THE FESTIVAL RETURNS 23-25 OCTOBER 2026 WITH ITS UNIQUE MIX OF FASCINATING GUESTS, FANTASTIC FILMS & FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE
23-25 October 2026, Pendulum Hotel & Conference Centre, Manchester UK
Join us!
This year's guests
LOUISE JAMESON
In Louise Jameson’s 55-year career (and counting!), she has performed in over 250 plays, been a regular in ten different TV series, including Doctor Who, where she played the role of the 4th Doctor’s companion Leela (1977-78), The Omega Factor (1979), Tenko (1981-82), Bergerac (1985-90) and EastEnders (1998-2000), and she has also dipped her toe into the film world. She is currently playing Mary Goskirk in Emmerdale, a feisty lesbian with no censorship between her brain and her mouth! She also pursues a writing career and is currently developing a TV series, a comedy centred around mental health.
SPENCER BANKS
Born in Chesterfield in 1954, Spencer Banks began his screen career with a role in the BBC adaptation of Émile Zola’s Germinal (1970). His big break came later that year when he starred as Simon Randall in the cult classic children’s SF series Timeslip (1970-71), which ran for 26 episodes. He gained further acclaim for his lead performance in the brilliant Penda’s Fenn (1974), a BBC Play for Today that was written by David Rudkin and directed by Alan Clarke. Further roles include the drama series The Witch’s Daughter (1971), comedy series Alexander the Greatest (1971), espionage thriller Tightrope (1972), spooky children’s series The Georgian House (1976), Dennis Potter’s classic Pennies from Heaven (1978), 11 episodes of the long-running ITV soap Crossroads, and guest spots in shows such as Minder (1979), Shine on Harvey Moon (1985), and the horror movie The Amityville Playhouse (2015).
Attention
Film Makers!
Submissions for 2026 are now open
We rebooted our international Delta film competition in 2022. We have a fantastic response each year, with a great range of finalists from around the world.
Winners in each category — Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy – receive the Delta Award, with the best-in-festival getting the coveted Norman J. Warren Trophy, named in honour of the cult filmmaker. Click here to learn more about Norman
THE FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE IN THE HEART OF MANCHESTER
The festival’s home is the Pendulum Hotel – also known as the Manchester Conference Centre – on Sackville Street in central Manchester.
Accommodation is usually available at special rates. Look out for festival updates and news on Facebook. Buy festival tickets here
NOW IN OUR 34th YEAR!
We have a unique atmosphere and impeccable pedigree, bringing an eye-popping array of horror, SF and fantasy films to Manchester – in 2023 that included short films from Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Iran, Spain, UK, Ukraine, Taiwan, Turkey and Germany.
A hidden gem on the festival circuit, discover us in 2025. Buy festival tickets here
Register here for festival news and guest updates
Keep up to speed with the latest developments!