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Exclusive: Noah Taylor and Millie Brady have been set to lead UK feature Trash TV, the debut movie of writer-director Danny Lee.

The film, which is now underway, follows a cynical talk show host whose life unravels over a single day on air. While celebrating his 4,000th episode, a tangle of corrosive personal history and bad professional choices collide, dragging Sandy and his show to depths he never contemplated. His young producer, Kate, must pick up the pieces and decide whether she’ll become the next link in the toxic chain of talk show television.

Rounding out the cast are Robert Cavanah (Lockerbie: A Search For The Truth), Rosie Fellner (The Trip To Italy) and Dave Johns.

The project will be shot entirely in the north east of the UK for producers Gail Lyon (Destination Wedding), Rosie Fellner (The Uninvited...

Stars: Ruaridh Aldington, Angela Dixon, Craig Conway, Madalina Bellarui Ion, Andrew Lyle-Pinnock, Natasha Patel, Andrew Lee Potts | Written by Peter Stylianou | Directed by Peter Stylianou, Sean Cronin

Drained, directed by Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou, is a vampire flick that sinks its teeth into the jugular of toxic relationships, addiction, and the perils of living with your mum in neon-drenched London. It’s a film that asks the age-old question: what happens when you fall for a mysterious woman who turns out to be a vampire?

Spoiler alert: the answer involves a lot of blood, questionable life choices, and a surprising amount of emotional heft for a movie that occasionally feels like it was shot on a budget of £150 and a pissed-up fever dream. Let’s dive into this gloriously messy, surprisingly poignant, and intermittently hilarious horror romance, shall we?

Thomas (Ruaridh Aldington), is a jobless “artist” who’s less...

It’s the final week of the first month of the year, and 2025 has already been loaded with 20+ new horror movies in theaters and at home. This week, eight more newcomers have arrived!

Here’s all the new horror that released January 27 – January 31, 2025!

For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.

Genre favorite Ted Raimi (Evil Dead II, Candyman) must choose between financial ruin or murder in Failure!, which was impressively shot in a continuous 87-minute take.

The film is available now on Digital from Red Water Entertainment.

Ted Raimi stars as James, a devoted family man and business tycoon facing a dire ultimatum: resolve a crushing bank debt within an hour or risk losing his business. With greedy associates, deceitful friends, and haunting ghosts from his past closing in, James is pushed to the brink, faced with the unthinkable choice between financial ruin or murder.

Peter Stylianou and Sean Cronin’s “Drained” (2024) offers a jarring genre mash-up. While a supernatural horror film, it also offers a tragic romance in a late coming-of-age tale. It follows a slacker artist who falls for a bloodthirsty vampire. Stylianou’s script tries to portray a sense of dread and hopelessness through its gloomy narration. The film casts Ruaridh Aldington as twenty-something Thomas and Madalina Bellariu Ion as his romantic interest, vampire Rhea. Angela Dixon and Craig Conway play the key supporting roles.

Spoilers Ahead

Drained (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:

“Drained” revolves around a concept artist who wastes his youth living off of his mother. Amid his unemployment blues, he crosses paths with an alluring vampire and falls for her. Their romance leads him to a shocking fate.

What happens in Peter Stylianou and Sean Cronin’s ‘Drained’?

“Drained,” the supernatural horror film, revolves around Thomas (Ruaridh Aldington), a twenty-something concept artist,...

Stars: Ruaridh Aldington, Angela Dixon, Craig Conway, Madalina Bellarui Ion, Andrew Lyle-Pinnock, Natasha Patel, Andrew Lee Potts | Written by Peter Stylianou | Directed by Peter Stylianou, Sean Cronin

It feels like vampires and vampirism are often used as metaphors as they are as supernatural threats these days. Be it obsession, addiction or undying love, there’s a flock of fanged films that uses them to explore it. Drained, a new film from writer Peter Stylianou who co-directed it with Sean Cronin combines some of these into a story that looks at codependency and toxic relationships.

Thomas is an artist, he may not be a starving artist, but he is an unemployed one who still lives at home with his mother. He’s focused on creating a killer portfolio, but at the expense of getting any actually assignments in the here and now. It doesn’t help that his mother is also...

"I have bites too. They're everywhere." A newfound romance takes a nightmarish turn for a young man who falls in love with a vampire in the new film Drained. Directed by Peter Stylianou and Sean Cronin and filmed on location in London, Drained is now available on VOD platforms via Level 33 Entertainment, and we have an exclusive clip for Daily Dead readers to sink their teeth into!

