Romford Horror Festival 2026: Bigger, Scarier Lineup at Lumiere Cinema 2026

Key Points

• The sixth annual Romford Horror Festival returns to Lumiere Cinema in the Mercury, Romford, from Thursday 19th February to Sunday 22nd February 2026.
• Expected attendance: around 2000 people from across the UK and Europe.
• Most extensive programme yet: over 130 films across three screens, including advance studio screenings, restored cult classics, and new independent features from South Korea, Canada, Italy, Essex, and London.
• Diverse genres: psychological thrillers, dark comedies, retrospectives, Giallo-era Italian thrillers, body-horror, creature-features, slashers, and more.
• Thursday opening: Focus on Giallo with All the Colours of the Dark; headline Cold Storage directed by Jonny Campbell starring Liam Neeson; start of Short Film Showcases.
• Friday: Australian double-bill Razorback and The Last Wave; David Cronenberg’s Scanners; Danish anthology Adorable Humans; shorts like UK’s Rock Paper Scissors Death and Greek Gumboro.
• Saturday: Busiest day with Hellraiser and sequel back-to-back; foyer vendors for merchandise and autograph signings.
• Sunday: British independents including Charlie Shaw’s Revenge by John Langridge, Bride of Frankenstein by Louisa Rose Warren, and Kevin McNally’s directorial debut Well-Being starring Ayvianna Snow; ends with Awards Ceremony.
• Festival spokesperson: Community support vital; provides professional platform for independents with accessible pricing.
• Pricing: Full Festival Pass £50; Single Day Passes £16 (Thu/Fri), £18 (Sat/Sun); individual tickets from 7th February.
• Features: Themed décor, red-carpet atmosphere, international directors for Q&A sessions.
• Local impact: Boosts Romford’s economy via hotels, restaurants, shops; evolved from local screenings to major cultural fixture.

Romford (East London Times) February 10, 2026 – The Romford Horror Festival makes a thrilling return for its sixth year at Lumiere Cinema in the Mercury, promising its most ambitious lineup yet with over 130 films across four days from 19th to 22nd February. Attracting around 2000 attendees from the UK and Europe, the event has grown from modest local screenings into a cornerstone of Havering’s cultural scene, blending global horror cinema with community-driven creativity.

What Makes the 2026 Programme the Most Extensive Yet?

Now spanning three screens, the festival showcases a record 130-plus films, mixing advance studio previews, restored cult favourites, and fresh independents from countries including South Korea, Canada, and Italy, alongside local talent from Essex and London. Curators emphasise diversity beyond straight scares, incorporating psychological thrillers, dark comedies, and retrospectives.

Lumiere Cinema transforms with themed décor and a red-carpet vibe, while several international directors join live Q&A sessions post-screenings. As reported by James T. Wilkins of The Havering Daily, a festival organising committee spokesperson stated:

“The way the community has supported this festival over the last six years has been vital to its growth. Our goal remains to provide a professional platform for independent film in the heart of Romford, keeping the arts accessible through a competitive pricing structure.”

This evolution underscores the event’s rise as a significant fixture on the Havering cultural calendar, drawing filmmakers and fans alike.

How Does Thursday’s Opening Night Kick Off the Thrills?

Thursday 19th February launches with a spotlight on the Giallo era—those stylised 1970s Italian thrillers that shaped modern suspense. On Screen 5, the cult classic All the Colours of the Dark headlines early screenings, as detailed in coverage by James T. Wilkins of The Havering Daily.

The evening’s centrepiece is the Opening Night Movie, Cold Storage, directed by Jonny Campbell. This pulse-pounding thriller stars Liam Neeson as a bioterrorism agent racing to contain a sentient, deadly fungus that breaks free from a secure lab. The day also inaugurates the Short Film Showcases, spotlighting emerging genre talents in high volume.

What Global and Cult Highlights Await on Friday?

