Celluloid Screams takes place later this week at Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema. Running from 20th – 23rd October the festival will see a mix of old and new titles excite and unnerve those attending. Full passes have practically sold-out, with a handful of individual tickets still available, and spirits are high for a fun and fright filled weekend. The line-up is stacked, with not a dud amongst them. Ahead of the weekend here are a few of our horrific highlights.
Ghostwatch
The jewel in this year’s Celluloid Screams crown has to be its special presentation of Ghostwatch. First broadcast on BBC on Halloween 1992, Ghostwatch immediately became infamous. A whole generation of kids allowed to stay up late were instantly traumatised thanks to it portraying itself as real. Starring credible presenters Michael Parkinson and Sarah Greene, Ghostwatch was an on-air investigation into the apparent haunting of a house in Northolt, Greater London. Now those attending Celluloid can relive the horrors of their youth. The audience will be further terrified as the screening is also teased as an immersive experience. Only the brave should seek this one out. Those that survive will be treated with a Q&A with the director, Lesley Manning.
Huesera
Huesera has been slowly doing the festival rounds this last year. Along the way it has been steadily building a name for itself as one of the best genre films of the year. The story follows a young woman, Valeria (Natalia Solián), who after dreaming of becoming pregnant finally finds herself with child. Her joy is short-lived though when she starts to think something is wrong. Billed as a ‘searing, nightmarish feminist horror’, Huesera is set to put the screams in Celluloid Screams.
The Leech
Eric Pennycoff’s Christmas chiller The Leech tore the roof off of The Prince Charles cinema in August when it screened at FrightFest. Now history is set to repeat itself due to just how brilliant it is. Starring the triple-threat combination of Graham Skipper, Jeremy Gardner, and Taylor Gardner, The Leech tells of a Priest who begins to spiral after taking in a wayward couple. A perfect storm of darkly comic material, spellbinding technical elements, and expertly crafted performances ensure that The Leech is a wild, unruly, and entertaining time. As a bonus The Leech is currently available to pre-order from Arrow Films ahead of its release on 5th December 2022.
Something in the Dirt
For the last decade Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson have been captivating genre audiences with their unique brand of science-fiction. Their latest movie, Something in the Dirt, is another fine example. Made during the pandemic, Benson and Moorhead step in front of the camera once more as they play residents who discover a strange phenomena in their apartment building. Further proof that the pair are two of the most exciting artists currently working with the medium of film, their projects continually push the boundary of budget, convention, and ideas connecting with audiences on a level not often experienced. With Something in the Dirt being yet another stellar creation from them, excitement for the forthcoming Moon Knight series to which they are attached is starting to soar.
V/H/S/99
The latest film in the V/H/S horror anthology series, V/H/S/99 arrives on streaming site Shudder on the 20th October. This date is of course the opening day for Celluloid, and being aware of its attendees’ love of the franchise, the festival will be hosting a big-screen viewing in the opening night late spot. Its inclusion on the line-up can stop passholders fretting about having the segments spoiled by the internet whilst at the same time promising the perfect viewing environment. The V/H/S movies are best played loud and to a crowd, and we can’t think of a better pairing.
Celluloid Screams runs from Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd October 2022.
