Dead Northern Part IV
Horror Film Festival 2023
- 29 September - 1 October 2023
- City Screen Picturehouse, 13-17 Coney St, York YO1 9QL
Returning in 2023, the Dead Northern Horror and Fantasy Festival brings an unmissable celebration of genre cinema, showcasing new feature films, cult classics, and outstanding short films from the world's most exciting up-and-coming horror filmmakers. With screenings of Free Spirits, The Wicker Man, Isaac, Haunted Ulster Live, and more, plus live music, exclusive Q&As, awards, and immersive horror-themed events, Dead Northern continues to push boundaries and redefine what a true film festival experience should be.
Dead Northern 2023
Festival Film & Event Timetable
| FRIDAY 29/09/2023 | SATURDAY 30/09/2023 | SUNDAY 01/10/2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 - Short Film Showcase | 11:00 - Short Film Showcase | 11:00 - Short Film Showcase |
| 12:30 - Feature Film | 12:30 - Feature Film | 12:45 - Live Event |
| 14:30- Mini Feature Double | 14:30 - Short Film Showcase | 13:30 - Feature Film |
| 16:00 - Short Film Showcase | 16:00 - Feature Film | 15:30 - Feature Film |
| 18:00 - Live Event | 19:30 - Live Event | 17:30 - Music Video Showcase |
| 19:15 - Feature Film | 21:00 - Feature Film | 19:00 - Feature Film |
| 21:00 - Feature Film | 21:00 - Feature Film | 20:30 - Feature Film |
| 22:30 - Live Event | 11:00 Live Event Award Ceremony |
FEATURE FILMS
FRIDAY 29/09/2023
12:30 29/09/2023
Issac + Q&A
In the near future a company specialising in cellular meat trial its synthetic technology in a bid to create the perfect child. Nicholas and Sarah are guinea pigs to this trial and are provided with a seemingly healthy son, after losing their own child to a genetic disease. As their new son, Isaac, develops he becomes increasingly violent and dangerous, leaving the parents with no choice but to lock him away and keep him hidden while they try to uncover the truth as to what is driving him insane.
- Director: Tariq Sayed
- Writers: Tariq Sayed
- Producers: Tariq Sayed, Jacob Knott, Charlie Redif
- Key Cast: Johnny Vivash, Catriona MacColl, Bosco Hogan
- Sci-Fi, Drama, Horror
- United Kingdom
FEATURE FILMS - SATURDAY 30/09/2023
12:30 30/09/2023
Haunted Ulster Live
On Halloween night 1998, TV veteran Gerry Burns, teams up with popular children's presenter Michelle Kelly to investigate poltergeist activity in a haunted house in Belfast. A seance causes the broadcast to descend into chaos, and the two presenters must face their greatest fears on live TV.
- Director: Dominic O'Neill
- Writer: Dominic O'Neill
- Producers: William McConnell
- Key Cast: Aimee Richardson, Mark Claney, Antoinette Morelli, David Fleming
- Runtime: 1hr 18min
- Offbeat, Comedy, Horror
- United Kingdom
FEATURE FILMS
SUNDAY 01/10/2023
13:30 01/10/2023
Dead On the Vine
As two men leave a small rural town one of them has a seizure forcing the other to pull into the nearest place - A vineyard. The women owners are deep into prep for a make or break wine tasting but the men are welcomed in. But after recovering from his seizure one man throws a violent spanner into the works, leaving his friend and the women with choices that may destroy not only their business but themselves.
- Director: Mark A. C. Brown
- Writers: Mark A. C. Brown
- Producers: Laura Rees, Julie Baines
- Key Cast: Stars: Shereener Browne, Tom Sawyer, Victoria Johnston, David Whitney, Kate Robbins, Eddie Arnold, Thea Balich
- Runtime: 1h 25min
- Thriller, Comedy, Dark
- United Kingdom/United States
LIVE EVENTS
FRIDAY 29/09/2023
18:00 27/09/2024
DEAD TALK - Folk Horror Panel event featuring special guests.
With The Independent Horror Society.
