Dundead 2023 programme announced

We're excited to announce our horrifically good line-up for Dundead 2023!

For the eleventh instalment of Dundee's horror film festival, taking place from Thu 11 to Sun 14 May, we've got a selection of terrifying premieres, spine-tingling previews and creepy classics coming your way, plus a deep-dive into body horror with a David Cronenberg retrospective.

The festival kicks off in the traditional way with the Dundead Film Quiz on Thu 11 May - gather your team of ghouls and put your horror film knowledge to the test for the chance to win prizes. Then, across the weekend, we'll bring you six brand new titles alongside six vintage gems.

Abruptio

If you're on the lookout for new additions to the horror genre, we're excited to bring you the European premiere of Abruptio, a unique and surreal film made using some very creepy puppets and the vocal talents of genre legends like James Marsters, Sid Haig, Jordan Peele and Robert Englund. Having it's UK premiere at Dundead is No More Time, a tense thriller from writer/director Dalila Droege in which a couple flee a mysterious pandemic. We'll also be hosting Scottish premieres of Dark Nature, a bold debut feature for writer/director Berkley Brady about a group of women on a wilderness retreat who have to fend off something lurking in the woods; Polaris, an intriguing mix of genre from writer/director Kirsten Carthew about a young girl raised by a polar bear who finds herself meting out violent justice, and Satanic Hispanics; a hugely entertaining anthology film featuring some of the leading Latin filmmakers working in the horror genre.

The Origin

The new scares don't end there. We can't wait to bring you The Origin, a hugely impressive feature debut by Scottish director Andrew Cumming. Set in a prehistoric wilderness, the film follows a small group of travellers making their way through a rugged and dangerous landscape. 

Videodrome

For this year's retrospective strand we'll be diving into the work of the 'Baron of Blood', the 'King of Venereal Horror': David Cronenberg. Enjoy the chance to see some of his most visceral and horrific films on the big screen as we bring you twin terror in Dead Ringers (screening on 35mm for its 35th anniversary, no less), dangerous psychic abilities in Scanners, unconventional psychological methods in The Brood, sci-fi body transformations with The Fly, and the pinnacle of “Cronenbergian” horror in Videodrome.

Messiah of Evil

Finishing off our collection of horror classics, enjoy the rare chance to see should-be cult classic Messiah of Evil on the big screen. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this deliriously stylish film is an overlooked gem from husband and wife team Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz.

Festival programmer Michael Coull says "I’m really excited for this year's Dundead festival – our 11th full edition - and can't wait to welcome our audience into the cinema for four days of the best in horror, new and old!

For our retrospective strand this year, we’re celebrating the films of Canadian body-horror maestro David Cronenberg. With Videodrome celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the man himself turning 80 earlier this year, it felt like the time was right for a dive into the subversive, disturbing and often fleshy world of Cronenberg.

Complementing the vintage side of our programme is a selection of premieres and previews, including a special chance to see Scottish director Andrew Cumming’s festival hit The Origin, which will make a brilliant opening film.

Although they’re all different, there’s something of the idea of a “return to nature” at play in a few of the new films that are part of this year’s programme. Maybe that’s inspired by a post-lockdown consideration for the natural world, but I think it offers an interesting contrast to Cronenberg’s fascination with the intersection between technology and the limits of the human body.

See you in the cinema!"

Thanks Michael! We can't wait to welcome you to this year's festival. Join us over on our Dundead Facebook page for all the latest news and share what you're looking forward to seeing.

Ticket info
Tickets go on sale Wed 5 April at 10:00. You can enjoy the whole horror-filled weekend with a full Dundead Festival Pass for £93. This includes a ticket to all 12 films, the Dundead Film Quiz, plus a t-shirt and special edition print featuring our 2023 Dundead design by Scott Balmer. Or see half the horror with a six-film pass which includes a Dundead t-shirt, for £48. Both passes will be available to buy in person or by phone (01382 432 444) via our Box Office. Individual tickets, priced at £9 each, can be purchased online, in person and over the phone from Wed 5 April.

Be the first to book
If you're a DCA Member or a 18-25 Member you can jump the queue with priority booking on six-film and full festival passes from Fri 31 March. You also get a special membership discount on these pass prices, with the Dundead Festival Pass for £81 and six-film pass for £42. Give our Box Office a call on 01382 432 444 or pop in to book from Friday. If you want to get in on the early booking action, grab yourself a membership here (available for the new price of £25 from Fri 31 March) and enjoy discounts and offers across our programme areas as well as the first pick of seats for Dundead.