EXCLUSIVE: Today an exclusive first look at the trailer for 8: A South African Horror Story, a nightmarish plunge into the little-known corners of South African folklore from writer-director Harold Hölscher and Rock Salt Releasing.

Rock Salt Releasing boarded world sales at the Cannes Film Festival in May and screened the horror film for buyers and programmers at the Cannes Film Market. 8: A South African Horror Story will make its world premiere on July 20 at Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, North America’s largest genre film event.

Produced by Man Makes A Picture with Rolling Thunder, 8: A South African Horror Story delves into to weave a dark tale about secrets and their legacy against a supernatural backdrop. At the center of the story is a demon child with an insatiable appetite that can be appeased only by human souls.

The production synopsis: “Lazarus (Sebe), an old soul who struggles to find peace in a place of disturbing memories, holds a dark secret that constantly haunts him. So when William Ziel (Breytenbach) and his family move into their newly inherited country estate and his adopted daughter, Mary (Luna) befriends Lazarus, a series of sinister events unfold, as Lazarus’ dark secret is unleashed.”

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Hölscher. The cast is led by Tsamano Sebe (Of Good Report), Inge Beckmann (Escape Room), Garth Breytenbach (Troy: Fall of a City), and newcomer Keita Luna.