In 2018, Manchester’s premier horror film festival launched their own Awards for the films selected to screen there. For 2019’s instalment, Grimmfest aren’t going to wait until the winner of their latest award is even completed before showering it in prizes.
Called the Work-In-Progress Award, the accolade will be given to a feature in production or post-production but not yet finished. The winning title will be offered:
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£20,000 worth of post-production services to give it the best possible tools for its completion
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An offer for international sales representation from London-based agency Film Seekers
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A screening at a future edition of Grimmfest upon completion
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A years subscription to Screen International Magazine
Submissions for the Work-In-Progress Award will be accepted via the festival’s FilmFreeway platform and filmmakers will need to submit a 10-15 min proof of concept teaser from the project in order to be considered. Early bird submission deadline is
22nd March 2019, regular deadline is 28th June 2019 and late deadline is 29th July 2019.
A who’s who of the horror community are once again involved with this years event, with the likes of recently resurrected Fangoria Magazine The Horror Channel and Shudder all proudly sponsoring categories and offering valuable perks for those who are victorious. Here’s a look at the Grim Reaper statues up for grabs in October –
1.Best Feature. Sponsored by Michael Laundon. (Prize: £40,000s worth of post-production services)
2. Best Short. Sponsored by Shudder. (Prize: Film to be shown on Shudder VOD platform)
3. Audience Award. Sponsored by Shudder. (Prize: 1 year’s free subscription to Shudder VOD platform)
4. Best Director. Sponsored by Michael Laundon. (Prize: £40,000s worth of post-production services)
5. Best Screenplay. Sponsored by Final Draft screenwriting software. (Prize: A copy of latest Final Draft screenwriting software)
6. Best Score. Sponsor TBC.
7. Best Actor. Sponsor TBC.
8. Best Actress. Sponsor TBC.
9. Best SFX. Sponsored by Fangoria Magazine. (Prize: 1 year’s subscription to Fangoria magazine and an article on the winning film)
10. Best Kill. Sponsor TBC.
11. Best Scare. Sponsored by Rue Morgue Magazine (Prize: 1 year’s subscription to Rue Morgue & published article on the winning film)
12. Work in Progress. Sponsored by Michael Laundon, Film Seekers & Screen International. (Prize: £20,000s worth of post-production services, offer of international sales representation & Screen International magazine subscription)
13. Lifetime Achievement Award. Sponsored by the Horror Channel.
2018 saw Tigers Are Not Afraid, Issa López’s terrifying tale of children caught up in the drug war of Mexico, triumph in the Best Picture category and John McPhail secured the Best Director trophy for his undead musical Anna and the Apocolypse. One of our absolute favourite films of the year The Witch in the Window, whose international sales were handled by Work-In-Progress prize sponsors Film Seekers, had success in the coveted Best Scare category. The iconic Barbera Crampton was also in attendance to pick up the thoroughly deserved Lifetime Achievement Award too.
2019’s Grimmfest will run from 3rd – 6th October at the Odeon Manchester Greater Northern. A lineup announcement is likely imminent but who knows – thanks to their new Work-In-Progress Award, it could be your film taking centre screen in 2020’s edition…
For more information on Grimmfest and to keep up with the latest developments, head over to: http://www.grimmfest.com.
Just to be on the safe side for all you creators, here’s that link again for submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/grimmfest
