Pigeon Shrine FrightFest has unveiled its new poster design (see above) for 2024 from artist Graham Humphreys, which marks the 25th anniversary of the popular genre festival and the festival’s move to the ODEON Luxe Leicester Sq.
“Although FrightFest marks its first quarter century, the significant change of venue is this year’s focus,” said Graham. “The soaring black Art Deco tower of the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square (completed in 1937) is as iconic to London as the Art Deco Empire State Building in New York (completed six years earlier, in 1931).
“In the 1933 movie ‘King Kong’, the giant primate scaled the Empire State Building. It seems a fitting homage to have our own monster scale the Leicester Square landmark… the top of the world for the king of horror festivals.”
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest was conceived by Paul McEvoy, Ian Rattray and Alan Jones and staged its first event in 2000 at the Prince Charles cinema, off London’s Leicester Square. Its August Bank Holiday weekend date has remained a fixture ever since.
This year’s annual Bank Holiday event, the UK’s largest celebration of genre cinema, takes place at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square between Thursday 22 August and Monday 26 August 2024.
“The move to our new venue after many successful years is bittersweet, but we are excited about the fresh opportunities and experiences it will bring,” FrightFest Co-director Ian Rattray observed. “As we celebrate 25 years, we look forward to welcoming FrightFesters to this exciting new chapter for the UK’s biggest, brightest, and most successful genre even.
“Graham’s poster art Is inspired, and it amazes all of us that year after year his FrightFest creations continue to thrill and surprise. He is a truly talented artist.”
The objective of FrightFest has been to provide the UK with a horror fantasy festival of similar stature to the market leaders in Europe, Sitges (Spain) and Brussels (Belgium). FrightFest has since evolved into a community where audiences and guests alike travel from all over the world to be part of the event’s unique atmosphere.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting FrightFest at the iconic ODEON Luxe Leicester Square for its 25th anniversary event,” added Bill Brock, Event manager, ODEON Cinemas Group. “We share FrightFest’s passion for this genre and are honoured to be hosting the event.
“As our most famous cinema location and the home of UK premieres, we can’t wait for guests to brave and enjoy five days of fantasy and horror stories in our luxurious OLLS screens.”
The line-up of genre films for the festival will be announced on Thursday 11 July. Get a taste of what FrightFest is about with a look at our top picks from last year’s festival.
