Festival passes are now on sale for Abertoir, the annual horror festival based in the Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales every November – and, in a festival tradition, the team have now released this year’s official poster from artist Pete Stevenson. If you hadn’t known that this year’s festival has a bit of giallo theme, this might be apparent from a quick look at the eye-catching artwork – and if you know your Italian genre fare, you’re likely to pick up on some of the films set to screen at this year’s event.
While the full festival programme has not yet been revealed, Abertoir have announced what will be shown in their short films showcase. Scroll down for the details on that direct from the Abertoir site – and to book a festival pass, call 01970 623232 or, if you’re local, visit the box office at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
As part of Abertor’s role in the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation, our short films competition will award a Short Film Méliès d’Argent. This is an internationally recognised prize specific to the European Federation and is a testimony to the talented filmmakers in Europe. The winner of our Short Film Méliès d’Argent will go forward to the final lineup at one of the major European festivals for the prestigious Méliès d’Or Award for the Best European Fantastic Short Film. All our European short films are eligible.
A Father’s Day (Mat Johns, UK 2016, 10 mins)
Unexpectedly reunited with his daughter amongst the ruins of the world as they knew it, a father is determined to make this day special, even if they are already dead.
Devil Town (Nick Barrett, UK 2016, 15 mins)
Patrick Creedle, one of London’s rudest letting agents, is told it’s the end of the world by a homeless street-preacher; Patrick is sceptical of course – but today he’s about to be shown the proof.
Event Horizon (Joséfa Celestin, France/Scotland 2017, 11 mins)
Summer 1997, in a small village of Scotland where nothing ever happens and the days all resemble themselves, a strange cosmic event comes to disrupt Julianne’s boring everyday life.
Flow (Shelagh Rowan-Legg, UK 2017, 6 mins)
On the battlefield, blood will flow….
Holy F__k (Chris Chalklen, UK 2017, 9 mins)
A darkly erotic and comedic short film about a demon and an exorcist’s deadly sexual tangle towards release.
L’ora del buio (Domenico de Feudis, Italy 2017, 11 mins)
A little girl is captive to a mysterious abductor. There is only one way to save herself: call for help.
Mab (Katie Bonham, UK 2017, 15 mins)
A magical realism short that uncovers the sacrifices people make to take control of their lives and the evil that lurks in the darkness of desperation.
Roake (Joan Cobos, UK/Spain 2017, 11 mins)
Roake is a prolific yet abrasive photographer. One picture by him will catapult you to the top of the ‘A’ list, but at a terrible cost.
Twinky Doo’s Magic World (Alessandro Izzo, Italy 2017, 11 mins)
Four robbers take refuge in a warehouse, after a heist gone bad at Twinky Doo’s Magic World, a theme park for families. The police have surrounded the place, but the real threat is not outside.
We Summoned a Demon (Chris McInroy, USA 2017, 6 mins)
They just wanted to be cool but instead they got a demon.