News for Romford Horror Festival!

Romford Horror 2026 - Guest: Caroline Munro

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 23:08:33 GMT

Born in Windsor, Berkshire, in 1949, Caroline Munro began her journey into the spotlight not by seeking fame, but through a single photograph. In 1966, her mother entered a portrait of her into a "Face of the Year" competition for The Evening News. Winning the contest at just 17 years old instantly propelled her into the high-fashion world of London. This early success led to a prestigious contract with Vogue, but her striking, exotic features and statuesque presence soon caught the attention of film producers, guiding her transition from the runway to the silver screen.

Munro’s cinematic career is deeply rooted in the golden age of British horror and cult cinema. After brief appearances in films like the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale, she became a central figure for Hammer Film Productions. She brought a unique blend of elegance and strength to the screen, starring in iconic titles such as The Abominable Dr. Phibes alongside Vincent Price and Dracula A.D. 1972 with Christopher Lee. Her performance as Margiana in the 1973 fantasy adventure The Golden Voyage of Sinbad remains one of her most beloved roles, showcasing her ability to anchor large-scale spectacle with genuine charisma.

Her status as a pop-culture icon was cemented in 1977 when she joined the official James Bond franchise in The Spy Who Loved Me. Playing Naomi, the personal pilot to the villainous Karl Stromberg, she earned the distinction of being the first female character to be killed by 007—an explosive exit that remains a highlight of the Roger Moore era. Throughout the late 70s and 80s, she continued to dominate the sci-fi and horror genres, starring in the space opera Starcrash and the psychological slasher Maniac.

In later years, Munro transitioned into a celebrated ambassador for the genres that defined her career. While she stepped back from leading roles to focus on her family, she has remained active through independent projects and as a fixture at international film festivals. Recently, she released her autobiography, Reality Behind the Fantasy, and hosts The Cellar Club on Talking Pictures TV. Today, she remains a cherished "Scream Queen," recognized for her visual impact on 20th-century cinema and the graceful way she has embraced her legacy as a pillar of cult film history.

Romford Horror Festival 2026 - Guest: Barbie Wilde

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:00:30 GMT

Our next guest at this years festival is the amazing Barbie Wilde.

Barbie Wilde is a true polymath of the macabre, a creative force whose career has seamlessly transitioned from the neon-soaked stages of the 1980s music scene to the dark pantheon of horror cinema and literature. Though she is immortalized in cult film history as the elegant and terrifying Female Cenobite in Clive Barker’s Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Wilde’s artistic foundation is remarkably diverse. A student of Drama and Anthropology at Syracuse University, she refined her craft in London through the study of Classical Mime and Art History, eventually performing with the prestigious mime troupe SILENTS. Her early screen credits are a fascinating tapestry of the era, ranging from a "vicious thug" in Death Wish 3 to a drummer in the long-lost Grizzly II: Revenge alongside a then-unknown George Clooney.

Before she became a fixture of the horror genre, Wilde was a prominent figure in the post-punk and New Romantic movements. As a member of the music and dance group SHOCK, she graced the stages of world-class venues from New York to Bangkok, supporting legendary acts like Gary Numan and Depeche Mode. Her presence extended into the burgeoning world of music television, where she appeared in iconic pop videos for Simple Minds and Ultravox, and carved out a niche as a presenter and journalist. During this period, she interviewed a diverse spectrum of cultural icons, from the rebellious Iggy Pop and Johnny Rotten to Hollywood stars like Nicolas Cage and Hugh Grant.

In more recent decades, Wilde has reinvented herself as a "purveyor of erotically charged horror fiction," earning critical acclaim for her visceral and transgressive prose. Her debut novel, The Venus Complex, and her celebrated short story collection, Voices of the Damned—which featured collaborations with artists like Clive Barker—established her as a formidable literary voice. Her signature character, Sister Cilice, has become a cornerstone of modern Hellraiser lore, recently expanding into a dedicated collection titled The Cilicium Quadra and an upcoming comic book.

Wilde continues to shape the genre today, collaborating as a producer and screenwriter on the feature film Blue Eyes and returning to the screen in projects like Dark Ditties Presents… and Witches of the Sands. Her enduring influence and "sensual brutality" have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Texas Frightmare Weekend Lifetime of Torment Award and the 2023 Cine-Excess Innovator of Horror Award, cementing her legacy as one of the most versatile and provocative figures in British horror.

Romford Horror 2026: Guest - Pauline Peart

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:28:21 GMT

Clearly a glutton for punishment we are thrilled to have Pauline Peart with us for the fifth time.

Pauline Angela Peart is a Jamaican-British actress and model whose career serves as a vibrant bridge between the gothic tradition of Hammer Horror and the cheeky irreverence of 1970s British cinema. Born on October 31, 1951, in Mandeville, Jamaica, she moved to London as a child and eventually bypassed a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to begin her professional journey on the stage. Her early career was marked by versatility, performing as a dancer for reggae legends like Jackie Edwards and Dandy Livingstone before transitioning into major film roles that would cement her legacy in cult cinema.

Her connection to high-stakes genre filmmaking is underscored by her work with legendary British leading men. She appeared alongside Sean Connery in the 1979 thriller Cuba, where she played Dolores, and made an early splash dancing with Roger Moore in an episode of The Persuaders!. Her filmography is a snapshot of an era of British entertainment, featuring credits in Carry On Girls (1973) as beauty contestant Gloria Winch and the film adaptation of Man About the House (1974). In the realm of television, she appeared in numerous staples of the 1970s and 80s, including The Onedin Line, Jason King, and Return of the Saint.

Her most enduring contribution remains her portrayal of a vampire bride in The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973). This role, which saw her share the screen with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, ensured her a permanent place in the pantheon of "Hammer Girls." While she took a significant hiatus from the industry to work as a lecturer in London, she has seen a remarkable career resurgence in the 2020s. Recent years have seen her return to her horror roots in The Pocket Film of Superstitions (2023) and the anthology Video Shop Tales of Horror. Looking ahead, she continues this productive new chapter with roles in Slasher House 3 (2024), The Wrath of Thorn (2025), and Dracula: Rise of the Vampire (2025).

