Pigeon Shrine FrightFest announces 2025 Glasgow Film Festival line up

FrightFest, the UK's top horror film festival, returns to Glasgow Film Festival for its 20th year. Expect terrifying world premieres, short films and more all at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre!

Article Source: Glasgow Film Festival
Last Updated: 15 January 2025 10:12

FrightFest, the UK’s No.1 horror & fantasy film event, is back at the renowned Glasgow Film Festival for its 20th year, running from Thursday 6th March to Saturday 8th March 2025.

Be prepared for mayhem, menace and monstrosity as this year’s FrightFest three-day event, housed at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre, presents a curated programme of new features and shorts which showcases the vibrant mix of talented filmmakers currently bursting onto the genre scene. The programme includes four world premiere features, while the short film showcase highlights filmmakers exclusively from the UK and Ireland, including two from Scotland.

FrightFest co-director Alan Jones said: “There has never been a better time to be a fan of the horror, fantasy and science fiction genre and FrightFest, the UK’s biggest and most influential event, plays its vital part in spreading the communal message. This includes our residency at the Glasgow Film Festival, where the FrightFest audience is vibrant, welcoming and eager to embrace the dark unknown, and we absolutely love being a strand of such a truly interactive experience with the art of film.”

FrightFest kicks off in mind-bending style with a special screening of PSYCHE, directed by Stephon Stewart (Bigfoot County). This thought-provoking sci-fi thriller boasts a riveting performance by Sarah Ritter, as Mara, who, with the aid of a vintage 1980s computer, embarks on a surreal journey where nothing is as it seems. Stephen will be attending the screening.

FrightFest’s traditional two-day pass event kicks off on Friday 7 March with the UK premiere of HOUSE OF ASHES, Izzy Lee’s highly anticipated feature debut – an unpredictable and wonderfully deranged ghost story, complete with thought-provoking gender commentary and Joe Lynch as a nosy jogger. Izzy Lee, lead actress Fanya Shanchez and writer / producer Steve Johanson will host the screening.

This is followed by the UK premiere of THE LAST SACRIFICE, an incredible documentary by filmmaker Rupert Russell, framed as an unsettling true-crime investigation that probes into the eerie, enigmatic cultural undercurrents that shaped the 1970s folk horror genre. Rupert will be joining us.

Next is the World premiere of Davd Luke Rees’s sinister UK-set horror BY THE THROAT, starring Sex Education's Patricia Allison and Bridgerton star Rupert Young.

The main evening presentation is from the team that brought FrightFest Glasgow audiences one of the hits of 2019 – Here Comes Hell. Director Jack McHenry once again delivers gross-out gore and wacky period story-telling with THE DOOM BUSTERS, “where Dad’s Army meets Predator”. Jack and cast will be present.

Friday evening climaxes with the UK premiere of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Pedro Kos’ feature debut IN OUR BLOOD, which masterfully blends psychological mystery with chilling horror, weaving a twisted tale of reconciling with the ghosts of our past and confronting the complicity we share in creating a world preying on the most vulnerable.

Saturday’s monstrous menu starts with the UK premiere of Brazilian supernatural horror A MOTHER’S EMBRACE. Set in 1996, during one of the biggest storms to ever hit Rio de Janeiro, Cristian Ponce’s masterful, rain-soaked occult thriller sees lead actress Marjorie Estiano in brilliant form.

For the first time in Glasgow, FrightFest presents its renowned SHORT FILM SHOWCASE, strand, which shines the spotlight on home-grown talent, unleashing the creative imaginations of seven up-and-coming directors from the UK and Ireland. All the directors and various cast will be at the event to introduce their films.

Served up next is the World premiere of HEARTS OF DARKNESS: THE MAKING OF THE FINAL FRIDAY. In this probing documentary director Adam Marcus (helmer of the FrightFest Glasgow 2018 attraction Secret Santa) takes you behind the scenes for a never-before-seen look at the controversial ninth episode in the iconic series. Adam and director Michael Flesher will be attending.

The evening programme opens with the UK premiere THE AMERICAN BACKYARD, helmed by Italian filmmaker Pupi Avati, director of the giallo masterpiece The House with Laughing Windows. Here, the cult shocker returns to his gothic thriller roots with a tale of absolute fear, which co-stars Rita Tushingham.

This is followed by the International premiere of Paul Boyd’s supernatural comedy horror SCARED TO DEATH, which stars Lin Shaye and Bill Moseley. A chaotic film crew conducting a séance in an abandoned children’s orphanage. What could possibly go wrong?

The event climaxes with RUMPLESTILTSKIN, an eerie folk-horror adaptation, written and directed by Andy Edwards, which plunges audiences into the dark underbelly of the Brothers Grimm universe. Andy will be joining us alongside leading cast Hannah Baxter-Eve and Joss Carter, who plays Rumpelstiltskin.

FrightFest Passes are £88 and available from 10am on Friday 17 January 2025. Passes will be exchanged for admission wristbands, which must be worn at all times to access all FrightFest films on Friday 7 March and Saturday 8 March ONLY.

