“A masterstroke, more unsettling than any amount of explicit horror [...] Even today, when we can feel safe in the knowledge that it’s all fiction, ‘Ghostwatch’ is still an incredibly effective piece of experimental television. Just don’t watch it alone”
DOORS: 18:00 | FILM BEGINS: 18:30
For our 10th anniversary celebrations, we’re bringing a truly legendary phenomenon to the big screen, plus a Q&A with the man who wrote it…
We’re absolutely thrilled to have been granted kind permission to screen Ghostwatch this October. Originally aired on BBC1 on Halloween 1992, this pseudo-documentary depicting a paranormal investigation gone horribly awry “live” on national television proved to be so controversial and disturbing that 33 years on, it’s still yet to be repeated on any UK-based television channel. Years ahead of its time, it’s rightfully the stuff of television legend - and for some of our audience, likely still the stuff of nightmares!
In addition to an introduction from Festival Director Owen Franklin explaining the context and cultural impact of the film, we’re honoured to be joined by Ghostwatch writer (and Bristol University alumnus!) Stephen Volk, who will be taking part in a post-film Q&A session. It promises to be one of the most memorable Halloween events in the Festival’s history - make sure you book early, and bring someone for company, for when the chills get real…!
With thanks to the BFI National TV Archive
About The Film
1992 | 12 | 91 mins
During a supposedly live TV broadcast, some of the BBC’s top presenters - including Michael Parkinson, Sarah Greene and Mike Smith - delve deep into paranormal phenomena. The broadcast takes place simultaneously between a studio set and a suburban house purported to be haunted by poltergeist activity, but as things take an eerie and increasingly inexplicable turn, the ramifications could stretch much, much wider.
Contains moderate horror, possession theme
About The Speaker
Stephen Volk is best known as the creator of BBC TV’s legendary Halloween “mockumentary” Ghostwatch and the award-winning ITV paranormal drama series Afterlife starring Lesley Sharp and Andrew Lincoln. His other screenplays include The Awakening starring Rebecca Hall, the miniseries Midwinter of the Spirit starring Anna Maxwell Martin, and Ken Russell’s Gothic starring Natasha Richardson as Mary Shelley.
He is a BAFTA winner and the author of the acclaimed Dark Masters Trilogy - three novellas featuring Peter Cushing, Alfred Hitchcock, and Dennis Wheatley. His most recent books are Under a Raven’s Wing, The Good Unknown and Other Ghost Stories, and The Confirmed Bachelors.
He studied Film & TV at Bristol University Drama Department and was delighted to be able to set Afterlife in the city.
More info: www.stephenvolk.net
About The Venue
The 1532 Performing Arts Centre opened in September 2016, providing state-of-the-art facilities for music, dance and drama for Bristol Grammar School and Bristol as a whole.
The name 1532 reflects the School's history, being the year that the School received its royal charter. 1532 has multiple spaces, including a theatre, dance studio, drama studio and small concert hall, all of which are available to hire.
The Centre has hosted several Bristol Film Festival screenings with guest speakers and performers, from AI experts to wildlife filmmakers, and is perfect for Q&A sessions and engaging content from a diverse range of themes and topics.
View The Trailer
TICKETS
NB: a mandatory £1.50 booking fee is added to your order at checkout. This is per order, not per ticket
Getting Here
The entrance to the venue is on Elton Road - the what3words reference is myself.reach.sheep
There is on-street parking directly outside the venue and on adjacent roads. Charges may apply so please check signage. There are also nearby car parks located on Trenchard Street and Jacob Wells Road.
The Elton Road bus stop is served by route 72. The Queens Road bus stop is served by routes 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4, 8 and U2.
Wherever possible, we encourage walking the use of public transport when travelling to our events.
Accessibility
The 1532 Performing Arts Centre is an accessible venue. They offer limited access parking via a side vehicle gate on Elton Road, just up the road from the main entrance. Please contact the venue via 1532@bgs.bristol.sch.uk if you require accessible access or would like to discuss any further accessibility concerns.
If you are attending an event as a carer for a disabled guest, then you are entitled to free access. Please select the relevant ticket and bring appropriate proof of eligibility such as proof of blue badge, access card, cinema for all card, letter from a professional or evidence of DLA/PIP.
Please contact us if you require a wheelchair space, or require seating in a particular area (e.g. closer to the exit, at the end of a row).
If you require subtitles, please contact us in advance of making your booking. Many of our screenings can accommodate subtitles; however this varies depending on the film and the amount of advance notice given.
We want to make your visit as enjoyable as possible, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information about this venue’s accessibility.
Venue & Event Information
Doors for this event will open at 18:00 (6:00PM), with the intro talk starting at 18:30.
There is a bar onsite selling a range of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
FAQs
I have a BuyAGift/Red Letter Days/other voucher. How do I redeem this for this event? Head to this page for more information about redeeming Gift Vouchers.
Is my ticket refundable? We operate a no-refunds policy; tickets may be exchanged for event credit to the same value of your ticket up to 72 hours before the start of an event. To request an event credit, please complete our event credit application.