Romford Horror 2026: Guest Laurence R. Harvey

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:12:17 GMT

Laurence R. Harvey is a British character actor who became an overnight sensation in the horror community for his transformative and chilling portrayal of Martin Lomax in the 2011 cult film The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence).Before stepping into the global spotlight as one of cinema’s most unsettling antagonists, Harvey built a diverse foundation in the performing arts, working extensively in children’s television, experimental theater, and physical comedy. This background in non-verbal storytelling proved essential for his breakout role, where he was tasked with carrying a feature-length film almost entirely through facial expressions and laboured breathing, as his character remained mute throughout the runtime.

His performance as Martin is frequently cited as a masterclass in the "grotesque," with Harvey leaning into the character’s pathetic yet terrifying obsession with the first film in the franchise. Despite the extreme nature of the role, Harvey received critical praise for his ability to humanize a character that could have easily been a flat caricature. His physical presence—characterized by a diminutive stature and wide, intense eyes—allowed him to inhabit a space of profound vulnerability that shifted into sudden, explosive violence, making him a standout figure in the "New French Extremity" style of body horror despite his English roots.

In a rare move for a franchise with an anthology-style structure, director Tom Six brought Harvey back for The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence) in 2015. However, rather than reprising the role of Martin, Harvey played a completely different character named Dwight Butler, the sidekick to Dieter Laser’s lead antagonist. This role allowed Harvey to showcase a more verbal, bureaucratic, and darkly comedic side of his acting range, contrasting sharply with the silent, grimy intensity of his previous appearance. The shift demonstrated his versatility and solidified his status as a permanent icon within the underground horror genre.

Beyond the Centipede trilogy, Harvey has embraced his niche as a "scream king" and a staple of independent horror cinema. He has appeared in various anthology films and projects like The ABCs of Death 2 and Frankenstein, Created Equal and even The Video Shop Tales Of Terror Trilogy, partially filmed in the Mercury where Romford's Film Festivals are held; often playing roles that capitalize on his unique look and ability to portray the macabre. Off-screen, he is known by fans and colleagues as being the complete opposite of his onscreen personas—articulate, gentle, and deeply knowledgeable about film history. He continues to be a frequent guest at horror conventions worldwide, where he maintains a loyal following for his contributions to some of the most controversial films of the 21st century.

Romford Horror 2026: Guest - FranCoise Pascal

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:49:49 GMT

Françoise Pascal is far more than just a footnote in 1970s pop culture; she is a fascinating bridge between the surrealist world of European arthouse cinema and the broad, multicam world of the British sitcom. Born in Mauritius and educated in Paris and London, she possessed a cosmopolitan allure that made her an instant target for casting directors looking for a "Continental" spark. While she is most globally recognized for her role as the flirtatious Danielle Favre in the hit comedy Mind Your Language, her career trajectory was marked by a surprising amount of range that often went overlooked by those who only saw her as a comedic foil.

In the early 1970s, before she became a household name on television, Pascal was a muse for the avant-garde. Her most significant work during this period was in Jean Rollin’s 1973 film The Iron Rose (La Rose de Fer). Unlike the lighthearted comedy that would define her later years, this was a haunting, poetic piece of French horror set almost entirely in a cemetery. Her performance displayed a vulnerability and atmospheric depth that proved she was capable of carrying complex, dramatic narratives. This "cult" side of her filmography remains highly respected by cinephiles today, serving as a stark contrast to the bright lights of the BBC and ITV studios.

The transition to British television brought her a different kind of immortality. In Mind Your Language, she became the face of a specific era of comedy, playing opposite Barry Evans with a sharp sense of timing and a self-aware charm. During the late 1970s, she was one of the most photographed women in the UK, frequently appearing on magazine covers and becoming a fixture of the London social scene. However, the industry’s tendency to typecast her as the "French Maid" or the "beautiful foreigner" eventually led her to seek new opportunities in Hollywood.

Her time in Los Angeles during the 1980s was a period of personal and professional reinvention. While she didn't find a role that matched the sheer cultural scale of Danielle, she remained a resilient figure in the industry, eventually returning to the UK to embrace her status as a nostalgic icon. Her autobiography, As I Am, offers a raw and honest look at these transitions, stripping away the glamorous veneer of the 70s to discuss the realities of being a female star in a male-dominated field. Today, Françoise Pascal is remembered not just for her striking beauty, but as a survivor of the "fame machine" who transitioned from a Mauritius-born dreamer to a lasting symbol of a vibrant chapter in television history.

Francoise will be with us on Saturday 21st February, she'll be signing much of the day but will also take part in an interview, yet to be scheduled.

Romford Horror Festival 2026 - Guest: Adam Rayner

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:08:14 GMT

Romford Horror Festival is 2026: Adam Rayner

British actor Adam Rayner is set to descend upon the Romford Horror Festival 2026, bringing a touch of prestige and high-stakes villainy to the four-day celebration of the macabre. Known for his striking screen presence and an ability to balance suave charm with chilling intensity, Rayner has built a versatile career that spans everything from Shakespearean theater to the sprawling universes of DC Comics. His appearance at Romford marks a thrilling opportunity for fans to meet one of the most compelling antagonists in modern genre television.

While many audiences recognize Rayner as the charismatic yet lethal Tal-Rho in Superman & Lois, horror aficionados have long followed his trajectory through the darker corners of cinema. In the 2011 film The Task, he played Taylor, navigating the claustrophobic and terrifying environment of an abandoned prison turned reality TV set—a role that showcased his ability to anchor a high-tension ensemble. Earlier in his career, he appeared in the gritty thriller Steel Trap, further cementing his credentials in the world of independent genre filmmaking. His filmography is a testament to his range, often playing characters who are pushed to their absolute limits in the face of psychological or physical dread.

Rayner’s performance in Superman & Lois as Morgan Edge/Tal-Rho serves as a masterclass in how to play a villain with depth. By infusing the Kryptonian conqueror with a sense of tragic isolation and misplaced familial yearning, he elevated the character beyond a simple comic book foil. This nuance is a hallmark of Rayner’s work; he rarely plays a monster as just a monster, instead finding the human—or alien—frailty that makes their actions all the more unsettling. Whether he is portraying a doctor in the medical drama Hawthorne or the lead in the political thriller Tyrant, he carries a grounded authenticity that translates perfectly to the high-stakes world of horror.

