This November, the UK’s most provocative horror film fest, the Soho Horror Film Festival, returns for its 7th anniversary from 22-24 November – and they’ve just announced the first wave of their 2024 line-up, just in time for their early bird full festival passes to drop.
One film we can recommend up front (because we’ve seen it!) is PARVULOS. From Isaac Ezban (The Similars, Evil Eye, The Incident), this is a dystopian coming-of-age zombie horror, set after a grim viral calamity destroys the earth, leaving three brothers to navigate an isolated rural existence through an unimaginable loss, all the while hiding a terrifying secret. We lauded its “emotional depth and strong performances” – be sure to check it out.
Following a record breaking and critically acclaimed Pride edition in June, the festival also continues their commitment to platforming LGBTQ+ filmmakers in the genre into its main event. Festival alumni Michael Varrati returns with the International Premiere of their feature debut THERE’S A ZOMBIE OUTSIDE. Described by festival founder Mitch Harrod as a “twisted, sexy and fiercely smart” example of “meta-cinema” the film follows an upstart but struggling filmmaker and horror lover who’s macabre creations begin to tear from the celluloid into his anxiety riddled real life. Starring Ben Baur, Tiffany Sheppis and Peaches Christ.
And for those that are unable to attend the physical festival, worry not; screening exclusively online as part of Sohome Horror Fest 2024 is CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS, the latest queer slasher from festival favourite Alice Maio Mackay. When true-crime podcaster and sleuth Lola visits her hometown at Christmas for the first time since running away and transitioning, the vengeful ghost of a historical murderer and urban legend seemingly arises to kill again.
In similar festive fury, the virtual festival will also exclusively host the UK online premiere of Graham Skipper’s soberingly dark, yet bracingly beautiful THE LONELY MAN AND THE GHOST MACHINE. A Christmastime meditation on mortality that finds the last man on earth search for solace in annihilation. And one more returning director to the festival comes in the form of underground punk auteur Christopher Bickel (2021’s BAD GIRLS), who will be presenting his psychedelic latest film PATER NOSTER AND THE MISSION OF LIGHT, a grisly and gritty acid road trip to an unassuming hippie commune in search of the creators behind a long lost cult vinyl.
And finally, in festival tradition, each of the 30 feature films to be presented will be preceded by a thematically tied short film or two. A few of which will include the UK Premieres of: SKEETER, the latest from Chris McInroy (We Joined A Cult, Death Metal), STAN BEHAVIOUR starring Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Ginger Minj, and PARTY TIME, which finds two party clowns planning the daring heist of a Princess Diana Beanie Baby from a birthday satanic summoning ritual.
As ever at Soho Horror Film Festival, all of this will be surrounded by unhinged live events, special guests and freshly found footage… all set to be announced in 4 weeks time on Friday 11 October.
From 22-24 November the festival will spring to life in the crypt-like environs of Whirled Cinema, Brixton for a 3 day in-person extravaganza. Then, in their continued efforts to remain as inclusive and accessible as possible, the festival will maintain its vanguard of online accessible screenings, running from the 28 November–1 December.
The full line-up of films and events will be revealed on Friday the 11th of October and more information can be found at www.sohohorrorfest.com. Limited early bird festival passes are on sale now.
Whitlock&Pope 