Marking the occasion with a focus on “18” and coming of age as a horror fan, the festival will celebrate some of the genre’s finest cult classics and stage fascinating presentations from industry experts on the distribution and classification of horror films.
“Turning 18 is a symbolic milestone for a festival dedicated to horror,” said festival director Gaz Bailey. “As horror fans, we all remember those 18-rated films we saw as youngsters, when we weren’t supposed to see them!”
Cult ‘18’ classics like The Exorcist and Ganja and Hess will take pride of place at the festival, as will House on the Edge of the Park, a controversial film passed uncut for the first time in the UK last year. The film will screen in honour of Giovanni Lombardo Radice, who died in April and had been due to attend the festival as guest of honour.
Also receiving a rare UK screening is Vice Squad, with director Gary Sherman in attendance. Vice Squad has never been made available on home video since its original censored cinema release over 40 years ago.
Sherman will also present a brand new project alongside author Jeremy Dyson (Ghost Stories). The project is so new that it’s still a secret – Gaz added, “Gary is a good friend of the festival and we’re delighted to be able to welcome Jeremy Dyson to join us for the first time too. What they’re doing is hugely exciting, and we were stunned when we were told about its existence. We can’t wait to unveil such an exciting project to our audience – linking back to events in previous festivals, and very much looking to the future too.”
Taking centre stage at the festival, as always, are Welsh premieres of some of this year’s most hotly anticipated horror films. These include the darkly challenging Red Rooms, which recently premiered at BFI London Film Festival; the modern gothic Raging Grace, which has stunned festival audiences all over the world this year; and coming-of-age delight Tiger Stripes, chosen to represent Malaysia in the running for the Best International Feature Film shortlist for next year’s Oscars.
Festival co-director Nia Edwards-Behi added, “we’re really excited at the breadth of horror represented in this year’s festival – from a trippy re-imagining of a hero’s tale to brand new nunsploitation!” She Is Conann is the latest film from experimental filmmaker Bertrand Mandico, and Auxilio: The Power of Sin from Argentinian director Tamae Garateguy is a thrilling period piece set in a convent.
No 18th birthday is complete without a party, and Abertoir’s notorious annual off-site screening makes a return with a special 25th anniversary screening of Blade taking place at Pier Pressure night club. “We can’t promise a ‘blood rave’ like in the film,” said Nia, “but we do have surprises in store – and an after-party!”
Other highlights include special shows from broadcaster Robin Ince, the annual short film competition, and a celebration of Welsh horror. Abertoir Horror Festival takes place at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 14-19th November 2023. For those who can’t make it to Aberystwyth, Abertoir Choice Cuts will take place online, 25-26 November, with highlights from the main event.