You can watch our exclusive clip below, and we also have a look at images, the final trailer and the official press release with additional details on Drained! To learn more about how you can watch the film, visit:

https://geni.us/Drained

From the Press Release: "British filmmakers’ Peter Stylianou and Sean Cronin’s London-based feature vampire film “Drained” releases in North America today via Level 33 Entertainment on VOD via Amazon, Apple TV and Fandango at Home, among other premium digital channels.

‘Drained’ is a British vampire romance film co-directed by Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou. The story follows Thomas, a struggling, jobless artist living in London, who becomes captivated by Rhea, a beautiful and enigmatic woman.

As their relationship deepens, Thomas discovers that Rhea is actually a vampire. Their love becomes increasingly toxic, and as Rhea feeds on him, Thomas’s health rapidly declines.

The film explores themes of addiction, dependence, and the destructive side of love as Thomas’s life spirals out of control, all set against the dark, neon-lit backdrop of London.

The cast of ‘Drained’ includes Ruaridh Aldington and Madalina Bellariu Ion in leading roles as Thomas and Rhea, with Angela Dixon, Craig Conway, and Andrew-Lee Potts in supporting parts. Other cast members include Natasha Patel, Andrew Lyle-Pinnock, Timothy Blore, Kenton Lloyd Morgan, Ayvianna Snow, and Diana Yekinni.

‘Drained’ is now available for streaming on VOD through Level 33 Entertainment,...

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, now is the perfect time to watch all your favorite romantic horror movies. A new film this year that falls under that particular umbrella is British filmmakers’ Peter Stylianou and Sean Cronin’s London-based feature vampire film Drained, which has been acquired by Level 33 Entertainment and will receive a North American release on VOD via Amazon, Apple TV and Fandango at Home, among other premium digital channels.

While you wait, sink your fangs into the exclusive trailer for Drained below.

Co-directed and produced by Cronin and Peter Stylianou from a screenplay by the latter, the supernatural horror film – which premiered at the prestigious Screamfest Horror Film Festival in October 2024 – was filmed in London, England, and is a Magnificent Films/House 54/Rg Films co-production.

“In the neon-soaked streets of London, Thomas, a jobless post-graduate concept artist, falls in love with Rhea, a mysterious...

“South of Hope Street” is a new live-action science fiction ‘dystopian’ feature, written and directed by Jane Spencer, starring Judd Nelson, William Baldwin, Tana Frederick, Michael Madsen, Asser Yassin, Craig Conway, Meredith Ostrom, Wendy Thomas, Niklaus Trenk, Pascal Ulli and Elana Krausz, streaming November 15, 2024 on Paramount+:

“…in 2038, Earth enters a mysterious universe. People hide behind a gigantic wall and engage in wars.

“Meanwhile, ‘Denise’ walks on thin ice spurred on by ‘Tom’, a caretaker, who promises that a renaissance is on its way…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Neil Marshall got his feature directorial career started with one of the coolest werewolf movies ever made, Dog Soldiers, which begins with a scene where a camper played by Craig Conway gets attacked by a monstrous beast. Marshall went on to cast Conway as a different sort of monstrous beast in his next film, The Descent, then as a power-hungry cannibal named Sol in his film Doomsday (pictured above). Now Marshall is serving as an executive producer on Conway’s own feature directorial debut… and judging by the title, Conway might be getting his directing career started in a way similar to Marshall’s own. Because when I see the title Little Red, my first thought is that this could be a werewolf movie.

Deadline has confirmed that Little Red “will reimagine the Little Red Riding Hood story through a contemporary lens.” The involvement of werewolves, however, has not been confirmed.

An actor featured in both Dog Soldiers and The Descent, Craig Conway will be making his directorial debut with the upcoming horror movie Little Red, Deadline reports this morning.

Neil Marshall, who directed Conway in Dog Soldiers and The Descent, will exec produce.

Deadline details, “Currently in pre-production, the low-budget horror-thriller will reimagine the Little Red Riding Hood story through a contemporary lens. It will follow a fifteen year-old girl who unravels the dark secrets in her family. Casting has yet to be revealed.”

House54 produces in association with Newtown Entertainment.

Peter Stylianou wrote the screenplay for Little Red.

The post ‘Little Red’ – Neil Marshall Producing ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Horror Movie appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Exclusive: Neil Marshall is set to exec-produce UK horror film Little Red, which will mark the directorial debut of his The Descent, Dog Soldiers and Doomsday collaborator Craig Conway.

Currently in pre-production, the low-budget horror-thriller will reimagine the Little Red Riding Hood story through a contemporary lens. It will follow a fifteen year-old girl who unravels the dark secrets in her family. Casting has yet to be revealed.

House54 produces in association with Newtown Entertainment. Both companies herald from the North East of England. Script comes from Peter Stylianou and cinematographer-producer is Daniel Patrick Vaughan with Paul Murray also producing.

