The Black Sunday Film Festival is back with blood on its boots and a mission to celebrate the boldest voices in genre cinema. Now in its sixth edition, the Essex-based event has announced a striking line-up for 2025, running from 1st to 3rd May at Colchester’s Firstsite. Championing independent horror, dark sci-fi, psychological thrillers and everything in between, the festival has carved out a reputation for unearthing daring new work from both the UK and beyond. This year’s programme is no exception.

Opening night sets the tone with three wildly different but equally provocative features. Kaye Adelaide’s The Rebrand makes its UK debut, turning influencer culture inside out in a mockumentary that promises satire with bite. That’s followed by Mary Beth McAndrews’ Bystanders, an unflinching revenge thriller that left festival audiences reeling during its previous run on the circuit. The triple-bill concludes with the Essex premiere of Krazy House,...