We’re pleased to announce the line-up of independent features and shorts to be screened at the STARBURST International Film Festival.

Following a hugely successful campaign on FilmFreeway, we have selected an eclectic range of movies and shorts. The full list of fantastic films that will be screened are:

Don’t You Recognise Me? – Jason Figgis’ brutal pseudo-documentary.
 

Peelers – directed by Sevé Schelenz, and set in a strip club that comes under siege from infected punters. Expect lots of blood, guts, and boobs.
 

Blood of the Tribades – written and directed by Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein, this is a blood-soaked love letter to the erotic vampire style of Jean Rollin and Jess Franco. With lots of full frontal nudity (from both genders!), this is a perfect treat for lovers of Eurosleaze. 

Smile Again, Jenny Lee – written and directed by Carlo Caldana, this is a brooding drama mystery.
 

The Lighthouse – Chris Crow’s magnificent historical thriller, based on true story.
 

This Giant Papier-Mâché Boulder Is Actually Really Heavy – hilarious and irreverent, Christian Nicolson’s film has three friends thrust into the world of a low budget sci-fi B-movie.
 

Vampire Resurrection – written and directed Mark Morris, a fun and family-friendly tale of modern-day vampire slayers.
 

Legend of Black Diamond – Graeme Campbell’s politically charged futuristic western.
 

The short films will be shown alongside the features, as well as together in a block on the festival Sunday.

Expect to see:

Rats – written and directed by Mark Logan and starring Nicholas Vince, Laurence R. Harvey, and Jessica Messenger. Laurence will also be in attendance during the weekend. Bill is a middle-aged lecturer and antiquarian book specialist who arrives at Montague Castle to catalogue the library’s more interesting volumes. But Bill has other things on his mind for his time away from his young family. He intends to spend a night of passion with Jess, one of his undergraduates. What better way to impress a girl than to have a night alone with the run of a castle? Only they aren’t quite alone. There are scratching noises from the room next door, and the sense that someone, or something, is watching. By the end of this night, Bill will learn that all actions have consequences, especially within these ancient walls. Terrible, terrifying consequences…

Polterheist – comedy crime thriller written and directed by David Gilbank. Two small time criminals kidnap a psychic medium and force her to contact the gang boss they murdered. The pair are desperate to discover where their recently deceased boss buried a stash of cash but only succeed in unleashing a demon, bent on revenge.

Dead Town – fun web series written and directed by Peter Mckeirnon. We’ll be showing the first two parts. John eats mayonnaise for a living. At least he did until his boss turned into a zombie then tried to eat him. Now all he wants to do is find his daughter Emily and keep her safe. But in zombie infested Runcorn, even simple tasks like crossing the street or finding batteries for your vintage Sony Walkman have become a matter of life or death. Armed with a mayonnaise stirring paddle and porno mags for armour; John, along with his retro best friend, 80s Dave and his apocalypse-obsessed brother, Butty begin the search for his daughter.

Desolation – written and directed by Martin Sonntag. When 3 film school students participate in an underground treasure hunt called “13 candles” taking place in an abandoned hospital from the 1800th century, they soon find themselves trapped in hells maze. Shot in a real abandoned hospital/insane asylum – This is the first of its kind from Denmark.

Something to Save You – written and directed by Russian-born Vis Vitalis. Two lovers, escaped for a weekend out of town, was caught by the Zombie Apocalypse, actually in bed. And now they are locked in a country house, surrounded by hordes of zombies, without communication, without food, without exit, without hope. And everyone is ready to to sacrifice themselves for the other. And WHAT can save them?…

The Railway Carriage – written and directed by Ross Adgar, and starring Dean Sills. John is trapped in a dream-like world where there is no easy escape. Throughout he is beset with flashbacks, vague memories that explain why he is trapped in a train carriage again and again. Is someone testing him?

