STARBURST is very proud to announce the STARBURST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is now taking submissions for independent films via FilmFreeway.

Taking place on August Bank Holiday weekend in the lovely city of Manchester, it’s going to be a wonderful celebration of cult entertainment in all its formats and glory. We have plenty of special events planned for the weekend including guests, Q&A sessions, a family-friendly Saturday session and much more.

Special guests already confirmed include James Bond director John Glen, production designer Peter Lamont, actors Caroline Munro (The Spy Who Loved Me, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter), Martine Beswick (Thunderball, Doctor Jekyll and Sister Hyde), and Virginia Hey (Mad Max 2, The Living Daylights, Farscape) plus many more. They’ll be themed screenings and special introductions as well as much more exciting things yet to be announced. 

We’ll also be presenting a preview of Season Three of the superb Inside No 9, the hilariously twisted series created by and starring former League of Gentlemen stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, an amazing exhibition and presentation of the work of the much-missed legend of stop-motion animation, Ray Harryhausen, and the premiere of the new documentary on Hammer Films by the official Hammer historian Marcus Hearn. That’s all just the tip of the iceberg, head over to the festival website to find out more, and keep an eye open for more announcements soon.

Filmmakers wishing to enter their feature films or shorts can do so now at FilmFreeway – with every valid submission considered for the fantastic STARBURST Independents Day Award. There will be eight award categories for films over the weekend – proudly sponsored by Horror Channel, and the ceremony will be one of the highlights of the closing night festivities – before we got to the infamous (and messy) wrap party.

The STARBURST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF) takes place at the beautiful MMU building in Manchester from Friday, August 26th to Sunday, August 28th, 2016. It’s going to be an amazing weekend, with something for everyone and not to be missed!

Tickets for the weekend – plus amazing low-cost accommodation deals – are on sale now.