Please note: Grimmfest 2020 will be an online festival. The festival dates remain the same and all info can be found here: https://grimmfest2020online.eventive.org/welcome
Submissions remain open and all awards still apply.
Grimmfest has fast become one of the ‘go to’ genre film festivals in the World, now in its twelfth year, the festival will see thousands of fans attend between 7-11 Oct at the Odeon Great Northern in Manchester UK. Hosting a plethora of horror, dark fantasy and sci-fi movie premieres alongside Q&As from many of the film makers and stars of the films; Grimmfest 2020 will be a massive celebration of genre cinema on the big screen.
The festival seeks the very best cutting edge and exciting new horror and genre movies to premiere in the north of the UK. Every selected film will benefit from extensive press coverage and will also be in the running for one of their prestigious Reaper awards. This year, films will be competing for these categories: BEST FEATURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS, BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST SCORE, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST SHORT, BEST SFX, BEST SCARE and the Converted AUDIENCE AWARD. The winners will be announced on the closing night of Grimmfest 2020 and a full list of award prizes will be announced soon.
GRIMMFEST continues to draw a huge community of genre film fans, press and guests to Manchester (UK) and was recently named as one of the '30 Best Bloody Genre Festivals in the World' by MovieMaker magazine.
Submissions for short and feature films opened in December 2019.
Selected films will be viewed and voted on by a special Jury.
This year the Jury will be chaired by writer, director, producer and horror movie icon Mick Garris (renowned for MASTERS OF HORROR TV series, STEPHEN KING’S THE STAND & NIGHTMARE CINEMA). Mick will also receive the annual LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD presented by key sponsor, HORROR CHANNEL.
Mick will be joined by four other carefully selected figures from the world of genre cinema, including:
Chelsea Stardust (US based Film Director. Credits include Fangoria's SATANIC PANIC, which had its Northern UK premiere at Grimmfest 2019, and Blumhouse & Hulu's Into The Dark film ALL THAT WE DESTROY).
Preston Fassel (Award-winning writer. Novels include OUR LADY OF THE INFERNO and upcoming BEASTS OF 42nd STREET, publications include FANGORIA (Staff writer), Rue Morgue, Screem Magazine, and Cinedump.com.)
Abigail Blackmore (Actress, writer and director, movies include UK horror comedy TALES FROM THE LODGE which opened Grimmfest 2019)
Josh Millican (Editor in Chief at DREAD CENTRAL, acquisitions at Epic Pictures/DREAD Presents distribution and host and creator of CHRONIC HORROR web series)
Previous award winners have included: TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID, WHY DON'T YOU JUST DIE, ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE, HARPOON, EXTRA ORDINARY and many more.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Fast becoming one of the most prominent genre festivals in the UK, attracting premieres, special guests and plenty of media attention.” – Bloody-Disgusting.com
“We had a great reception from a wonderfully enthusiastic crowd of genre fans. Can’t wait to visit Grimmfest again.” – Paul Hyett, Director - Howl & The Seasoning House; SFX - The Woman in Black, The Descent
“Grimmfest’s reputation as a premiere genre festival was only surpassed by its buzzing attendees... They’ve really fostered a fantastic culture.” – Chris Peckover, Director – Better Watch Out, Undocumented
“I loved everything about Grimmfest. I very much look forward to screening another film there.” – Matt Stuertz, Director – Tonight She Comes, RWD
“I applaud the programmers at Grimmfest for their bold film selections, which not only create unique opportunities for moviemakers but allow their audiences to see and feel cinema they might not have the chance to experience.” – Ted Geoghegan, Director - Mohawk, We Are Still Here
“Easily one of the best experiences I’ve had at a festival.” – Elliot James Langridge, Actor – Habit, Northern Soul
“I've attended film premiere's before but I've never felt such a warm atmosphere or watched cast and crew members be so well looked after, myself included”. - Sara Dee, Actress (Borley Rectory)
THE AWARD CATEGORIES:
BEST FEATURE
BEST SHORT
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST SCORE
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST SFX
BEST SCARE
AUDIENCE AWARD. Voted on by Grimmfest attendees.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. Horror Channel will again present the Lifetime Achievement award to a person who has worked extensively in genre film.