5 Reasons Why We Are Excited for the Forbidden Worlds Festival

Bristol

25 May

Bristol’s biggest genre film festival is making waves again, literally! - haha see what we did there! 🌊

Forbidden Worlds Film Festival returns this spring with a deep sea, watery theme, a legendary special guest, and a line-up that dives deep down into cult classics, forgotten gems and fresh new talent.

Here are five reasons you won’t want to miss it.

1. Meet a Genre Film Legend: Gale Anne Hurd

The absolute mastermind behind Aliens, The Terminator, Tremors, and The Walking Dead is coming to Bristol. Yes you heard right - Gale Anne Hurd, one of the most influential producers in genre film and television is this year’s Forbidden Worlds Legend. She’ll appear in person for exclusive Q&A screenings of Aliens (1986), Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) and Tremors (1990). A super rare chance to hear from the trailblazing producer who helped shape science fiction and horror for a generation.

2. Forbidden Worlds of the Deep: A Celebration of Oceanic Terror

This year’s theme plunges into the terrifying unknown with a series of sea-soaked thrillers. Think killer whales, haunted submarines, and oceanic apocalypse. Screenings include:

The UK theatrical premiere of the extended Waterworld ‘Ulysses Cut’ << for our Universal Studio fans you will recognise this!!
The rarely seen Japanese monster movie The Whale God (1962)
Cult underwater horrors Below (2002), Blood Tide (1980), and Orca (1977)
A deep dive into ‘Jawsploitation’ on the cusp of Jaws’ 50th anniversary

Perfect for our deep sea lovers or those who just love watching others try to survive the deep, you little weirdos you. Btw.. thats totally me so no shame :P

3. World Premiere: The Big Picture

On opening night, Bristolian filmmaker Arthur Cauty’s new documentary The Big Picture will debut on the very screen it celebrates.

The film tells the story of how the city’s dormant IMAX was brought back to life by the Forbidden Worlds team and transforming it into a vibrant community cinema and hub for genre lovers.

Expect nostalgia, passion, and a love letter to cinema itself, awwww.

4. Cult Classics and Anniversary Screenings

This year’s programme also includes some iconic blasts from the past:

Tremors celebrates 35 years of graboid goodness
The City of Lost Children (1995) returns for its 30th anniversary
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) gets a special 40th anniversary screening with a cast Q&A featuring Nicholas Rowe and Sophie Ward

Whether you’re reliving childhood favourites or seeing them on the big screen for the first time, there’s plenty for cinephiles to enjoy.

5. Genre Filmmakers of the Future: Shorts Showcase

New voices take centre stage in this annual spotlight on emerging talent. The Genre Filmmakers of the Future Showcase brings together a handpicked selection of cutting-edge short films spanning horror, sci-fi, fantasy and action. If you want to say I saw them first, this is the place.

Forbidden Worlds Film Festival has fast become a must-attend event for lovers of all things weird, wild, and wonderful on screen. Born from Bristol’s indie video shop scene, it continues to honour the cult, the classic, and the criminally overlooked and all in magnificent Megascreen scale.

🎟️ Tickets and full line-up at: www.forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk
Follow: @fwfilmfestival

We were kindly gifted tickets to the Film Festival, but these thoughts are all our own.