Marshall most recently directed action-crime movie Duchess, which was picked up by Saban Films. Actor and producer Conway most recently starred in UK horror Drained.

Conway is represented by Newtown Artist Management, Bohemia Group and Nelson Davis Llp.

British filmmakers Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou’s latest feature, “Drained,” has wrapped post-production and is being sold by Cronin’s Magnificent Films at the Cannes Film Market.

Cronin is also an actor who has appeared in “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” He has played villains in some 89 films, besides directing several titles.

“Drained,” a vampire film, co-directed and produced by Cronin and Stylianou from a screenplay by Stylianou, follows Thomas, a jobless post-graduate artist who falls for Rhea, a mysterious woman who is revealed to be a vampire. As their dark romance progresses, Thomas’s health declines, plunging him into a chaotic spiral.

The cast features Ruaridh Aldington (“Dirty Boy”) and Madalina Bellariu Ion (“Dampyr”) as the doomed lovers. Supporting roles are filled by Craig Conway (“Dog Soldiers”), Angela Dixon (“Never Let Go”), Andrew Lyle-Pinnock, Natasha Patel (“The Witcher: Blood Origin...

Having recently completed post-production, Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou have taken their vampire film Drained to Cannes! We have an early look at the film, in the form of official photos, a still, and a teaser poster:

From the Press Release: British filmmakers’ Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou’s London-based feature vampire film “Drained” has completed post-production and is headed to market at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.

The supernatural horror film – which was co-directed and produced by Cronin and Peter Stylianou from a screenplay by the latter -- was filmed in London, England, and is a Magnificent Films/House 54/Red Guerilla Films co-production. Additional producers include Daniel Patrick Vaughan and Tony Currier. Cronin as an actor has portrayed villains in dozens of box office hits, as well as having directed several award-winning titles, including the upcoming feature ‘Bogieville.’ Peter Stylianou is a writer/director with two...

Hollywood Horror Royalty Descends On The North Wales Coast

Rhyller Thriller; Rhyls first horror film festival gets its sequel this May with Rhyller Thriller 2: Revenge Of The Thriller. This May 18th Rhyller Thriller returns with its second major event at Rhyl town hall, with a host of horror films and guests it is an event sure to attract all who love the genre. This year’s headline attraction is British writer and director Neil Marshall, creator of possibly the best werewolf movie ever made in Dog Soldiers (which will be shown at the event alongside Marshalls scare-filled masterpiece The Descent). Neil is also best know for the latest Hollywood rendition of the Hellboy franchise as well as having directed two of the highest rated Game of Thrones episodes (Battle of the Blackwater and The Watchers on the Wall). Having a chance to watch two of the best modern British horror films alongside the director,...

The Serpent, releases June 18th from Vertical Entertainment. The film was directed, written, and produced by Gia Skova, who also stars as the film’s lead. Here’s the exciting trailer:

Agent Lucinda Kavsky is highly trained and one of the CIA’s most lethal weapons. When she’s given a special assignment that takes a disastrous turn, she comes to find out she is being set up by her own agency. As she unravels their horrendous plot, she uncovers a web of lies and secrecy that expose a massive conspiracy.

The Serpent stars Gia Skova, Travis Aaron Wade, Craig Conway, Alexandra Tebano, and Nigel Vonas

The post Gia Skova Commits Espionage in New Action-Packed Trailer for The Serpent appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.

"I'm never who people think I am..." Vertical Ent. has released the first official trailer for The Serpent, an assassin action thriller arriving in select theaters this month. The film marks the feature directorial debut of world famous Russian model Gia Skova, who also produced and wrote and stars in this film. "If you want something done, do it yourself." Agent Kavsky is highly trained and one of the CIA's most lethal weapons. When she’s given a special assignment that takes a disastrous turn, she comes to find out she is being set up by her own agency, uncovering a web of lies and secrecy that exposes a massive conspiracy. Skova stars with Travis Aaron Wade, Craig Conway, Alexandra Tebano, Jason Scott Jenkins, and Lin Gothoni. Pretty much the exact same plot as every other hitman movie ever made, but it still looks badass... kind of. Here's the...

What if you were an international star who’d had a supporting role in two of the biggest franchises of all time, then you went on to deliver the best performance of your career in a tough, tiny British drama, and hardly anybody noticed? Chances are, Orlando Bloom has been asking himself some version of that question for the last three years.

That’s how long it’s been since he played Malky, a lapsed Catholic tormented by childhood sexual abuse, in “Retaliation,” a remarkably nuanced alternative to the grudge-bearing revenge genre from a pair of first-time feature directors, siblings Ludwig and Paul Shammasian. “Retaliation” was virtually overlooked when it premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival back in 2017, landing distribution in a few foreign countries (presumably on the basis of Bloom’s involvement), only to surface now as one of the many pandemic releases so micro, they may as well not exist.

