Undeniably the best horror film festival in Yorkshire, Celluloid Screams will return for its sixth year to The Showroom Cinema in Sheffield between the 24th and 26th October. Serving up a weekend of blood, chills and scares, the festival is a must for all horror connoisseurs and we can’t wait to be there. After reviewing this years line-up Robert Nevitt and the rest of Team Celluloid have well and truly spoiled us all with their high quality choices.
First of all, the festival will kick off in style with its opening gala that will feature an exclusive screening of THE EDITOR, Astron-6’s highly anticipated homage to the Italian Giallo. Attending the screening will be fellow Astron-6 members Matthew Kennedy, Connor Sweeney and Adam Brooks who will be present to take part in a Q&A after the film. Following that will be Gerard Johnstone‘s Kiwi horror comedy HOUSEBOUND and the evening will close with a screening of the super chilling CREEP from director Patrick Brice. As for the rest of the weekend there are plenty of other treats for those lucky enough to attend the festival.
On Saturday night, the second Celluloid Screams allnighter SCI-FI SHOCKS will take place from midnight and featuring four classic sci-fi horror films including BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR (with introduction by Brian Yuzna), MAXIMUM OVERRDRIVE, NIGHT OF THE CREEPS and KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE.
Sunday will feature the annual Celluloid Screams short film retrospective. COOL GUYS: THE SHORT FILMS OF ASTRON-6 will feature some of the best short films by everyone’s favourite Canadian film collective who brought us Father’s Day and the 2012 Celluloid Screams favourite Manborg. Expect to see the awesome Cool Guys, Laser Ghosts, and much more. Matthew Kennedy, Connor Sweeney and Adam Brooks will return for an exciting Q&A that will take place after the screening.
Adam, Connor and Matthew from Astron-6 will be attending the festival.
Also happening on the Sunday evening will be the Celluloid Screams Secret Film which will not be revealed until moments before the film begins. In 2013 it was Joe Begos‘s awesome homage to 80s horror Almost Human, in 2012 it was Ciaran Foy‘s terrifying Citadel and in 2011 it was Justin Kurzel‘s shocking Aussie thriller Snowtown. We have our hopes for what it might be but as it is every year, lips will be sealed until the time is right.
One thing is for certain, with so much high-quality films on offer its no doubt that Celluloid Screams is the place to be for any horror fan. So if you have yet to make your mind up about forking out for a full festival pass or you are considering catching just one or two films we have put together our list of five must see films of Celluloid Screams 2014 that we will be looking forward to checking out.
Are you a fan of ‘Flight of the Conchords‘ or the kooky Eagle Vs Shark? Then look no further as co-directors Taika Waititi and Jermain Clement deliver WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADDOWS. Following Viago, Deacon and Vladislav who happen to be three flatmates that share the same secret – they are immortal vampires who must feast on human blood. Struggling to for hundreads of years to avoid sunlight and balance living without a reflection and paying their rent, this mockumentary is sure to entertain those looking for a shot of adrenaline in what has become an otherwise tiring sub-genre.
In their follow-up to the genre-bending indie hit Resolution, co-directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson are back with their latest offering SPRING. Described as a mash up of Before Sunrise meets An American Werewolf in London, Spring is the story of a backpacker called Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci) who after taking a trip to Italy, sparks a romance with a young woman whilst unaware that she harbors a dark secret. We loved Resolution and we have no doubt that the boys will be able to blow us away once more.
From the director of Excision comes the horror comedy SURBURBAN GOTHIC. Starring Matthew Gray Gubler (500 Days of Summer), Kat Dennings (Thor), Ray Wise (Robocop), Jeffrey Combs (Reanimator), and John Waters, Suburban Gothic tells the story of Raymond who is kicked out of his big city apartment to return home. But when a vengeful ghost terrorizes the small own, Raymond teams up with a local bartender called Becca to solve the mystery and stop the spirit intent on destruction. We are silently confident that this film has the potential to become a festival favourite considering the praise it has been getting on the festival circuit so far.
The ABCs of Death divided audiences when it was unleshed on the world last year. Regardless of what side you stood on it comes as no surprise that it should come back again. Featuring an all-new line up with twenty-six new directors including Larry Fessenden, Marvin Kren, Aharon Keshales, Steven Kostanski, E.L. Katz, Julian Barratt and The Soska Sisters, THE ABCs of DEATH 2 promises to deliver twenty-six new ways to die. We’re secretly hoping that this one is going to be the best one yet.
Bigger, Better, Bolder and Bloodier than the first, Tommy Wirkola‘s DEAD SNOW 2: RED VS DEAD will close this years festival and we can’t recommend the film enough as it is not only entertaining but it is a prime example of how a sequel should be made. Exceeded all expectations without sacrificing pace or humour, believe us as this comedy horror will have you creased over in your seats from its number of laugh-out-loud moments.
Festival passes for the weekend are now on sale via the festival website. They start at £65/£55 concessions but for those of you wanting to attend the allnighter, you can expect to pay a respectable £80/£70 concessions. Also, tickets for individual films are now sale from so if you can’t make the entire weekend why not join us for any of the above screenings?
If you would like more information please visit:
http://www.celluloidscreams.co.uk
http://www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/festivals/celluloidscreams
