A new horror film festival will begin on 23 October in Pedrógão Grande, organised by the municipality and two Americans living in the area, with ambitions to eventually reach the level of Fantasporto, RTP Notícias reports.

Alongside horror films, the programme will include workshops, makeup and special effects activities, performances and themed experiences.

The initiative came from Todd Farmer and Ita Kennedy, an American couple who chose Pedrógão Grande as their home and presented the festival proposal to the municipality, Councillor for Culture Ana Soraia Gomes told Lusa.

“Todd was an actor in Hollywood and Ita is a screenwriter. The idea is to put Pedrógão Grande on the map for horror films. Since there’s nothing [of this kind] in the central region and we need to combat seasonality, we decided to embrace this project and create the Castelo Horror Film Festival, which will take place from October 23rd to November 1st.”

Films and activities

Five horror films will be screened at the Casa da Cultura: “Jason X,” “Resident Evil,” “Obsession,” “Backrooms,” and “Send Help,” alongside two screenings for children: “A Scary Family” and “Frankie and the Monsters.”

A tent in Jardim da Devesa will host the remaining activities, with the programme ending on 1 November with “a horror parade, with several associations involved”.

“We want to value and showcase the culture of Pedrógão Grande and promote this cultural diversity, stimulating intergenerational dialogue through a distinctive and inclusive initiative,” Gomes emphasised.

Around 20 percent of the municipality’s population is foreign, and the council hopes the festival will help involve these residents in community life, alongside “senior citizens, schools, and people with disabilities.”

“Together, we want to create this festival and help it grow,” said Gomes.

Hollywood ambitions

According to the councillor, the intention is to grow the festival in the coming years and expand the programme to the castle where the two Americans live, in the village of Valongo.

“This new festival aims to be one of the biggest in the country and also open doors beyond our borders, particularly to Hollywood. The idea is to bring Hollywood actors here in the coming years,” revealed Ana Soraia Gomes.

The councillor said the intention is “to grow and bring the Pedrógão Grande festival to the level of Fantasporto.”

“That is our great ambition,” she concluded.

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