A British independent feature film, Harold’s Going Stiff, has won one of Europe’s most revered international horror festivals, Dead by Dawn.
Now in its 18th year Dead by Dawn is visited by horror fans from across the globe. This year the four-day festival included films from Chile, Japan, Germany, Spain, America, Canada, South Korea and England. Among these was UK independent film Harold’s Going Stiff produced by Frisson Film.
Set in Yorkshire, England, Harold’s Going Stiff tells the tale of Harold Gimble, a pensioner who is slowly becoming zombified from a male only condition called Onset Rigors Disease (ORD). He is assigned a young nurse, Penny, to ease his stiffness and they quickly become good friends. But as their relationship blossoms Harold takes a turn for the worse and soon they’re on the run from a group of bloodthirsty vigilantes.
Harold’s Going Stiff kicked off the festival on the Friday and it soon became clear that the audience we’re enjoying themselves. Director Keith Wright went along to present the film, he explains: “The film got such great reactions throughout, laughter and even weeping. For a director it’s the ultimate experience, to sit with a crowd of passionate fans and witness their reactions. It makes all the effort worthwhile”.
Other bids for the trophy came from such films as Julia’s Eyes, directed by Guillem Morales and produced by Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth), Tucker & Dale vs Evil, directed by Eli Craig, and Der letzte Angestellte, directed by Alexander Adolph. The competition was a very close run affair but, against the odds, Harold’s Going Stiff went on to win alongside Stakeland, directed by Jim Nickle.
The win was announced whilst Frisson Film we at the Cannes Film Festival, which proved to be fortuitous timing. Producer Richard Guy explains: “We were already meeting with distributors and sales agents discussing various options, so when we found out that we had won, our job became a whole lot easier.” Discussions for distribution still continue but Frisson Film hope to release the film to the public later this year.
You can check out the award winning two-minute promo at www.stiffmovie.com.