Beyond the autographs and photo opportunities, Rayner’s presence at the provides a unique bridge between big-budget superhero drama and the visceral roots of horror. His involvement in the 2025 Midsomer Murders episode "Lawn of the Dead" proves he is never far from a good mystery or a grisly plot twist.

Romford Horror 2026 - Retro Movie Line-up

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:18:34 GMT

Some of the most influential horror films screen this Festival

The Romford Horror Festival is proud to unveil its highly anticipated "Retro Line-up" for the 2026 edition, taking place from 19th to 22nd February at Lumiere in Romford. While the festival remains a premier destination for world premieres and independent shorts, this year’s retro selection pays homage to the foundational masterpieces of body horror, supernatural dread, and cult eccentricity.

Between the 19th and 22nd of February, fans can expect a packed schedule of over 100 films, including a massive selection of new independent features. However, the heartbeat of this year’s festival lies in its curated retro screenings, designed to be experienced on the big screen as they were intended.

The 2026 Retro Highlights Include:

Scanners (1981) & Rabid (1977): A double-dose of David Cronenberg. These films are essential pillars of "Body Horror," exploring the terrifying intersection of biological evolution and psychological collapse.

Hellraiser & Hellbound: Hellraiser II: Celebrate the visceral, sadomasochistic imagination of Clive Barker. These films redefined cinematic horror by introducing the Cenobites, proving that pain and pleasure are indivisible.

Society (1989): Brian Yuzna’s biting satire of the upper class. Famous for its surreal, "shunting" climax, it remains one of the most unique and grotesque social commentaries in horror history.

The Monster Squad (1987): A nostalgic tribute to the "kids vs. monsters" subgenre, proving that horror can be both heart-pounding and heart-warming.

The Visitor (1979) & Zeder (1983): For fans of the weird and the atmospheric, these selections offer a dive into psychedelic sci-fi horror and Italian supernatural mystery.

Razorback (1984) & The Last Wave (1977): A spotlight on "Ozploitation," ranging from the relentless creature-feature thrills of a giant boar to Peter Weir’s haunting, apocalyptic dream-logic.

Troll 2: Widely celebrated as the "best worst movie ever made," this screening promises a high-energy, interactive experience for fans of cult cinema.

Giallo Classics: With screenings of What Have You Done to Solange? and All the Colours of the Dark, the festival honors the stylish, violent, and melodramatic Italian thriller genre that paved the way for the modern slasher.

"The Romford Horror Festival has always been about community and the shared experience of fear," says festival director Spencer Hawken. "By bringing back classics like Friday the 13th and The Little Girl who Lived Down The Lane alongside rare gems like The Cannibal Man and Holocaust 2000, we are giving fans a chance to see why these films still haunt our nightmares decades later."

In addition to the retro line-up, the four-day event will feature filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and the annual awards ceremony. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly as Romford transforms into the UK’s capital of carnage this February.

Event Details:

What: Romford Horror Festival 2026
When: 19th – 22nd February 2026
Where: Lumiere, Romford
Tickets & Full Schedule: www.romfordhorrorfestival.com

About Romford Horror Festival: Established as a cornerstone of the UK horror scene, the Romford Horror Festival celebrates the best in independent and classic genre cinema. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and diverse programming, it provides a platform for emerging talent while honoring the legends of the genre.

Sink your teeth into Eileen Daly

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 13:58:41 GMT

The UK's First Modern Indie Actress and Cover Icon

Eileen Daly is a British actress, director, film producer, writer, singer, presenter, songwriter and former adult film performer. She is also a contemporary scream queen, having starred in numerous cult horror films and fronts her own band with partner Ben. .

Born in Surrey, England, Daly began her career as a glamour model before transitioning to acting. She quickly gained recognition for her work in horror films, earning the moniker "Scream Queen." Some of her most notable roles include "Razor Blade Smile" (1998), "Cradle of Fear" (2001), and "The Amityville Asylum" (2013). She was also known because of her connection with the video label Redemption, where she not only was the face of Redenption, but the hostess of a regular Friday night show on Cult TV Network Bravo during the 90s.

In addition to her acting career, Daly is also a successful director and producer. She has directed several films, including "First Bite" (2014) and "Hollywood Betrayed" (2014). She is also the owner of her own production company, Eileen Daly Productions.

Daly is also a talented singer and songwriter which has led to her and her bands releasing several albums and singles.

Daly is a multi-talented and versatile performer. She is known for her captivating screen presence, her powerful voice, and her infectious energy. She is a true icon of the horror genre and a role model for aspiring actors and filmmakers. Despite her very adult image, Eileen has an infectious innocence whose excitement lures you in to become part of Eileen's crowd.

Eileen Daly is a true icon of the horror genre. She has starred in numerous cult films, directed and produced her own projects, and fronted her own band. She is a multi-talented and versatile performer who has made a significant contribution to the world of entertainment.

Eileen will be screening one of her films on Saturday and this will be followed by a Q&A before the screening of her most iconic role in the newly restored Razor Blade Smile. She'll also be signing autographs when not ion the screen.

Always a Survivor

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 12:06:07 GMT

Ian McCulloch Survivor

Ian McCulloch is a Scottish actor who has had a long and varied career on stage, film, and television. He is perhaps best known for his role as Greg Preston in the BBC post-apocalyptic drama series Survivors.

Survivors was a British post-apocalyptic drama series that ran from 1975 to 1977. The series was set in a world that had been decimated by a deadly virus. The few survivors of the virus had to learn to rebuild their lives in a world that was very different from the one they had known. McCulloch played the role of Greg Preston, a pragmatic and resourceful man who was one of the survivors of the virus.Greg was a natural leader and he quickly became one of the most important members of the group of survivors. Despite being one of the series prime focuses, Greg ventured off on a separate adventure for season 3 of the show putting the focus squarely on the other characters. Although he does return to wave the series out.

