Some festival highlights
BLACK MOLD
THE BLUE ROSE
COBWEB
THE DARKSIDE OF SOCIETY (documentary)
EIGHT EYES
HERD
HOSTILE DIMENSIONS
THE J-HORROR VIRUS (documentary)
THE KNOCKING
MONOLITH
THE MOOR
MY DREAMS HAVE BEEN DARK OF LATE (short)
NEW LIFE
TO FIRE YOU COME AT LAST (short)
THE WEIRD KIDZ
BLACK MOLD
Director: John Pata
A creeping horror in the mo[u]ld of Session 9, replacing the asbestos cleaning crew with urban photographers and the odd bill of light banter. Interview with director John Pata out soon.
THE BLUE ROSE
Director: George Baron
18-year-old director George Baron is an exceptional talent to look out for with his own Lynchian slice of Hollyweird. Read the review here.
COBWEB
Director: Samuel Bodin
Tense, unnerving and tapping into familiar childhood dread, there will be inevitable comparisons to Coraline in this atmospheric little horror. Sure to be one of the most talked about from the festival.
THE DARKSIDE OF SOCIETY (documentary)
Director: Larry Wade Carrel
A grim yet oddly positive look at the aftermath of ritual and sexual abuse, which only adds an even 'darker' reality to Brian Yuzna's classic gonzo horror. Interview with Zeph E. Daniel and director Larry Wade Carrel out soon, review to follow during FrightFest.
EIGHT EYES
Director: Austin Jennings
One of the best films viewed so far. Austin Jennings' film from the production arm of boutique label Vinegar Syndrome is not only an ode to '70s exploitation but traditional filmmaking itself, shot on a mix of Super 8 and 16mm. Read the review here.
HERD
Director: Steven Pierce
Fans of The Walking Dead may appreciate this journey where the undead are merely part of the landscape. Interview with director Steven Pierce out soon.
HOSTILE DIMENSIONS
Director: Graham Hughes
Fun microbudget interdimensional horror comedy that feels like a hitchhiker's guide to the multiverse, downplayed in classic Scottish fashion. Read an interview with director Graham Hughes here.
THE J-HORROR VIRUS (documentary)
Director: Sarah Appleton, Jasper Sharp
For those who appreciated Sarah Appleton and Phillip Escott's The Found Footage Phenomenon, you will not want to miss this close look at Japanese horror movies of the late '90s/early noughties. Review to follow during FrightFest.
THE KNOCKING
Director: Joonas Pajunen, Max Seeck
Atmospheric Finnish horror that taps into the 'roots' of folk and folklore. Review to follow during FrightFest.
MONOLITH
Director: Matthew Vesely
Superb chamber piece starring Evil Dead Rise actress Lily Sullivan that not only confirms the Australian actress' onscreen presence but also director Matthew Vesely's huge potential based on this directorial debut. Review to follow during FrightFest.
THE MOOR
Director: Chris Cronin
A brooding exploration of grief set on the Yorkshire moors that taps into hidden mythology and the supernatural. Interview with director Chris Cronin out soon.
MY DREAMS HAVE BEEN DARK OF LATE (short)
Director: Joshua Warren
Do yourself a favour and make sure you check out this wonderful three minute short film from talented filmmaker Joshua Warren. Interview out soon. Visit the short film lineup here.
NEW LIFE
Director: John Rosman
With its apocalyptic dread, this is a surprisingly moving and personal journey into horror. Interview with director John Rosman out soon and review to follow during FrightFest.
TO FIRE YOU COME AT LAST (short)
Director: Sean Hogan
Great little homage to classic '70s ghost stories from the small screen produced by Severin Films. Review to follow during FrightFest. Visit the short film lineup here.
THE WEIRD KIDZ
Director: Zach Passero
This may appear to be one of the most crudely animated films you will ever see (masses of crude humour in equal measure) but more than makes up for it with fun storytelling, editing and direction. Interview in the October issue of Animation Magazine.
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