About The Festival
This unique celebration of horror, science fiction and fantasy cinema has attracted some of the biggest names in the industry since 1990.
Guests at the international festival over the years include Ray Harryhausen, John Landis, Roger Corman, Lamberto Bava, Jorge Grau, Brian Clemens, Gerry Anderson, Jimmy Sangster, Paul Naschy, Pete Walker, Val Guest, Roy Ward Baker, Tony Tenser, Bert I. Gordon, Britt Ekland, Caroline Munro, Ingrid Pitt, Barbara Shelley, Ken Foree, Gunnar Hansen, Burt Kwouk, and many more.
Writers attending have included Ramsey Campbell (the festival’s President), Stephen Volk, Stephen Laws, David McGillivray, Darrell Buxton, Mark Morris, and Wayne Kinsey.
Legendary British director Norman J. Warren was a fan of the festival and attended most years, as both guest and regular attendee, and was always keen to meet and encourage fledgling filmmakers and chat with fans. He is sadly missed. Our short film best-in-festival award has been named in Norman’s memory.
The festival was founded by Tony Edwards, Gil Lane-Young, Harry Nadler and Dave Trengrove, and grew out of the Delta Film Group, a filmmaking society active in Manchester in the 1960s.
A friendly, intimate festival with a unique atmosphere and impeccable pedigree, it has long been considered a hidden gem on the festival circuit.