"Who are you?" "Just a courier." Lionsgate has debuted an official trailer for the cheesy action film The Courier, an "intense action-thriller" that unfolds in real time. If you haven't had enough of the Transporter movies, there's even more in this. Olga Kurylenko stars as a badass female motorcycle courier who must fight off a sadistic crime boss' henchmen in order to protect the one witness that can bring him down. She discovers that one of the packages might not be as harmless as she was told. Also starring Gary Oldman, Dermot Mulroney, William Moseley, Alicia Agneson, Craig Conway, Amit Shah, Lee Charles, and Joel Michaely. I'm digging Oldman with the eye-patch, but the rest of this looks terrible - derivative, and bland, and cliche. What's with the voices sounding so weird? Might as well skip it, doesn't look so good. Here's the first official trailer (+ UK version / poster) for Zackary Adler's The Courier,...

Here’s the latest episode of the The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

For those unfamiliar, with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors. They also shoot the breeze about their new films, The Dare, World of Darkness,...

Here’s the latest episode of the 365Flicks podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on Libsyn, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

365Flicks Podcast: Episode 126 – Whaddaya Say?… I Want You To Be My VP

The boys are back with their Reguular Schmegular aweseomeness to bring you all the news Reviews and Banter you have come to know and love. We kick off with some epic banter and our all important pimpage for ourselves and our friends. We go for the “Feature Review” which this week is Mara starring Olga Kurylenko and Craig Conway. News is next and we talk about the Ghostbusters 3 nonsense and much much more. We round out the news with a run down of the Oscars and the Razzies Nominations. What we...

Signature Films is producing with Rollercoaster Angel Productions.

Zackary Adler’s UK action film The Courier, which stars Olga Kurylenko and Gary Oldman, has completed its cast and begun principal photography in London.

Dermot Mulroney, William Moseley, Vikings actress Alicia Agneson, Amit Shah, and Craig Conway have joined the film, which is produced by Signature Films and Rollercoaster Angel Productions.

Kurylenko will play a courier whose daily deliveries are interrupted when she discovers that her latest package is a bomb aimed to kill the only living witness who is about to testify against a ruthless crime lord, played by Oldman.

Shooting has just begun on British indie The Courier, with Dermot Mulroney, William Moseley (The Royals) and Vikings‘ Alicia Agneson joining the project. Signature Films and Rollercoaster Angel Production are producing the action pic from director Zackary Adler.

Kurylenko plays a courier whose daily deliveries are interrupted when she discovers that her latest package is a gas bomb aimed to kill the only living witness on the brink of testifying against a ruthless crime lord, played by Oldman.

Mulroney will be the CIA director leading the investigation. Moseley is Oldman’s nasty side-kick. Agneson’s role is described as a hard-as-nails CIA agent while Amit Shah (The Hundred-Foot Journey) and Craig Conway (Mara) are also joining.

The Courier is produced by Marc Goldberg, James Edward Barker, David Haring and Andrew Prendergast. Oldman’s longtime producing partner Douglas Urbanski is exec producing with Elizabeth Williams, Wayne Godfrey and Christian Mercuri . Blue Box is on international sales.

Here’s the latest episode of the 365Flick podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on Libsyn, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

365Flicks Podcast: Indie Talk w/actor, director, producer Craig Conway

Kevin has been planning this episode of Indie Talk for some time now and he finally made it happen. That’s right character actor, director, producer and all around awesome guy Craig Conway is finally on the show. Get ready for two guys chatting… though you may not understand. We sit down to talk about some of Craig’s Career Highlights including films such as Dog Soldiers, Doomsday, Descent, The Tournament, Final Score and his latest pyschological horror Mara. Mara is a ten year long passion piece for Craig and has just had...

Here’s the latest episode of the The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.

For those unfamiliar, with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors. They also shoot the breeze about their new films, The Dare, World of Darkness,...

Prepare to lose a whole lot of sleep when Mara arrives on Blu-ray (plus Digital), DVD and Digital November 6 from Lionsgate. This film is currently available On Demand. Based on famous folklore, the film’s expertly crafted story line tells the tale of criminal psychologist Kate Fuller, who starts to experience the same terrifying symptoms as the victims of an ancient demon who kills people in their sleep. The absolutely chilling Mara will be available on Blu-ray (plus Digital) and DVD for the suggested retail price of $21.99 and $19.98, respectively.

From a producer of Paranormal Activity and Insidious comes this shock-filled descent into fear. After a man is seemingly strangled in his bed, criminal psychologist Kate Fuller (Olga Kurylenko) interviews the sole witness, the victim’s eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. When asked to identify the killer, Sophie says, “Mara.” As Kate digs into the case, she unearths a community of people who...