Tickets for PSYCHE, plus individual tickets for the Friday and Saturday films are on sale to GFT Cinecard holders on Thursday 23 January from 10am.

General sale starts on Monday 27 January at 10am.

How to get Tickets:
Online:
Passes - www.glasgowfilm.org
Individual Films - www.glasgowfilm.org and search by title or date

By Phone: (0141) 332 6535, extension 2 (please leave a voicemail if we are unable to answer your call)

In Person: Glasgow Film Theatre Box Office, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RB.

Please note that all films contain graphic scenes of strong violence and sustained threat.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Sterling Home brings festive cheer with heartfelt Christmas donation

Leading furniture retailer Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a generous donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland.

Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids

Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.

Double win for Rickshaw & Co. and Raja Rani Restaurant in Glasgow at the Asian Restaurant Awards

Two of Glasgow's most loved dining spots, Rickshaw & Co. and Raja Rani Restaurant, have achieved a remarkable double victory at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2025.

Omniplex Cinema Group acquires iconic Renfrew Street cinema

Omniplex Cinemas has announced the acquisition of Glasgow's iconic Renfrew Street cinema, the tallest cinema in the world, marking an exciting new chapter for the venue.

Design your own FORTY t shirt at two stores in Glasgow tomorrow

Glasgow's homegrown streetwear brand, FORTY Clothing, is marking a major milestone in style with a series of creative design events for its customers across its stores tomorrow.

Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.

Casting announced for The Enormous Crocodile at the Kings Theatre Glasgow

The Roald Dahl Story Company today announces the full cast for the wickedly funny family musical based on Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile!

One more! A quarter of Scots say they will spend their extra hour in the pub as clocks go back

To celebrate, Innis & Gunn is hosting 'Sunset Sessions' at its three Taprooms in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with live trad music performances kicking off at 4.50pm - the exact time of sunset!

FIRST LOOK: GlasGLOW returns Miles Better with its biggest show yet

80,000+ visitors expected, with opening weekend sold out, as itison unveils epic new images!

Five March brings Samhain celebrations to Glasgow with a long table five course feast

Iconic Glasgow west end restaurant, Five March, is teaming up with Edinburgh Gin to mark the end of the harvest season with a Samhain celebration feast.

Cast announced for Citz festive retelling of Beauty and The Beast

A celebration of being bold and gloriously yourself, this year’s Citizens Theatre production of Beauty and The Beast is a family-friendly and funny new take on the classic fairytale.

Expanded River Island opens at Glasgow Fort, making it the largest branch in Scotland

As part of a major 'glow up' for the brand at Glasgow Fort, River Island has relocated its existing store within the centre to a larger, more modern unit, located between Superdry and BPerfect.

Solar powered Observation Wheel, the first in the world, will be unveiled in Glasgow this Christmas

The world's first solar power Observation Wheel is set to be unveiled at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at St Enoch Square!

Buchanan Galleries welcomes seven retailers for Christmas shopping season

Seven exciting retailers are set to join city centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries ahead of the festive season.

Halloween is just around the corner and The Ivy Glasgow has some scarily good things up their sleeve to help celebrate

This spooky season, take a stroll down the yellow brick road and into The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow as it transforms into The Ivy Emerald City.

Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk. 

Pizza Punks fire up an all new menu with 1000 free pizzas

Dive into Autumn with Pizza Punks' all-new menu featuring the 'Nduja Mac Daddy, Smash Burger Pizza, Double Pepperoni & Burrata and more!

Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice

Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.

Silverburn named UK Retail Destination of the Year

Silverburn has been named as 'Retail Destination of the Year' at the 2025 SCEPTRE Awards, the Oscars of retail, recognising its exceptional performance and contribution to the UK's retail industry.

CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher will bring his brand new tour to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow

CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher has announced that his brand-new live theatre tour Justin Time To Rock will now continue into Spring 2026, with final tour dates just announced.

No tricks, just treats at Silverburn this Halloween

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, is the place to be for a selection of fang-tastic Halloween events this October!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert announces full casting including Strictly champion

The full cast have been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, including Strictly champion Kevin Clifton!

Sleigh bells ring early! Brand new Christmas fair at SEC announced as tickets go on sale

Deck the Halls unveils inaugural event in Glasgow in partnership with National Trust for Scotland.

Build up to Glasgow 2026 continues with new indoor bowling world record

Fans bowled over as celebrities and sports stars help set new record for world's largest bowls lesson as Glasgow 2026 ticket fever builds!

New year round Collaboration to make Outdoor Adventure accessible for All

The Yard, Foxlake and Wild Shore Dundee launch official partnership to deliver a year-round programme of inclusive activities, training, and support across three regions of Scotland.

The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced

The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.

Casting announced for Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Kevin Clifton, Nick Hayes and Peter Duncan amongst the full cast announced who join previously announced Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda) for Priscilla Queen of the Desert tour 2026.

KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.