Celluloid Screams returns to the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield for four days of horror-filled fun and frights. Running from Thursday 22nd October to Sunday 26th October, the festival will screen fifteen of the best genre films on the circuit right now. In addition to those offerings, there are three secret screenings, two brand new titles, and one cult classic. Then, there’s a Saturday morning of ‘80s and ‘90s cartoons with unlimited cereal, not forgetting the closing night karaoke party.
A visit to Celluloid Screams is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit early, and if you’re attending the festival, there really is a spoil of riches available to watch. Obviously it should go without saying that opening film Onslaught and closing movie The Fox are essential viewing, but what other titles should be on attendees watchlists?
Depraved
This year Celluloid Screams is celebrating the work of horror legend Larry Fessenden. The multi-hyphen will be in attendance at the festival and with Celluloid Screams showing not one, but four of his films, he will be the guest of honour. As a director, Fessenden has been quietly assembling his own cinematic monster universe. The entries are vampire-centric Habit, modern interpretation of Frankenstein, Depraved, werewolf horror Blackout and the new Trauma Or, Monsters All, which unites the lead characters of all of his previous movies. Whilst getting to watch them all with Fessenden present to do intros and Q&A’s will be very special, if you only catch one, make it Depraved. The film is a beautiful take on Mary Shelley’s work and will look incredible on the big screen.
Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant
THUNDERLIPS’ Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant, is a feature-length extension of their short, Help, I’m Alien Pregnant. An aimless millennial, May, finds herself with child after a close encounter with her new neighbour, Boo. What follows is an unashamedly Kiwi humoured body horror comedy that highlights the perils of getting alien-pregnant. This one is sure to be a crowd pleaser, and its late night opening night slot is the perfect placement.
The Glorious Dead
The Adams Family are no strangers to Celluloid Screams, having attended the last two years. This year they make it a hat-trick as they will screen their new film, The Glorious Dead, with several of the filmmaking family in attendance. A somewhat lighter affair than last year’s Mother of Flies, The Glorious Dead follows a smalltown Sheriff and her Deputy as they try to understand what is behind the strange disappearance of some residents and the apparent resurrection of others. Because one film featuring the group is not enough, Celluloid Screams attendees will also be treated to Blood and Guts, a documentary chronicling the creation of the Adams’ previous film, Where the Devil Roams.
Crawlers
Spiders seem to be the theme of this year’s festival circuit with a trio of them currently on tour. Spider Island screened at FrightFest, Don’t Move will have its international premiere at Soho Horror Film Festival, and Celluloid Screams has nabbed Crawlers. Starring Revenge’s Matilda Lutz, Crawlers follows an apartment manager as she tries to protect the residents from a deadly spider outbreak. Not strictly one for those with an aversion to the eight-legged creatures, Crawlers is guaranteed to get your skin crawling.
The Restoration At Grayson Manor
The Restoration At Grayson Manor received its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2025 and has now made its way from Texas to Sheffield. It stars Glee’s Chris Colfer and Sleepwalkers’ Alice Krige as an exceptionally toxic mother and son. After the pianist son suffers a tragic accident to his hands, the mother sees an opportunity to make him the child she always wanted. A camp delight, full of catty comments and quirky humour, this is one wickedly entertaining film that should not be missed.
For more details about Celluloid Screams, head to the festival website.