Arrow Video FrightFest unleashes an intoxicating six-pack of horror, sci-fi and fantasy for their popular Halloween all-day event, now at the Cineworld Leicester Square on Saturday 3rd November. The 12-hour monstrous marathon embraces four continents and includes two world premieres and four UK premieres

The day kicks off with Julian Richards’ latest chiller Reborn, a Carrie for the Z Generation, starring the First Lady of FrightFest, Barbara Crampton, and featuring a stunning performance from rising newcomer Kayleigh Gilbert. Richards, famous for The Last Horror Movie, is with us for this World Premiere screening. Next up is the UK premiere of Parallel, director Isaac Ezban’s first English language horror fantasy after The Incident and The Similars. Be prepared for an ingenious killer alternate-universe concept, pitch-black thrills and a top-notch cast including Brit-star Georgia King. You’ll definitely keep your eyes wide open for the UK premiere of Mara, Clive Tonge...

“Mara” opens with some dubious statistics fudged to imply that about one-third of the world’s population thinks they’ve been “attacked by a demonic entity.” That, unfortunately, sets the tone for a generically conceived horror thriller distinguished only by its belief that more hysteria equals a more frightening movie.

There’s certainly a lot of yelling and screaming here, but chills diminish rather than increase as a result. However, those experiencing vitamin deficiencies over underexposure to ham acting and jump scares may find relief from the film’s Sept. 7 release to VOD, Digital HD and a few theaters.

Forensic psychologist Kate (Olga Kurylenko) is called by police to the scene of a murder —housewife Helena (Rosie Fellner) is suspected of killing her husband, found contorted in agony right next to her in bed. But she claims a “sleep demon” did it, and when little daughter Sophie (Mackenzie Imsand) is asked “Who hurt daddy?...

The brand new trailer has arrived for sleep paralysis horror, Mara. If you’re an insomniac, you’ll sure as hell be glad you can’t sleep after watching this.

Clive Tonge makes his directorial debut on the creepy horror which is written by Jonathan Frank. The film stars Olga Kurylenko, Javier Botet, Mitch Eakins, Lance E. Nichols, Rosie Fellner, Mackenzie Imsand, Dandy Barrett, Craig Conway, Melissa Bolona, and Gia Skova.

Also in trailers – Insane first trailer arrives starring Nicolas Cage for Mandy

No release date has been announced as yet.

Mara Synopsis

Criminal psychologist Kate Fuller is assigned to the murder of a man who has seemingly been strangled in his sleep by his wife and the only witness is their eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. As Kate digs into the mystery of an ancient demon which kills people in their sleep, she experiences the same petrifying symptoms as all previous...

"She marks you first, then she kills you." The first official trailer has debuted for an indie horror film titled Mara, a psychological thriller about a criminal psychologist who investigates the murder of a man who was strangled in his sleep. She discovers a terrifying ancient demon called "Mara" which kills people in their sleep, and suddenly experiences the same symptoms and nightmares, desperately trying to figure out how what is going on before she falls asleep again. Olga Kurylenko stars in this, with a cast including Javier Botet, Mitch Eakins, Lance E. Nichols, Rosie Fellner, Mackenzie Imsand, Dandy Barrett, Craig Conway, Melissa Bolona, and Gia Skova. This is another one of these fun "don't ever fall asleep" horror films like A Nightmare on Elm Street, with some seriously scary moments and a freaky demon. Take a look. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Clive Tonge's Mara, direct...

Stars: John Lynch, Craig Conway, Antonia Thomas, Jumayan Hunter, Morjana Alaoui, Beth Winslet | Written by Steve Clark, Josh Golga, Rob Green, Billy O’Brien, G.P. Taylor | Directed by Billy O’Brien

Review by Andrew McArthur

British horror is not particularly good at hitting the middle ground – it normally finds itself at either extreme end of the quality spectrum: from painfully awful to groundbreakingly brilliant. Sitting comfortably at the low-end of this spectrum is sci-fi horror The Hybrid.

The Hybrid follows a group of mercenaries tasked with infiltrating a subterranean military research facility. However, there they uncover far more gruesome horrors than they were expecting.

Three ingredients which normally make a good sci-fi or horror film are tension, scares or disturbing imagery, and at the very least a self-aware humour. If one of these factors is missing, proceedings are usually redeemable thanks to either of the other two. I can’t...

Last remaining 35mm print of Tyneside classic Get Carter will open the event.

The inaugural Newcastle International Film Festival has revealed a line-up of more than 200 films, with the event set to run March 29 to April 1.

The festival will host 40 features, 140 shorts, including works by filmamkers from the North East. There will also be workshops, Q&A sessions and events across the city of Newcastle.

