It’s the most wonderful time of the year – FrightFest!

2013 promisses so much and we hope it delivers. And with the 14th Fest running from Thursday 22nd August to Monday 26th, there are so many morbidly brilliant movies to choose from.

Now the Main Screen is done below we give you all the details on Discovery Screen 1.

And don’t forget Festival & day passes are on sale now on 08 714 714 714 or at www.empirecinemas.co.uk.

FRIDAY AUG 23

10:40 FOR ELISA (World Premiere)

Director: Juanra Fernandez. Cast: Ana Turpin, Ona Casamiquela, Luisa Gavasa, Jesus Caba, Sheila Ponce. Spain, 2013. 80 mins. Spanish with English subtitles.

This terrifying story finds its basis in an innocent children’s game. Something that looks naive and harmless turns into the worst nightmare. Desperate to earn some money student Ana answers a job advert asking for occasional nanny duties. Arriving at apartment 3B in the town square for the job interview, things couldn’t have gone better either, but before long Ana realises she has entered a terrifying dark world of obsession and misery. Kept prisoner in a creepy residence full of antique toys, she must try and overcome the deranged diva Diamantina and her strange daughter Elisa to prevent herself from becoming just another possession in the house of 1000 dolls.

13:00 BRING ME THE HEAD OF THE MACHINE GUN WOMAN (London Preview)

Director: Ernesto Diaz Espinoza. Cast: Fernanda Urrejola, Matias Oviedo, Sofia Garcia, Daniel Antivilo, Felipe Avello. Chile 2012, 74 mins. Spanish with English subtitles.

A powerful Argentine gangster is using everything in his power to stop assassination by the drop-dead-gorgeous mercenary Machine Gun Woman. The staggering sum of cash he offers for her head sets in motion an army of murderous hitmen, but the scantily clad, femme-fatale bounty hunter is not going to become a sitting target that easily, especially when her favourite fashion accessories are shiny multiple weapons. The most ruthless killer to ever wear stilettos, she’s Hell-on-Heels in an all-guns blazing, sexy, violent slice of neo LatinXploitation. Flashy and trashy grindhouse fare the way they used to make ‘em.

15:00 SADIK 2 (World Premiere)

Director: Robin Entreinger. Cast: Alexandra Bialy, Chloe Gallen, Guillaume Gamand, Leon Vitale, Damien Gorce. France, 2013. 75 mins. French with English subtitles.

As usual, a group of Isa’s friends get together in a rental country house to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Things are running smoothly, until one of them mysteriously disappears, and their game of guessing the Horror Movie Maniac turns into a bloody nightmare. For the production team behind the popular SADIK movie are looking for ways to extend their reality horror brand into fear franchise and this bunch of slackers, stoners and film buffs look like the perfect way forward. Full of SCREAM-style homage, this body count reinvention goes through the self-referential motions with gory aplomb.

18:00 OUTPOST: RISE OF THE SPETSNAZ (English Premiere)

Director: Kieran Parker. Cast: Bryan Larkin, James ‘The Colossus’ Thompson, Velibor Topic, Ben Lambert, Vivien Taylor. UK, 2013. 87 mins.

In the third instalment of the hit Nazi zombie action horror franchise, we discover the horrifying origins of these supernatural soldiers and see them in ferocious gladiatorial battle against the most ruthless and notorious of all military special forces: the Russian Spetsnaz. Restoring the series to its Word War II origins it introduces a new hero in Dolokhov (Bryan Larkin), a member of Russia’s elite special forces. A frenetic action packed storyline and some fantastic new villains, this Outpost is the goriest and most violent fight fest ever, and marks Kieran Parker’s directorial debut, after serving as producer of the previous two episodes.

20:45 THE PARANORMAL DIARIES: CLOPHILL (World Premiere)

Directors: Michael Bartlett, Kevin Gates. Cast: Michael Bartlett, Kevin Gates, Craig Stovin, Criselda Cabitac, Mark Jeavons. UK, 2013. 90 mins.

