News: Frightfest unveil festival programme

Frightfest bosses have unveiled their full slate for the upcoming annual horror shindig, and boy, are fans in for a treat.

A total of 48 films, including 15 world premieres and 23 UK/European premieres will be showcased across the three-screen, four-day (Aug 23-27) festival in London.

Genre flicks from across the globe will take centre stage, including much-anticipated films starring the likes of Ethan Hawke and Elijah Wood.

Leading the charge will be Hawke’s Sinister, the Sam Raimi-produced The Possession, Jennifer Lynch’s Chained, Woods’ controversial Maniac remake as well as underground horror American Mary and anthology effort V/H/S.

Naturally the Brits will be in full force, with the festival’s opening and closing films, The Seasoning House and Tower Block respectively, joined by the likes of creature feature Grabbers, gory allegory Before Dawn and cannibal serial killer thriller Sawney.

They will sit alongside fright flicks from as far and wide as Holland, Chile, Spain and Japan across the four days.

As if all the new movies were not enough, Frightfest will also see a Re-Discovery screen introduced, showcasing brand-spanking new prints of a trio of Hammer classics, including The Devil Rides Out.

The ever-popular International Short Film Showcase returns, as will genre star/fan Andy Nyman’s Quiz From Hell.

And to top things off nicely, Italian horror legend Dario Argento will be on hand for the Total Film Icon event.

Tickets and passes go on sale June 30 – 08 714 714 714 or www.empirecinemas.co.uk