Dead Northerns is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the esteemed London Horror Society for a live Folk Horror Panel event featuring special guests. As dedicated purveyors of the macabre and the mysterious, we are proud to host an evening that delves deep into the eerie and unsettling world of Folk Horror. This unique gathering will bring together renowned experts, filmmakers, and aficionados of the genre to explore the cultural and psychological underpinnings of Folk Horror. From isolated rural landscapes to ancient rituals, the panel will dissect the elements that make Folk Horror a compelling and enduring subgenre in the world of horror fiction and cinema. Join us for an evening of spine-tingling conversation and a celebration of the uncanny as we unravel the dark tapestry of Folk Horror together.
LIVE EVENTS
SATURDAY 30/09/2024
19:30 28/09/2024
SPIRITS WITH SPIRIT
With Sinner Gin
Gather 'round the fire for an hour of ghost stories and handcrafted cocktails, hosted by the one and only Paul Forster. As shadows stretch and the gin flows, listeners are treated to chilling tales told with just the right mix of drama and dry wit.
Each story is paired with a bespoke cocktail made with the bold, unapologetic spirit of Sinners Gin—crafted for those who appreciate a little darkness in their drink.
It's storytelling that lingers long after the last sip. Limited seats, atmospheric setting, and a night you won't forget easily. Unless something wants you to.
SHORT FILMS - STUDENT SHORTS
FRIDAY 29/09/2023
A KING IN YELLOW
A brother attempts to bring his sister's sense of hearing back by performing an occult ritual involving vinyl records.
- Directed: By Drew Roderick
- Key Cast: Sabrina Mota
- Runtime 10:00
- Sci-Fi, Horror, Cosmic Horror
- USA
Folk Horror & Mystery Shorts
FRIDAY 29/09/2023
Kiddo
On a rickety bus trundling through wilting countryside, a mysterious older woman named 'Kiddo' and a cohort of overexcited teenagers meander towards Wonderland, a theme park like no other. Sinister secrets await as Kiddo and her compatriots face off with their hosts and draw closer to discovering the truth of their journey.
- Directed: Brett Chapman
- Key Cast: Lisa Howard, Lauren Patel, Paddy Stafford, Toby Gaffney
- Runtime: 15 Min
- Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- United Kingdom
Satanic & Spooky shorts
Saturday 30/09/2023
La Nueva (The Newcomer)
Maria is the new teacher who arrives at an old religious school. On her first day, she will have to teach a group of rebellious kids who are part of a punishment class. An unexpected event will turn the classroom into a real hell.
- Directed: Ivan Villamel
- Key Cast: Amaia Sagasti, Yoel Guillen, Coque Sanchez, Alex Romero, Miguel Cañaveras
- Runtime: 15 Min
- Drama, Thriller, Fantasy
- Spain
Creature & body horror shorts
Saturday 30/09/2023
The Heritage
After growing up adopted, a man makes a gargantuan discovery when meeting his biological father.
- Directed: Andrew Rutter
- Key Cast: Matt McClure, Bruce Jones, Emily Swain, Kathyrn Georghiou
- Runtime: 12 Min
- Horror, Comedy, Drama
- United Kingdom
Thriller shorts
Sunday 01/10/2023
Caterpillar
Luke's world is rocked when a stranger shows up claiming to be his partner. Luke descents into madness as he struggles to get the bottom of who the imposter is while also experiencing his own terrifying metamorphosis.
- Directed: Matt Bentley-Viney
- Key Cast: Oliver Asante, Maisie Barlow, Ellie Rose Boswell, Donna Coulling, Andro Cowperthwaite
- Runtime: 14 Min
- Thriller, Drama, Horror
- United Kingdom
Music Videos
Sunday 01/10/2023
Crooks - Heart of Vengeance
The story of a scientist inventing the key to eternal life. A couple of thugs steal his invention and leave him and his daughter for dead.
In order to come back to life he sells his soul to the devil.
Armed only with a heart of vengeance, and an Axe, he hunts down the crooks one by one. . . .
They picked the wrong man to kill!!
- Directed: Snorre Fuglsang Ruhe
- Key Cast: Christoffer Svane
- Runtime: 6 Min
- Horror, Action, Fantasy
- Denmark
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS, PARTNERS & SUPPLIERS
An Extra Special thanks to the Independent Horror Society
A big thank you to the Independent Horror Society for their invaluable support throughout this year's festival. Their live Q&A sessions added insight, energy, and a real sense of connection—helping bring audiences closer to the filmmakers and the stories behind the scares. They remain a vital part of what makes Dead Northern so special.
