The UK’s biggest horror and genre festival returns to London this August, with another gloriously gory programme. Kicking off with the European premiere of much anticipated new body horror Suitable Flesh from genre legend Joe Lynch (Mayhem, Wrong Turn 2), FrightFest’s 2023 summer event boasts a whopping seventy films across four screens, and this year will return to being entirely under one roof, at the Cineworld Leicester Square.
Among the heavy-hitters in the festivals line-up are Farang, the latest “French blockbuster” from fantasy favourite Xavier Gens (Cold Skin, Frontiere(s), Hitman); Where the Devil Roams, the newest chiller from family filmmaking team John, Zelda, Toby and Lulu Adams (The Deeper You Dig, 2021’s massively successful Hellbender); Paris Zarcilla’s SXSW breakout hit Raging Grace and transgender director Alice Maio Mackay’s game changing Australian thriller T Blockers, shot by a predominantly queer, non-binary and trans cast and crew.
Documentary fans will be spoiled for choice, too, with new films on the legacy of J-horror, Brian Yuzna’s Society and the [Rec] series. As well as cult curios Kim’s Video about the iconic rental store, and Enter the Clones of Bruce Lee – a feature-length deep dive into the wild world of Bruceploitation.
Returning also are the First Blood strand, boasting first-time features from brand new filmmakers, as well as FrightFest’s ever increasing commitment to supporting work from every corner of the globe. This year, 14 countries are represented, spanning five continents, including the festival’s first ever entries from Greece and The Philippines in killer satire Poundcake, and white-knuckle actioner Topaak/Trigger respectively.
Topping things off are retrospective screenings of Lewis Teague’s 1980’s cult creature feature Alligator, a very special world premiere for the 4K restoration of modern classic It Follows ahead of the Second Sight home entertainment release later this year, and big-screen anniversary bows for The Conjuring and The Exorcist. All before closing night – the European premiere of The Sacrifice Game, the demonically stylish sophomore feature from festival favourite Jenn Wexler (The Ranger).
Under new headline sponsor Pigeon Shrine, FrightFest’s return promises another major weekend in the horror and genre movie calendar.
FrightFest returns to the Cineworld Leicester Square, 24th-28th August 2023. For the full line-up and ticket info, head to frightfest.co.uk.