From THE ZOMBIE DIARIES duo comes a new fear franchise. In March 1963, a black mass was held at a ruined church in Clophill, Bedfordshire by a coven of dark witches. Fifty years on from the original incident, the Clophill legend remains etched on the psyches of the local populace. In 2010, a documentary team was assembled to investigate the legend of the Clophill witches and to try and uncover the truth behind the paranormal events. What followed during that long weekend at Clophill was a terrifying journey into the unknown, a voyage into unfathomable terror and a stark reminder of supernatural forces at continual work.

23:00 WAKE IN FRIGHT (Special screening)

Director: Ted Kotcheff. Cast: Donald Pleasence, Chips Rafferty, Gary Bond, Sylvia Kay, Jack Thompson. Australia 1971, 114 mins.

A rare chance to see this Australian masterpiece on the big screen, director Ted Kotcheff’s seminal shocker is one of the earliest examples of Ozploitation and never has a more nihilistic view of outback life been filmed. Thought lost for decades until a dusty print was discovered in a Pittsburgh warehouse, this re-mastered classic hasn’t dated and remains a powerful, genuinely shocking and amazing work of art. Teacher John Grant arrives in the rough mining town of Bundanyabba planning to stay overnight before catching the plane to Sydney. But his one night stretches to five and he plunges headlong towards his own destruction.

SATURDAY AUG 24

10:40 THE DEMON’S ROOK (European Premiere)

Director: James Sizemore. Cast: Ashleigh Jo Sizemore, James Sizemore, John Chatham. Melanie Richardson, Sade Smith. USA, 2013. 90 mins.

Young Roscoe finds a portal to another world where he is taught magic by an elder demon known as Dimwos. The demon raises the boy into manhood, revealing to him many things… except for one dark secret. When Roscoe discovers the secret withheld, his anger inadvertently unleashes three malevolent demons. Roscoe flees the demons’ wrath by escaping through the portal, drawing the demons to discover our world for themselves. From debut director James Sizemeore, co-founder of the art cult The Black Riders, comes this family affair produced and filmed within the 50-acre Sizemore farm compound.

13:00 STALLED (European Premiere)

Director: Christian James. Cast: Dan Palmer, Antonia Bernath, Tamaryn Payne, Mark Holden, Giles Alderson. UK 2013. 80 mins.

It’s Christmas Eve. A down-on-his-luck janitor is cleaning cubicles in an office block. Unfortunately for this forlorn floor-sweeper, he becomes trapped in the washroom the very second a zombie outbreak occurs. Will he be able to hit the emergency alarm with severed fingers and a catapult bra? Has he met his Waterloo? Will he just go potty? Or will he simply remain…STALLED? Consistently hilarious, brilliantly executed, cleverly constructed and visually imaginative, director Christian James’ remarkable comedy horror is THE EVIL DEAD meets PHONE BOOTH in a toilet. For in a zombie apocalypse no one can hear you strain – or gives a crap.

15:15 CANNON FODDER (UK Premiere)

Director: Eitan Gafny. Cast: Liron Levo, Yafit Shallev, Roi Miller, Emos Ayeno, Gome Sarig. Israel 2012, 94 mins. Hebrew & English with English subtitles.

The international success of RABIES really started something. Now the on-trend movies to make in Israel are horror, like this up-front fantasy detailing a new Middle East conflict. Security operative Doron takes on one last mission: to go to Lebanon. With an elite force behind him Doron soon discovers that reality is not so simple. For a new and unknown entity must be dealt with, a bloodthirsty, ravening, totally unpredictable enemy. But now that his enemy has changed its face, it’s up to him and his unit to wage a new war, a different war, to find an antidote, and get back across the border before the Middle East conflict is changed forever.

18:15 REWIND THIS! (UK Premiere)

Director: Josh Johnson. Cast: Atom Egoyan, Jason Eisener, Frank Henenlotter, Charles Band, Cassandra Petersen. USA 2013, 94 mins.