McCulloch's performance in Survivors was widely praised. He was seen as the perfect choice to play the role of Greg Preston. He brought a sense of realism and believability to the role as he does with everything he does from Cromwell through to the much loved horror movies The Ghoul, Zombie Flesh Eaters, Zombie Holocaust and Contamination .

Ian McCulloch is a respected actor who has made a significant contribution to British television and film. His performance in Survivors is still fondly regarded by fans of the show. Ian will be joining us on Saturday 1st March for a screening of Zombie Flesh Eaters and then on Sunday for two episodes of the survivors, one of which he penned.

Spotlight on Francesca Ciardi

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:52:02 GMT

A legend returns to Romford

Francesca Ciardi is an Italian actress who has captivated audiences with her performances in both mainstream and independent films. While she may be best known for her role in the controversial 1980 horror film Cannibal Holocaust, Ciardi's career has spanned decades and showcased her versatility as an actress.

Born in Rome, Italy on July 26, 1954, Ciardi's early life remains relatively private. However, her passion for acting led her to pursue a career in the film industry. Her first notable role came in 1980 with Cannibal Holocaust, a film that garnered significant attention for its graphic content. Despite the controversy surrounding the film, Ciardi's performance showcased her talent and ability to take on challenging roles.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Ciardi continued to work in Italian cinema, appearing in a variety of films and television series. Her filmography includes titles such as The Tunnel (1980), Caccia al ladro d'autore (1985), La ragazza dei lilla (1985), Mosca addio (1987), and Safari (1991). These projects demonstrated her range as an actress and her commitment to exploring different genres and characters.

After a hiatus from acting, Ciardi made a comeback in 2014 with a role in my independent film Death Walks (2016), the fun side of this story is that Death Walks was shot entirely in the centre, which means Francesca returns to her old set.. This marked her return to the screen after over two decades away from the industry. Ciardi's decision to return to acting was met with enthusiasm from fans who had long admired her work.

Francesca Ciardi's contributions to Italian cinema have left a lasting impact. While her role in Cannibal Holocaust remains a significant part of her career, her work in other films and her return to acting in recent years have solidified her status as a respected actress. Ciardi's dedication to her craft and her willingness to take on diverse roles have earned her a place in the hearts of film enthusiasts.

In addition to her acting career, Ciardi has also been involved in various philanthropic endeavors. She is known for her support of organizations that promote animal welfare and environmental conservation.

Francesca Ciardi's journey as an actress is a testament to her talent, resilience, and passion for the arts. Her contributions to Italian cinema continue to be celebrated, and her return to the screen has delighted fans who eagerly await her future projects.

We'll be heading down the Amazon once more and talking to Francesca Ciardi about her career on Sunday 2nd March.

Spotlight on Steven Berkoff

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 11:37:25 GMT

Telling Tales And Fixing Hearts

Steven Berkoff is one of those artists who just grabs you by the collar and won't let you go. He's a true original, a Londoner born and bred, and his work crackles with the energy of the East End streets he grew up on. Think raw, think powerful, think intensely human – that's Berkoff.

I've always been fascinated by his theatrical style. He practically invented his own language – "Berkovian theatre" – a mix of physical theatre, mime, and poetic, almost rhythmic dialogue. It's like nothing else you've ever seen. Plays like "East," "West," and "Greek" aren't always comfortable viewing, but they're absolutely gripping. He holds a mirror up to society, showing us the gritty realities of urban life, the struggles, the alienation, but also the humor and resilience. He's not afraid to tackle the big themes, and he does it with a visceral punch that leaves you reeling.

As a director, Berkoff takes classics and contemporary works and infuses them with his trademark physicality and intensity. His productions are bold, often controversial, but never boring. He strips away the polite veneer and gets to the heart of the story, making you see it in a completely new light.

And then there's his film work! He's played some truly memorable villains – think "Octopussy," "Beverly Hills Cop," and "Rambo: First Blood Part II." He has this incredible screen presence, a menacing glint in his eye and a voice that could curdle milk. He's the kind of actor you love to hate, and he clearly relishes every minute of it.

Berkoff's not just an actor, playwright, and director; he's a force of nature. He's dedicated his life to pushing boundaries and challenging audiences. He's won tons of awards, including the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award, and his plays have been performed all over the world. He's a true master, and his work continues to inspire and provoke.

And now we have Steven Berkoff's own feature length interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's original short story The Tell-Tale Heart about a servant who plots to murder his master because of his 'vulture' eye. Directed by Stephen Cookson, this version of a much told story not only starts Berkoff, but includes his own penmanship. Despite Berkoff's advancing age, this latest iteration shows that Berkoff is still on top form, it's as sharp as his 1994 movie Decadence and no less forgiving.

Health permitting Berkoff will be with us on Thursday 27th Feb at 8pm alongside the director and other cast and crew. book your tickets here

Fulci Trio For 2025

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 13:54:49 GMT

Fulci Trio See The return of Two Much Loved Previous Guests

For 2025, fresh from last year's visit, the legendary Ian McCulloch, star of Zombie Flesh Eaters, Zombie Holocaust, The Survivors, Doctor Who and Colditz (to name just a few) is making an epic return! Previous year's guest Silvia Collatina, best known as Mae from The House by the Cemetery, is also making a return, and she's bringing a very special guest with her.

Also starring in Zombie Flesh Eaters is Ottaviano Dell’Acqua, a phenomenal actor with a whopping 106 acting credits and 368 stuntman credits. Ottaviano has a huge cult following with fans of both Italian horror and Giallo. With an outstanding personality, he’s an absolute scream to be with and knows literally everyone in the business.

This trio also has an immense amount of experience working with controversial horror director Lucio Fulci.

Ian and Ottaviano will join us to regale us with stories from Zombie Flesh Eaters straight after a screening of the movie, while Silvia will talk about her life living both by the cemetery and after it.

All three guests will be signing autographs on Saturday 1st March between screenings of the two movies.

