We wrapped up the 20th edition of Abertoir Horror Festival late on Sunday and can’t thank you all enough for joining us for the celebration – 5 days of horror, old and new, and all the delights in between.
It gives us great pleasure to announce the audience’s favourite films and award winners – with the top 5 for each category listed below.
The winner of the Abertoir Short Film award and this year’s Méliès d’argent is GRANDMA IS THIRSTY, directed by Kris Carr.
All George wants is to stop getting pushed around by the local bullies. So when a pair of weird twins offer to introduce him to their grandma — who can “make him big & strong” — he jumps at the chance. One problem: she’s 600 years old and keeps herself young the unnatural way… by sucking the youth out of kids.
Tremendous congratulations to Kris and the film’s team!
The top voted new feature film at Abertoir 2025 – and by some margin! – is MĀRAMA, directed by Taratoa Stappard. We were joined by Taratoa for a Q&A after our UK premiere screening of this remarkable film, which releases next year in New Zealand and Australia. We hope to see it more widely in the UK soon!
1859. When a young Māori woman is summoned from New Zealand to a north Yorkshire estate, she finds herself haunted by confusing visions. Far from home, she uncovers gruesome secrets and is compelled to confront the titled Englishman who harbours deep secrets.
The Abertoir audience voted THE OLD DARK HOUSE (James Whale, 1932) as their favourite classic feature of the festival – screened on a perfectly dark and stormy day in Wales!
Caught in a violent storm, a group of travellers stranded in Wales stumble upon a strange old house and seek refuge there, finding themselves at the mercy of the highly eccentric, and potentially dangerous, occupants.
As the dust settles and we return to our crypts to catch up on some sleep, we want to reiterate our thanks to you all for joining us again, both old friends and new ones. We’re so grateful to you all for diving into an intensive 5-day event and for all your kind words with us. We enjoyed live music and performances, talks, a quiz, Q&As and of course the films themselves. We also raised £90 on our small charity stall this year, which we’ll round up to £100 and donate to Médecins Sans Frontières.
‘Til next time…!
Audience Favourites
Classic Feature Films:
2. Phenomena
New Feature Films:
1. Mārama
2. Theatre of Horrors – The Sordid History of Paris’ Grand Guignol
3. The Degenerate – The Life and Films of Andy Milligan
5. Primate