Horror-on-Sea Film Festival 2024

In the eerie coastal town of Southend, where the waves crash against the shore in a symphony of horror, the 11th annual Horror-on-Sea Film Festival is set to send scare the living daylights out of cinephiles, horror nuts and thrill-seekers. Running from January 12th to 14th and January 19th to 21st, 2024, at the Park Inn by Radisson Palace Hotel, this festival promises a blockbuster event, bigger and better than never before.

Boasting a lineup of 36 feature films and 50 short films from across the globe, Horror-on-Sea caters to every dark taste imaginable. From sinister spirits to serial killer stalkers and sci-fi shlock, this festival offers a hair-raising journey through the world of horror cinema. The real horror of cinema—often found in the price of a ticket—is slashed to a bone-chilling £7 per film. Moreover, festival-goers can feast on a buffet of fear with day passes at £32, weekend passes at £80, and a mega pass at £130, saving a monstrous £122.

Paul Cotgrove, the Director and creator of Horror-On-Sea, exclaims, “It’s typical horror to keep coming back for more, and we’re proud to have beaten out the Saw franchise and equaled Hellraiser with an eleventh edition.” Southend-on-Sea has become a haven for cinephiles, horror aficionados, and those seeking an adrenaline rush, with over 80 films showcasing the diversity of the genre.

The festival kicks off with the anthology feature The Monster Mash (2022), a celebration of Americana creature features hosted by Dr. Fruedstein and Ludwig. The horror escalates with Memories of Evil (2022), an Argentinian film where mystery and memory collide, and Blood and Snow (2022), a chilling tale from Canada involving a meteorite impact with horrifying consequences.

Saturday, the 13th, showcases the best and bloodiest of Britain, featuring features and world premieres that delve into the depths of horror. The day also pays homage to the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft with films like The Old Ones (2023) and shorts like H.P. Lovecraft’s The Lurking Fear.

Sunday, the 14th, takes a dive into the supernatural with The Pocket Film of Superstitions (2023) and the world premiere of the UK’s Blood Demons (2024), combining marijuana, vampires, gangsters, and rock music.

The festival’s second weekend, starting on Friday the 19th, promises more terrifying experiences with films like The Last Boy on Earth (2023) from New Zealand, the Spanish psychological drama Deadly Display (2023), and the world premiere of Horror-Scopes Volume 2 (2024), a 12-part anthology based on the Chinese zodiac.

Throughout the festival, the horror continues with a myriad of short films and features, exploring themes from ghostly grandmas in Granny (2023) to Werewolf Santa (2023) and even a bloody Bathtub Shark Attack (2023). The festival also offers opportunities for attendees to learn from terror titan Pat Higgins in a masterclass on selling horror films and to meet DVD sellers, horror artists, and renowned horror crime writer Stacey Dighton and Lovecraftian writer James Lefebure during book-signings.

For those brave enough to confront their fears, Horror-on-Sea Film Festival beckons with promises of thrills, chills, and a cinematic experience that will haunt the nightmares of attendees for years to come.

To plan your terrifying adventure and pre-order tickets & passes, visit Horror-on-Sea or call the festival hotline on 07754 391 163. Please note that all films are strictly Certificate 18, ensuring a spine-tingling experience for mature audiences.