This thoughtful, informative and entertaining elegy examines the myriad aspects of society that were altered by the creation of videotape. From its poor picture quality, ropey pan-and-scan and glitches marking the best parts through to its inventive marketing and sheer breadth of titles available, Josh Johnson’s documentary celebrates not just the fan-boy collectors but also the product that changed the face of movie culture and the film business. Genre celebrities like Frank Henenlotter, Charles Band and Roy Frumkes discuss how VHS changed the ability to make and distribute films in an anecdotally enlightening and warmly nostalgic way..

21:05 THE BORDERLANDS (World Premiere)

Director: Elliot Goldner. Cast: Aidan McArdle, Patrick Godfrey, Gordon Kennedy, Luke Neal, Robin Hill. UK, 2013. 89 mins.

A team of Vatican investigators are sent to the British West Country to look into reports of paranormal activity during a Christening at a newly re-opened remote church. Father Crellick has webcam proof of artefacts moving on the altar and other weird happenings. But two of the three-man team aren’t so sure, but going back through church records, they see that the holy place has a history of strange occurrences, and there is that raspy scratching sound they keep hearing coming from the walls. So they set up cameras in the hope of filming and recording something unusual. An elaborate fake, or could this one be the real deal?

23:25 ON TENDER HOOKS (World Premiere)

Director: Kate Shenton. Cast: Kate Shenton, Tam Smith, Ana Laco, Håvve Fjell, Charlyne Chiappone. UK 2013, 70 mins.

The first self-funded feature film from accomplished short filmmaker Kate Shenton, this eye-opening documentary film delves into the world of human suspension and the eclectic people involved. Kate spent a year following different people and a group of suspenders. Every Sunday they pierce themselves with hooks and hang in mid-air from rigs in a display that challenges the perceptions and squeamishness of even the most hardened. Beginning with communities in London, and then following events in Rico, Croatia and Oslo, Norway, the film depicts a wide variety of experience and opinions, and probes thoughtfully into a deeply misunderstood practice.

SUNDAY AUGUST 25

10:20 PAINLESS (Preview)

Director: Juan Carlos Medina. Cast: Tomas Lemarquis, Alex Brendemuhl, Juan Diego, Ramon Fonsere, Derek De Lint. Spain 2012. 105 mins. Spanish with English subtitles.

A strikingly original vision of European history, poetry and cinematic artistry, director Juan Carlos Medina’s astonishing feature debut is a sophisticated adult fable. On the eve of the Spanish Civil War in 1931 a group of children, insensitive to physical pain, are incarcerated in the fortress-like Canfranc hospital high in the Pyrenees to be taught what physical suffering actually means and its fatal consequences. One of the boys accidentally becomes the most feared torturer of General Franco’s regime. Moving and melancholic, shocking and sobering, this stunning masterpiece is bound to leave you spellbound throughout until the operatic tear-inducing finale.

12:50 HANSEL & GRETEL & THE 4:20 WITCH (UK Premiere)

Director: Duane Journey. Cast: Cary Elwes, Lara Flynn Boyle, Michael Welch, Molly C Quinn, Yancy Butler. USA, 2013. 90 mins.

Fairy-tale horror and stoner comedy combine to great effect in this smartly entertaining fantasy. Agnes, a little old lady from Pasadena, grows the best weed in town. But when Gretel’s boyfriend Hansel goes missing after scoring dope, she tracks him to Agnes’ deceptively charming Gingerbread House. There she discovers Agnes is attempting to devour his soul to revive her youth. Unfortunately Gretel’s attempts to rescue Hansel are thwarted by a Latino drug gang. There is charismatic performance by ‘Castle’ TV series regular Molly C Quinn plus a blissfully OTT turn from ‘Twin Peaks’ star Lara Flynn Boyle.

