The first two guests for the 2023 Festival of Fantastic Films have been announced. Held over the weekend of October 20th -22nd, attending this year will be writer/actor Mark Gatiss and actor Madeline Smith.

Mark Gatiss is best known as one of The League of Gentlemen, as well as his regular appearances and writing for Sherlock and Doctor Who. He’s also a massive fan of horror films and stories, hosting several superb documentaries for the BBC on classic horror and M.R. James.

Madeline Smith is no stranger to the festival, this being her third appearance. She’s most famous for appearing in Hammer’s The Vampire Lovers and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell as well as being the first Bond girl in the Roger Moore era with Live and Let Die. Always entertaining to listen to, Maddy also often appeared opposite Frankie Howerd and The Two Ronnies.

The festival started in 1990, and takes place in Central Manchester, attracting guests and fans worldwide. Previous luminaries to attend have included Ray Harryhausen, Roger Corman, John Landis, Britt Ekland, Jean Rollin, Umberto Lenzi, and Crispin Glover. For fans, it’s a lovely, relaxed event that allows them to get closer to their heroes than would ever be thought possible.

Find out more at https://fantastic-films.uk/ and book your ticket now!