Grimmfest 2016 Highlights

Grimmfest is one event I look forward to every year and before you know it it's been and gone. This was my fifth year attending the genre film festival and it makes me proud to have witnessed how it's evolved into what it's become today.

Kicking of on Thursday evening and finishing on Sunday night they screened 20 feature films and 10 shorts. Returning to Odeon Printworks, Manchester they had a new sponsor with The Horror Channel who brought along a wall for you to graffiti with your favourite quotes from horror movies. There wasn't as many stalls as the previous year but Arrow Video had their usual stall and they never have a problem with parting me from my money. 

Here are my highlights from the festival. Unfortunately I was unable to attend on the Saturday so missed a few of the screenings but there was one film everyone I spoke to gave high praise for which I must see when I next get the opportunity is Trash Fire. A few honorable mentions for the films that didn't make my highlights but are worth a watch goes to Directors Cut, Darling and Beyond The Gates.

What We Become
A neighbourhood becomes a quarantine zone when virus epidemic breaks out.
What makes What We Become different from other zombie movies is you see how the breakout slowly unfolds with characters you care about this is a must see for any zombie movie fan.

My Father Die
A brutal revenge southern gothic movie where a deaf and mute man seeks revenge on his dad for murdering his brother.
There is never a dull moment in this movie beautifully filmed with a shit load of action and you never know which way it's going to go.

Train To Busan
A father and daughter catch a train when a zombie epidemic breaks out.
Yes this is Zombies On A Train but it's so much better than that. Easily my favourite movie of the festival. It's an emotionally charged adrenaline rush that is so well made I can't see any zombie movie fan not liking it.

Tonight She Comes
This is a great movie that starts of as a typical slasher movie then spirals into something much more.
Inspired by the slasher films of the 70s and 80s to the point where they lovingly rip of a certain kill scene this movie has a lot going for it. It will make you laugh and it will turn your stomach but it won't disappoint.

The Rezort
Think Jurassic Park but with zombies. The Rezort is a holiday island that has been set up after a zombie pandemic almost wiped out the planet for wealthy guest to go hunting zombies.
Another well made zombie film from this years Grimmfest. It good to see some new ideas being used for the zombie sub-genre when I was starting think everything has already been done.

Thank you for reading and be sure to check out these movies when they become available for you. Unfortunately I don't have release dates but when I get some information I will be sure to let you know.

Highlights From Past Grimmfest 2012 - 2015

Grimmfest, Manchester's annual horror film festival kicks off on the 6th October and this year will be the fifth time I've attended the event. For the first three years I attended the event took place at the Dancehouse Theatre before moving to it's current home at the Odeon Printworks last year. Due to this event I have seen some great movies that I know would have passed me by if I didn't attend. I also enjoy watching the shorts from some promising film makers. I have also seen some godawful shit that I wish I did miss but that's part of the risk of attending movies you don't research beforehand. Although I know I can't attend all the days and screenings I've always bought the full festival pass as I still feel I get the value for my money.

Here I want to share with you some of my highlights from the past festivals

2012

Comedown

You always remember your first! Comedown was the first movie I saw at Grimmfest so forgive me if I remember this with rose-tinted glasses but I really enjoyed this slasher set in an derelict tower block in London.

Grabbers

What can I say about Grabbers? If you haven't already seen Grabbers then you are missing out. Very funny creature feature set in Ireland with really good practical special FX.

Devoured

In 2012 Grimmfest had two screens playing different films simultaneously, they had the main screen and a smaller screen in a studio. I arrived too late on the Friday for the start of Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut in the main screen but Devoured was about to start in the studio screen so why not give something new a try. I was presently surprised with it. A slow burn haunting, psychological thriller with a fantastic lead actress who gradually descents into madness.

Stitches

What could go wrong? The final film of the festival with the star in attendance. So you probably wouldn't want a technical glitch like the sound dropping out with fifteen minutes to go to happen? So bless the organisers as that's exactly what happened. Stitches is an enjoyable killer clown movie staring Ross Noble. What makes this film even more special is that Pollyanne McIntosh came and sat next to me to watch it.

