Dead Northern Unveils First Wave of Feature Films For 2026

Forgotten cult classics, groundbreaking indie horror, international premieres and blood-soaked comedy lead the first programme announcement for York's biggest celebration of horror.

Dead Northern Horror Film Festival has today unveiled the first five feature films screening as part of its 2026 programme, showcasing the festival's commitment to celebrating the very best in independent horror from around the world.

Returning to Picturehouse City Screen, York, 25-27 September 2026, the festival's first wave of feature announcements spans forgotten cult cinema, international horror, ambitious British independent filmmaking and outrageous comedy, offering audiences a glimpse at one of Dead Northern's most varied programmes to date.

ASWANG (1994) RISES AGAIN

Opening the first wave of announcements is a rare UK screening of the long-overlooked cult horror Aswang (1994), a unique slice of 1990s independent horror that reimagines vampire mythology through the lens of Filipino folklore.

Directed by Wrye Martin and Barry Poltermann, Aswang follows a pregnant woman who is persuaded by a mysterious aristocrat to allow his family to adopt her unborn child as their heir. But when she arrives at their remote estate to give birth, she uncovers a horrifying secret that emerges only after dark.

Premiering in the Midnight Section of the Sundance Film Festival in 1994, the film earned a reputation for its inventive practical effects and uncompromising body horror, with reports of audience members fainting during its original screenings. Produced with a largely first-time cast drawn from Milwaukee's local theatre community, Aswang remains one of the most fascinating yet overlooked independent horror films of its era.

Following the screening, audiences will be invited to stay for a special panel discussion exploring how vampire mythology has evolved across different cultures, and why these creatures continue to remain some of horror's most enduring monsters.

BUFFET LIBRE SERVES UP A TWISTED FEAST

Making its UK Premiere, Buffet Libre, from Spanish filmmaker Zoe Berriatúa, brings a deliciously dark slice of horror comedy to York.

When the owners of a struggling all-you-can-eat buffet discover that murder might be the answer to both their financial problems and toxic relationship, bodies begin piling up and onto the menu.

Blending razor-sharp satire, outrageous gore and pitch-black humour, Buffet Libre promises one of the festival's most wildly entertaining international screenings.

STEWART SPARKE RETURNS WITH DEAD RESET

Dead Northern is also delighted to welcome back Stewart Sparke, whose creature feature How To Kill Monsters won Best Feature at the festival in 2023.

His latest film, Dead Reset, is an ambitious horror developed from the acclaimed interactive video game of the same name. Combining science-fiction, body horror and psychological suspense, the film follows surgeon Cole Mason as he becomes trapped inside a mysterious underwater facility, forced into a terrifying cycle of death and resurrection while uncovering an evolving parasitic nightmare.

Starring Daniel Thrace, Lyndsey Craine and Dennis Rasaq, Dead Reset demonstrates the exciting ways independent horror continues to evolve across different forms of media while marking the welcome return of one of Dead Northern's most celebrated alumni.

LONER PROVES GREAT FILMS DESERVE THE BIG SCREEN

Continuing its long-standing commitment to championing outstanding independent filmmaking over premiere status, Dead Northern will also screen Loner, the acclaimed survival horror from directing duo Charlie Robb and Douglas Tawn.

The film follows aspiring vlogger Angus Mattock, whose attempt to build a successful online survival channel descends into a terrifying fight for his life after becoming trapped in the wilderness by a mysterious natural force.

Blending psychological horror, dark comedy and striking cinematography, Loner is a confident, character-driven independent feature that perfectly embodies Dead Northern's philosophy of showcasing exceptional horror wherever its journey has taken it.

FRIDAY THE 69TH BRINGS THE LAUGHS (AND THE GORE)

No Dead Northern programme would be complete without a crowd-pleasing slice of horror comedy, and Friday the 69th delivers exactly that.

Written, directed by and starring Alex Montilla, this riotous microbudget slasher is an affectionate love letter to the outrageous excesses of 1980s horror cinema. Beginning inside a chaotic writers' room before spiralling into a gleefully absurd tale of college students, homicidal beekeepers and spectacular practical effects, the film celebrates independent filmmaking with infectious enthusiasm.

Made for just $15,000, Friday the 69th proves that creativity, passion and a love of horror can deliver one of the year's most entertaining genre experiences.

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR JOSHUA LAWSON SAID:

"Dead Northern has never been about chasing premieres for the sake of it. It's about discovering the films people will still be talking about when they leave the cinema. Sometimes that's a world premiere, sometimes it's a forgotten cult classic that deserves to be seen by a new audience, and sometimes it's an independent film that's simply too good to ignore. Every film in this first announcement represents something we love about horror originality, passion and filmmakers taking risks. We can't wait to share them with audiences in York. "

This is just the beginning of Dead Northern's 2026 programme, with further feature films, short film selections, special guests, live events and industry panels set to be announced over the coming weeks.

Tickets and festival passes available now via www.deadnorthern.co.uk.