FrightFest announces opening and closing films

British films chosen as keystones of festival.

by Amber Wilkinson

Film4 FrightFest has announced the opening and closing films of the 13th edition.

Paul Hyett’s claustrophobic, psychological horror, The Seasoning House is set to open the festival on August 23. Starring Sean Pertwee, Kevin Howarth and Rosie Day, the film is described as "a hard-hitting exploration of war-time sexploitation, set in a Balkan brothel", and marks special-effects guru Hyett’s (The Woman In Black, Attack The Block) directorial debut.

The festival will close with the world premiere of Lionsgate’s Tower Block. Directed by James Nunn and Ronnie Thompson, the festival descirbe it as "a stunning suspense shocker". Trapped on the top floor of their run down East End home, a disparate group of neighbours are being targeted by a mystery sniper. This taut gripper stars Sheridan Smith, Jack O’Connell and Russell Tovey.

Festival co-director Alan Jones said today: “Once more Film4 FrightFest is delighted to be showcasing the key British talent of the future with our opening choice of The Seasoning House, and our closing film, Tower Block. Both films are works of quality, sensitivity and bloody-minded bravado and the directors deserve to follow in the footsteps of such other talents we have promoted early in their careers, Christopher Nolan, Neil Marshall, Chris Smith and James Watkins”.

The line-up will also include the UK premiere of [REC]³ Génesis. Both Paco and his leading lady Leticia Dolera will be attending the screening.

The festival runs from Thursday, August 23 to Monday, August 27 at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square. The full line up will be announced on June 29. Festival & day passes go on sale from June 30. Tickets for individual films are on sale from July 28.

Visit www.empirecinemas.co.uk for more information and read our previous coverage of FrightFest here.

Share this with others on...
News

Producer with the skills of a diplomat Greg Shapiro on the journey from The Hurt Locker to Harold & Kumar

Open Invite Olivia Wilde on reinvention, improvisation and why her latest movie had to be shot on film

Because of a book Eran Riklis on adapting Azar Nafisi's Reading Lolita In Tehran

On the edge Robert R Palmer and Hazel McKibbin on Last Man Up

Finding truth Lou Diamond Phillips on getting interesting roles and starring in Gangland

Body, heart and mind Leah Nelson on memory loss and making Tangles

Starring role for a 'reluctant' award winner Karlovy Vary turns spotlight on genius behind the lens Robert Richardson

More news and features

We're bringing you news, reviews and more from the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.



We're looking forward to the Fantasia International Film Festival.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Muslim International Film Festival, Docs Ireland, Sheffield DocFest, ImagineNative, Tribeca, Cannes, Queer East, the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, Visions du Réel, Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

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.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Fantasia Festival highlights to look forward to


Locarno Sangsoo and Yeo in mix as full line-up announced


MIFF Prize winners announced


Karlovy Vary Jesse Eisenberg on talking too much, keeping off the internet and staying creative


MIFF Festival director discusses London line-up as doors open