THE FESTIVAL RETURNS 20-22 OCTOBER 2023 WITH ITS UNIQUE MIX OF FASCINATING GUESTS, FANTASTIC FILMS & FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE

 

This legendary celebration of horror, SF and fantasy has welcomed some of the biggest names. Guests for 2023 already include Mark Gatiss, Madeline Smith, Stephen Volk, David McGillivray and Ramsey Campbell.

20-22 October 2023, Pendulum Hotel & Conference Centre, Manchester UK

 


We’re now planning our 2023 programme in detail. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest guest news. We’re also uploading some wonderful short-and-sweet podcasts to our YouTube channel – please visit and subscribe. The first ones feature Dani Thompson and David McGillivray.

 

Click here for tickets on Eventbrite

Join us!


This year's guests

MARK GATISS

An actor, writer, director and producer, Mark is best known as a member of the League of Gentlemen, and as co-creator and executive producer of the multi award-winning BBC series Sherlock, in which he also played Mycroft Holmes. He has also written for and appeared in Doctor Who – and is soon to be seen in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.

MADELINE SMITH

Maddy is well known for her many appearances in films, TV and stage productions, including ‘Bond girl’ Miss Caruso in Live and Let Die, and roles in Hammer and other horror films including The Vampire Lovers, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Theatre of Blood, and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell.

STEPHEN VOLK

Screenwriter and author Stephen Volk is best known for being the evil mind behind BBC TV’s notorious – some say legendary – “Halloween hoax” Ghostwatch and for creating the award-winning ITV paranormal drama series Afterlife starring Lesley Sharp and Andrew Lincoln.

DAVID McGILLIVRAY

David McGillivray describes himself as a general factotum of the entertainment business: actor, producer, playwright, screenwriter and film critic.

Tickets on sale now

Weekend pass and day tickets available

Attention
Film Makers!

Submit your fantastic short film for 2023

Find us on FilmFreeway

We rebooted our international Delta film competition last year and are again looking for short films 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 aka 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 33rd YEAR!

We have a unique atmosphere and impeccable pedigree, bringing an eye-popping array of horror, SF and fantasy films to Manchester – in 2022 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 2023. Buy festival tickets here

Register here for festival news and guest updates

Keep up to speed with the latest developments!