15:15 HOLLISTON (Special Preview)

Directors:Adam Green & Joe Lynch. Cast: Adam Green Joe Lynch, Laura Ortiz, Corri English, Dee Snider. USA. 2012. 70 mins

FrightFest is delighted to preview three episodes from Season 2 of the hit TV series that has a huge cult following in the States and seen guest appearences from the likes of John Landis, Kane Hodder and comedian Seth Green. Set in the small New England town of Holliston, Massachusetts, the series stars Adam Green as “Adam” and Joe Lynch as “Joe”, who are college grads chasing their dream to become horror filmmakers, whilst not quite making ends meet working at a local cable access station. It has been described as ‘Friends’ for geeks, nerds and horror fans.

18:40 DAYLIGHT (World Premiere)

Director: David McCracken, Joel Townsend, Kaidan Tremain. Cast: Jennifer Bacon, David McCracken, Josh Riedford, Sydney Morris. Jeanine Cameron. USA, 2012, 97 mins.

Remember the Satanic abuse panic that originated in the United States in the 1980s, spreading throughout the country and eventually to many parts of the world? Reports proliferated about the physical abuse of individuals in the context of occult rituals. At its most extreme definition a worldwide conspiracy was postulated involving the wealthy and powerful of the global elite. Now, a team of Child Protective Services workers are investigating a series of bizarre child abuse cases in the small town of Daylight, Indian and as the mystery unfolds, the authorities, lawyers and therapists all discover the cases may be linked by demonic possession.

21:05 THE DESERT (World Premiere)

Director: Christoph Behl. Cast: Lautaro Delgado, Victoria Almeida, William Prociuk, Lucas Lagre, Maria Figueras. Argentina, 2013. 98 mins. Spanish with English subtitles.

The wave of quality fantasy from Argentina continues with this thought provoking story of a failed love triangle set post-World War Z. Axel, Jonathan and Ana live together in a fortified house, after a global catastrophe. Outside is a threatening apocalyptic landscape – inside was once a perfect three-way bond of supportive friendship. Now that has been torn apart by Ana forming a close relationship with Jonathan leaving frustrated Axel alone, tattooing his body with flies. With deep wounds festering, everything changes when Axel and Jonathan go out on an expedition in search of provisions and return home with a zombie…

MONDAY AUGUST 26

11:15 THE BORDERLANS (repeat showing)

13:35 WILLOW CREEK (UK Premiere)

Director: Bobcat Goldthwait. Cast: Alexie Gilmore, Bryce Johnson. USA, 2013. 90 mins.

Celebrated stand-up American comedian Bobcat Goldthwait has turned his hand to the Bigfoot myth in his sly commentary on the business of urban legends and the nature of belief. Crypto-zoology enthusiasts will know that Willow Creek is the town closest to Bluff Creek, where the famed Patterson-Gimlin film of Bigfoot was shot in 1967. Jim is a firm believer that there are Sasquatches in the woods; his girlfriend Kelly is not. But she’s a good sport, so when Jim wants to spend a weekend camping in the supposedly beast infested woods, the city girl goes along. But what they find there is something they never, ever expect.

15:20 SNAP (UK Premiere)

Directors: Youssef Delara & Victor Teran. Cast: Jake Hoffman, Nikki Reed, Scott Bakula, Thomas Dekker, Jason Priestley. USA, 2013. 90 mins

SNAP will shred the nerves and rattle the demons of the mind as it charts the unhinging of a damaged brain. Abrasive, with hard cuts and loud imagery, the focus is on Jim Whitman, a painfully shy, musically talented savant whose work has made him a social networking star. But Jim consistently traverses an introverted life, trying to contain the schizophrenic darkness inside him. Struggling to keep his Mr Hyde-like personality in check, he befriends, and eventually obsesses over, Wendy, a caring social worker with problems of her own. A dark and terrifying journey into the psychopathic vortex, how do you stop a human time bomb from exploding?

18:34 REWIND THIS (repeat showing)

Is that enough Frightfest 2013 news, or are you still hungry for more?!