LONDON – Pigeon Shrine FrightFest, the UK's premier horror and fantasy film festival, has unveiled its line-up for its 25th anniversary edition. Celebrations will take place from August 22 to August 26, 2024, at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square, London, marking the first time the festival takes over all seven screens, including the two ODEON Luxe West End screens.
This milestone year promises an exhilarating selection of 69 feature films, including 25 main screen premieres and 45 Discovery Screen titles, embracing the famed 'First Blood' strand, the latest genre documentaries, and some exciting restorations and retrospectives. This edition will feature 28 world premieres from 11 countries across four continents.
Directed by Joanne Mitchell
Opening Night Film
The festival will open with the world premiere of 'BROKEN BIRD,' directed by Joanne Mitchell. Based on an original story by Tracey Sheals and Mitchell’s award-winning short 'Sybil,' this dark and gripping tale explores the unsettling desires of a mortician, played by Rebecca Calder.
Directed by Coralie Fargeat
Closing Night Film
Closing the festival is the English premiere of 'THE SUBSTANCE,' a visionary feminist body horror from French writer/director Coralie Fargeat. The Cannes 2024 award-winning film stars Demi Moore as Elizabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity who uses a cell-replicating substance to create a younger version of herself.
Directed by Mitzi Peirone
Notable Premieres and Highlights
'SAINT CLARE': Bella Thorne stars as a serial-killing teenager, with FrightFest also showcasing her directorial debut, the short film 'UNSETTLED.'
'BOOKWORM': Reuniting Elijah Wood and director Ant Timpson from 'Come To Daddy.'
'AZRAEL: ANGEL OF DEATH': A flesh-eating creature feature by E.L. Katz.
'INVADER': A true crime horror from director Mickey Keating.
'GHOST GAME': A haunted house thriller by Jill Gervargizian.
'THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER': A Dracula adaptation by André Øvredal, shown in the UK for the first time.
Directed by and starring Graham Skipper
Discovery Screen and Documentaries
The Discovery strand continues to highlight emerging and established voices. Noteworthy mentions include:
'THE LONELY MAN WITH THE GHOST MACHINE': Directed by and starring Graham Skipper.
'CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS': A gory shocker by 19-year-old transgender filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay.
'THE BUNKER': An alien invasion film starring horror icons Tobin Bell and Tony Todd.
From the UK, seventeen Discovery Screen gems include:
'DERELICT': A crime thriller by Jonathan Zaurin.
'CINDERELLA’S CURSE': Louisa Warren’s bloody twist on a classic fairytale.
'BOGIEVILLE': A vampire road movie.
'NEVER HAVE I EVER': A cat-and-mouse horror by Damon Rickard.
Directed by Sophie Osbourn
FrightFest’s First Blood strand will feature six world premieres, spotlighting British talent:
'THE MONSTER BENEATH US' by Sophie Osbourn.
'SCOPOPHOBIA' by Aled Owen.
'7 KEYS' by Joy Wilkinson.
'PROTEIN' by Tony Burke.
'YEAR 10' by Benjamin Goodger.
'TOUCHDOWN' by Josephine Rose.
A chance to see an iconinh horror movie on the big screen!
Special Screenings and Events
The festival will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wes Craven’s classic 'A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET,' in partnership with Warner Bros. Additionally, there will be a screening of 'MERMAID LEGEND' from Japan, celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The full festival guest line-up, short film showcases, and additional events will be announced soon. For more details on booking and the complete program, visit FrightFest's official website.
About FrightFest
Dubbed “the Woodstock of Gore” by Guillermo Del Toro, FrightFest was established in 2000 and has grown into an internationally renowned event. It supports emerging horror and fantasy filmmakers, helping to launch the careers of directors like Eli Roth and Ti West. FrightFest hosts events throughout the year and collaborates with the Glasgow Film Festival for a three-day event.