Get Carter, starring Michael Caine in an early role, will open the festival at the Tyneside Cinema on March 29. The only remaining 35mm print of one of the most renowned Newcastle-shot films will screen...

Exclusive: Frasier actor teams up with Sebastian Foucan for Bharal.

Fledgling UK production outfit BB88 is in Cannes to talk up a slate of movies including revenge drama drama Bharal, which is due to star former Frasier star Kelsey Grammer and parkour pioneer Sebastian Foucan.

Jake L Reid’s (The Antwerp Dolls) feature, due to start in early 2018, charts the story of an African refugee who arrives in London to search for his missing sister.

When he uncovers an immigrant sex trade he becomes both a media sensation and a target for a crime syndicate, along with the immigrant community that has taken him in.

Bharal is being lined up as a co-production between BB88, Reid’s Liberal Region Productions and Compos Mentis productions.

Also new to the slate is Gate Crash, which will be directed by Laurence Gough (Dr Who). The cast includes Marc Warren (Snatch) and Anton Lesser from Game Of Thrones.

Projects already...

Stars: Morjana Alaoui, Mel Raido, Craig Conway, Patrick Toomey, Stephanie Thomas, Natalie Louise Garcia | Written by Craig Conway, Shaun Robert Smith | Directed by Shaun Robert Smith

Evie (Morjana Alaoui) has started a new life England, to escape her past. She finds herself caring for John (Mel Raido), a former rock star and tetraplegic. When he’s not making her life a complete misery with his insults, he’s still his usual drinking, drug taking partying self. He even gets regular “treatment” from his former nurse – Molly (Stephanie Thomas) from time to time. What is already a complicated situation becomes even worse for Evie when John’s scumbag friend Dougie (Craig Conway), tries to assault her. With all of this going on and all the built up stress, not to mention the lack of support she receives from the agency that hired her, Evie’s past is seemingly coming back to...

UK genre fans are currently enjoying five days of nailbiting action with the 2016 edition of the Horror Channel FrightFest now underway in Shepherd's Bush, London, and we are chronicling the event with the official FrightFest TV daily highlights packages. Day Four's subjects? Director Simon Rumley discusses Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word; Director Patricio Valladares, Actor Natalie Burn and Writer Barry Keating discuss Downhill; Director Shaun Robert Smith and Actor Craig Conway discuss Broken; Director Martin Owen and Actors Elliot James Langridge and Isabelle Allen discuss Let's Be Evil; Director Wyndham Price discusses Crow; Director Kate Shenton discusses Egomaniac; plus Horror Icon David McGillivray....

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Genre festival reveals masterclasses and film programme.

Horror Channel FrightFest (Aug 25-29) has unveiled the line-up of events and movies for its 2016 edition, set to be held at the Vue cinema in London’s Shepherds Bush.

Screen will host a panel on the future of the UK horror film industry, followed by the first Screen International Horror Rising Star Award [click here for the shortlist].

There will also be a horror writing master class with writer-director James Moran; a women in horror symposium; a special effects demo from maestro Dan Martin; and a discussion by filmmaker Paul Davis – who made John Landis approved doc Beware The Moon - marking the 35th anniversary of An American Werewolf In London.

The festival is also set to screen H.G. Lewis’ 1963 gore classic Blood Feast, which is getting a 4K restoration from Arrow.

The FrightFest audience will be the first in the UK to see The Neighbor, directed by Marcus Dunstan (The Collection).

The festival will also...

“Blood is Thicker than Water, and Some Stains Never Come Out!”

Now you can own Estranged, the movie that Kat Hughes of The Hollywood News called:

“…a tense, claustrophobic thriller …”

and Dave Gammon at Horrornews.Net says is:

“…a powerful, emotional roller coaster ride into the evil that lurks within family secrets.”

From Well Go USA:

Estranged, the Terrifying Debut Feature Film from Director Adam Levins arrives on Blu-ray™, DVD & Digital HD February 12. Bonus Features Include a Making of Featurette. From the producers of Insidious and The Devil Inside comes Estranged, the modern Gothic tale of dark secrets and shocking motives debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD February 12 from Well Go USA Entertainment. A young woman is forced to return home after a near-fatal accident has left her temporarily wheelchair bound and depleted of her long-term memory. Not only has she forgotten her family, but her childhood as well.

Stars: Craig Conway, James Cosmo, Bob Duff, James Lance, Amy Manson, Faye McLoughlin, Eileen Nicholas, Nora-Jane Noone, Simon Quarterman, Joy Sanders | Written by William Borthwick, Simon Fantauzzo | Directed by Adam Levins

When January (Amy Manson) is almost killed in a traffic accident, she and her boyfriend Callum (Simon Quarterman) head to her family home. Suffering from amnesia she has no idea why she once left, never to return. Trying to remember her past she looks to her family and Callum for help. When he suddenly leaves though she’s left trapped with the family she doesn’t remember and a dark history that waits to be revealed.