Romford Horror 2024 is over... And it was HorRHIFFic

Theromfordfilmfestival@gmail.com (Spencer Hawken) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:17:14 GMT

It seems hard to believe but Romford Horror Festival is over for another year, so much build up and hard work by our teams comes and goes in the blink of an eye. And for our 2024 season it was our busiest event yet. From festival, filmmaker and individual session passes there were 2803 admissions to this years festival, a far cry from when we launched in 2021 and were thrilled to have an audience of 97.

Better still we only managed to fall behind twice, on the first day because my horrendous maths meant that I had crammed 55 minutes of short films into a 45 minute slot. The second time on a Sunday when outside a young girl, rode up the wrong side of the escalator and fell breaking her ankle, the horror fans collectively gathered in the bar got a little more horror than they expected.

This being said, our attendees were overwhelmed to see Cinzia and Ian as our focussed guests for our An Audience With Sessions, both told us new stories we'd never heard before and Ian wowed the crowd with his quirky song.

We were also fortunate enough to have with us Pauline Peart, Caroline Munro, Marianne Morris, Ross Sambridge and the wonderful Shend and Graham Cole OBE who represented the films The Pocket Book Of Superstitions and Pareidolia respectively.

This year we introduced two new fun sessions, a stylised photo shoot by the incredible Hannah Davis which turned out to be one of our most popular ever attractions and Horror Roulette which saw an audience settle down to watch a night of films they might not have been expecting.

We reached a new average audience size this year, despite splitting over two screens, it seems that 130 was the magic number, but some films such as Just One Last Thing and Peter Rabid/Pareidolia had audiences of between 200-300.

Our vendors did pretty well too, with hundreds of Blu-Rays, DVDS and comics flying out the door. Lauren Barnett's book Death Lines sold out and even Rick and Mike left with a smile on their faces, proving the early bird truly does catch the worm author PJ Novis sold a whole table of stock before any other vendor had even arrived in Romford.

The Winners of this years awards were:

Best short film: Caretaker
Best Feature Film: Voice Of Shadows
Best Director: Stewart Sparke - How To Kill Monsters
Cheap Thrills Award (under £1k budget): The Pencil
Student Bodies Award: Hold Of The Dead
Short Sharp Shocks Award: Chef Gustav
Best Film With A Budget Of Between £1k and £10k: Trial 22
Best Film With A Budget Of Between £10k and £100k: Lore
Best Local Film: Buckett's Brand New Bar
Best Cinematography: Manicure
Best Score: The Activated Man
Best Foreign Language Film: Visitors
Best Animation: The Blood On Me
Best Screenplay: Vestige
Best Actor: Tony Todd - The Activated Man
Best Actress: Lyndsey Craine - How To Kill Monsters
Best Visual Effects: How To Kill Monsters
Best Comedy Horror: Knock, Knock (Knock)
Best Anthology: Lore
The Jury Prize: Kin

Special commendations:

Most Promising Filmmaker: Remi Amber Danielle Tees
Most Inventive Film: Spiral To The Center
Best Fantasy Film: The Slave & The Sorcerer
Best Portrayal Of Women In Horror: Just One Last Thing

Horror Roulette:

Gold: Unami
Silver: Become
Bronze: Monsters

We are eternally grateful to those that submitted and came to represent their films and to those that came to just watch, buy or drink cocktails at the bar.

We hope we'll see you all again next year.

Ian McCulloch

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 11:27:21 GMT

Special Guest Ian McCulloch

Scottish Actor Ian McCulloch has been lighting up our screens since the late 60s starring in TV roles such as The Borderers, Doctor Who, The Secret Army and even Take The High Road, but it was casting in 1975's The Survivors that put the actor into legendary status starring as often grumpy Greg Preston in the highly acclaimed show.

Somewhat unusually Ian made a big jump across to euro-horror first starring in Zombie (Aka Zombie Flesh Eaters) then onto Doctor Butcher MD AKA Zombie Holocaust, before moving onto Contamination, all through movies received acclaim in all the wrong places in the UK all finding themselves outlawed or prosecuted which of course teleports any actor into a somewhat legendary situation.

More recently Ian has starred in Tony Mardon's The Witches Of The Sands and we are thrilled to have him join us here in Romford. He'll be joining us on Saturday 2nd March where he'll be appearing in two talks, before doing signings joining Caroline, Pauline and Cinzia.

Caroline Munro

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 11:57:50 GMT

Special Guest Caroline Munro

Few actresses have the longevity of Caroline Munro, working in movies since 1966's Smoke Over London, right up to the present last year she worked on The Pocket Film Of Superstitions and even has her own show The Cellar Club Friday nights on Talking Pictures TV.

Munro has truly aced the film circuit from the hammer films Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter, Dracula AD 1972, through to Casino Royale and The Spy Who Loved Me, but despite this, Caroline has always remained a fan of working in Indie Horror and genre movies, including memorable turns in Starcrash, Maniac and The Last Horror Film all of which bought various levels of notoriety. She's also had some great small screen roles The New Avengers and Midsomer Murders.

Caroline will join a panel discussion and be signing autographs before and after The Pocket Book of Superstitions.

Pauline Peart

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 11:35:25 GMT

Special Guest Pauline Peart

She truly is one of the loveliest ladies in horror and we are thrilled that she'll be joining us on March 2nd. She'll be talking about her adventures over five decades. Every encounter with Pauline is a joy, she has great stories and is incredibly warm and humorous.

Pauline's work CV includes The Satanic Rites of Dracula, Cuba, Carry On Girls, The Firechasers , The Bunker and more recently, The Pocket Film Of Superstitions which screens at 4pm on 2nd March. During her incredible career she has starred opposite Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, Ingrid Pitt, Timothy Dalton, Sid James, and Brooke Adams. Her television work is equally and exciting from The Onedin Line to The Persuaders and The Saint.

We are thrilled to have her back with us after she first came to RIFF last year.

Ahead of and post screening, Pauline will be signing autographs.

Romford's two festivals make Screen Daily's Top Fifty List

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:51:43 GMT

Both the Romford Film Festival & The Romford Horror Festival were names in Screen Daily's 50 best UK festivals this week, we were invited to input nearly a year ago with some data so great to be listed. Its a testament to the support of our wonderful customers and the volunteers that put so much love into the event.

