News

The Popcorn Frights Film Festival is back with its eleventh this year, both in-person and virtually, from August 7-17. The Southeast’s largest genre celebration announces its second wave of programming this morning, from new premieres to repertory screening classics.

The final wave is a short film showcase, featuring seventy-four world premiere shorts. Look for notable entries including Andrew Bowser’s “Frankenbabes from Beyond the Grave” and Academy Award-winner Joel Harlow’s “The Specter of Christmas” featuring Paul Giamatti.

Catch up on the first and second waves here for a full rundown of the lineup.

Read on for the third wave:

Short Film Lineup

Animation Domination

The endless possibilities of genre animation are on dazzling display in this retina-reeling, round-the-world showcase of some of the medium’s most innovative, boundary-pushing, and mind-enhancing short films:

As I Was a Tree, dir. Jalal Maghout (Germany-Syrian Arab Republic); Bullet Time, dir. Eddie Alcazar; Burned Cans for Aluminum Children,...

A film festival that is truly a blood-splattered love letter to horror's past, present, and future, Popcorn Frights is an infectiously fun celebration of both the scares on the big screen and the people who put their hearts and souls into cinematic magic. This August, that celebratory spirit will haunt South Florida again when Popcorn Frights returns for its eleventh edition from August 7th–17th with an in-theater and virtual lineup that is brimming with legendary special guests, retrospective screenings, immersive theatrical experiences, and must-see movies from emerging filmmakers with their own killer styles.

Following a scary good first wave reveal, a frightfully fun second wave unveiling, and a killer closing night film announcement, Popcorn Frights has revealed their third and final wave of programming that showcases 74 short films, including Eddie Alcazar's Bullet Time, Scott Vasey's Brick Boy, Joel Harlow's The Specter of Christmas, and many more!

The Black Sunday Film Festival is back with blood on its boots and a mission to celebrate the boldest voices in genre cinema. Now in its sixth edition, the Essex-based event has announced a striking line-up for 2025, running from 1st to 3rd May at Colchester’s Firstsite. Championing independent horror, dark sci-fi, psychological thrillers and everything in between, the festival has carved out a reputation for unearthing daring new work from both the UK and beyond. This year’s programme is no exception.

Opening night sets the tone with three wildly different but equally provocative features. Kaye Adelaide’s The Rebrand makes its UK debut, turning influencer culture inside out in a mockumentary that promises satire with bite. That’s followed by Mary Beth McAndrews’ Bystanders, an unflinching revenge thriller that left festival audiences reeling during its previous run on the circuit. The triple-bill concludes with the Essex premiere of Krazy House,...

Nerdly Presents Episode 9 of the Romford Film Festival Podcast… Proudly presented by Nerdly host Kevin Haldon who sits down to chat with directors Damon Rickard and David Yorke to talk about feature film Never Have I Ever and short movies Nervous Ellie and Safe, all of which are showing at this year’s Romford Horror Film Festival – which takes place February 27th through March 2nd 2025.

Never Have I Ever

Sam, a struggling writer, faces pressure to repay an advance. His day spirals as he loses his wallet, experiences break-ins, and a chance encounter leads to unexpected events, further complicating his predicament and deadline.

Nervous Ellie

Ellie, new to the dating scene and anxious to impress Danni, finds herself overwhelmed by nerves, leading to unexpected nosebleeds. As she tries to hold it together, the situation quickly worsens-Ellie starts bleeding from her ears and mouth. Danni’s attempts to help only lead...

The Black Sunday Film Festival is set to return with a thrilling one-day Halloween event on 26th October at its home base, the Everyman Chelmsford. Known for celebrating the best in independent genre cinema, the festival will showcase a dynamic line-up of feature films, shorts, and a mystery cult classic, making it a must-attend event for horror fans.

This year’s Halloween mini-fest will see the Essex premieres of three highly anticipated feature films. The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine, directed by genre favourite Graham Skipper, will lead the charge. Skipper, known for his dark and inventive storytelling, brings another unique horror tale to the screen. Next, All This Time, a gothic time-loop horror by writer/director Rob Worsey, will captivate audiences with its eerie atmosphere and clever twists, featuring performances from Emily Rose Holt, Daniel De Bourg, and Emma Pallant. Rounding off the feature presentations is Hayden Hewitt’s Cara,...