Alive

Manchester-based Grimmfest has announced the first three films (of many) making their UK premiere at this year’s 10th anniversary edition of the festival (4th to the 7th October 2018), as well as new details of prizes available for films in the running.

Grimmfest is a massive celebration of horror films and culture which for 2018 will be taking place at ODEON in Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse. Although the full festival programme is not unleashed until Monday 3rd September 2018, these early announcements offer eager audiences a taste of what is to come.

The first three UK premieres have been revealed as the much-anticipated NIGHTMARE CINEMA – a throwback to the classic EC-comics-inspired horror anthologies of the 1970s - the Canadian shocker ALIVE, and the hilariously twisted Australian comedy BROTHERS’ NEST, the latter courtesy of Signature Entertainment.

The awards prizes on offer for films in the official selection, are also being announced.  This follows the revelation that Grimmfest is partnering with film financing group BCL to offer special prizes for the winners of the BEST FILM and BEST DIRECTOR awards categories. The winning films will each be awarded £40,000 worth of post-production services, which can be used against a future film.

Nightmare Cinema

All films in the line-up are also in the running for the previously announced GRIMMFEST AWARDS, which will be judged by an all-female panel consisting of some of the brightest lights in contemporary Genre cinema. 

Simeon Halligan, festival director, film director (including the film HABIT, regarding which HAUNT Manchester interviewed him here) and founder of Grimmfest, says:

“2018 is a very special year for us and to celebrate this we are proud to welcome back a number of talented filmmakers and actors who’ve shared their work with us over the past decade. We’re also pleased to introduce plenty of new talent to the festival, who we hope to see more work from in the years to come!”

The premieres announced so far certainly highlight the breadth and range of talent that will be at this year’s festival. After all, director Rob Grant (FAKE BLOOD, MON AMI) will be making a welcome return to the festival with ALIVE.

Brothers' Nest

NIGHTMARE CINEMA offers an array of talent too, with the team of Alejandro Brugués, Joe Dante, Mick Garris, Ryûhei Kitamura and David Slade behind it. The film also stars Mickey Rourke, Elizabeth Reaser, Richard Chamberlain and Annabeth Gish.

BROTHERS’ NEST itself highlights family talent within the creative process, as is written and directed by Clayton Jacobson, who also stars in the film along with his brother Shane.

Grimmfest previously announced actress and producer Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND) as the recipient of their 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Horror Channel. Barbara will be attending the festival in person to receive the award, where she will also present a special screening of 80’s horror classic RE-ANIMATOR.  

In addition, the new awards prizes offer an exciting development at the festival, as Co-Director Rachel Richardson-Jones reflects:

“Our hope is that these awards will really help to boost productivity within the independent genre film sector, as well as demonstrating our commitment as a festival to supporting rising film talent. We intend to expand these awards further still in 2019.”

Grimmfest is after all a celebration of talent and creativity. Michael Laundon, Managing Partner at BCL, added:

“All of us at BCL are delighted to be one of the prize sponsors for Grimmfest 2018, especially in their 10th anniversary year. BCL was established with a quest to truly help independent movies to not only get made but to be finished. We hope to continue our support of Grimmfest in the years to come.”

Grimmfest’s 10th edition will take place from the 4th to the 7th October at the ODEON Manchester Great Northern, UK. It also has a website and tickets are available online.