Dracula Invades Derby as Vampire Fest Sinks Its Teeth In

The shadows are lengthening over Derby as the city prepares to host the inaugural UK Dracula Film Festival from 20th to 22nd September. Coinciding with the centenary of the world’s first stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which premiered in Derby in 1924, the festival promises a thrilling celebration of the legendary vampire’s cinematic journey.

Hosted at QUAD, Derby’s renowned centre for art and film, the festival will showcase an eclectic mix of classic horrors, cult favourites, and rarely seen gems that trace the evolution of Count Dracula over the past hundred years. From Bela Lugosi’s iconic portrayal in the 1931 Dracula—a performance influenced by the Derby stage version—to the blaxploitation twist of Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream, the lineup offers something for every taste.

For fans of the unusual, the festival dives into the weird and wonderful with screenings like Billy the Kid vs Dracula, merging Westerns with horror, and Mad Monster Party?, a 1960s animated oddity. Female vampires take centre stage in films such as Countess Dracula and Dracula’s Fiancee, highlighting the diverse interpretations of the character.

Comedy is also on the menu, with family-friendly flicks like The Monster Squad and the classic Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein adding a lighter touch to the otherwise dark proceedings. Complementing the film screenings are expert talks from local film historian Darrell Buxton, who will delve into the humorous side of Dracula, and Kieran Foster, who will explore the many Hammer Dracula movies that never made it to the screen.

Alex Davis, festival coordinator and University of Derby Associate Lecturer, expressed his excitement: “The visual appearance of Dracula was forged in Derby, and we’re raising awareness of that legacy with this event. If you’re passionate about vampires—whether you’re into horror, comedy, or something in between—the UK Dracula Film Festival is the ideal weekend for you.”

Adam J Marsh, UK Dracula Film Festival Programmer and QUAD Film and Cinema Manager, added: “I’m really looking forward to spending a weekend with the Count this September. Filmmakers across the world have reinterpreted the character in so many unique and delightful ways; it’s going to be a real treat to see them up on the big screen, in Derby, where they belong.”

The festival is part of the “Dracula Returns to Derby” project, an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded initiative led by the University of Derby. The project commemorates Hamilton Deane’s 1924 adaptation of “Dracula,” which not only premiered in Derby but also shaped the suave, sophisticated image of the vampire that has endured for a century—from Bela Lugosi’s mesmerizing gaze to the more recent, family-friendly incarnations in Hotel Transylvania.

Passes are available for the full weekend, and tickets can also be purchased for individual films throughout the event. For more information or to book tickets, visit derbyquad.co.uk/season-festival/ukdracula/ or call 01332 290606