To read the article or find out who else is on the list click here

The Horror Of Roulette

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:18:10 GMT

Theres Nothing More Terryfying Than The thought of not knowing what your going to watch next.

Horror Roulette is an opportunity to get your work seen, or show someone something you found that you think everyone should see. On Friday 1st of March Horror Roulette launches on its inaugral run.

This is the opportunity to show an audienmce a film, it could be something you worked on years ago, something your still working on. Providing the film is held on Vimeo or Youtube, you can step up to the oche (Expertly manned by Rodolfo) and show us what you've got. Whetrher your dusting off something you feel needs some new love, or your working on something that you feel might need some more interest. The world, or at least the room is your oyster.

If you made a film, but it didnt get into UK film festivals and you just want to see it on a big screen, this is the place for you.

Or it might be you found someone elses work, that made you laugh so hard, is hysterically bad, or incredibly good that you want to share with the world.

You'll get members of our selections team as your audsience, along with members of the public, who want to be entertained by something "off grid".

The only catch is it must be on either Youtube or Vimeo and must be under 15 minutes in length.

This fun 3 hour session is best served with a drink and everyone is welcome, you don't have to book in advance, just turn up, log-in and show us what you've got.

Entry is via a session ticket £4 or with your Festival Pass.

Four More Classics For 2024

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:06:47 GMT

Four all-time classics for 2024

Continuing our line-up for our classic screenings we are proud to bring you another four amazing movies for our 2024 line-up. We celebrate horror in all its forms, we could not be prouder to bring these movies back to the big screen once more.

First up, the amazing Turbo Kid, this incredible film from only a few years back is essentially Mad Max on BMX's, its an incredible film, with some of the most fun death scenes you'll ever find in a movie.

Barbara Hershey takes the lead in the magnificent The Entity, a film that caused big stirs in the early 1980's but definitely seems to have fallen into the category of movies we have forgot. In the film, Carla Moran is repeatedly raped by an invisible entity, based on a alleged true story known as The Doris Blither Case.

Sticking in the early 80s director Andrzej Zulawski delivered a real left of field shocker back in 1981 that's bound to appeal to the audiences of Extraneous Matter. This seemingly straightforward tale of domestic life turns incredibly weirds, incredibly quick. The film stars Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill, both turning out emotional and emotionless performances as the troubled couple.

Our final classic offer takes a nod and a wink from The Omen and stars Richard Burton as the creepy John Morlar, a man who can cause disaster just by thinking about it. Can Detective Brunel (Lino Ventura) and Dr Zonfield (Lee Remick) stop him before he unleashes the biggest disaster humanity has ever faced? it is of course The Medusa Touch.

Cinizia Monreale

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 11:52:32 GMT

We are thrilled to have Cinizia as our first confirmed guest of the 2024 season. Cinizia is obviously best known as her role of Emily in Lucio Fulci's The Beyond, but has a enormous body of work on films such as Beyond The Darkness, The Stendhal Syndrome, The Sweet House Of Horrors and of course Warriors Of The Year 2072. Cinizia's performances have garnered a cult following worldwide. Her ability to immerse herself in complex characters and evoke genuine emotions on-screen continues to captivate audiences to this day.

Cinizia will be with us for a special interview on Saturday 2nd of March at 6PM (You can book tickets here) she'll also be signing autographs following the interview and screening of The Beyond.

Four Italian Classics For Romford Horror 2024

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:40:09 GMT

Celebrating Italian Horror

We previously announced that we would be showing Cannibal Apocalypse in tribute to the late great Giovanni Lombardo Radice who was with us earlier this year at the festival but sadly passed away on April 27th.

But we also have three other gems from Italian Cinema celebrating horrors heyday when the line between horror and thrillers became blurred.

In addition to Cannibal Apocalypse we are also offering up Aldo Lado's Who Saw Her Die? a killer thriller shot against a venetian backdrop, Lucio Fulci's The Beyond, which sees a hotelier exposed to a gateway to Hell and Dario Argento's best movie Profondo Rosso (aka Deep Red) in which a jazz pianist investigates the chilling death of a psychic. All films are being screened in the best available prints, including the recent Cinecitta restoration of Profondo Rosso as screened as part of the Argento season at the BFI.

The Free Horror Alldayer

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:56:43 GMT

Our Free Horror Alldayer Returns

We hope that your ready?

Because its time to reveal details about our 2023 free alldayer which is coming on October 28th.

This years line up has a great Stephen King theme running in three of the films we'll be showing Carrie, Christine and Cats-Eye. Then we'll be offering up the classic John Carpenter movie Village Of The Damned and topping off the day with Terrorvision.

The day is completely free and if we can get enough attendees the bar will open for you to purchase drinks.

Be there, or be somewhere else!

Giovanni Lombardo Radice Dies at 68

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:37:49 GMT

Two months on from his last public appearance Italian film star Giovanni Lombardo Radice has passed away. The actor was with us for our 2023 HorRHIFFic festival alongside Silvia Collatina both of whom flew in from Rome for the event.

A trained ballet dancer Giovanni switched to acting after an injury in the 1970s. His first major film role was in Ruggero Deodato's The House On The Edge Of The Park, Deodato himself dying last December. Throughout the 1980's Giovanni moved from film to film with some ease Cannibal Apocalypse, Cannibal Ferox, The Church and Phantom Of Death all fell quickly after his debut. Despite being a huge name in horror Giovanni was not a horror movie fan, his personal joy fell into the art-house films of France from the 1950's onwards.

Giovanni's greatest joy came from working in historical dramas specifically from the Biblical era. and as he progressed through his life he enjoyed a relationship with religion and God.

The downturn in his career during the early 2000's bought him much sadness and although he achieved plentiful work still in the horror genre, he was always an actor who waited on the next drama role. He loved the thrill of working on stage and had a great ability to learn lines very quickly, even in his more senior years.

Despite being Italian Giovanni considered himself a European first, he grew tired and weary of what he saw as Italian political corruption, which he had experienced frequently since his early days in film.

Giovanni was incredibly devoted to animals and loved his two sausage dogs one of who passed away a few years ago. In one of his final social media posts he posted an image of his dog in a shopping trolley, on a trip to the supermarket.

