Bournemouth’s Screams By The Sea Makes Waves in the World of Fright

Earlier this month, Bournemouth’s first-ever horror film festival, Screams By The Sea took place at the Pavilion Dance South West. The event took place on Saturday, February 10 and offered a unique platform for filmmakers and fans alike to celebrate their love for the genre.

Horror lovers from across the country travelled to the south coast for a day filled with exciting movies, engaging talks, and interactive Q&A sessions.

Screenplay competition

One of the highlights from the event was a screenplay competition that saw four talented writers pitch their scripts to a panel of jurors. Russell Bailey emerged victorious with his script, which has now caught the eye of Silent D Pictures for production. Bailey’s win secures him a scriptwriter agreement and a contract for the film’s production, which is slated for a theatrical release in Indonesia, followed by screenings in Southeast Asia territories, and a limited release in the United Kingdom, with a worldwide release to be announced later.

Festival features

The festival presented five feature films and an hour of short films, alongside industry talks and practical workshops focusing on special effects. Notable films showcased included Murder Ballads directed by Mitchell Tolliday, Watch Me Sleep by John Williams, I Am Monsters by Nicholas Vince, Punch by Andy Edwards, and How To Kill Monsters by Stewart Sparke.

Workshops and talks provided insights into the filmmaking process, from special effects in werewolf attacks led by Theodore Salisbury to navigating the journey from script to market with Lyndon Baldock of Templehear Film. Legal aspects of filmmaking were also covered in a session on keeping paperwork straight, dubbed “Triple Exposure.”

The festival attracted guests from as far as Scotland, indicating its broad appeal and the significant interest in horror cinema. The festival grounds featured an exhibition that included original poster artwork by Neil Fraser, practical special effects displays by Emily Prendigast and Theodore Salisbury, and stands by the Dorset Film Office among others, creating a vibrant atmosphere for networking and discovery.

Described by attendees as “a superlative horror film festival with a difference,” Screams By The Sea has already received rave reviews from filmmakers, with a perfect five-star rating across the board. The success of the festival has spurred discussions between festival directors Radi Nikolov of Parallel View Ltd and DJonny Chen of SilentD Pictures Ltd about future expansion. The duo is already seeking independent genre feature films for next year’s festival, with their Filmfreeway page set to open again soon.

Screams By The Sea represents a significant addition to the UK’s film festival circuit, especially for horror film fans. With plans for expansion and a commitment to showcasing new and original independent horror films, the festival is poised to become a must-attend event for both filmmakers and horror film fans looking enjoy the ever-growing UK horror scene.