral arrangements | No confirmed information located in the report reviewed |
Jeremiah Kipp’s Career in Independent Horror
Kipp worked across several aspects of filmmaking, including writing, producing, and directing. His career included independent features and shorter projects, with horror becoming a prominent part of his body of work.
His films explored disturbing situations, supernatural elements, and the darker sides of human behavior. Rather than being known for a single production alone, Kipp developed a varied filmography that reflected years of work within independent cinema.
His feature films included The Sadist, Black Wake, Faceless, and Slapface. He also directed projects that brought him into contact with audiences interested in unconventional horror stories.
In February 2026, Horror Society identified Kipp as the director of The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story, another title associated with his work in the genre. The continuing appearance of his films in horror coverage showed that his career remained relevant to genre audiences in the months before his death.
Slapface Helped Bring His Filmmaking to Wider Attention
One of Kipp’s best-known projects was Slapface, a supernatural horror film that reached audiences through Shudder in 2021.
The feature grew out of a shorter film Kipp had made to help bring the story to life and attract support for a full-length production. In a 2026 interview with the Wretched Rentals podcast, he explained how the short served as a way to demonstrate the concept and help secure the backing needed to make the feature.
The project reflected the persistence often required in independent filmmaking. Kipp had worked for years to bring the story to the screen, and the eventual feature became one of the most recognizable titles associated with his name.
For viewers discovering his work through Slapface, the film offered an introduction to his approach to horror, combining supernatural storytelling with an emphasis on character and atmosphere.
Directing The Mortuary Assistant
Kipp also directed the film adaptation of The Mortuary Assistant, based on the horror video game developed by Brian Clarke under the DarkStone Digital name.
The adaptation follows a mortuary assistant whose work takes a frightening turn as she encounters supernatural forces during a night shift. The film stars Willa Holland as Rebecca Owens and Paul Sparks as Raymond Delver.
Kipp’s involvement brought his experience in horror filmmaking to a story already familiar to fans of the game. The adaptation also connected his work with a wider entertainment audience, including people who follow horror games and their film adaptations.
In February 2026, the Movies in Focus podcast featured an interview with Kipp about directing the film. That conversation discussed the adaptation process and his approach to filmmaking, providing a recent public record of his professional work before news of his death emerged.
Recognition From the Long Island International Film Expo
The Long Island International Film Expo’s tribute highlighted Kipp’s connection to the festival and the relationships he built within the filmmaking community.
According to the announcement quoted by Dread Central, LIIFE recognized him with a Creative Achievement Award during its 2020 virtual awards ceremony. The organization also remembered him as someone who generously shared his knowledge of cinema and offered advice to others.
Such tributes speak to an aspect of independent filmmaking that can be less visible than a film’s release or reception: the creative relationships and informal mentorship that help people develop their craft.
The festival’s statement offered a glimpse of how Kipp was regarded by people who encountered him through the film community, beyond his credits as a director.
A Body of Work That Reached Beyond One Film
Kipp’s filmography included several different projects, reflecting a career that extended beyond the titles most commonly associated with him.
Alongside Slapface and The Mortuary Assistant, his work included Black Wake, Faceless, and The Sadist. He was also associated with The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story.
His experience extended to film criticism and writing as well. Slant Magazine maintained an author page for Kipp, describing him as a New York City-based writer, producer, and director. His published film criticism included reviews of established works of cinema, illustrating an interest in film that extended beyond his own productions.
That combination of critical engagement and practical filmmaking formed part of his professional identity.
Remembering Jeremiah Kipp
The early tributes following Kipp’s reported death emphasized both his creative work and the personal qualities remembered by his colleagues.
LIIFE’s statement described him as a gentle soul who was generous with his advice and knowledge of cinema. The organization also acknowledged the legacy of his films and the people who knew him through the festival.
For horror audiences, Kipp’s name will remain connected to films such as Slapface and The Mortuary Assistant. For fellow filmmakers and festival colleagues, the tributes suggest that his influence also extended to the conversations, encouragement, and creative relationships he shared with others.
Further details about his life, funeral arrangements, or memorial services had not been confirmed in the report reviewed.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on publicly available reporting published by Dread Central on October 15, 2026, including information attributed to the Long Island International Film Expo. The reported date and approximate time of death come from that announcement. Kipp’s age, cause of death, and funeral arrangements were not disclosed in the source reviewed. Additional personal details have been omitted unless supported by reliable information.