He would joke about his addictions from drugs and alcohol in the 80s through to cigarettes and caffeine, more recently he had become addicted to iced tea which he felt was helping some medical "issues" he was experiencing, he joked that while it made him feel better he was never far from a toilet.

Giovanni had a wicked sense of humour which he subtly revolved around all things. he had a directness that could both shock and amuse in great measure.

Italian cinema has lost a great talent that was never properly executed, yet despite this he made films that people love, films that brand new audiences stumble upon every generation. He never really got to appreciate what his performances meant to people, or take the chance to really sit back and enjoy his impact on Italian cinema. He was an actor that worked across the globe "wherever the money took him" some of his final movies Beyond Fury and The Witches Of The Sands being shot in the UK.

Giovanni, we salute you.

Below are the interviews from his final two public appearances at the Romford Horror Festival.

The Sub Genres Of Horror

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:26:05 GMT

Horror is an impressive genre of fiction, which holds centuries worth of works under its belt. In less than 100 years, however, horror as a genre has become largely synonymous with film. As horror has grown in popularity over the years, so has the number of sub genres it boasts, since the the 70’s we have seen horror take new forms ranging from slashers to psychological horror to horror comedies. However as the sub genres grow the lines between each sub genre become more and more blurred. And as such we can begin to ask how we should categorise horror.

One horror film that seems particularly hard to categorise is the first saw film, as it does not properly fit under the sub-genre it is so often associated with. The Saw franchise is often thought to be synonymous with 'torture porn' which is defined by Collins dictionary as 'a genre of horror films in which sadistic violence or torture is a central aspect of the plot'. This sub-genre may be an appropriate to categorise many of the Saw movies and franchises inspired by it (such as Hostel), as they tend to focus solely on achieving the most gruesome death scenes, body horror and conjuring up the worst torture devices for one to be stuck in. Paying little attention to the general plot or producing well rounded characters. Yet, at the centre of the first Saw movie, isn't a ton of gore or the torture devices themselves but a mystery. While the audiences are shown a few successful saw traps which do invoke a sense of physical torture these are but glimpses into the greater mystery the detectives are trying to solve. Indeed, the central aspect of the first Saw plot isn't sadistic violence or gore but of two men stuck in a room with no means for escape and a detective trying to hunt down a serial killer before it’s too late. The two men, the main characters, are by no means physically tortured like many of the victims in the later Saw movies, the worst display of violence being found in a man sawing off his own foot. Whilst still horrific, a character cutting off their own limb is by no means more gory or violent than many scenes in regular horror movies or even the drama 127 hours. Indeed, the torture the main characters face is more so psychological than physical, as the scenes of physical torture are mainly shown in flashbacks to other traps which there are only a few of. As such it seems like we shouldn't label the original Saw as torture porn, rather it seems far closer to a psychological horror, given the psychological terror the main characters face and the mystery the detective has little time to crack. The conclusion we should draw from this is that we cant class Saw as torture porn despite it most often being cited as the first torture porn film. Indeed, this shows just how difficult it is to completely understand horrors sub-genres and how hard it is to place films in them.

Furthermore, it is not just categorising certain films that we have trouble with but it also becomes difficult to distinguish what films, if any, fall into a certain sub- genre. Such is the case with Horror Comedies. Whilst Scream is known for being a light parody of the horror genre, in that it haves characters break the forth wall with their inside knowledge of horror films, it is hard to say how much a horror comedy it actually is. Indeed, Ghostface is placed up there with the more serious horror movie killers such as Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, often being taken as a serious threat in video games and other media. Ghostface is also parodied by scary movie, indicating that it is not comical enough to not be made fun of itself. But then what makes it a horror comedy? It can't be simply that it contains jokes as most horror movies are funny in places to ease tension. Is it because it is a light parody of other horror movies? Then this would make ‘Scooby Doo monsters unleashed’ a horror comedy. But of course Scooby Doo 2 isn't really all too scary, and more importantly it doesn't try to be considering it is a family movie. Is Scooby Doo 2 just a comedy with horror themes? Or can we state that it doesn’t contain any horror elements at all, in virtue of its kids movie status? But then that would mean children films such as Coraline or Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark would no longer be horror movies. Indeed, then it seems to be extremely difficult to understand why some movies are placed in a horror sub-genre and others aren't.

Similarly, it has become increasingly difficult to properly define certain sub genres such as the Slasher, one definition states that a ‘Slasher film is a horror sub-genre that meets certain criteria, including an effective killer, a high body count, and non-firearm weapons’. Yet, this definition seems to capture too wide a scope and allows for films which are almost universally thought not to be horrors to be Slashers. For example, by this definition alone a film like Se7en, which is most often classed as a psychological thriller or mystery, could be classed as a Slasher film. Indeed John Doe is an effective killer who does not use guns, so surely this should mean that Se7en is a slasher and is thus a horror, despite our best intuitions claiming otherwise. Perhaps, we could argue, however, that Se7en does not meet the part of the definition which states the killer must have a high kill count, yet both Norman Bates and Freddy Krueger have a lower kill count on their first outing, despite the latter being considered one of the most iconic slasher movie killers. Therefore, if we count Norman Bates as a slasher killer then the murderers kill count need only be 2 or more people (4 if we only count Freddy). As such, to separate Se7en from the Slasher and horror movie genre in general, we would need to provide a stricter definition. Does the Killer have to wear a mask? No, unless we discredit Freddie Krueger or the cannibals from Wrong Turn. Does the majority of the deaths have to happen on completely on screen? No, otherwise we discredit many PG Slasher movies, as many show build up to the deaths or after effects, leaving much of the killing offscreen, like in Se7en. Maybe then we would have to determine a Slasher as a film that includes a killer who stalks victims from a main group of protagonists for which the film follows. This would ultimately determine that Se7en is a thriller or mystery, not a slasher, as the main protagonists in Se7en are not stalked then killed by John Doe but instead a random group of people are the victims who have very little screen time. Yet this would lead one to question as to whether other films are Slashers. For example, is Jennifers Body as slasher, despite it often not being considered one, given that Jennifer isn't some mysterious killer but essentially a victim of a sacrifice gone wrong. Nevertheless, she still stalks her victims whom are all part of a main group of teenagers we follow. This then means that we need an even more specific definition of a Slasher movie which would be quite difficult to determine. And even if we were to accept Jennifers Body as a Slasher then it seems that we have reduced slasher down to a bare bones definition of ' a film which features some being stalking a group of protagonists and then killing at least 2 of them, without using guns'. Having a definition such as this one seems to be completely void of emotion and by intuition does not seem to capture that which is at the heart of what a slasher is. Furthermore, it seems to be an arbitrary definition as there are surely slashers out there that don't fit this definition or films which fit this definition but aren't slashers. Indeed, this goes further to prove just how difficult it is to place horror movies into sub-genres.