For the first half of the film Estranged is a slow-paced movie with an ominous feel. There is an almost formulaic way that it fits into the same old structures of this type of story and when the past slowly starts to reveal...

Stars: John Lynch, Craig Conway, Antonia Thomas, Jumayan Hunter, Morjana Alaoui, Beth Winslet | Written by Steve Clark, Josh Golga, Rob Green, Billy O’Brien, G.P. Taylor | Directed by Billy O’Brien

Review by Andrew McArthur

British horror is not particularly good at hitting the middle ground – it normally finds itself at either extreme end of the quality spectrum: from painfully awful to groundbreakingly brilliant. Sitting comfortably at the low-end of this spectrum is sci-fi horror Scintilla.

Scintilla follows a group of mercenaries tasked with infiltrating a subterranean military research facility. However, there they uncover far more gruesome horrors than they were expecting.

Three ingredients which normally make a good sci-fi or horror film are tension, scares or disturbing imagery, and at the very least a self-aware humour. If one of these factors is missing, proceedings are usually redeemable thanks to either of the other two. I can’t count the...

The Hybrid Trailer. Billy O’Brien‘s The Hybrid / Scintilla (2014) movie trailer stars John Lynch, Morjana Alaoui, Craig Conway, Antonia Thomas, and Beth Winslet. The Hybrid‘s plot synopsis: “From a torturous cell in Africa, Abel Powell is released and given the chance to regroup his team of skilled mercenaries for [...]

Continue reading: The Hybrid (2014) Movie Trailer: Alien & Human DNA Spliced Together...

All sorts of goodies have emerged in promotion of Scintilla now that the flick has found both UK and Us distribution. Mongrel Media has acquired all rights for North America, and Metrodome will be bringing the flick to the UK.

eOne had previously acquired rights for France, German-speaking Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.

Directed by Billy O’Brien, Scintilla stars John Lynch, Craig Conway, Antonia Thomas, Jumayan Hunter, Morjana Alaoui, and Beth Winslet.

Synopsis

An elite team of mercenaries is chosen to carry out a covert operation deep in a former Soviet state. They must first battle the ferocious armed militia at ground level before descending through a maze of tunnels inhabited by dark, menacing creatures. When the team members arrive at an underground laboratory, they discover the purpose of their mission: A genius scientist has been genetically splicing alien DNA with human, and the results of this revolutionary work must be secured.

Review Written by Chris Wright, MoreHorror.com

“Dog Soldiers” (2002)

Directed By: Neil Marshall

Written By: Neil Marshall

Starring: Sean Pertwee (Sgt. Harry Wells), Kevin McKidd (Pvt. Cooper), Emma Cleasby (Megan), Liam Cunningham (Capt. Ryan), Thomas Lockyer (Cpl. Bruce Campbell), Darren Morfitt (‘Spoon’ Witherspoon), Chris Robson(Pvt. Joe Kirkley), Leslie Simpson (Pvt. Terry Milburn), Tina Landini (Camper), Craig Conway (Camper), Vilrikke’s Acer (Sam the Dog), Bryn Walters (Werewolf), Ben Wright (Werewolf), Brian Claxton Payne (Werewolf)

Werewolf movies can truly be hits and misses. They are like slasher movies because you feel like you are watching the same plot in every movie that is made about them. This movie is unique as it breaks apart from the traditional format for werewolves in the conventional sense. Thankfully, it is very difficult to get bored during this British horror film!

The plot begins with a group of British military men on a training...

UK horror/sci-fi film Scintilla has some new artwork and a pretty effective trailer to share. Look for more soon on this tale of mercenaries who discover a radical scientist's shocking creations and must save future generations from a human race genetically spliced with alien DNA.

Scintilla is directed by Billy O’Brien (Isolation). Producers include Lionel Hicks and Craig Conway for Forefront Features and Liquid Noise Films with co-producers Doug Abbott and John Wolstenholme.

The film’s ensemble cast is comprised of John Lynch, Morjana Alaoui, Ned Dennehy, Craig Conway, Beth Winslet, Antonia Thomas, and more.

Related Story: First Details, Images, and Behind-the-Scenes Videos from New UK Horror/Sci-Fi Project Scintilla

Scintilla - Trailer - The best home videos are here

Synopsis:

A double cross left mercenary Jim Powell (Lynch) in a hellhole African prison. Now his release has been paid for by a corporate sponsor, but only so...

