The opening and closing films of this year’s Film 4 FrightFest have been announced. The premier UK horror festival takes place in London between Thursday August 27th and Monday August 31st.

Kicking off the sixteenth annual celebration of all things horror is the European premiere of Irish chiller Cherry Tree, directed by David Keating (Wake Wood) and starring Anna Walton (Hellboy 2) and Naomi Battrick (Down Dog). The film follows Faith (Naomi Battrick), who tries to save her father’s life by making a pact with Sissy Young (Anna Walton) head of a sinister black magic coven. What could possibly go wrong?

Closing the event is another European premiere – the portmanteau Tales of Halloween. Ten tales of terror unfold in a sleepy American suburb on All Hallows Eve as ghouls, imps, aliens, goblins, demons, axe murderers and serial killers roam the witching hour. Among the stellar names directing the fear-filled shorts are Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers), Darren Lynn Bousman (Rep! The Genetic Opera),  Axelle Carolyn (Soulmate), Adam Gierasch (Night of the Demons), Lucky McKee (The Woman), Dave Parker (The Hills Run Red), Paul Solet (Dark Summer), Ryan Schifrin (Abominable), John Skipp (writer of A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child) and Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider). The cast includes genre legends such as Pollyanna McIntosh, Adrienne Barbeau, Joe Dante, Barbara Crampton, John Landis, Stuart Gordon and Mick Garris.

The guest line-up will be announced later but both films will be represented by cast and crew.

Co-organiser Alan Jones said:  “We have never opened with an Irish production before. So we figured it was about time to put a sharp focus on all the sterling work the Irish Film Board has done to promote the genre. Over the years we have premiered DEAD MEAT, ISOLATION, DOROTHY MILLS, DARK TOUCH and THE CANAL, and CHERRY TREE follows in their fine tradition offering storytelling excellence, great production values and terrific casting, slathered with that appealing Emerald Isle quirkiness. The choice for our Closing night film was a no-brainer, Not only is TALES OF HALLOWEEN an absolutely terrific celebration of the October holiday, it also represents a potted history of FrightFest’s shining past due to much of the talent involved both on screen and behind it being our special guests over the last fifteen years. So sit back and enjoy!”

The full festival line-up will be announced on Thursday July 2nd.

This year, Film 4 FrightFest takes place at the Vue Cinema, Leicester Square and festival and day passes will go on sale Saturday July 4th at 10.00am and will only be available online. Single tickets will go on sale on July 25th. Full booking details will be announced on Thursday July 2nd.

A festival pass will cost £185. Day passes are: Thursday £30, Friday & Saturday £60, Sunday & Monday £50. Single tickets will be £13.25.

For more information follow: @film4frightfest @cloutcomcouk on Twitter.

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