As such to answer the question, how should we classify horror?, I must respond with 'I don't know'. Much like trying to define Philosophy it seems that in order to place certain horror movies into certain horror sub-genres, we must either place a certain movie in a sub-genre that doesn't make sense either intuitively or logically or we must define a sub-genre in what seems to be in an arbitrary manner.

Giovanni Lombardo Radice

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 14:05:03 GMT

Giovanni Lombardo Radice

We are delighted to have legend of Italian Horror cinema Giovanni Lombardo Radice with us throughout our 2023 festival. Giovanni has carved out a long career in film starting out in films like The House On The Edge Of The Park and Cannibal Ferox and more recently he's been seen in The Omen, Gangs Of New York and the UK indie film Beyond Fury made by Darren Ward (which he won best supporting actor for at Romford film Festival in 2019) and lets not forget the upcoming The Witches Of The Sands by Tony Mardon (who you'll find in Video Shop Tales Of Terror during the festival).

In addition to being with us, he'll be joining Spencer on the stage for an interview on Sunday 26th February at 5pm. Where he'll be talking about his life in film from the big screen to the small screen to back again.

Decisions Decisions

Theromfordfilmfestival@gmail.com (Spencer Hawken) — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:16:15 GMT

With 2 screens to pick from what will you choose?

If you have been scouring the website deciding what to watch, it will have become very apparent that (with Covid-19 now seeming like a distant memory and we are not making light of this, however with a war and a cost of living crisis a pandemic seems like a lifetime ago) there's a lot of film in a short period of time. Also now we are not scared of an impending social distancing disaster we are able to open up more seats, which is kinda lucky because one particular film has proven so popular its almost sold out already with over three months still to go until the main event.

What that means for the attendees at our 2023 festival is that the wonder of choice returns. At 8pm on Friday, 10am and 8pm on Saturday and all day Sunday we have two screens to ensure we are showing as many films as we can. We've always been about value and as thus festival pass holders now get an even better deal for the £34 full festival pass, allowing them to drift from screen to screen and watch whatever floats their boat.

The interview team will split in half with interviews happening simultaneously on both screens following each film. This year we will be introducing two new interviewers to mix things up and maintain a gender balance for those concerned about our previously male-centric interview team.

The question being over all this is of course, what films will you pick? And will you might the right decisions?

Silvia Collatina

Theromfordfilmfestival@gmail.com (Spencer Hawken) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:52:21 GMT

We are thrilled to have Silvia Collatina with us for our 2023 festival, starring as a child actress in a number of Italian movies Silvia is best known as May from Lucio Fulci's horror tale The House By The Cemetery. Silvia will be flying in from Rome to do an live interview, which ties in with the wonderful documentaries we are showing throughout the festival on Lucio Fulci, Ruggero Deodato and Sergio Martino. Post interview she'll be signing autographs and be joining us later on the same night to present awards to the winners of this years festival.

An Audience With Silvia Collatina will be on Sunday 26th February at 4pm. With the awards being presented later that night.

Tickets to the talk will be £10 or included for free with the full festival or day pass.

2023 Begins To Take Form

Theromfordfilmfestival@gmail.com (Spencer Hawken) — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 18:52:00 GMT

Its going to be a blinder...

And so we've begun the process of revealing whats happening at our third festival. For 2023 we are going to knock it out of the park kicking off with a free screening of Michael Mann's classic 80s horror tale The Keep on Thursday 23rd of February. And if that were not enough, we'll follow this up at around 9pm with our fest ever Horror Festival Launch Party. We are turning level 1 of the Mercury Shopping Centre into a horror inspired party venue, with live music some free Prosecco and a (paid) bar. Its a great opportunity to network with people you'll be spending the next four days with.

If thats not enough we have some very special guests coming who we'll be revealing in separate posts. Of course theres going to be some solid Merch to buy, both through Natalie's design (of course a new T-Shirt) but through vendors selling art, books and films. We'll have special FX demonstrations, some pretty fun interviews and of course lots of lovely films.

This years movie line-up is a mix of festival favourites and UK and World Premieres. We've got some stunning films showing at Romford Horror before anywhere else including films acquired from Variety, Warner and Canal+. We've already revealed 13 movies, but there are another 70 features and shorts still to reveal some of which are truly mind-blowing.

Our 23 festival we are going to have the return of "The Deadly Choice", the choice thats down to you, with each night a decision to be made by attendees over which film to see.

And finally, lets not forget the return of the bar, with brand new movie inspired cocktails to give you something to think about. If cocktails are not your thing, we'll have a fine selection of wines, spirits and of course beers from The Brentwood Brewery.

Keep your eyes pealed for further updates. We've got it all going on.

....And in with the new

Theromfordfilmfestival@gmail.com (Spencer Hawken) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:05:46 GMT

As the Romford Horror Festival moves into its third year, we thought it was time to create a new website, we’ll slowly be porting all the information over from The Romford Film Festival website to here and tweaking the site over the coming weeks ready for listing the brand-new festival line-up for 2023.

This coming year we have a thrilling line-up including a lot of brand-new films not seen on any screen anywhere yet, which is of course super exciting.

We’ll be tweaking our line-up for 2023 as well making 3 full days rather than 2 ½ and giving people more time between films to kick back with friends and be social.

So keep checking as we’ll be keeping you posted on all the fun as soon as we move closer to our next season.