FrightFest is back to haunt London's West End cinemas in August, unleashing new nightmares upon horror enthusiasts. As part of its New Blood initiative, the event aims to encourage aspiring writers in the horror genre to participate in the frightful festivities.
Now in its sixth year, New Blood collaborates with Giles Edwards of Queensbury Pictures to discover emerging UK-based writers dedicated to horror and support them in bringing their projects from script to screen. Instead of just seeking ideas, Queensbury Pictures is on the lookout for scripts ready for production. To be considered, applicants must submit a rough draft of the first ten pages of their script.
Eight successful candidates will be shortlisted and given the opportunity to workshop their ideas in a group setting under the guidance of esteemed industry professionals and genre experts. This year's mentors include actor, writer, and director Andy Nyman (known for Ghost Stories), Jennifer Sheridan (director of Rose: A Love Story and Disney+ show Extraordinary), and writer, producer, director, and actor Toby Poser (known for The Deeper You Dig and Where The Devil Roams).
The application process starts on Thursday, 20th July, with potential participants required to submit a 400-word proposal through the dedicated New Blood page on the FrightFest website. If selected, each writer will need to submit the first ten pages of their script idea.
The deadline for applications is Friday, 4th August. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday, 7th August, and will be asked to provide their sample script pages. However, all participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses in London.
The New Blood networking and workshop event is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, 24th August, the opening day of this year's festival. It will take place in a Central London venue.
The New Blood initiative has already yielded two successful projects: Broadcast Signal Intrusion, written by Phil Drinkwater and Tim Woodall and directed by Jacob Gentry, premiered to great acclaim at FrightFest 2021. Additionally, The Change, written by Carina Rodney, has been optioned by another renowned UK producer.
Giles Edwards of Queensbury Pictures expressed his pride in being part of the 6th New Blood session, working alongside a remarkable lineup of mentors to inspire and support new genre talents.
Co-director of FrightFest, Greg Day, emphasized the significance and success of the New Blood initiative, which continues to evolve and thrive. He wished the best of luck to the New Blood class of 2023.
FrightFest 2023 will take place from 24th to 28th August at the Cineworld in Leicester Square and The Prince Charles Cinema, promising an unforgettable experience for horror fans and enthusiasts alike.
For more information see www.frightfest.co.uk
