A Serbian Film dropped from FrightFest

Organisers refuse to screen 'heavily cut' version of controversial horror.

by Amber Wilkinson

A Serbian Film
A Serbian Film

Controversial Serbian horror movie A Serbian Film (Srpski Film) has been dropped at the last minute from the Film4 Frightfest line-up.

The film - which has screened at other festivals including South By Southwest - concerns a former porn star forced out of retirement and who finds himself mired in depravity. Its taboo combination of graphic sex, brutal violence and young children has already apparently stirred up trouble at the BBFC.

In a statement, FrightFest co-director Alan Jones said: “Film4 FrightFest has decided not to show A Serbian Film in a heavily cut version because, as a festival with a global integrity, we think a film of this nature should be shown in its entirety as per the director’s intention. Several film festivals across the world have already done so.

"Unlike the I Spit On Your Grave remake, where we are showing the BBFC certified print, as requested by Westminster Council, the issues and time-line complexities surrounding A Serbian Film make it impossible for us to screen it.”

A release date for the film, which is due to be distributed in the UK by Revolver, has yet to be announced.

Read our coverage of FrightFest here

Share this with others on...

Movies out this week include:

Is This Thing On? Nouvelle Vague Primate Rabbit Trap
News

Home truths Marijana Janković on Balkan representation, and the immigrant question of belonging

The division belle Suzannah Herbert on facing the US' troubled history and making Natchez

Spin-off alchemy Claude Schmitz on bringing back cop pairing for Conrad & Crab – Idiotic Gems

Past crime Christoffer Boe on creating a world for his period mystery Special Unit - The First Murder

It Was Just An Accident screenwriter arrested in Iran Jafar Panahi speaks out

Sundance announces winners Josephine, Nuisance Bear, Shame And Money and To Hold A Mountain take top prizes

More news and features

Interact

As we move into 2026, don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.

With awards season in full flow, you can keep track of the latest news on that here:

César nominations Nouvelle Vague leads the race for France's biggest awards

BAFTA nominations One Battle After Another and Sinners almost neck and neck

Critics' Circle Awards One Battle After Another wins fight

Oscars Sinners dominates the nominations