Festival news # 5
16/06/2006
The Fantastic Films Weekend – the UK's fastest growing festival of science fiction, horror and fantasy, hosted by the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television (NMPFT) – has begun.
Read on for the latest FFW updates.
Cult names en-route to Bradford
The Fantastic Films Weekend's special guests are on their way. Both Julian Richards and Robert Fuest will arrive in the city tonight prior to their screenings and interviews tomorrow, and Robin Hardy flies in tomorrow (Saturday).
All three filmmakers will be introducing their films and taking part in on-stage ‘Screentalk' interviews. Julian will be speaking about the director's cut of his 1997 debut feature Darklands (Sat, 6.30pm) and Bob will discuss his colourful career prior to a screening of his creepy sunny day chiller And Soon the Darkness (Sat, 8pm) as well as introducing The Final Programme (Sun, 12.15pm). Robin will be signing copies of his disturbing new novel Cowboys for Christ (Sun, 6.15pm) and then discussing his career prior to a screening of the long version of The Wicker Man (Sun, 7.15pm).
We are also delighted to announce that Gary Carpenter and Andy Tompkins, two of the musicians from The Wicker Man , will be joining us on Sunday for our special screening.
Football fever – the antidote
If World Cup madness is driving you, well, slightly mad, then drop out and tune in to our offerings. We have a dark cornucopia of delights over the Fantastic Films Weekend, including new prints of The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sat, 5.30pm) and Theatre of Blood (Sun, 5pm), archive prints of The Ghoul (Sat, noon), The House That Dripped Blood (Sat, 2.30pm), Horror Express (Sat, 4.30pm) and Strip Nude for Your Killer (Sat, 8.30pm) – an ultra rare screening for this outrageous ‘70s giallo shocker.
For those who like their horror in more sedate form we will be screening Murnau's silent classic Nosferatu with a live soundtrack played by pianist Terry Ladlow (Sun, 4.30pm).
We are also proud to be able to present the complete three-hour version of Tobe Hooper's legendary 1979 mini series Salem's Lot (Sun, 2pm). In between there is an array of gems in our TV Heaven theatre and both Batman Begins and V for Vendetta in Imax.
Harryhausen exhibition adds extra dynamic to FFW
The new NMPFT exhibition Myths and Visions: The Art of Ray Harryhausen opened on May 18 and celebrates the amazing life of this beloved pioneer of stop-motion animation. The exhibition contains a wealth of drawings, production designs, models and other treasures from Ray's personal archives and will be on show in the Museum until September. It will be accompanied by a series of films, including Mighty Joe Young (June 24 & 25) and Clash of the Titans (July 15), and special curators' talks. Myths and Visions will be open throughout the Fantastic Films Weekend. Admission is free.
A reminder for pass holders
Delegates who have purchased Weekend or Day passes should note that the passes themselves do not provide instant access to each and every screening or guest interview. To gain entry to theatres delegates should ensure they receive a ticket from the NMPFT box office for all their preferred options. This prevents the risk of double booking in the event of a sell-out. Please abide by this system to ensure FFW goes as smoothly as possible.
Passes are selling steadily and are available online. Get yours by visiting our website at www.nmpft.org.uk/fantastic
The FFW all-nighter
Plans to host an all-night screening of George Romero's ‘Dead' movies were thwarted due to costs and staffing issues. However we hope to resurrect this idea in 2007 and would like to hear fans' suggestions for what could be programmed. We are already considering the Terminator trilogy and a grouping of John Carpenter classics. All other suggestions are welcome.
Passes for the 5th Fantastic Films Weekend are available at £35 (Weekend; £30 concessions and Friends of Film) and £15 (Day; £12.50 concessions and Friends of Film) from the Box Office on 0870 70 10 200.
Best wishes,
The Fantastic Films Team