Lovers of shock and gore can squirm in their seats for four days of the scariest movies when a film festival returns to a Romford cinema this month.
The Romford Horror Festival, now in its sixth year, will run from February 19 to February 22 at the Lumiere Cinema in The Mercury.
It has grown into a major event in Havering's cultural calendar, drawing filmmakers and fans from across Europe, with organisers expecting around 2,000 attendees this year.
A spokesman for the festival organising committee said: "The way the community has supported this festival over the last six years has been vital to its growth.
"Our goal remains to provide a professional platform for independent film in the heart of Romford, keeping the arts accessible through a competitive pricing structure."
This year’s programme is the festival’s largest to date, spanning three screens and featuring more than 130 films.
The line-up includes advance studio releases, restored cult classics, and new independent features from the UK, South Korea, Canada, Italy, and beyond.
While horror remains at the heart of the festival, the programme also includes psychological thrillers, dark comedies, and retrospectives.
The Lumiere Cinema will be transformed with themed décor and a red-carpet atmosphere, with several international directors set to attend and take part in live Q&A sessions.
The festival opens on Thursday with a focus on the Giallo era—stylised Italian thrillers from the 1970s—including the cult classic All the Colours of the Dark.
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The opening night movie is Cold Storage, directed by Jonny Campbell and starring Liam Neeson as a bioterrorism agent racing to contain a sentient, deadly fungus that escapes from a secure laboratory.
Thursday also kicks off the Short Film Showcases, spotlighting emerging talent in the genre.
Friday expands the international line-up with a double bill of Australian films: creature-feature Razorback and the atmospheric The Last Wave. The day’s screenings also include David Cronenberg’s cult classic Scanners.
Independent cinema remains the focus on Friday evening with the Danish feature Adorable Humans, and a selection of international short films including the UK-produced Rock Paper Scissors Death and Greek thriller Gumboro.
Saturday is the festival’s busiest day, with back-to-back screenings of the original Hellraiser and its sequel.
The cinema foyer will host more than a dozen specialist vendors selling horror-themed merchandise, and film personalities will be available for autograph signings.
The final day focuses on British talent, with highlights including Charlie Shaw’s Revenge, Louisa Rose Warren’s Bride of Frankenstein, and Kevin McNally’s directorial debut Well-Being.
The festival concludes on Sunday evening with its annual awards ceremony, recognising the best features, shorts, and performances of 2026.
A full festival pass costs £50, with day passes available for £16 (Thursday and Friday) and £18 (Saturday and Sunday). Individual session tickets will be released on February 7.
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