Just in time for the upcoming American Film Market comes the sales art for the latest UK import Scintilla from Billy O'Brien. Check it out right here and look for more from Afm all week and then some.

The film’s ensemble cast stars John Lynch, Antonia Thomas, Morjana Alaoui, Ned Dennehy, Craig Conway and Jumayn Hunter.

Synopsis

A double cross left mercenary Jim Powell (Lynch) in a hellhole African prison. Now his release has been paid for by a corporate sponsor, but only to be given a new, even more dangerous job. Powell is hired to lead a team deep into a former Soviet state, now in the grip of an illegal uprising. Here they must infiltrate an armed militia base and get into the secret tunnels which lies underneath. Half a mile underground in this former Soviet nuclear bunker there is a secret bio-tech laboratory. Paid for by...

Shock has released a first look at the poster for the UK horror/sci-fi film Scintilla.  Billy O'Brien directs, John Lynch, Antonia Thomas, Morjana Alaoui, Ned Dennehy, Craig Conway and Jumayn Hunter star.

The synopsis:  A double cross left mercenary Jim Powell (Lynch) in a hellhole African prison. Now his release has been paid for by a corporate sponsor, but only to be given a new, even more dangerous job. Powell is hired to lead a team deep into a former Soviet state, now in the grip of an illegal uprising. Here they must infiltrate an armed militia base and get into the secret tunnels which lies underneath.  Half a mile underground in this former Soviet nuclear bunker there is a secret bio-tech laboratory. Paid for by unlimited Oligarch dollars it houses one very special scientist: Dr. Mathesis Irvine. 

Read more...

More goodies have come our way just in time for this year's American Film Market, and next on tap is another flick which deals with the dead in all sorts of wonderfully wicked ways. Read on for the skinny on Tower of the Dead.

The Ross Boyask-directed zombie flick stars Craig Fairbrass (Dead Cert), Jason Maza, Craig Conway (Dog Soldiers), and Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers).

Synopsis

A highly trained armed response team and the arms dealers they were tasked to bring down must team up to fight their way through an oncoming horde of the undead.

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Craig Fairbrass ('Dead Cert'), Jason Maza ('Demons Never Die'), Craig Conway ('Devil's Playground') and Sean Pertwee ('Dog Soldiers') are the fresh faced foursome to new British zombie horror 'Tower of the Dead'. The quartet, who these days between them seem to be placed in every mediocre British horror offering or gangster based project there is going, will be bought together to play members of an Armed Response Team and/or a group of arms dealers who find theirselves teaming up when some begrudged zombie fellas take over a tower block. Sound familiar, then you're likely thinking this sounds very much like 2009's French horror feature 'The Horde'! Brit director Ross Boyask ('Left for Dead') will helm from a script he co-wrote with Paul Reynolds....

Craig Fairbrass, Jason Maza, Craig Conway and Sean Pertwee are leading the cast of the horror-actioner Tower of the Dead.

In the film, a highly trained Armed Response Team, and the arms dealers they were tasked to bring down must join forces to fight their way through a ferocious army of the undead.

Fairbrass contending with a different brand of the undead in Dead Cert.  Conway and Pertwee, meanwhile, were previously seen tussling with lycanthropes in Dog Soldiers.

Read more...

Wayne Rooney is a surprise inclusion in the England squad for their clash with “The Auld Enemy” on Wednesday night.

The want-away United striker has played a mere 45 minutes in pre-season, and major questions will be asked whether a player with so little game time should have been included.

Aside from “Wazza”, it’s a vital preparation game for Roy Hodgson ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month. He’ll also have a chance to blood 31-year-old striker Rickie Lambert, the Southampton star who scored 15 Premier League goals last season is yet to be capped for England.

Scotland, under new manager Gordon Strachan, have been going well of late, winning 1-0 in Croatia courtesy of a Robert Snodgrass strike. It’ll be a chance for the former Liverpool manager to try out certain players, with international debuts expected for Brighton and Hove Albion’s defender Gordon Greer and Dundee...

Art Director Melanie Light dropped us a line today with the first details of a new project she's working on entitled Scintilla from Av Pictures. Read on to learn more and to see some stills and behind-the-scenes videos of the filming taking place now in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England.

From the Press Release:

Av Pictures and producers Lionel Hicks and Craig Conway have concluded a multi-territory deal with eOne for sci-fi thriller Scintilla. The distributor has acquired the film for France, German-speaking Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.

Scintilla follows a disparate group of mercenaries hired to a lead a special unit deep into a former Soviet state to infiltrate and retrieve data from an underground militia base. All is far from what it seems when a top-secret biotech lab and its unearthly creations are discovered.

The film’s ensemble cast stars John Lynch, Morjana Alaoui, Ned Denehey, Beth Winslet,...