News

by Chad Kennerk

Images courtesy of Justin Hardy

When six sacks of contents arrived courtesy of a mystery benefactor, filmmakers Justin and Dominic Hardy, sons of The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy, discovered an archive of lost papers, documents and personal effects relating to the making of their father’s seminal 1973 horror cult classic – a film that quite literally tore their family apart. Robin Hardy’s obsession with his directorial debut led to significant personal and financial sacrifices, leaving a mark on his family. Understandably, the brothers developed a complex relationship with their father’s work and the legacy of The Wicker Man.

The lore is legendary – from the beleaguered production, to its disavowal and harsh editing at the hands of distributor British Lion. An initial financial failure, the film remarkably saw a revival, often attributed to a 1977 commemorative issue of Cinefantastique, which called it "the Citizen Kane of horror movies.

The 16th edition of Manchester’s Grimmfest may have come to a close weeks ago, but today the festival revealed the winners of its pretigious awards. Held from 3rd to 6th October at the Odeon Great Northern, this year’s festival showcased 21 feature films and two programmes of short films, many of them world or UK premieres. With an outstanding line-up of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films, the festival culminated in the much-anticipated announcement of the Grimm Reaper Award winners, recognising the very best in various categories.

The grand winner of the Best Film award was Vardan Tozija’s M, a film that captivated the jury with its emotional intensity and deep thematic exploration. The jury noted that M was a standout in nearly every category it competed in, making it a clear choice for this year’s top honour. Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy’s Dead Mail received a special mention,...

Nick Frost has been honoured with the achievement in genre cinema award by the UK’s Grimmfest festival in Manchester.

The actor received the award for his work in films including Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End - otherwise known as the ’Cornetto Trilogy’ - as well as his latest work in Black Cab which opened Grimmfest as a world premiere.

Scroll down for full list of winners

Taking home the prize for best film was Vardan Tozija’s M. The dystopian sci-fi hails from North Macedonia and follows a young boy who travels alone in...

Nick Frost was honoured with the achievement in genre cinema award at the UK’s Grimmfest festival in Manchester.

The actor received the award for his work in films like Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End - otherwise known as the ’Cornetto Trilogy’ - as well as his latest work in Black Cab which opened Grimmfest as a world premiere.

Scroll down for full list of winners

Taking home the prize for best film was Vardan Tozija’s M. The dystopian sci-fi hails from North Macedonia and follows a young boy who travels alone in the...

Grimmfest, one of the UK’s premier genre film festivals, returns this October with an exciting and star-studded lineup of guests. Filmmakers and actors from around the globe are set to descend on Manchester to present their films, engage with fans, and take part in exclusive Q&a sessions, making this year’s edition the most interactive and talent-packed event yet.

Running from 3rd to 6th October at the Odeon Great Northern, Grimmfest offers a chance to see world premieres, UK debuts, and international hits before they hit wider release. Attendees will not only get to watch these films but also meet the creators and stars behind them in an intimate, fan-focused setting.

Grimmfest prides itself on not having a “Them and Us” atmosphere at their events. Instead, filmmakers and performers are encouraged to mingle, socialise, often sharing a drink at the bar with audience members. Here are just a...

Grimmfest, Manchester’s premier horror and genre film festival, is set to return to the Odeon Great Northern in Deansgate from 3rd to 6th October 2024. Celebrating its 16th edition, this year’s festival promises four days of intense thrills and unforgettable scares, showcasing the very best in contemporary genre cinema with a diverse line-up that includes world premieres, UK debuts, and a special focus on vehicle-based horror with the “Fear on Four Wheels” strand.

Grimmfest feature film premieres

The festival kicks off on Thursday, 3rd October, with the World Premiere of Tales from the Void, followed by the UK premiere of the claustrophobic psycho-thriller Black Cab, directed by Bruce Goodison and starring Nick Frost. As the evening unfolds, the darkly comedic horror Beezel and the eerie Strange Harvest will further set the tone for what promises to be a chilling weekend.

Friday, 4th October, offers a full day of terrifying treats,...