SOUTH WEST HORROR SHORTS SHOWCASE

This event is part of Forbidden Worlds Film Festival: The Big Scream 2026. Visit < u>www.forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk< /u> **to see the full line-up as well as buy weekend and day festival passes. **

Before we head to Europe for The Big Scream 2026, we're starting a little closer to home as we’ve teamed up withwatershed.co.uk/filmhub/making-films/"> BFI NETWORK South West to screen a selection of horror shorts that they’ve funded in the region, made by a host of local talent.

The line-up includes: 

Beltane (Dir. Helena Houghton)

Disregarding both his partner and nature, a camping trip becomes a nightmare for a troubled couple, kindling the ire of Unseelie Fae.

Yummy Mummy (Dir. Gabriela Staniszewska)

Blood, viscera and torn flesh pierce the soft pink, sugary, talcum powder representation of pregnancy like a long-caged animal escaping from its bonds.

Pen Mari (Dir. Siôn Marshall Waters)

In the desperate search for a horse's skull to lead an ancient folk procession, a man is drawn into the black market for animal body parts.

The Thing That Ate The Birds (Dir. Sophie & Dan Mair)

Head Gamekeeper Abel discovers the Thing that is eating his Grouse and brings the horror back home to his already crumbling relationship with his wife.

Lode (Dir. Theo Watkins)

An overworked single mother encounters a bloodthirsty inter-dimensional demon - and possible salvation - in the laundry basket.

Join us for an evening of South West horror followed by drinks and networking, where you can meet the film-makers, representatives from Films@59, Bristol’s leading kit rental and post production facilities, and the BFI NETWORK South West team, who help to nurture the region’s filmmaking talent as well as support writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers, all of whom have original stories to tell.

Who knows? Perhaps you’ll find like-minded individuals to help you make that short film you’ve been thinking about for so long… and then you can submit it to a future Forbidden Worlds Film Festival (submissions open on 22 October - find out more)!

Find out more about Forbidden Worlds’ Genre Filmmakers of the Future: Short Films Showcase via our Film Freeway page. 

Schedule

18:00: Arrival and introductions
18:05: Short Film Showcase begins
19:05: End of Showcase | Q&A with filmmakers hosted by Nathan Hardie
19:30-2030: End of Q&A / Networking