Friday 20th February expands horizons with a double-bill of Australian gems on Screen 5: the creature-feature Razorback and the eerie The Last Wave, paired with David Cronenberg’s body-horror landmark Scanners. Independent fare takes centre stage later with the Danish anthology Adorable Humans, weaving interconnected tales of secrets and psychological strain.

A packed slate of international shorts follows, featuring the UK entry Rock Paper Scissors Death and the Greek chiller Gumboro. James T. Wilkins of The Havering Daily notes this day broadens the festival’s scope, blending cult reverence with fresh global perspectives.

Why Do These Films Represent Diverse Horror Styles?

From Cronenberg’s visceral effects in Scanners to the anthology tensions of Adorable Humans, Friday’s lineup exemplifies the curators’ commitment to variety, ensuring broad appeal amid the horror focus.

Why Is Saturday the Busiest and Most Interactive Day?

Saturday 21st February packs in the crowds as the festival’s peak, headlined by back-to-back screenings of the original Hellraiser and its sequel on Screen 5. Beyond films, the cinema foyer buzzes with over a dozen specialist vendors hawking horror merchandise, while select film personalities offer afternoon autograph sessions.

This blend of screenings and fan engagement cements Saturday’s status as a highlight, as covered extensively by James T. Wilkins in The Havering Daily. Attendees can immerse in iconography while scoring unique keepsakes.

Which British Independents Shine on Closing Sunday?

Sunday 22nd February celebrates homegrown horror, opening with Charlie Shaw’s Revenge, a gritty slasher directed by John Langridge and set in a crumbling theme park. Louisa Rose Warren’s Bride of Frankenstein follows, reimagining the classic in a moody British seaside town.

Acclaimed actor Kevin McNally makes his directing debut with Well-Being, starring festival favourite Ayvianna Snow. The event wraps with the annual Awards Ceremony, honouring top features, shorts, and performances from the 2026 selection. Per The Havering Daily’s James T. Wilkins, this day underscores the festival’s nurturing of UK talent.

How Do These Films Reflect Local Creativity?

Langridge’s visceral slasher, Warren’s dark twist on a legend, and McNally’s actor-led drama highlight Essex and London’s rising voices, blending grit with innovation.

What Are the Ticket Options and Accessibility Features?

Affordability remains key: a Full Festival Pass costs £50, granting access to all four days and 130+ films. Single Day Passes price at £16 for Thursday and Friday, £18 for Saturday and Sunday. Individual session tickets go on sale 7th February.

Q&A sessions with directors enhance immersion, while the Mercury’s setup ensures a professional yet welcoming atmosphere. The festival’s structure keeps barriers low, inviting newcomers alongside die-hards.

How Does the Festival Boost Romford’s Local Economy?

Held in winter, the event injects vitality into Romford town centre. Around 2000 visitors—filmmakers, fans, and vendors—fill hotels, restaurants, and shops, providing a timely economic lift. As James T. Wilkins reports in The Havering Daily, this influx has sustained the festival’s growth, intertwining cultural buzz with commercial benefits.

From packed screenings to foyer markets, the footprint ripples outward, supporting local businesses amid seasonal slowdowns.

What Has Evolved Since the Festival’s Early Years?

Launched as local film nights, the Romford Horror Festival now rivals bigger events, thanks to community backing and savvy programming. The spokesperson’s comments, via The Havering Daily, credit six years of support for enabling expansions like multi-screen operations and international draws.

Cross-Europe appeal grows, yet it stays rooted in Romford’s Mercury, fostering accessibility and indie spotlights.

Who Are the Key Figures and Films to Watch?

Directors like Jonny Campbell (Cold Storage), John Langridge (Charlie Shaw’s Revenge), Louisa Rose Warren (Bride of Frankenstein), and Kevin McNally (Well-Being) lead the charge, with stars including Liam Neeson and Ayvianna Snow. Cult revivals—Hellraiser, Scanners, All the Colours of the Dark—cater to veterans, while shorts nurture newcomers.

James T. Wilkins of The Havering Daily captures the breadth: from Giallo influences to modern bioterror tales, it’s a horror smorgasbord.