From 18-20 January 2013 a brand new scarefest – the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival – is turning the popular tourist destination into Southend-on-Scream.

The event is being brought to life by The White Bus, the team behind the Southend-on-Sea Film Festival, and will be based at the Park Inn Palace Hotel at the top of Pier Hill. Horror-on-Sea will feature new independent horror films from across the UK and around the globe, including Italy, South Korea, Canada, the UAE and, appropriately, Romania.

Many of the film makers and actors are travelling to Essex to showcase their work alongside classics of the horror and gore genre – the furthest afield making the trip especially for the festival  is coming from Canada.

Thirty-eight movies – featuring Nazi zombies, terrifying hillbillies, vampires and ghosts – offer a monster choice of spine-tingling terror on a blood soaked platter. With bizarre and bonkers titles such as The Dorset Tooth Claw Massacre, Saint Dracula, Slasher House and Rise of the Appliances’ (when domestic machines attack, you’re Dyson with Death!) what’s not to like?!

There are plenty of other delights for fright night freaks.  Acclaimed, Leigh-on-Sea based film maker Pat Higgins (Trash House) is hosting a talk called Werewolves, Cheerleaders and Chainsaws: Filming with no Bloody Money! – and it promises to be a masterclass for future Wes Craven’s and John Carpenter’s wanting to direct their own compelling horror films. If, like one of George A.

Romero’s ravenous zombies you’re still hungry for more, cult film connoisseur Darrell Buxton will be giving a talk on the elusive cult director/producer/writer Michael J. Murphy. He’ll be joined by regular horror actor Stephen Longhurst to pick over the bones of low budget movie making.

Horror-on-Sea is the brainchild of Paul Cotgrove, Director of The White Bus. He says: “I am a huge horror movie fan and for years I have wanted to put together an event for fellow fans of the genre. Box office returns and video sales prove people continue to love scary movies and as we’ve had four really successful years with the Southend Film Festival, here and now seemed the right time and place to do this. I am delighted we’ve got a huge variety of international movies screening during Horror-on-Sea – it is really is the best of the world’s best - so there genuinely is something for everyone. I am sure this is going to be a really popular event. “

Tickets cost just £5 per film, but a Weekend Pass - that gets you into everything – offers unbeatable value deal at just £50. For those who want to have a frightfully nice hotel break, the Park Inn Palace Hotel is offering special Festival rates: £60 for one night’s Bed & Breakfast or £120 for three nights (single or double).

For a full list of all the films and booking details, check out www.horror-on-sea.com