Grimmfest’s Grim Tidings from Aaron Bartuska writer and director of For Roger


Grimmfest is back and even better than ever with more movies and madness to make the 13th edition one to remember. Taking place between the 7th to the 10th of October at Odeon Great Northern in Manchester UK there is also a hybrid online Grimmfest edition running 14th to the 17th Oct for people unable to attend the cinema event. You can find the full 2021 line up right HERE.

Recently voted one of best genre film festivals in the World by Movie maker magazine, Grimmfest is a truly independent film festival that started in 2009. Since then the fantastic festival has grown to become one of the most prestigious genre film festivals in Europe premiering the very best new movies from both new and established filmmakers from across the world.

This year our exclusive interview feature is back bringing you some insidious insights into the frightful folks whose horror films will be blowing audiences away at Grimmfest 2021.

Below we get some Grim Tidings from Aaron Bartuska writer and director of For Roger

1. Tell us why you are at Grimmfest?
I am privileged to be taking part in Grimmfest this year because their team was cool enough to take a chance on our micro-budget horror flick! Seriously, we made this thing for a little under $5,000 as my college senior project and there were times where we were all pretty certain it might never even see the light of day. Luckily, because of festivals like Grimmfest, we get to show For Roger to audiences who might have never had the chance to see it. I could not be more excited to be a part of Grimmfest 2021. Some of my favourite films have been screened at this festival in the past and it is such an honour to join that impressive list of horror. I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks of our film!

2. How did you get into horror?
I have been making horror short films with my friends since before I had even seen my first horror movie. As a three-year-old, I caught some glimpses of Halloween (1978) on TV, which I believe had a major early impact on my love for the genre. After that, I got really into Goosebumps until about age 8-9, when I began making horror fan films with my cousin. These covered everything from Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Child’s Play; all films I had yet to see. When I was finally allowed to fully watch Halloween in sixth grade, it started a horror addiction that has only grown to this day. I think my family thought I’d be done buying horror blu-rays by now, but I can’t seem to slow down!

3. What scares you the most?
If you couldn’t already tell from the film, the concept of death is really horrifying to me. The inevitability of it, but also the uncertainty of what comes after it. And the fact that when others pass we’re just sort of left here. Both sides of it are scary; knowing the people you love will die, and dying yourself. Though my second answer would have to be Minions. Those little yellow things are awful. No redeeming qualities. So, death and Minions.

4. Who or what is your favourite horror character?
I’ve gotta go with Michael Myers on this one. Aside from how deeply influential that character was for The Watcher character in For Roger, I just love the idea of him: the human embodiment of evil walking around, stalking babysitters, unable to be stopped. It is such a primal, simple concept that remains scary to this day. I really love all of the films in that franchise, even when we get to the point where Michael is getting kung-fu kicked by Busta Rhymes. Some other picks are Stu from Scream, Ash from Evil Dead II specifically, Jack Torrance from The Shining, Asami from Audition, and Clarice from The Silence of the Lambs.

5. What is the grimmest thing you ever saw?
That one scene in Lake Mungo. If you know, you know.

For Roger is available October 14, 1:30 PM – October 17, 11:30 PM as an online exclusive for the virtual festival only and you can find out more and book your ticket HERE.

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Alex Humphrey

Alex studied film at the University of Kent and went on to work for Universal Pictures in their Post Room gaining an inside look at the movie industry from the very bottom. Constantly writing reviews in everything from local magazines to Hip Hop sites Alex honed his critical skills even spending a brief period as a restaurant critic. Read more

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