#vampfest

The 4th International Vampire Film and Arts Festival, aka ‘VampFest’, July 9th-13th 2019, Highgate Village, East Finchley and Camden Town, London. Info: ivfaf.com.

A week-long party with real bite is coming to London this summer as the World’s biggest Vampire Festival arrives from Transylvania. The 2019 International Vampire Film & Arts Festival – aka Vampfest – will take place in various locations across Highgate Village, Camden Town and East Finchley from July 9th-13th. In Highgate and East Finchley it will showcase the best in classic and new vampire films, literature, theatre and the latest academic research into the genre, while in Camden Town after dark things will get scary and sinful with the spectacular VampFire Ball. The festival has been running for three years in the home of the vampire legend and the birthplace of the real Dracula: Sighisoara in Transylvania. Now, the vampires have decided to pack their coffins and travel, drawn by London’s own legend of the Highgate Vampire. Guests can expect the latest and greatest in all things vampire, including film premieres and classics; theatre shows in our very own haunted theatre; Q&As from special guests including Interview With a Vampire filmmaker Stephen Woolley and several legendary Hammer actors; renowned authors Kim Newman and Nick Groom; talks from film industry professionals and critics, including Mark Kermode; book readings and signings; workshops, seminars, scary talks, scary walks, masterclasses, plays, exhibitions and lots of parties.

Programme Highlights:

Blood and Lust. Late night screenings of the best Hammer Vampire movies every night from Tuesday at the iconic Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, culminating with the screening of the Christopher Lee classic ‘Dracula’ on Saturday. Thursday night is our big Hammer Vampire night, where, along with a classic movie, we’ll showcase the best of their fanged classics with an illustrated talk from Hammer vampire expert Bruce Hallenbeck. He’ll be joined by the stars of the movies – the Hammer Vampire Scream Queens – for an audience Q&A and then signing and photo opportunities in the bar area.

The Vampire Academic Conference (VAC). Lauderdale House in Highgate hosts the presentation of the latest and best academic papers on all things vampire. This year’s featured topics include Hammer’s Vampires; The legend of the Highgate Vampire, and the 200th anniversary of Polidori’s seminal classic ‘The Vampyre’. The VAC features two amazing keynote talks: the first from the ‘Prof of Goth’, Nick Groom, and the second from legendary author Kim Newman.

The Vampire Creative Congress (VCC). Bringing together vampire experts and creatives from film, literature and games (along with anyone with a general interest in vampires) for a series of talks, debates, readings and masterclasses. Topics cover self-publishing your own vampire novel; getting an agent; pitching your vampire project and raising the finances to make a vampire movie. Hosted at the historic Lauderdale House, within view of the legendary Highgate cemetery.

Mark Kermode Presents ‘Near Dark’. Author and critic Mark Kermode presents Kathryn Bigelow’s vampire classic, ‘Near Dark’, followed by a Q&A with Mark at the Phoenix Cinema.

Interview with a Vampire Filmmaker. On Saturday, 25 years on from the release of what is widely regarded as one of the best vampire films ever made, we’ll be screening ‘Interview with a Vampire’, starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Straight afterwards, the BAFTA-winning producer, Stephen Woolley, talks us through the making of the classic movie, including how the setting for the talk – the Phoenix Cinema – turned into Theatres Des Vampires for the film. He also produced another vampire classic in Byzantium. Then join us later for our ‘Interview with a Hammer Vampire’ themed Festival Wrap Party.

IVFAF Film Screamings & The Golden Stakes Awards. Come and see some of the best new vampire movies from around the world… if you dare..! Each film screaming session at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre will feature two short films and one feature film, along with talks and Q&As with the filmmakers. Watch them with a critic’s eye and register your vote for the film which you want to win this year’s prestigious Golden Stake Award. That awards ceremony will take place at the Phoenix Cinema and will be presented by critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode.

Théâtre Des Vampires. Performed across three nights at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre, IVFAF’s theatre programme this year focuses on making you laugh – and occasionally shiver with fear. ‘Dracula’s Ghost’, ‘Sherlock Holmes Vs the Sussex Vampire’ and ‘Evan Helsing – Welsh Valleys Vampire Hunter’ feature the best of British on-stage talent.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula London Walking Tour. On Friday and Saturday, renowned storyteller and Bram Stoker expert Anthony Davis takes you on a walking tour around Stoker’s London haunts, exploring the writer’s vampiric relationship with the man who was one of the models for the bloodsucking count.