2013

I've only picked three films that stood out for me at the 2013 Grimmfest. This year marked the launch of the Grimmfest fringe which replaced the second screen at the Dancehouse. Unfortunately I completely missed all these screenings at the fringe due to work commitments. I did see a good number of the films screened at the Dancehouse but these are the only three I went out of my way to buy and watch again.

The Borderlands

Up there as one of my best found footage movies. An investigation team go into a church where a priest claims miracles have taken place. Great use of head cameras throughout to answer the question "why would you keep filming?". I do wish this gets a release on Netflix or something in order to get more people to see it as I'm sure it could have a much larger fan base.

Jug Face
(Also known as The Pit) is a very creepy movie where a backwoods community have to offer blood sacrifices to a pit. Not giving the pit who it wants will cause it to wreck havoc.

The Machine
Beautifully shot with an amazing score The Machine is a fantastic science fiction movie where the MOD steal a self-aware artificial intelligence creation.

2014

In my opinion Grimmfest came back in 2014 with a much stronger lineup than the previous year. Still housed at the Dancehouse theatre with the fringe held this year at Gorilla here are my top five favourites from this year. I must point out I missed all the fringe screenings again this year but that didn't take away from my overall experience.

Suspiria

Grimmfest always screen at least one classic movie at their festivals. This is a perfect opportunity for you to see your favourite movie on the big screen. What made Suspiria different from any other screening was that Goblin was in house to play the score live. If you ever get a chance to watch a film with the score played live then take it.

What We Do In The Shadows
I have watched this movie so many times since the festival and it doesn't get old. Created by the brilliant minds behind Flight Of The Concords this hilarious mockumentry follows the struggles of a group of vampires that flat share in New Zealand as they prepare for the annual masquerade ball for the undead.

Choerence
Can't really say much about Choerence without giving away the plot but it's a very clever, mind bending movie that stays in your head long after watching.

Starry Eyes
I do love a slow build movie and Starry Eyes doesn't disappoint. A dark tale about Hollywood ambition where a waitress is offered a dream role but not everything is as it seems.

Wolfcop
Grimmfest had a fair amount of horror comedies on offer in 2014 and Wolfcop is another example of how a horror comedy should be done. It never takes itself serious and offers a great amount of gore for you to enjoy.

2015

In 2015 Grimmfest returned bigger and better than all the previous years I attended. At it's new home at the Odeon Printworks the team created a fantastic festival. They had more stalls, a gamers section, a new host to conduct the Q & As, more guests and most of all a brilliant selection of movies. Here are my favourite movies from the festival...

Blood Sucking Bastards

Another very good horror comedy where the new office manager is a vampire that attempts to turn all the employees.

He Never Died
Henry Rollins plays an eternal being who just wants to be left alone and play bingo. A very enjoyable slow build.

Turbo Kid
A homage to 80's post apocalypse movies. This was one of my highlights from 2015 and I don't mean just from the festival. Great 80's style score, fantastic 80's style effects and an enjoyable story.

The Hive
It was late in the day when I watched this and was very tired so probably didn't appreciate it as much as it deserves but The Hive is a visual stunning, very well made zombie movie.

Excess Flesh
Not one to watch while eating or feeling hungry. A girl with body image issues is obsessed with her model roommate and soon the obsession becomes violent. Another example how to do a slow build movie.

Howl
A good creature feature where a night train to London breaks down in a forest home to werewolf type creatures. As if being trapped on a train isn't bad enough.

Deathgasm
If you love zombies, heavy metal and a good laugh then this is one from you. You can count on New Zealand to produce a good horror comedy.

A Christmas Horror Story
Four Christmas based horror movies blended together, one of which features Santa fighting zombie elves what more do I have to say.

I think it's safe to say I'm looking forward to this year's event unfortunately I can't make it there Saturday but I'll be there all the other days. Thanks for reading and please check back for a review of this year's festival.