Silently Within Your Shadow – written and directed by Scott Lyus, and featuring the voice of Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects). As their relationship grows, Lucette’s obsession for ventriloquism and her dummy Hugo starts to strain her relationship with Jace. To Luctette Hugo is more than just a dummy, he’s her best friend and represents her ambition as an artist, to her, he’s very much real. But to Jace Hugo is just a puppet, or is he?

Hedge – written and directed by Jenny Longworth. School girl Jess is attacked in the woods. With superhuman strength she escapes her attacker. Dark forces take hold as Jess experiences strong visions. A powerful connection begins to turn Jess from victim to hunter.

The Werewolf’s Greatest Hit – written and directed by Australian brothers Jim and Nick Zounis. A brief tale of a werewolf and his strong obsession with the full moon.

Last Man on Earth (director’s cut) – directed by Darren Langlands. A cancer researcher finds herself in over her head after following her mentor to a corporate biotech.

Death to Life – written and directed by Roger Bell. A pregnant woman needs to find the tree of life.

Tok – written and directed by Jason Davison. A time traveller with girlfriend problems.

Dark Laugh – written and directed by Michael J. McCarthy. Egg Man – a Japanese market trader specialising in other worldly items and mysterious objects in London. This bizarre Egg…Man carries with him a yo-yo, a magical YO-YO, a TELEPORTING YO-YO! Hunter, a wannabe crook wants the YO-YO all for himself. His God like mind set makes him feel invincible and unstoppable in his quest to retrieve the YO-YO. Only to find that his self-obsessed flair is NO MATCH! For our blundering helpless hero Dominik, who was only supposed to be doing a favour for a friend. Coincidentally Dominic who is now caught up in the energetic adventure must always remember one thing… Never…! Ever !! Throw the Yo-yo at a mirror… Why you ask? Well… More Trouble !

Innsmouth – directed by Izzy Lee and starring Tristan Risk. Detective Diana Olmstead arrives on the scene of a body with a mysterious egg sac. A clue leads her to Innsmouth, where she meets a seductive and horrific fate in the form of Alice Marsh.

Parts – written and directed by Naqqash Khalid. An actor moves to the city for work but finds to get a part you have to give a part.

Vardøger – directed by Ludovic De Gaillande. While several murders bloodying Paris, a German photographer, back in the capital after some time abroad, feels persecuted by an unseen presence…

Erika’s End – directed by Sonia Escolano Pujante. Erika and Daniel have just moved. The new house will not stop to Daniel who continues being cruel with her. Routine is imposed again in their lives until one day which Erika sees Anne in the forest. Anne visits Erika to give her a gift that will change her life forever. A key. A box. Erika comes to its end…

Gilt – written and directed by Jules Stevens. Searching for a legendary hoard of gold coins, a man is goaded to unearth the darkness buried within.

Puzzle Piece – a spellbinding piece of animation from Christina Avagliano. A girl finds a lone puzzle piece that transports her to different worlds.

I Dare You – Israeli director Eli Klein’s film takes place after a plague has erupted and proves unstoppable as the dead suddenly resurrect and contaminate the living. The army begins executing the infected to stop the outbreak. Eventually, the situation is controlled and life returns to normality, or so it seems

The Speed of Life – a beautifully-shot film by James Nicholls has an old clockmaker who can control time.

Amor Fati – a fantastic Italian short by Thomas Morelli follows a pair of children spying on their suspicious neighbour.

Tossing Myself Off – it’s not what you think! Leon William’s sci-fi short has a chauvinistic graduate who is eager to spark romance with the love of his uni life, until a bizarre cloning accident brings about much-unwanted grief!

We also have a number of other special screenings lined up, which will be announced soon! All the films listed will be eligible for the prestigious STARBURST Fantasy Awards, which will be held on the Sunday night prior to the massive wrap party.

For more information about the STARBURST International Film Festival, head over to starburstfilmfest.co.uk, where you can discover the amazing guests and events planned for the weekend, and book tickets.