ENTERTAINMENT

Gags the clown is back for his world premiere

Kendra Meinert
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Gags the clown went viral when this photo of him in Green Bay showed up in August. It turns out he's the title character in "Gags," a short horror film that will have its world premiere Oct. 3 at De Pere Cinema.

Brace yourself for another Gags the clown sighting — this time on the big screen.

“Gags,’’ a horror short film whose title character went viral when he began showing up in Green Bay as part of the project’s marketing campaign, will have its world premiere at 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at De Pere Cinema. Gags will be on hand for a meet and greet and photo opportunities prior to the showing. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The screening will be a chance to finally find out Gags’ story, after sightings of him in the city caused a stir in August. The first grainy photo of a creepy clown in full face makeup with a black smile, clutching black balloons and wearing a soiled-looking jumpsuit, appeared on Aug. 1. The images quickly went viral, with everyone from USA TODAY, The New York Times and National Public Radio running stories about Gags, who also made headlines in other countries.

Local filmmaker Adam Krause later revealed the Gags photos, and accompanying Gags — The Green Bay Clown Facebook page that popped up at the same time, were a marketing stunt for his upcoming film.

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The movie's plot may sound familiar to those who got caught up in the Gags hype. It’s about an unidentified person who has been dressing up like a clown and roaming the streets of Green Bay after dark, capturing the attention of the entire city. Some people write it off as a harmless prank, while others aren’t so sure. When a group of friends cross paths with Gags, his true intentions are revealed.

Tickets for the premiere are $5 at eventbrite.com. The showing will feature a video clip montage, “Gags on You: Highlights from the Week the Green Bay Clown Went Viral,” and a post-movie Q&A with Krause and the cast and crew. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the box office the night of.

The event is being presented by the Green Bay Film Festival and Script 4 Sale Productions.

kmeinert@pressgazettemedia.com and follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert