29th June 2008.

So the FrightFest Pass tickets are finally on sale.  For those of you not in the Sleepy Q, I hope you managed to snare the seats you wanted without too many box-office/on-line problems. The Odeon nearly went into meltdown on Saturday because of such high demand. We are honoured and humbled by your clear approval of the 2008 line-up.. It took a bit of time and angst getting together in truth. Prior to Cannes we thought it was pretty much all in place. Then, of course, those outside factors come into play that you just don’t anticipate.  Our last film was approved by those studio-powers-that-be literally hours before the programme went live. But it’s always that way and we have learned to live with the high wire act known as FrightFest organization. 

Hats off to the Sleepy Q. Guys, and girls, you never cease to amaze us. Camped outside the Odeon from 8 am on Friday morning, ever smiling, always in such great spirits. Mind you, that might due to the heavy intake of spirits. But through it all you emerge as fantastic cheerleaders for us. I lost count of how many people kept coming over to ask what you were doing in the time we joined you on Friday evening. The “We’re here for FrightFest’ chorus, and pointing to Graham Humphries’ evocative poster, bemused most passers-by and the SEX AND THE CITY crowd, but that’s the sure-fire way to get the word out.

Joining you again in the morning prior to the doors opening we were greeted by the terrific sight of 100 plus people vying for their favourite rows. It’s such a positive experience for us to see that you completely understand what we’re all about and what we’re doing. Not just the hardcore either but also loads of newcomers too. Mind you, Ian wandering up and down the line with his camcorder – I don’t call him Jean Luc Rattray for nothing – asking what you’re looking forward to the most, might have been a shock to them. What wasn’t were the answers I was expecting – MARTYRS, TOKYO GORE POLICE, THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN and the best Festival atmosphere in the world bar none.

Many asked questions about why certain films hadn’t been included despite the photo teases on the website. Before I explain, please be assured that we always circle every single title that you could possibly bring to mind. All of us were keen on the Viking space adventure OUTLANDER. But The Weinstein Company decided at the last minute they would not be releasing it until mid 2009 so FrightFest was considered too early for a screening. The same applied to DOROTHY (MILLS). Optimum Releasing shifted its dates to more or less the same time. DANCE OF THE DEAD caused us much aggro too because no UK company owned up to having it despite many names being thrown our way. As for REPO:THE GENETIC OPERA, let’s just say we were keen on showing that until we all saw it.

Anyway, enough about what we didn’t get for various reason. Focus on the fabulous array we did. We’re really pleased with the ultra-strong line-up this year and that and your continued support is what goes to make FrightFest the stellar event it has now become. Counting the days until we see you all again in August.

Until next time…