thrills and chills: double bill

7pm 5th sept Castle sidcup

Dramatic genre films vs dark comedies in this thrilling two-part programme.

We’ll take you to the cutting edge of contemporary British filmmaking with edge-of-your-seat thrillers and horrors, finished with a palate cleanse of delightfully dark comedies.

This screening includes a special introduction by actress and festival director, Gem Carmella (Gangs of London) and is followed by a Q&A, and an award presentation by Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser, Nightbreed)

UK, Thriller, Horror, Dark Comedy (135min + intermission)

a still from THE INTIMACY COORDINATOR short film

The Intimacy Coordinator

Kate is an intimacy coordinator. She is also a sex addict.

Director: Louisa Connolly-Burnham
Writer: Louisa Connolly-Burnham
Producers: Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Benjamin Jacob Smith, Roxane Bourges
Key cast: Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Kieron Moore, Alexander Arnold, Sophie Simnett.
(20:53min)

Natalie Simpson in Latch short film

Latch

A woman who’s convinced she’s been followed home locks her front door - but is that enough to keep her fears at bay?

Director: Chelsea Walker
Writer: Chelsea Walker
Producer: Sophie MacClancy
Key cast: Natalie Simpson
(5:25min)

still image from SKYLIGHT short film

SKYLIGHT

A young couple attempt to salvage their failing relationship during a weekend getaway, unaware that they’re walking into a cosmic nightmare.

Director: Barnaby Boulton
Writer: Barnaby Boulton
Producers: Barnaby Boulton, Yevgeniya Filchenkova
Key cast: Margherita Barbieri, Chaneil Kular
(17:30min)

still from Homonym short film

Homonym

Accused of murder, teenager Sam protests her innocence; claiming a malevolent presence in her family home is responsible.

Director: Lily Howkins
Writer: Lily Howkins
Producers: Maria Shevtsova, Marcus Hundsnes
Key cast: Nykiya Adams, Anna Burnett, Tristan Sturrock, Louis Martin, Ben Saffer
(17:05min)

When She Sings

n a dreary, British seaside town, a talented artist is haunted by a sinister mermaid, and terrorised by a coven of strange locals.

Director: Paul Holbrook
Writer: Laura Bayston, Paul Holbrook
Producer: Andrew Oldbury, Oliver Kendall
Key cast: Laura Bayston, Garrick Hagon, Paul Cooper, Julia Hills, Carrie Cohen, Keane Holbrook
(24:34min)

Gristle

A cult writer with an online following must confront the act she has tried to forget when her estranged ex-lover reappears…

Director: James Alex Thomson
Writer: James Alex Thomson
Producer: James Alex Thomson
Key cast: James Alex Thomson, Grace Lyons
(14:06min)

Time's Up, I'm Afraid

During a routine session a hypnotherapist discovers she may be the one who has been hypnotised.

Director: James Button
Writer: James Button
Producer: James Button, Matt Ashwell
Key cast: Alison Thea-Skot, Colin Waitt
(14min)

Mr. Vapey Man

He’s full of juicy flavours. You’ll never get enough, if you let him give you.. Just. One. Puff.

Director: Hugo Docking
Writer: Hugo Docking
Producers: Hugo Docking
Key cast: Hugo Docking
Puppet maker: Erin Hilsdon
(1:15min)

The Humbug

Two elderly women in a care home grapple with magical mint humbugs, setting off an absurd journey through pleasure and peril.

Director: Cole Paviour
Writer: Cole Paviour
Producer: Geoff Stickler
Key cast: Jiggy Bhore, Yvonne D'Alpra
(9:09min)

The Devil Is In Me

Late 18th-century England. A nightmarish teenager and a rookie Reverend lock horns over Sunday school attendance.

Director: Tia Salisbury
Writer: Tia Salisbury
Producer: Chloe Brown
Key cast: Brad Morrison, Bella Salisbury
(11:45min)