Gale Anne Hurd Brings Deep Sea Horror to Forbidden Worlds

The Forbidden Worlds Film Festival is returning to Bristol with a wave of underwater monsters, submerged terror and science fiction adventure, anchored by a tribute to one of genre cinema’s most enduring voices. Celebrated producer Gale Anne Hurd will be in attendance as the 2025 edition’s guest of honour, with a series of special screenings and Q&As taking place between 28 May and 1 June.

Known for her game-changing work on Aliens, The Terminator, The Abyss and Tremors, Hurd’s contributions have helped shape the tone and texture of genre storytelling across the past four decades. She’ll be named this year’s official Forbidden Worlds Legend in recognition of her prolific career, and will appear in person for discussions and introductions across three key screenings.

On Thursday 29 May, the Bristol IMAX will host a screening of Aliens (1986), preceded by an in-depth conversation between Hurd and journalist Helen O’Hara. The following day, Hurd will introduce Battle Beyond The Stars (1980), the Roger Corman-produced space epic that marked one of her first producing credits. Rounding out the tribute on Saturday 31 May is Tremors (1990), screened in celebration of its 35th anniversary, a film that has lost none of its monster-movie charm.

The theme for this year’s festival, Forbidden Worlds of the Deep, will see the programme plunge into aquatic terror and subaquatic spectacle, with a selection of films that explore the dangers lurking beneath the waves. Among the standout offerings are the first UK theatrical screening of the extended European cut of Waterworld (1995), and a rare outing for The Whale God (1962), a Japanese horror fantasy long unseen on British screens.

Also on the bill are William Girdler’s killer whale thriller Orca (1977), submarine-set ghost story Below (2002), and an array of classic and contemporary sea-themed oddities that range from stylish to schlocky.

Forbidden Worlds will also premiere The Big Picture, a new feature documentary from director Arthur Cauty. Chronicling the rediscovery and reinvention of Bristol’s IMAX as a community-led cinema space, the film is a local story with universal relevance, and a love letter to the importance of shared film experiences.

Now firmly established as one of the UK’s top repertory events for fans of cult, horror, action and science fiction, Forbidden Worlds continues to grow in both scope and profile. As it edges closer to the 50th anniversary of Jaws and turns its attention to what lurks beneath the surface, this year’s edition promises to be a thrilling voyage for genre fans of all stripes.

Festival passes and individual tickets are available now via the official Forbidden Worlds website: forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk/